Microfibre cloths are now the standard cleaning cloth in homes, offices, kitchens and car valeting. But what is a microfibre cloth, and why does it clean differently from an ordinary cotton cloth? This guide explains what microfibre is, how it works, how to use it and where it fits alongside cotton and paper towels.
What is microfibre?
Microfibre is a synthetic fabric made from extremely fine fibres. The fibres are much thinner than a human hair and much finer than cotton. Microfibre cleaning cloths are usually made from blends of polyester and polyamide (nylon), though the exact mix varies between products. NICE microfibre cloths, rolls, tea towels and mitts are 80% polyester and 20% polyamide.
During manufacture, the fibres are often split into even finer strands. That gives each cloth a very large surface area packed into a small space, with lots of tiny gaps between the strands. Those gaps are what make microfibre good at cleaning.
How does a microfibre cloth clean?
A microfibre cleaning cloth works mainly by picking dirt up and holding it, rather than pushing it around.
- Dust and crumbs: the fine strands reach into small gaps in a surface and trap loose particles in the cloth.
- Grease and fingerprints: the fibres lift light grease from smooth surfaces such as glass, stainless steel and screens.
- Water and spills: the gaps between the strands draw liquid into the cloth.
Because the dirt is held in the cloth, you need to rinse it, refold it to a clean face or swap it as you go. A cloth that is already full has nowhere left to put new dirt.
Dry or damp: how to use microfibre
One cloth can do several jobs, depending on how you use it.
Dry
Use a dry cloth for dusting shelves, desks, screens and furniture, and for buffing glass, mirrors and polished surfaces after cleaning. Dry microfibre picks up dust well without any spray.
Damp
For worktops, tables, sinks and general wiping, use the cloth slightly damp, wrung out well rather than dripping. You can use it with water alone for light cleaning, or with your usual cleaning product. Where a surface needs disinfecting, use a suitable product as directed; the cloth itself is a cleaning tool, not a disinfectant.
Fold it
Fold the cloth into quarters. A 40 × 40 cm cloth folded this way gives you eight faces to work through before it needs rinsing.
What does GSM mean?
GSM stands for grams per square metre. It tells you how much fabric is in the cloth. In general:
- Lighter cloths are thinner, dry faster after washing and suit glass and general wiping.
- Mid-weight cloths, such as our 350 GSM cloths, are an all-round choice for most cleaning jobs.
- Heavier cloths, such as our 550 GSM coral fleece, feel thicker and plusher and are popular for buffing and car care.
GSM is only part of the picture. The weave, the size of the cloth and how well it has been looked after matter too. Our guide to size and GSM goes into more detail.
What are microfibre cloths used for?
- Homes: dusting, kitchen worktops, bathrooms, mirrors and windows. See our kitchen cloths guide.
- Offices and cleaning companies: desks, screens, washrooms and kitchens, often with colour-coded sets. See our guide to colour-coded cleaning cloths.
- Cafés, restaurants and hotels: tables, counters, stainless steel and glassware.
- Car care: drying details, buffing, glass and interiors. See microfibre cloths for cars.
- Glass and screens: windows, mirrors and glass doors. See microfibre cloths for glass.
Pros and cons of microfibre
Pros
- Picks up dust and crumbs well, dry or damp.
- Reusable and machine washable, so less waste than single-use wipes.
- Sheds much less lint than cotton.
- Comes in many colours, which makes colour coding easy.
- Light and quick to dry.
Cons
- Needs a bit of care: no fabric softener, no bleach and no high heat.
- Picks up lint from cotton if they are washed together.
- It is a synthetic fabric, and washing synthetics releases some fibres into the water.
- Can wear out faster if washed and dried at high temperatures.
Microfibre vs cotton vs paper towels
Cotton cloths are absorbent and tolerate rough treatment, but they tend to push dust around rather than trap it, and they shed lint on glass and dark surfaces. They are still fine for heavy, messy jobs.
Paper towels are convenient and single-use, which some people prefer for raw food spills. But they tear, leave bits on glass and create a lot of waste over time.
Microfibre sits in between: reusable like cotton, but better at trapping fine dust and leaving less behind on smooth surfaces. Many kitchens and bars also use tear-away microfibre sheets, such as our microfibre cleaning rolls, for quick wipe-downs.
Looking after microfibre
Wash microfibre on its own with a normal detergent, without fabric softener or bleach. Dry it on low heat or let it air-dry. Always follow any care instructions supplied with your cloths. Our guide on how to wash microfibre cloths has the full routine.
Try NICE 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.
Frequently asked questions
What is a microfibre cloth made of?
Microfibre cloths are made from very fine synthetic fibres, usually a blend of polyester and polyamide. The exact blend varies from product to product; NICE products are 80% polyester and 20% polyamide.
Do you need cleaning spray with a microfibre cloth?
Not always. A dry cloth handles dusting, and a damp cloth with water handles light cleaning. For grease, heavy soiling or surfaces that need disinfecting, use a suitable product as directed.
Is microfibre better than cotton?
For dusting, glass and smooth surfaces, microfibre usually does a better job because it traps fine dust and sheds less lint. Cotton is still useful for heavy, messy jobs.
Can microfibre cloths be washed?
Yes. Most microfibre cloths are machine washable. Wash them on their own, skip fabric softener and bleach, and dry on low heat or air-dry. Follow any care instructions supplied.