Mistakes Everyone Makes When Using Microfiber Cloths Around The House

Microfiber cloths have become a cleaning staple in households. Unlike passing fads, their reputation is well-earned, since they remove smudges, dirt, and germs with the same gusto as they absorb spills. Better yet, they don't leave streaks or lint behind. Bonus advantage: They dry quickly. This makes it difficult for bacteria and mildew to set up shop. These pros are courtesy of the split fibers made of polyester and polyamide and their positive static charge. But if you kind of feel like the hype around microfiber cloths is unfounded, you might want to check that you're using yours correctly.

For instance, you shouldn't wipe your grimy baseboards with a dry cloth instead of a damp one. Picking the wrong towel for a task will also provide unsatisfactory results. Another reason why your microfiber cloths might not be living up to their stellar reputation is poor maintenance. A common example includes exposing them to high temperatures, which will significantly reduce their two- to three-year lifespan. Not washing new microfiber towels or storing damp ones will affect their performance as well. Tired of rubbing a surface several times to clean it or changing the towels regularly? Here are the most common mistakes everyone makes when cleaning with microfiber cloths and ways you can rectify them.

A microfiber cloth is ideal for wiping surfaces and removing dust and dirt from your home. Normally, using either side to clean a surface would offer the same result. However, choosing the right side is important when using double-sided towels. This is because such cloths feature a soft side and a slightly coarse side. The coarser side is best for vigorously rubbing away dirt, while the softer, fuzzier side is better suited to dusting.

So, before using it, check if your microfiber towel has two distinct sides (generally indicated by differing colors on either side) or is the same throughout. If it features dual sides, reserve the smooth one for fragile items, including electronics, stainless steel, and glass. It should better help dislodge the fine layer of dust and wipe off any fingerprints. Use the rough side for heavy-duty cleaning jobs. Kitchen and bathroom countertops, dusty vents, fireplace mantels, and ceiling fans are a few examples. You can always mark them with a conspicuous 'C' for coarse and 'S' for soft using a permanent marker to avoid having to examine the sides every time you clean.

Microfiber cloths are considered superior to traditional rags. But if they've started feeling the same as an overrated movie or series — meaning your experience has been underwhelming — you might want to check if you're using the right towel for a task. So, instead of dismissing them, pick a microfiber cloth based on the surface you're dealing with.

There are four types of microfiber cloths. All-purpose towels feature a terry weave and are smooth and absorbent. This makes them perfect for regular dusting, buffing metal surfaces, and taking care of spills. Similarly, a glass microfiber cloth comes with a soft-knit weave and is ideal for polishing reflective surfaces sans streaks, including mirrors, windows, and electronic screens. Textured cloths have a waffle weave and are known for their scrubbing powers, like cleaning grease from your kitchen, without being abrasive. Plus, they're more absorbent than all-purpose towels and dry quickly. So, use them to dry your shower glass or absorb huge spills. The final one has a coral fleece weave and is the softest of the lot. They're best for wiping your car's body and polishing silver and jewelry. Basically, light cleaning jobs that don't involve a lot of dust or grime. Alternatively, check a microfiber cloth's GSM (grams per square meter) before buying. This is because cloths with a higher GSM are valued for their absorbent and cleaning properties, whereas towels with a low GSM are great for wiping delicate surfaces.

Just like you shouldn't push a door with a "pull" sign, using dry microfiber cloths on surfaces requiring a damp touch won't work, and vice versa. Simply put, using a dry towel to wipe away the grime on your door frames won't make them look good as new. On the other hand, you don't have to dampen a towel for some light dusting. One of the dusting mistakes you've likely been making this whole time might be not knowing when to wet your cloth versus using a dry one.

To avoid this, classify the chore as cleaning or dusting prior to using a dry cloth or dampening it. To elaborate, if you just want to take a pass at your living room furniture as part of your daily cleaning routine, keep the cloth dry. However, if you're cleaning buildup off of the furniture, opt for a damp cloth. This is because a dry cloth won't pick up thick layers of dust and debris as effectively. Instead, it'll just move the dust around, making you believe the furniture is now clean. The faucet in your bathroom, mirrors around your house, silver items and jewelry, and electronic gadgets will all benefit from a dry cloth. Contrastingly, a damp microfiber cloth will work wonders on your dirty baseboards, greasy cabinets, sticky countertops, crusty window sills, and ignored doors. For best results, dip the cloth in warm water for a couple of minutes and wring it out before use. If you're pressed for time, cold water works, too.

There are some things you should never clean with bleach, and microfiber cloths is one of them. You might assume it's the best way to sterilize and rid your microfiber cleaning cloths of stains, however, that'd be a mistake, since bleach can damage the fibers. This won't just adversely impact their longevity — the towels will also start leaving behind lint when you use them to buff or clean a surface. Another common laundry mistake that'll ruin your microfiber cloth is using fabric softener or sheets to soften its fibers and make it smell good. This is because the softener will form a wax-like coating on the towel, blocking the spaces between the fibers and reducing their absorbency. If you have already made the error of using fabric softener on your cleaning cloths, don't panic. All you need to do is wash the cloth again and it should be back in business. 

To continue using your microfiber towels as intended, replace bleach and fabric softeners with distilled white vinegar. The colorless liquid won't just clean the soiled cloths, but also erase any lingering smells. Simply add ½ or ⅓ cup of vinegar, depending on how dirty the towels are and the load you're washing, to the fabric softener slot. This will ensure the liquid is released during the rinse part of the washing cycle. In case your washer doesn't have a dedicated slot, pour the same amount in with the dirty cloths at the start of the wash cycle. Add a little detergent and you're good to go.

The one thing just about everyone gets wrong when doing laundry is using too much detergent. Using more than the stipulated amount won't make your garments cleaner, and the same applies to microfiber cloths. Cutting back on laundry detergent can be one of the best things for your clothes and your cleaning cloths. This is because microfiber towels don't hold onto the trapped dirt and grime. In fact, they let go of it without much friction. So, if you use more detergent than necessary, it'll just build up on the cloth and limit its cleaning and absorbent properties. Excess laundry detergent is bad for your washer, too, as it can accumulate over time and cause blockages.

To avoid damaging your microfiber cleaning towels or clogging your washer, use half the amount of laundry detergent you need per load when washing clothes. Or, start with a teaspoon or two and go from there. Ensure the detergent isn't too harsh and doesn't contain any fragrance or additives to maximize the life and cleaning power of your microfiber cloths.

Putting your dirty and grimy microfiber towels in the washing machine with the rest of your laundry is a big no-no. This is because they'll attract the dust, dirt, and hair that was clinging onto your garments, coming out of the washer potentially dirtier than when you dropped them in. Following the same logic, you shouldn't wash incredibly filthy cloths with slightly dirty ones. Similarly, you don't want to pair them with your cotton towels or other natural fabrics that give off fibers during the wash cycle. This will prevent the shed lint from transferring to your microfiber towels and clogging their fibers.

So, separate your microfiber towels from other garments before throwing them in the washing machine. If you just wish to wash a towel or two and don't want to run your washer for such a small load, put them in mesh bags, like BAGAIL's 5-piece Mesh Laundry Bags. Then, add the bags to the machine with your regular laundry. This way, the cloths will get clean without you having to run an extra cycle, and lint and dust transfer should be minimized. Alternatively, hand wash your microfiber cloths. Don't forget to sort the dark- and light-colored towels into two separate piles to avoid color bleeding. Final tip: If you've already made the mistake of washing microfiber cleaning cloths with other items and they're now full of lint, try using a lint roller to get it out. 

There's no denying that hot water is great for cleaning extremely dirty items, like soiled rags. However, this rule doesn't apply to microfiber towels. In fact, you must never wash them using hot water. This is because water hotter than 160 degrees Fahrenheit will cause the cloths to shrink and harm the fibers. In extreme cases, hot water will fuse their synthetic polymer fibers, rendering them useless. That's not all. Hot water will also promote color bleeding, leaching your microfiber towels of their vibrant hues. Further, avoid picking the high spin cycle, as the higher level of agitation can wrinkle the cloths beyond saving.

Therefore, make it a point to wash your dirty microfiber cloths in cold water only. This will keep the fibers intact and won't compromise their absorbency or cleaning powers. If the towels are incredibly dirty and greasy, use warm (not hot) water to clean them. Alternatively, soak them for a while prior to washing. Stay away from high spin cycles and opt for delicate or gentle settings to avoid unsightly creases. Plus, a single cycle is enough to cleanse them, so there's no need for a second rinse.

Just like you shouldn't wash your soiled microfiber towels using hot water, you shouldn't expose them to the high temperatures of your electric dryer. Heat in any form is damaging for the cloths and can melt the fibers. This is why ironing microfiber towels is a no-go as well. Plus, if your lint trap is full, the cloths will come out covered in tiny pieces of fiber. Since they're challenging to pick out, don't take any chances. Worse, if you add dryer sheets or balls to the dryer, they'll lower your cloths' ability to clean using static electricity when it's dry.

The good news is microfiber cloths dry fast. So, instead of putting them in the dryer, let them air dry and conserve a little energy. After you wash them, shake them a little to get rid of the creases and hang them outside on a clothesline. If stringing a clothesline outside your home is not possible, lay them out on a flat surface. When the weather is bad or the sun is playing hide-and-seek, hang them inside in a well-ventilated area. But if the dryer is your only option, employ this clever hack for cleaning out your dryer lint trap, stay away from dryer balls and sheets, and only pick the air-dry or low-heat setting.

Microfiber cloths are a powerhouse and can be used to polish and clean multiple surfaces. They pick up dirt, debris, and bacteria along the way and get incredibly filthy. But if you don't keep them clean, the trapped filth will lower their efficiency. Worse, the germs will multiply at a rapid pace and invite their family and friends over. Plus, the dirty towel will promote their spread when coming into contact with a surface or another towel.

Ensure you wash dirty microfiber towels after each use. Slightly dusty ones that aren't damp can be washed after every third use. To lower the number of microfiber cloths you require for each task, fold them two or three times, depending on how big they are. Use one side for dusting a surface, and when it's dirty, move on to the next side. Remember, only dry cloths can be used a few times without being washed. Damp or wet ones must be washed after each use before they're hung up to dry. The same goes for towels that are extremely greasy or dusty. Finally, there's no point using towels that are past their prime and are difficult to work with. So, don't hesitate to replace the old ones.