Microfibre cloths all look much the same in a photo, but they are not all the same. Size and weight change how a cloth feels, how much it holds and which jobs it suits. This guide explains what to look for, so you can pick the right cloth for your home, your cleaning team or your business.
What GSM means
GSM stands for grams per square metre. It tells you how heavy the fabric is for its area, so you can compare cloths of different sizes fairly. As a general rule:
- Lighter cloths are thinner and dry quickly. They suit quick wipe-downs and jobs where cloths are changed often.
- Mid-weight cloths are the everyday all-rounders: dusting, damp wiping, surfaces, glass and general cleaning.
- Heavier, plush cloths have a deeper pile. They hold more water, so they suit drying and buffing.
GSM is useful, but it isn't the whole story. How the cloth is woven or knitted, how the edges are finished and how the cloths are washed all affect how they perform. Use GSM to compare like with like, then choose the type that suits the job.
Why size matters
A larger cloth covers more of a surface in one pass and gives you more clean faces when folded. Folded into quarters, a 40 × 40 cm cloth gives eight faces of 20 × 20 cm each. That is enough to do a run of desks, a washroom or a car door before you need a fresh cloth.
Smaller cloths are easier to handle in tight spaces and are often used where cloths are changed after every task, for example in food areas.
Choosing by job
| Job | What to look for | NICE option |
|---|---|---|
| General cleaning: desks, surfaces, washrooms | Mid-weight, large enough to fold | Microfibre Cleaning Cloths, 40 × 40 cm, 350 GSM |
| Glass and mirrors | Clean, dry cloths kept for glass only | 40 × 40 cm, 350 GSM cloths in their own colour |
| Quick wipe-downs in kitchens and bars | Tear-off sheets you can change often | Tear-Away Microfibre Cleaning Roll, 30 × 30 cm sheets, 50 per roll |
| Drying and buffing, such as cars | Heavier, plusher cloth | Coral Fleece Microfibre Cloth, 550 GSM |
| Wiping larger areas by hand | A mitt that fits over your hand | Microfibre Mitt, yellow or blue |
| Drying dishes and glassware | Tea towels kept for food areas | Tea Towels, packs of 20 |
Colour: more than looks
People search for white, black and other colours of microfibre cloth, and colour does matter, but mostly for organisation. In commercial cleaning, colour tells staff where a cloth may be used, so washroom cloths never end up in the kitchen. Our 40 × 40 cm cloths come in yellow, pink and blue, and our tea towels in green, yellow, pink and blue. Read our guide to colour-coded cleaning cloths to set up a simple scheme.
Pack size and cost per cloth
Single cloths are handy for a one-off job, but for regular cleaning, multipacks work out better. Compare the price per cloth, not the price per pack. Our 40 × 40 cm cloths come in packs of 24, and there is a smaller pack of 4 if you'd like to try them first.
For a team, the number of cloths you need depends on how many each person uses and how often you wash. A practical rule is to keep three sets: one in use, one in the wash and one ready. Our guide on how many microfibre cloths you need has a worked example.
Buying for a business
If you buy cloths every month, buying by the box is simpler. Our 24-packs come 12 packs to a trade box, rolls come 9 to a box, tea towels 10 packs to a box and mitts 100 to a box. You can:
- Request a quote for a one-off order of boxes or pallets
- Open a trade account to see trade prices and reorder online
- Apply for a wholesale account with your own price list
A VAT invoice comes with every order. See trade and wholesale, or our page for cleaning companies.
Frequently asked questions
What does GSM mean on a microfibre cloth?
GSM means grams per square metre. It measures how heavy the fabric is for its area. Heavier cloths are usually thicker and plusher; lighter cloths are thinner and dry faster.
What is a good size for a microfibre cleaning cloth?
For general cleaning, a large cloth such as 40 × 40 cm is a practical choice. Folded into quarters, it gives eight clean faces, so one cloth goes further before it needs changing.
Is a higher GSM microfibre cloth always better?
No. Heavier cloths suit drying and buffing, while mid-weight cloths are better all-rounders for everyday cleaning. Choose by the job, not by the highest number.
Can I buy microfibre cloths in bulk?
Yes. Our 40 × 40 cm, 350 GSM cloths come in packs of 24, with 12 packs to a trade box. Request a quote for boxes or pallets, or apply for a trade account.