One of the main reasons people switch from cotton to microfibre is lint. Cotton cloths and tea towels leave fluff on glass, stainless steel and dark surfaces. Microfibre is far less likely to. But "less likely" is not the same as "never", and how you wash your cloths makes a big difference. This guide explains why.
Why microfibre sheds less than cotton
Cotton is made from short natural fibres twisted together into yarn. As a cotton cloth is used and washed, those short fibres work loose and come away as lint.
Microfibre is made from synthetic fibres that are much finer than cotton and are made as long, continuous filaments rather than short staples. There are far fewer loose ends to break away, so a good microfibre cloth leaves much less behind. That is why microfibre is the usual choice for glass, mirrors, polished surfaces and car paintwork.
Why a microfibre cloth can still leave fluff
If your microfibre cloths are leaving bits behind, the cause is usually one of these:
- The lint isn't from the cloth. Microfibre is very good at picking up loose fibres. Wash it with cotton towels and it collects their lint, then puts it back down on the next surface you wipe.
- Fabric softener. Softener coats the fibres, so the cloth picks up less and smears more. Residue on the cloth can look like streaks or fluff.
- The cloth is new. Some new cloths release a few loose fibres at first, often from the cut edges. Washing new cloths before first use helps.
- The cloth is worn out. Cloths that have been washed hot many times or tumble dried on high heat can go stiff and start to break down.
- The cloth is overloaded. A cloth that is already full of dust or grease has nowhere left to hold dirt. Refold it to a clean face or swap it.
How to wash microfibre cloths
Most lint problems come down to washing. The general advice for microfibre is simple:
- Wash microfibre on its own. Keep it away from cotton towels, tea towels and anything else that sheds.
- Keep colours and areas separate. If you colour-code, wash washroom cloths apart from kitchen and general cloths.
- Use a normal detergent, without fabric softener. Skip any detergent that includes softener too.
- Avoid bleach. It is generally not recommended for synthetic fibres.
- Dry on low heat or air-dry. High heat can damage synthetic fibres and make the cloth feel harsh.
- Follow any care instructions supplied with your cloths.
Shake cloths out before they go in the machine so loose grit and crumbs don't spread to the rest of the load.
Getting a lint-free finish on glass
Glass and mirrors are where lint and smears show most. A few habits help:
- Use two cloths: one slightly damp cloth to clean, and one dry cloth to buff.
- Spray the cleaner onto the cloth rather than straight onto the glass, so you use less product.
- Fold the cloth into quarters. A 40 × 40 cm cloth folded this way gives eight faces, so you can turn to a fresh side as each one gets damp.
- Keep glass cloths for glass only. A cloth that has touched polish, wax or grease will smear.
Is microfibre right for every job?
For most cleaning tasks, yes. Microfibre works dry for dusting and damp for wiping. For quick, disposable-style wipe-downs, some kitchens and bars prefer tear-away sheets, such as our microfibre cleaning rolls with 50 sheets of 30 × 30 cm to a roll. For drying dishes and glassware, many kitchens keep a separate stock of tea towels.
Our microfibre cloths
NICE microfibre cleaning cloths measure 40 × 40 cm and weigh 350 GSM. They come in packs of 24 in yellow, pink and blue, and there is a smaller pack of 4 if you want to try them first. Businesses can buy by the trade box of 12 packs. See trade and wholesale for details.
Frequently asked questions
Are microfibre cloths lint-free?
Microfibre sheds much less lint than cotton because it is made from very fine, continuous synthetic filaments. A clean microfibre cloth that has been washed correctly should leave very little behind. Most fluff problems come from washing microfibre with cotton or using fabric softener.
Why is my microfibre cloth leaving fluff?
The usual cause is lint picked up from cotton items in the same wash. Fabric softener residue, new cloths that haven't been washed yet and worn-out cloths can also leave marks. Wash microfibre on its own, without softener.
Can you put microfibre cloths in the washing machine?
Generally, yes. Wash them on their own with a normal detergent, no fabric softener and no bleach, and dry them on low heat or let them air-dry. Always follow any care instructions supplied with the cloths.
Should I wash new microfibre cloths before using them?
It is a good idea, especially for cloths you will use on glass or polished surfaces. A first wash removes any loose fibres from manufacturing and cutting.