Why I don't use microfibre cloths any more

[Cynderella]

I keep seeing recommendations for micro cloths and e-cloths because they mean you can use less aggressive cleaning products. I get this - more than fifteen years ago, I took this advice. A while back, I was gifted more e-cloths and I was using them for everything. They worked well and were easy to wash and dry.

This year, I read about the way in which they're clogging up the seas. Worse, it happens every time you wash them, and I do like a clean cloth. While I avoid man made materials when I buy clothes, somehow, I didn't make the connection with cleaning cloths. Sometimes, I post about the problem with these cloths, not because I'm judging but just because I know a lot of people don't know - I didn't until a few months ago.

If you google "microfibre cloths" and "pollution", you'll find lot of info. You can start here: www.asustainablelife.co.uk/7-easy-ways-to-reduce-microfibre-pollution/

There are two products that you can use in your washing machine. Sadly, the one that goes in with a whole wash doesn't seem to be effective and the one that does seem to work is a bag into which you put synthetics and that's expensive and not what I want.

So, I've given my microfibre cloths to my grateful daughter - maybe they should have gone into landfill? I honestly don't know what would have been the best way for them to die, and I did try to find out.

I'm trying to use rags, but I have bought some bamboo cloths because ... well, because I wanted them. I just like having different cloths for different things.

I use cheap flannels. They’re cotton, robust, and boilwash friendly.

Have you read the full information tho? That virtually all modern clothing ( and clothing production) is to blame for this not just micro cloths? The reality is people wash clothes far far to much they wear fleece fabrics ( a big cause of microfibres pollution) and also buy cheap man-made fibres from the likes of Primark and don't think about the pollution involved in not just production and cleaning but of shipping them to the UK from where they are made.

I get that deciding not to use microfibre cloths may make you feel you are doing something but in the grand scheme? Pollution caused by the production of other cloths and sponges? The use of cleaning chemicals to clean and keep the cloths clean? And the filling of landfill with cloths that don't last as long?

There is no simple answer

Yes, of course, it's not just cloths that leech microfibres, but a lot of people (I was one) believed that microfibre e-cloths were environmentally friendly, and they obviously are not.

Using old cotton face cloths seems to be a much better idea.

I'm just starting to think about the microplastic issue, too. Have a load of microfibre cloths, many I have just bought.

@Cynderella how are you finding the bamboo cloths?

Cheap flannels might also be a good option.

Thanks for this op. I almost started a similar threads myself recently. Great to spread the message

I've just posted this in answer to a similar question on the Housekeeping board:

I think bamboo is the way forward, but I expect that'll be an issue soon. I know that it grows quickly (far too quickly in my neighbour's garden) and so it doesn't need the resources that cotton does.

My daughter has taken most of my microfibre cloths and I've given others away - I know that they're still being washed, but it's stopped them buying more and they all clean less than I do.

I use old towels cut up for floor cloths, cleaning the shower etc, but I have bought bamboo cloths for kitchen cleaning.

So now, I have cleaning cloths, floor cloths (old towels), dishcloths, handkerchiefs, bum cloths (instead of baby wipes for granddaughter), cotton napkins ... Last time my husband put washing out and it was a white load, he reckoned it was worse than a load that has all the socks

Thanks 4 the info (& the link).
I use rags (yes, really, old clothes cut up into small pieces) for a lot of cleaning. Will try to stick to only buying cotton, too.

I use dishcloths and old muslins for much of my cleaning now. New dishcloths for kitchen but they get relegated eventually.

I've yet to find something non plastic to replace scrubbing sponges....

I like these: www.amazon.co.uk/Kilo-Non-Scratch-Scourer-Cotton-Multi-Colour/dp/B009WSBH80/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?keywords=cotton+resin+scourers&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1539891651&sr=8-1-fkmr1

Not quite sponges, but I did see some similar that were padded in TKMaxx.