I use microfiber cleaning cloths for cleaning just about everything and every surface, so I thought I'd show you the 'winners' in my book. I've purchased different brands and types of cleaning cloths with my own money so what you see today are microfiber cloths and tools that really work and are worth the small investment.
What is microfiber?
- typically an 80% polyester/20% nylon blend
- comes in various textures and weaves to clean different things
Why use microfiber?
- no lint left behind
- dries quickly
- no streaks
- no paper towels
- pennies per use
- each microfiber cloth has 300+ uses, so if you clean once a week, you've got at least 6 years of use on any given cloth
- washes easily
- microfiber can be rinsed and wrung out as your using it
- launder with detergent - never use fabric softener
- dry in the dryer
Where do I use microfiber? Everywhere! Microfiber is my floor to ceiling cleaning tool. And I definitely take advantage of certain cloths that are designated for cleaning specific things.
{brands are below the pictures if you are curious}
{brands are below the pictures if you are curious}
I like this 'just for wood' cloth with furnture polish for polishing furniture
{Method brand for wood microfiber}
dusting
{Williams-Sonoma dusting mit}
{Method brand for wood microfiber}
{Williams-Sonoma dusting mit}
windows/mirrors
{Method window/mirror cloth}
{Method window/mirror cloth}
{Target brand from the automotive aisle}
{Target brand from the automotive aisle}
{Bissell scrubbing microfiber pad}
electronics - this cloth gets rid of all the dust that collects on screens
{Casabella microfiber for plasma and lcd screens}
{Casabella microfiber for plasma and lcd screens}
{Scotch-Brite 2-sided microfiber cloths}
New to microfiber? Buy a pack of cloths - different colors work well because then you can use designate different colors for rooms or tasks. Try using it instead of paper towels or other rags and I think you'll see that microfiber is a great cleaning tool!
New to microfiber? Buy a pack of cloths - different colors work well because then you can use designate different colors for rooms or tasks. Try using it instead of paper towels or other rags and I think you'll see that microfiber is a great cleaning tool!
Have a favorite microfiber product? I'd love to hear about it!
My favorite is the Norwex towels that clean windows...so easy and the windows are streak free and no lint on the windows when done, not to mention - no other window cleaner needed.
ReplyDeleteI haven't used Norwex, but have only heard good things!
Deletexo, Becky
I'm assuming you save up all your microfiber from the week and wash all at once? Do you rinse out your washer ( if you use fabric softener on regular loads) to ensure there's none on the cloths? I'd love to go paper towel free, but just haven't made the jump yet!
ReplyDeleteI do wash them separately when I have a bucket full and then I usually run the 'clean washer' cycle afterwards. I don't worry about residual softener from other loads.
Deletexo, Becky
Last week I cleaned my wood floors per your instructions and I smile everytime I look at them. They have never looked so good. I use microfiber towels on my stainless and granite.
ReplyDeleteYay! So happy you like the method - I can't believe how much cleaner my floors are too! I love microfiber for stainless and forgot to add that to the post, shucks!
Deletexo, Becky
I love microfiber. I clean model homes and they save me so much time, product and trash! Which microfiber do you use for stainless? I haven't had success with the general cloths...maybe the glass cloths?
Deletefor stainless steel try their stainless steel cloth or the polishing cloth (if there isn't stuck on messes) http://eclothusa.com checkout the specials...great variety pack ending Aug. 31, 2012
DeleteI have both Norwex & Ecloth products, both are great but Ecloth keeps more green ($) in my pocket :)
I to use microfibre for everything!!!
ReplyDeleteCan't live without them anymore.
I'm from Holland so we don't have the same brands as you have and there is a differents between where you buy them but most of all they are working verry good!
Microfiber is a great invention, isn't it?
Deletexo, Becky
Thank you so much for introducing me to microfiber. I've been using them for almost a year thanks to you, and I'll never go back to rags and paper towels.
ReplyDeleteOn using different colors: I've heard the phrase "pink in the sink, blue in the bowl" as a reminder for which color to use where so you don't mix them up. (Pink for bathroom counters, sinks, and tubs, blue for toilet exterior parts) Forgive me if I heard this from you and am repeating something you've already written, but it's a great little mnemonic device!
That wasn't me Katherine, but that's a great tip! Thanks for sharing!
Deletexo, Becky
Can you tell me the brands of the microfibers you use in the pictures? I need to know great brands because I want to make the switch!
ReplyDeleteI've added brands to the pics :)
Deletexo, Becky
I can't wait to buy some microfiber cloths!!!
ReplyDeleteYou'll love them!
Deletexo, Becky
Great advice for people that aren't familiar with the wonderful world of microfiber. I would just add that you should not wash your microfiber cloths with bleach or any detergent that contains bleach as it will destroy the fibers.
ReplyDeleteOne down point to microfiber is that it is SO very good at picking up (and holding onto) dirt and grease that the cloths frequently become stained. Higher grade microfiber (like e-cloth - which recently won a bunch of "best of" awards in REAL SIMPLE magazine) can be boiled which opens up the fibers and releases more dirt. e-cloth also has scientific testing results showing that they pick up over 99.9% of bacteria (http://eclothusa.com) . This is NOT true for all microfiber cloths. I've posted a lot of information about how to clean and care for your microfiber on my blog (https://cleaninup.wordpress.com/) - if anyone is interested.
Microfiber cleans very well, although I have not completely changed over to just those. And the towels are good too.
ReplyDeleteI have just been throwing them in with the other wash. Do you have any other suggestions?
I do a separate load just for rags and wash on sanitize cycle.
Deletexo, Becky
I love the Bona mop,includes a microfiber cloth head
ReplyDeleteMicro Fibre is brilliant, especially on smoked black glass, which shows every speck of dust.
ReplyDeleteJules
I would really LOVE to use microfiber cloths! However, I find that I cannot stand that they stick to my fingers - does this happen to anyone else? Almost like my skin is too dry - but they don't look or feel like it. Just wondering...
ReplyDeleteI get the same feeling when using microfiber cloths. It makes you feel like it is lifting up your skin cells. I do still use them, my gripe is that I have to pick out bits of stuff after I launder them, there is a lot of sawdust, wood chips, and craft moss at my house- they hold on to microfiber for dear life!
DeleteA good quality cloth will NOT give you that icky skin feeling OR contain bits of stuff after you launder them. I love ecloth brand because the price is reasonable for the amazing quality. Enjo is a premium but expensive cloth. Premium cloths do not have cut ends, but are woven and that's why they don't stick to your fingers.
DeleteWow this website is amazing on residential cleaning I am actually excited to go home and start cleaning after reading all of this! I usually in the past would rather hire out someone else to do it for me but now I feel like I can actually get the job done myself, Thank you!
ReplyDeletegreat article ! I honestly love cleaning and dusting the home using microfibre cloths. I recently purchased a steam mop called h2o mop x5 and it comes with fantastic microfibre clothes, picking up everything and trapping it in. There are lot of steam mops on the market that come with the micro fibre cloth, it makes buying a steam mop all the more worth it then just using a conventional mop. For those interested in buying a steam mop there is a 15% off coupon code available at www.facebook.com/thanedirectnorthamerica
ReplyDeleteusing microfibre clothings on a steam mop is just the icing on the home makers cake !
Where dud you find the scrubbing pad and the television pad?
ReplyDeleteAt a grocery store called Meijer - they had a bunch of options and I snagged them all up :)
Deletexo, Becky
this may seem obvious, but why no fabric softener?
ReplyDeleteThe softener coats the fibers in the cloth and it can't absorb as much water/cleaner, making it less effective.
DeleteI would also just add that when used dry, microfiber cloths are pretty good dusters but you need the static charge, which is another reason to not use fabric softener.
DeleteWhere do you buy the Bissell pads? Are they cloths or pads that are used for a steamer that you use on floor separately? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThe Bissell pads are from Meijer - they are specifically for cleaning tasks - purchased separately, not for a floor cleaner. But...they seem very similar in texture to a floor cleaner :)
DeleteBecky,
ReplyDeletelove your blog! When you talk about using vinegar on "hardwood" floors are these true hardwood or laminate flooring. We have laminate but I am very loathe to "wash it. I sweep and dust mop all the time but I am not sure if you can damp mop it any ideas?
Thanks
Cyndie
I love Clean Mama! Thank you for your tips. I have just joined Norwex as an Independent Consultant and I love micro-fiber. It is the way to go in cleaning, and is so much easier. Thanks for helping to make my life a little easier.
ReplyDelete