Microfiber towels are one of the smartest investments for hotel owners, cleaning services, and car detailing businesses. They are highly absorbent, durable, and offer lint-free cleaning. When washed improperly, they turn stiff and lose their function. The need for frequent replacements drives up the operational costs and waste for a business.
When a microfiber towel is washed using the right method, it can stay functional even after 150 washes. Thus, it can reduce the long-term cost of bulk purchasing. Ready to bring back the original shine of your microfiber towels? Let’s get started.
Why is a Microfiber Towel Easily Prone to Damage During Washing?
Microfiber cloths are made up of synthetic materials, including poly-amide and polyester. Their ultra-fine fibers make them highly absorbent. They can easily trap dirt, dust, bacteria, and grease as well.
The synthetic fibers of these towels give them performance benefits but also make them more prone to damage. It is because:
- Poly-amide and polyester are types of plastic. High heat or exposure to chemicals can easily melt the fibres or shrink them unevenly.
- Microfiber towels are strong adsorbents. When washed with fibers of other materials, they can trap dirt, hair, and lint from them.
- Their fibers have microscopic gaps between them. Fabric softeners fill in these gaps. As a result, the absorption power of microfiber towels reduces. They also become water-repellent.
- When not washed properly, oil and bacteria remain locked inside the delicate fibres. It can cause odors and mold to develop.
How to Clean Microfiber Towels the Right Way: For Residential and Commercial Settings
Hand-washing Instructions
Hand-washing microfiber is gentler and gives you better cleaning control. Here’s how to wash microfiber cloths with your hands:
- Before washing the towel, give it a good shake to get rid of loose dirt, dust, or other fine particles.
- Gently rub the towel together under running water to dislodge the dirt, dust, and oil stains.
- Now, fill the sink or bucket with water and mix a neutral detergent in it. You can use lukewarm or cool water for heavily soiled towels.
- Soak the towel for at least 15-20 minutes.
- Agitate the towel gently while focusing on the heavily stained areas.
- Rinse again with clean water to remove all the residues from the towel.
- Wring out the towel to remove excess moisture and hang dry in an area away from direct sunlight.
Machine-washing Instructions
Can you wash a microfiber towel in a machine? Yes, most modern machines have a “Gentle or delicate cycle” mode. They can wash microfiber cloths softly without destroying the fibers. Hence, when it comes to bulk washing in hotels, car detailing shops, or commercial cleaning services, you can use a machine.
Here’s how to clean lightly soiled microfiber towels safely in a washing machine:
- Clean the lint trap of your washing machine.
- To prevent dirt transfer, wash the microfiber cloths separately from regular laundry.
- Shake it on a side to eliminate any loose particles from the towel.
- Fill 3/4th of the washing machine tub with microfiber towels.
- Add 2-3 capfuls of a dedicated microfiber detergent into the detergent tray.
- Click on the “gentle or delicate” button.
- Once the towels are clean, you can air-dry them outside or choose the air dry setting of the machine.
How to Remove Grease and Stains from Microfiber Towels?
Cleaning Kitchen Grease from Microfiber Towels
For effective cleaning of microfiber towels to remove kitchen grease:
- Use an enzyme-based stain remover on the stained spots. Set the towel aside for 10 minutes before washing. The enzymes help break down stain particles, making it easier to lift dirt.
- Then, wash it by hand or let the machine take care of the rest.
- If the stain remover is not available, soak the towel in warm water for 15 minutes before hand washing.
- For machine wash, stop it mid-wash cycle, let the towel sit for 15 minutes, then resume the cycle.
Removing Wax and Stubborn Stains from Car Cleaning Towels
Removing wax and stubborn stains from car cleaning microfiber cloths requires the use of an appropriate detergent. The right way to wash microfiber towels after car detailing:
- Separate the towels based on their use (light-duty and heavy-duty towels).
- Light-use towels are those used for drying a car after a car wash. They can be washed in the same way as above.
- The towels used for metal polishing, cleaning wheels, or ceramic spray coating should be categorized as heavy-duty towels.
- To remove the stubborn stains, use a stain remover and let the towels rest for 10-15 minutes.
- Pre-soak them for a minimum of 1-2 hours in warm water mixed with a microfiber-specific detergent.
- For very heavily stained cloths like ceramic spray or wax, soak them overnight.
- Gently rub the towels with a delicate touch.
- Proceed with machine-washing or hand-washing them.
Eliminating Odors and Mold from Microfiber Towels
Are you wondering how to remove the smell from microfiber towels? For any odors or molds, run two machine cycles.
- In the first cycle, add white vinegar to the machine. It can remove odors and loosen the mold from the towels.
- During the second cycle, add 1/2 cup of baking soda along with the detergent.
- Finally, dry them outside.
Washing Microfiber Towels: The Don’ts
Remember these instructions before washing the towels:
- Do not use fabric softener or a regular laundry detergent for microfiber towels.
- Avoid adding too much detergent as the towel can easily trap excess amount.
- Ensure that you are not using hot water to wash the towels.
- Do not wash microfiber cloths in the same cycle as cotton towels.
- Avoid using dryer sheets to dry microfiber towels.
Washing and Drying Microfiber Towels: The Do’s
Here are some tips that can help turn your microfiber towels incredibly soft after a wash:
- Microfiber towels expand after absorbing water. Therefore, add only a few towels that can easily fit in the washing machine tub.
- Use an additive-free and fragrance-free detergent.
- It is better to air-dry the washed towels. You can also use a dryer on low heat settings(equal to or lower than 140 º F).
- If the microfiber towels have any fuzz, simply remove the lint from the microfiber towel using a lint roller.
How to Make Microfiber Towels Last Long After Repeated Washing: Buyer’s Guide
Whether you are buying microfiber towels in bulk for your business or home cleaning, you must be mindful of these factors:
- GSM: The right GSM for the microfiber cloths depends upon your requirements. Go for 160-350 GSM towels for light or regular cleaning. For heavy tasks like car detailing, choose microfiber cloths with GSM above 350.
- Weave: Choose the weave pattern according to your needs. This help a microfiber cloth remain durable even after repeated washes. Go for flat-weave pattern for cleaning glasses and other delicate surfaces. For high moisture absorption, go for terry or waffle weave.
- Hem: A towel with a strong edge constructions easily survives repeated washes. A high-quality microfiber towel must have hemmed or banded edges.
- Fiber Composition: The polyester to polyamide ratio of microfiber towels vary. It is usually 90/10, 80/20, and 70/30. Among all, towels made in 70/30 ratio are considered the highest quality.
After choosing the towel, you can do a wash test. This can help you check whether the towel maintains its shape, softness, and cleaning ability after a wash.
FAQs
1. Why do microfiber towels get stiffer the more you wash them?
Microfiber towels get stiffer after washing only when they are not cleaned properly. They trap dirt or detergent residues in them. Moreover, heat can also denature their fine particles.
2. Can microfiber towels be machine-washed frequently?
Yes, you can machine-wash microfiber towels frequently. However, ensure that you are using the right detergent, heat settings, and stain removers for this. Also, wash them separately from other fabrics.
3. Can towels still be used if they have an odor or have become moldy?
Microfiber towels have molds or odors only when they have dirt, grease, or moisture trapped in them. Using them without washing can backfire instead of providing any benefit.
4. How often should I wash the microfiber towels?
Heavily soiled microfiber towels should be washed after every use. If you are using them for light tasks like dusting, you can wash the cloths after every three uses.
Conclusion
Microfiber towels are often used as dusting cloths, drying towels, or car cleaning rags. They have fine fibres that can trap excess dirt and moisture. However, without proper washing, they become stiff and less durable.
For their longevity, wash them separately from other natural fibres. Instead of regular detergents, use dedicated microfiber detergents. Furthermore, ensure that the drying process is heat-free. Lastly, store microfiber towels in moisture-free areas.
Looking for High-quality Microfiber Towels That Last Long? Choose Manywell.
Why are Manywell cleaning cloths considered the best microfiber towels? It is because they are made of premium material. They maintain their cleaning power even after a hundred washes. Moreover, they can last longer than average towels. Thus, hotel owners, auto detailers, or commercial cleaning companies can save on replacement costs.
On top of everything, we offer customization on everything, from logos and embroidery to private labelling. For personalized quotes, Contact us now!
