Microfibre Cloths: The Ultimate Cleaning Tool

The first rule of household cleaning is to put together a kit of cleaning essentials so that you have everything you need to keep a clean and tidy home. The second rule is to do the actual work! Yes, without putting in the time and effort it takes to maintain cleanliness in the home, your cleaning kit is useless. That is precisely why homeowners look for the best cleaners and cleaning tools available to make household cleaning quick and easy. Among these efficient products, one truly stands out for its multi-purpose benefits, effectiveness, and durability – we’re talking about microfibre cloths!

If you’ve never used these handy cleaning cloths before, you’re in for a pleasant surprise! The joy of cleaning with microfibre cloths can be attributed to its effectiveness in picking up dust and dirt instantly while being gentle enough to use on any type of surface. 

Now, before we talk about just how amazing this ultimate cleaning tool is, let’s learn more about what they are, and what makes them so useful for cleaning.

What are Microfibre Cloths?

When you look for microfibre cloths online, you will find quite a few different types available. While they may not look the same and serve different purposes, their construction remains the same. Microfibre cloths are a product of fine synthetic fibres that are closely weaved resulting in a large volume of fibres per square inch. Any cloth with a similar structure is known to be extremely absorbent, and that’s no different with microfibre cloths. In fact, they can soak up water that measures between 5 – 6 times their actual weight!

Upon friction between these incredibly fine fibres, static electricity is created which further aids in effectively picking up fine dust and germs. Because of this additional benefit, you get a deeper clean when using microfibre cloths as compared to dust cloths made from other materials.   

The Top Four Benefits of Using Microfibre Cloths

Now that you know what microfibre cloths are, let’s talk about how beneficial these tools are for household cleaning.  

1. They are Multi-Purpose Cleaning Tools

Whether you are dusting the furniture, washing windows, wiping up spills, or scrubbing the inside of your refrigerator, a microfibre cloth is handy in almost any situation related to household cleaning. Moreover, as we mentioned earlier, there are different types of microfibre cloths, each of which come with their own set of advantages and intended uses.

Our advice is to stock up on various types of microfibre cloths ranging from ultra-fine fibres that are smooth, super-soft, and ideal for cleaning electronics and screens, to extra-textured cloths for more heavy-duty tasks like cleaning kitchen surfaces and tough grime.

2. They are Stronger than Other Materials

It’s true what they say – “there is strength in numbers”. In this case, owing to the sheer number of fibres used to construct a single microfibre cloth, these cleaning tools are far more durable than other types of cleaning cloths made from materials with weaker weaves and fewer fibres. Although it’s advisable to stock up on microfibre cloths, you should know that a single piece will last you a long time!

To top it off, microfibre cloths are often used for heavy-duty cleaning tasks that involve vigorous scrubbing and/or tackling hardened dirt and grime; yet they don’t tear or fray until used to the max! While you may not want to take our word for it, we urge you to switch to microfiber cloths and see for yourself just how long-lasting they are! 

3. They are Effective in Most Areas of Home Cleaning

Being a multi-purpose cleaning tool is great, but what’s even better is the fact that microfibre cloths are extremely effective in serving these varied cleaning purposes. Commonly used for picking up dust, when compared to other types of dust cloths, microfibre cloths are 10x more effective, often needing just one quick swipe to clean dust off a surface. 

Their high absorbency levels also make them useful for drying surfaces and wiping up liquid spills. Depending on their structure, these cloths can also substitute abrasive materials to successfully scrub away tough grime without causing any scratches or damage to surfaces.

4. They are Reusable/Economical

It’s important to care for your microfibre cloths in order to prolong their lifespan. Because they are reusable and durable, they can be machine-washed or hand-washed in warm soapy water, thoroughly rinsed, and then hung to dry. This, of course, is only when they require a deep clean or routine clean.

For microfibre dust cloths that are used daily, a simple rinse to remove dirt will suffice. Always make sure to dry the cloths properly before storing them away as folded damp cloths in a cabinet are prone to mould/mildew. When you find that your microfibre cloths are getting discoloured, frayed, or losing their plushness or original texture, that means it’s time to say goodbye and replace them with a fresh set!

Cleaning experts at MaidForYou say that once you start using microfibre cloths, there’s no going back! In fact, more often than not, a simple homemade cleaning solution and a trusty ‘ol microfibre cloth are all you need to clean up household surfaces, furniture, home appliances, and more!

How To Clean Using Microfibre Cloths

If you’ve made a habit out of scrunching up a dust cloth, and then using it to wipe a surface, you’re not alone! Most people do this for a lack of knowing any better, and are often left dissatisfied with the results. Nevertheless, that can change by simply learning the best way to use a microfibre cloth.

Firstly, there is no need to wet or dampen the cleaning cloth while dusting because fine particles cling to microfibre even when the material is dry. On the other hand, if you are attempting to wipe up stubborn stains, a little dampness will render the cloth more effective.

For general household dusting, you can get the most out of your microfibre cloth by simply folding it into four quarters. All you need to do is fold the cloth in half, and then give it another fold to make a quarter. Proceed to dust surfaces using one side of the folded cloth until it is dirty. When needed, switch to a clean side and continue. In this manner, you will have eight fresh sides of one micofibre cloth to clean with, thereby eliminating the potential of transferring dirt from one surface to the next.

How To Clean & Care For Your Microfibre Cloths

Though microfibre is made to last long, how you care for it will determine how effective it remains during that time.

Obviously, cleaning your microfibre cloths is the most important thing to do for both the fabric and cleaning result. Our experts recommend basic cleaning after every use by simply shaking off excess dust in an outdoor space, and then rinsing the cloth thoroughly under cold or lukewarm running water. Do this until all the particles have been removed, and the water runs clear.

To maintain microfibre cloths further, it is essential to clean them at least once a week when used daily. You can do this by hand, or in a washing machine, however, there are a few things to keep in mind regarding what products and detergents are best to use for microfibre cloths. Fabric softener, harsh detergents, bleach, and laundry soap with additives such as conditioning agents and perfume, must all be avoided because they leave a residue on fibres which reduce the cleaning efficiency of the dust cloth.

Here are two simple methods to clean microfibre cloths safely.

Hand-Wash Method:

• Remove loose debris by shaking the cloth in an outdoor area. Alternatively, you can do this while holding it inside a large, unused garbage bag.

• Fill a basin or container with cool or room temperature water.

• Depending on how large the basin is, you can soak multiple microfibre cloths in the water. Use your hand to manipulate the material and dislodge dirt while the cloths are submerged. Pay attention to extra soiled areas by scrubbing them between your fingers.

• Leave the cloths to soak for 10 - 15 minutes before agitating the material once again.

• Rinse each cloth thoroughly, and gently squeeze out excess water.

• Hang them on a clothesline to air-dry.

TIP: Add a few drops of a mild laundry soap to the water for a deeper clean.

Machine-Wash Method:

• Shake off loose dirt before you put the microfibre cloths in the washer.

• Add in a small amount of ‘free’ laundry detergent that is assured to be without additives. About a teaspoon for 6 - 8 cloths will suffice. 

• Set the washing machine to the smallest load, and use cold or warm water. If there is a need to neutralise odours, add in 1 tablespoon of white vinegar when the water fills up.

• After the wash cycle is complete, take out the dust cloths, and hang them to dry. Avoid putting microfibre cloths in the dryer as they can easily encounter lint which gets trapped in the fibres of the cloth.

NOTE: Microfibre clothes should not be washed along with other fabrics, particularly cotton. This is because heavier and/or more abrasive fabrics can wear out microfibre, as well as transfer lint to the cleaning cloths.