Microfiber Cleaning Cloths Guide: A Better and Safer Clean

Why Use Microfiber Cleaning Cloths?

The first time I tried the e Cloth brand of microfiber cleaning cloths, I was amazed at the awesome results! A product that cleans naturally with only water… I was sold! (TheVacuumCenter.com Tip: Add lemon essential oil, or a few drops of lemon juice for a fresh scent while you clean!)

Somewhere in this article is a coupon code for saving 10% on microfiber cleaning cloths!

If you haven’t tried microfiber, the basic idea is that the microscopic fibers in the cloth pick up much more dirt, bacteria and germs than regular cloth.

The use of microfiber in cleaning is growing in popularity. Microfibers are completely changing the way people clean their homes, wash their cars, mop their floors, and even cleanse their bodies. Microfiber enables people to eliminate many of the household cleaners they would typically use. Whether a person has been using commercially produced cleaning products or making their own at home, many are making the switch to a cleaning method which uses only water and a these reusable cloths. In an effort to reduce chemical exposure, eliminate waste, save time and money, and simplify their lives, microfiber is becoming an obvious choice for many.

Why Does Cleaning with Water Matter?

It means microfiber can make you into a lean, mean, green cleaning machine! Armed with only water and a microfiber cloth, you are going to have a greater impact than when you employed conventional cleaning methods. We all know why that’s good; cleaning with water is going keep nasty chemicals out of your home and out of our air and water systems.

In time, this reduction in chemical use and waste will translate into an improved quality of life for you, your family, your community and our world. Beyond this, cleaning only with water means no dirt or chemical residue will be left behind on your surfaces, which actually means you’re achieving a “cleaner” clean. Cleaning with microfiber can also save you money as you eliminate, or drastically reduce, the number of cleaning products you buy or make. The cloths I use in my home have been tested for up to 500 washes and carry a 2 year warranty.

Why Microfiber Cloths Are Superior To Cotton

Microfiber Cleaning Cloths Compared to Cotton

Microfiber Compared To Cotton Fiber

Microfiber is extremely small, but the size of the fiber is not the only reason for its superiority. Traditional cleaning cloth fibers are cylindrical and have a tendency to push dirt and moisture around leaving the surface unclean and wet. Blended microfiber is shaped like an asterisk (*). It has the ability to pick up and lock dirt, dust and moisture into the fibers actually cleaning and drying the surface. If the microfiber is not blended and split, it has a cylindrical shape and has the same problems associated with traditional cleaning towel fibers.

Microfiber is positively charged, which adds to its ability to attract dirt like a magnet (dirt is negatively charged). It is also lint free, leaving nothing behind when cleaning or drying. The fibers are so small they are able to penetrate cracks and crevices that cotton fibers are unable to clean, along with cleaning the microscopic surface pores of most materials. Due to the increased surface area of the fibers and their asterisk shape they are able to hold 7-8 times their weight in liquid, making them excellent drying towels. If you are still using a leather chamois to dry your car, you might want to consider a waffle weave microfiber towel instead for better results.

A study done at UC Davis comparing traditional mop heads to microfiber mops heads has really brought microfibers cleaning superiority to light. After cleaning a surface with conventional tools, a bacteria culture showed a 30-percent reduction, while with microfiber materials the bacteria was reduced by 99 percent. In addition, they also last much longer than conventional towels. A microfiber towel can be washed over 500 times, compared to just 55 for a conventional towel, providing a lower lifetime cost. As well as saving costs with towel purchases, less cleaning chemicals are used to clean surfaces, which also saves costs.

*UC Davis Pioneers Use Of Microfiber Mops In Hospitals: https://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/publish/news/newsroom/2379

TheVacuumCenter.com Key Benefits of Microfiber Cloths:

Locks In Dirt, Dust, and food particles
Highly Absorbent
Lint Free
Strong and Durable
Soft For Delicate Surfaces
Light Weight
Resistant to shrinking and stretching
Wrinkle Free
Quick Drying

What to Clean with Microfiber Cloths?

I’d like to offer a few of my favorite microfiber uses in order to get you thinking about ways in which you might incorporate microfiber into your own home and cleaning routine.

In The Kitchen: This is where I use my microfiber the most. I used to spend a lot of money on "special" granite cleaners and cloths, and not always with the best results; a residual dulling film left behind. Your counter tops will shine like new simply using a microfiber polishing cloth and water. I use it for cleaning counter tops, cabinets, floors, stovetops and stainless steel appliances. The tiny microfibers do an awesome job clearing away dirt and food residues as well as tackling greasy films and messes.

In the Bathroom: You can use a microfiber in the bathroom to easily remove dirt and residues from all surfaces. I especially like it on my shower walls!

On Surfaces with a Shine: Windows, mirrors, chrome fixtures, granite and other shiny surfaces clean and shine easily with a cleaning cloth and specially designed polishing cloth. You’ll be thrilled by how easy it is to get a streak free shine!

Window and glass polishing cloths work like magic! I was astounded the first time that I cleaned a glass topped coffee table sparking clean without glass cleaner! The same holds true for mirrors; no glass cleaning needed, again absolutely amazing! Don't forget the glass in Cars, Boats, and RV's too!

For Dusting: Using microfiber to dust is wonderful! The cloth picks up and traps the dust rather than sending it airborne. Because you’re not using a traditional product when you dust, there is no chemical residue left behind to attract more dust. You will find you have to dust less often!

Favorite Microfiber Cloths For Cleaning My Home

How To Launder And Care For Microfiber Towels

Before your towels even make it to the washing machine it’s important to take care of them directly after use. To help prevent stains and dirt from drying into the towel, rinse clothes with a small amount of detergent and warm water.

Cleaning microfiber takes a little more care than a normal load of laundry. Do not wash microfiber with your regular laundry because the towels attract lint from your other clothes. Do not use fabric softeners or detergent and softener combinations. Fabric softeners clog the pores of the fiber and ruin the towel. Additionally, never use bleach it also damages the fiber and ruins the towel. On the other hand, it’s a good idea to add a half of cup of distilled white vinegar during the final rinse cycle to eliminate any left over detergent residue from the towels. Vinegar is a natural fabric softener, which will help to keep your towels as soft as the day you bought them. Everyone loves soft towels.

The best way to dry microfiber is to use the tumble dry setting or the lowest heat setting to insure the towel is not damaged and lives up to the 500 wash lifespan. Polyester, one of the components of the fiber is heat sensitive and has a tendency to melt even using a medium heat setting while in the dryer. Dryer sheets should also be avoided as they degrade the positive charge of the towel and can cause them to be statically charged leading to more problems.

How To Store Microfiber Towels

It’s best to store towels in some type of covered container so they are protected from dirt and dust between uses. Ideal storage solutions are placing them in a kitchen storage bag (like a very large sandwich bag), in a cabinet or in a drawer.

Microfiber Reward!

I know that you will enjoy using microfiber cleaning cloths once you give them a try. I hope that you found this information helpful. And for reading all the way to the end, here is a coupon code for 10% off your first purchase of any e Cloth brand microfiber cleaning cloths. Just enter the code ECLOTH10 at checkout. Happy Cleaning! - Kate