When cleaned improperly, microfiber cloths can quickly lose their effectiveness.

Additionally, wash your microfiber towels in vinegar to remove any lingering smell and soften them up.

If they are wet or excessively soiled, wash them after each use.

Multi-colored microfiber clothes on white surface and in white wired container

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

If they’re used only for light and routine cleaning, wash them at least after every third use.

Be sure to read the care tag to see if the cloth needs hand-washing.

This is uncommon for cleaning cloths, but some microfiber towels and other items may need hand-washing.

Materials needed for washing microfiber cloths

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

This will prevent soap buildup that can reduce the cloth’s cleaning ability.

Then, run a full cycle.

If the microfiber cloths smell, add a tablespoon ofwhite vinegarto your wash water.

Microfiber cloths sorted out of laundry into white wired container

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Do not use fragrance boosters or bleach to eliminate odors, as the fibers can be coated or damaged.

Avoiding the dryer will help them last longer.

Air-dry them on a flat surface, hang them on a drying rack, or line dry.

Selecting warm water for the wash cycle

The Spruce / Kori Livingston

Other fabrics can ruin the integrity of the microfiber cloth.

They become stiff from soap and hard water residue after time.

Run a short cycle with the vinegar and then another short cycle using 1 cup of baking soda.

Person adding detergent to a wash tub

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

When properly cared for, microfiber cloths can last for a few years or up to 500 washes.