In order to take good care of anything, you have to first understand what it is made of. Do you know what microfiber is? It is a synthetic fiber made of plastic and nylon. These two materials are shaped into super fine fibers that dry very quickly. The plastic fibers (known as polyester) provide structure while the nylon fibers (called polyamide) make the fabric more absorbent. Here's how to maintain microfiber towels and cloths so that they last you for years!
Microfiber towels and cloths are best used for cleaning. They are durable but soft and super absorbent, giving any surface a thorough cleaning without scratches. We've recommended them in previous articles, e.g. for cleansing your car, for these exact reasons. Microfiber towels come in a variety of types, and each type has a slightly different purpose.
Medium-weight fibers
These are the most widely used microfiber cloths. Medium-weight fibers are the ones you can use to clean your car and also your stovetop and kitchen counter. They feel like a lightweight towel, and they can also be used to clean and sanitize leather, stone and wood.
Lightweight towels
Lightweight microfiber towels are generally used to clean delicate and scratch-prone surfaces, such as your reading glasses or a phone screen. They are denser and have shorter fibers, which is why they leave no streaks behind when you're using them to clean your glasses or smartphone.
Waffle weave
This dimensional weave is best for dusting and washing with soap, which is why it's commonly used in mops and dusting mitts. You've also, perhaps, seen this type of microfiber in bathroom rugs.
Dual plush
The softest of them all, this type of microfiber is suitable for cleaning without water and effectively wiping away dust from all surfaces. It's also used in washcloths and travel-friendly bath towels because the material is very light and foldable.
Now that you're an expert on identifying your fibers. Let's take a look at how to clean and maintain them.
Cleaning Tips For Microfiber Fabrics:
- First, give the towel a good shake outside to remove big chunks of dust and dirt from it before you wash with water.
- You can either wash microfiber towels by hand or in the washing machine. If you choose to use your washing machine, make sure not to wash the microfiber towels with cotton or other lint-spreading fabrics, as the lint will adhere to the microfiber in the wash. Use detergent only, no fabric softener is needed.
- If your towels are not that dirty, you can toss them in the sink or a large basin with lukewarm water, swish them around a little and hang them to dry. It is THAT easy, and they will dry quickly.
- As we mentioned, the best method of drying microfiber cloths is to hang them to dry. They won't pick up any lint that way.
- If you insist on using the dryer, that's fine too. Just make sure that your lint trap is spotless and use the lowest heat setting. Do not mix the microfiber towels with any other type of laundry.
H/T: LifeHacker and QualityLogoProducts
