How to Wash Microfiber Towels, According to Experts

Microfiber towels make simple yet effective cleaning tools against some of your home’s biggest messes. Whether you’re battling a dirty oven, shining up your stainless steel, or cleaning streaks off a television screen, those tiny-but-mighty fibers are highly effective at trapping dust, dirt, and bacteria. However, if you aren’t sure how to wash your microfiber cloths properly, you actually might be making your home dirtier.

Luckily, our cleaning professionals are here to share the best way to care for these tidying superheroes.

Materials Needed:

• Large sink or washer
• Mild liquid detergent 
• Mesh laundry bag 
• White vinegar
• Dryer or dryer rack

Cleaning Instructions for Microfiber Towels

Whether you’re using microfiber cloths to polish silver or soak up spills, it’s important to follow these cleaning instructions to keep them performing.

1. Separate Your Microfiber Towels 

While an additional laundry load may take a bit of time, it’s worth the effort to wash microfiber towels separately. As laundry professional Melia Long explains, cotton, fleece, and any other garments that produce lint could harm your cleaning cloths. “The microfiber acts like a magnet and will grab onto those particles, reducing its effectiveness,” Long explains.

“Treat microfiber like its own laundry category. If you have just a few, consider using a mesh laundry bag to keep them contained during the wash.”

2. Consider a Pre-Rinse

If you are washing heavily soiled towels, rinse them by hand in cold water before tossing them in the machine, suggests Scott Schrader, cleaning expert at CottageCare. This will help get them thoroughly clean—as well as protect other, less-dirty towels in the load.

3. Choose Your Detergent Wisely—and Use Sparingly

Use a detergent that’s free of fabric softeners, fragrances, or optical brighteners, says Long. “Those leave a coating that clogs the fibers and ruins absorbency,” she explains. “A little detergent goes a long way with microfiber, as too much can actually leave residue behind.”

4. Use the Gentle Cycle

Microfiber doesn’t need heavy agitation to get clean, says Long. “Using a gentle cycle helps preserve the structure of the fibers over time and avoids wear,” she suggests. 

5. Add Vinegar

“Do not use a fabric softener,” warns Elizabeth Shields, operations manager of Super Cleaning Service Louisville. “Instead, toss in a half cup of white vinegar during the rinse cycle.” Among all of its cleaning uses, vinegar can help naturally soften and deodorize the fabric.

6. Assess an Extra Rinse

Ensure all detergent is rinsed out completely, advises Alicia Sokolowski, co-CEO of AspenClean. “Residue can reduce absorbency and cause streaking when cleaning,” she says. “When in doubt, run an extra rinse cycle.”

7. Minimize Heat

Air dry or tumble dry on low or no heat. “High heat is microfiber’s enemy, as it can melt the synthetic fibers and leave the towels feeling stiff or slick—a sign that they’ve lost their effectiveness,” says Long. “Air drying works great and is gentler in the long run.” 

If you’re determined to machine-dry your cloths, Shields suggests throwing in a few tennis or dryer balls to help break up stiffness and speed up drying. “Always take them out right after the cycle ends,” says Shields. “If you can’t dry right away, at least hang them over something to air out. Don’t let that damp swamp smell take over.”

8. Skip the Dryer Sheets 

If you’re machine drying, avoid dryer sheets since they coat the towels in residue, warns Long.

Special Precautions to Take with Microfiber Towels

To help extend the longevity of your microfiber towels—and make cleaning them even easier—heed the following precautions and expert tips.

• Avoid bleach, fabric softeners, and dryer sheets: Fabric softener and dryer sheets are the biggest microfiber killers, according to Long. “They leave behind a waxy residue that destroys the towel’s absorbency and grip,” she says. “Bleach also breaks down the fibers over time.”
• Don’t overload the machine: “Microfiber needs room to move in the washer,” says Shields. “If you overload the machine, the towels don’t agitate properly and end up not getting fully clean.”
• Keep away from heat: Avoid ironing or using hot water since high heat damages the structure of the microfiber. 
• Store away from contaminants: “Microfiber towels should be stored away from dust, dirt, and moisture—preferably in a clean, dry place,” says Schrader. “This maintains their static-charged cleaning ability and extends their life.”