How To Wash Microfiber
It doesn't matter much how you wash low quality microfiber they just aren't going to last long and, they won't perform well for very long either. High quality microfiber not only cleans better than any other towel or cloth you can buy it will last for hundreds of washings if you care for it right.
Microfiber towels have special properties that make it essential to know the right cleaning procedures. Washing them regularly and correctly will ensure the thousands of split ends that microfiber uses to do the dirt pickup will remain open instead of full of leftover dirt from your last cleaning. This guarantees they can continue to gather dirt and bacteria deep into those fibers and off of your surfaces. It also guarantees the streak free finishes that you get with our Original Krystal Klear Cloth when they're cleaned correctly. Wash them by following these directions below and you'll minimize lint and streaks leaving you with a neat finish and good bacteria pickup every time.
Cleaning Microfiber in the Washing Machine
Cleaning microfiber cloths in the washer is a convenient option that doesn't require any special time or change in your normal laundry routines. Follow these steps to learn how to care for microfiber towels in a washer.
1. SEPARATE MICROFIBER CLOTHS FROM OTHER FABRICS. Always wash your microfiber towels separately to avoid the transfer of lint, hair and dust from other items. Microfiber towels attract lint, so don’t wash them with any materials like cotton towels, or other natural fibers that tend to shed. Consider separating out the microfiber you use for light housekeeping like dusting, from the ones you use for heavy duty dirty jobs. This prevents the transfer of dirt.
2. SHAKE OFF EXCESS DIRT. Before washing microfiber towels, give them a good shake outside or into the trash to loosen and release dirt and dust. Don't expect the washing machine will shed them of loose dirt. Remember those thousands of split ends that work like crazy glue to hold onto dirt and grime as you clean will do the same with that loose dirt. So get rid of it before tossing them in the washer.
3. USE A FRAGRANCE-FREE AND ADDITIVE-FREE DETERGENT AND DO NOT USE FABRIC SOFTENER. Do not use detergents that contain fragrances or additives and don’t use fabric softener, which can coat the fibers and render them ineffective at cleaning. Make sure not to use too much detergent. Just enough to do the cleaning job while not leaving behind fibers filled up with detergent is enough.
4. ADD VINEGAR TO REMOVE ODORS. If your microfiber towels aren’t smelling great, add a tablespoon up to a quarter cup of white vinegar to the load to help get rid of odors. It can be used in the wash or rinse cycle. I prefer the wash cycle in place of bleach.
*Avoid keeping dirty, wet microfiber in ventilated laundry bags to minimize germ growth while they are waiting to be washed. Better to hang them where you last used them to dry before tossing them in with other dirty cloths.
HOW TO WASH MICROFIBER CLOTHS BY HAND
Microfiber towels used for tasks like light dusting usually don’t need a spin through the washer—a quick hand wash is all that’s required. Detergent may not even be necessary. This is an excellent method for washing our Original Krystal Klear Cloth.
1. SHAKE OFF EXCESS DIRT
Before washing microfiber towels, give them a good shake outside or into the trash to loosen and release dirt and dust.
2. FILL A BASIN OR SINK WITH COOL WATER
Add cool or warm water to a bowl, bucket or sink.
Add the microfiber towels, a tablespoon of soap if you choose, and scrub them by hand to remove dirt and other particles. Let the cloths soak for about 15 minutes, then give them one last quick scrub.
4. RINSE AND WRING OUT CLOTHS
Rinse the microfiber cloths under clean running water and then wring out the excess moisture.
HOW TO DRY MICROFIBER TOWELS
To keep microfiber towels absorbent, air drying on a flat surface or line drying are the preferred methods.
If you’d rather use the dryer, be sure to do the following:
- Dry microfiber towels separately from other items.
- Don’t add dryer sheets
- Clean the lint trap thoroughly before drying to avoid any lint transfer.
- Use only low heat or an air-dry setting.
- Line dry for maximum microfiber lifespan (only where sanitization is unnecessary)
Here are a few Dont's
❌ Do not use bleach
Microfiber is very sensitive to bleaches. It damages the fibers, which start shedding and depositing lint on surfaces.
❌ Don't keep dirty microfiber in ventilated bags
Closed airtight containers are a breeding ground for germs. Not only that, but the odor remains on the cloth even after washing it. The odor then transfers to surfaces while cleaning, leaving the room with an unpleasant odor. If you aren't going to get to washing them, hang them and let them dry out before tossing them into a dirty clothes hamper. It's always better to wash them sooner rather than later.
❌ Never over load your washer and dryer. Instead pack it loosely (¾ full max)
Overloading your dryer compresses the fibers during washing, causing them to shrink and diminishing their performance. Compression also pushes dirt into the fibers and traps it there. This can leave streak marks on surfaces.
❌ Never wash microfiber with natural fabrics
Fibers such as cotton and wool shed fibers. Microfiber, being positively charged, attracts lint from these materials and deposits them on surfaces while cleaning so avoid this outcome by steering clear of any natural fibers.
❌Avoid At All Cost! Never use the Towel Cycle, Sanitizer Cycle, or any other high heat cycle on your washer or dryer, as the heat melts and shrinks microfiber.