How to Wash Microfibre Cloths and Towels (UK Guide): Keep Them Soft, Absorbent and Lint Free
Quick answer: wash microfibre cloths in the washing machine at 30 to 40°C with a small amount of non-bio liquid detergent, on their own (never with cotton), and never use fabric softener. Air dry them, or tumble dry on low below 40°C. Done this way, good microfibre cloths and towels last for hundreds of washes.
How to wash microfibre cloths in the washing machine
- Shake them out. Knock off loose grit, crumbs and dust outside so it doesn't end up back in the fibres.
- Separate by job. Wash car paint towels apart from greasy kitchen, wheel or workshop cloths, so grime never gets near your paintwork.
- Wash microfibre on its own. No cotton towels, tea towels or clothes. Microfibre grabs lint from cotton and then leaves it on your glass.
- Use a little non-bio liquid. About half your normal dose, or a dedicated microfibre wash. Avoid powders, which can stay trapped in the fibres.
- No fabric softener, ever. Softener coats the split fibres, so they stop absorbing water and start smearing.
- Wash at 30 to 40°C. Use a normal or synthetics cycle with an extra rinse if your machine has one. Very hot washes can damage the fibres.
- Dry low or air dry. Hang them up, or tumble dry on low below 40°C with no dryer sheets.
How to wash microfibre cloths by hand
Fill a bucket or sink with warm water and a few drops of non-bio liquid. Soak the cloths for 15 to 20 minutes, agitate them, then rinse in clean water until it runs clear. Squeeze out (don't twist hard) and hang to dry.
How to wash microfibre car drying towels
Car drying towels need the most care because they touch your paint. Wash them on their own, with no softener, and keep them away from wheel and interior cloths. A 1200 GSM drying towel like the NanoWype+ or a compact MicroWype+ washed like this stays plush and safe on paint, ceramic coatings and PPF for 300+ washes. If you drop one on the ground, wash it before it goes near the car again. More in our car drying towel guide.
Can you wash microfibre cloths with vinegar?
Yes, as an occasional deep clean. If cloths feel stiff or have stopped absorbing, soak them in warm water with a cup of white vinegar for an hour, then machine wash as normal. Vinegar helps break down detergent and softener build-up. Don't use it every wash, and never mix it with bleach.
Why microfibre cloths stop absorbing (and how to fix them)
- Fabric softener or dryer sheets: the most common cause. Run a hot rinse, then a vinegar soak, then a normal wash.
- Too much detergent: residue sits in the fibres. Wash again with no detergent and an extra rinse.
- Lint from cotton: rewash on their own and shake out well.
- Heat damage: fibres that were tumble dried hot feel hard and melted. These can't be rescued; move them to workshop duty.
How often should you wash microfibre cloths?
| Cloth | Wash |
|---|---|
| Kitchen cloths | After every day of use |
| Bathroom cloths | After every clean, separately from kitchen cloths |
| Glass and window cloths | When they start to smear |
| Dusting cloths | Weekly |
| Car drying towels | After every wash day |
A big multipack makes this easy. With a 36-pack of MultiWype+ microfibre cleaning cloths there is always a clean stack while the rest are in the wash.
Washing microfibre: questions
Can you put microfibre cloths in the washing machine?
Yes. Machine wash at 30 to 40°C with a little non-bio liquid detergent, on their own, with no fabric softener.
What temperature should I wash microfibre cloths at?
30 to 40°C for everyday cloths and car towels. Very greasy kitchen or workshop cloths can go up to 60°C occasionally, but hot washes shorten the life of the fibres.
Why can't you use fabric softener on microfibre?
Softener coats the tiny split fibres that make microfibre absorbent and grippy. Coated cloths push water and dirt around and leave streaks.
Can you tumble dry microfibre cloths?
Yes, on low heat below 40°C and with no dryer sheets. High heat can melt the fibres. Air drying is safest.
Should you wash microfibre with cotton towels?
No. Cotton sheds lint, and microfibre traps it, so your cloths would leave lint on glass and paint.
How long do microfibre cloths last?
Washed properly, quality microfibre lasts hundreds of washes. Our car drying towels are rated for 300+.