Microfibre Cloths ...`

[Tallilah]

Hi all - looking for some help.

I bought a range of Microfibres to use rounf the house instrad of throwaway wipes etc, but the washing of them confuses me.

So they have to be used without fabric softener so have to be done separetly, but can you mix the dishcloth ones with the bathroom one, I alos used one one the skirting, thats pretty near the floor, so can that go in the load with the dishloths? Puls I dont have a million opf they so they are pretty lonely in a wash by themselves (as I use softener on baby clothes etc)

So in an attempt to be environmentally friendly, it doesnt seem that good?

What have I missed?

I also started to soak them in zoflora overnight, but the dishcloths end up smelling rather strong ....

I wash all of them with the towels load, no fabric softener, on 70 degrees.

@7worfs

I did that last week but my dishcloth for example, I put in the washing basket on monday for next weeks towl wash, and I realised it was STINKING ... I couldnt leave it there til next Sunday (towels) so I'm not sure what to do with it

I've always just chucked mine in with whatever I'm washing... didn't know you couldn't use them with softener. Mine are still fine! 🤷‍♀️

I stick mine in with towels and always use a bit of fabric softener. Have never noticed an issue with towels or cloths

I do a cloths and towels wash about twice a week. They do sometimes smell a bit.
I put powder in the drum and white vinegar in the drawer. Tend to wash on 60

But I use the cloths for all cleaning, the boys hands and faces. We end up using loads of cloths

all the packs say thy softener reduces the Microfibre working well, I use them without Chemicals as per the instructions when I can

I just bung them all in with whatever else I’m washing unless it’s a whites only wash. Fabric softener would make them less absorbent but I don’t use it anyway.

I do a separate wash with all the microfibres regardless of their use eg bathroom/floors/tiles etc I have a quick wash 60'option on my washing machine so I use that I tend to do one wash a week but if the cloths are smelling I'll do a quick wash on 40 just to get rid of the smells (it's a 10 min wash on my machine).

Sorry meant to add I use napisan and no fabric conditioner

Ah yes OP - I give them a quick rinse and dry them if the towel wash is days away, otherwise they do indeed stink even if not particularly dirty

Microfibre cloths are bad news. If you are trying to limit the environmental damage they do, there is advice on washing them at the end of this page:

friendsoftheearth.uk/plastics/microfibres-plastic-in-our-clothes?gclid=Cj0KCQiAmsrxBRDaARIsANyiD1qDklzBzyI8Ot5SD5txF2gHVcASdmaX4jojqGV4vQ_xtd2j3GYgWx4aAg33EALw_wcB

As soon as a cloth is finished with, I chuck it straight in the washing machine (or on the floor beside it if the machine is already on) and it gets washed with the next load, whatever it is. Same with teatowels.

Life's to short to fanny about worrying over how to wash cloths

Mine get washed with towels, flannels and tea towels. I have a storage basket to keep them all in until the next load.

@Cynderella

If trying to be environment friendly, but not use paper towels or throwaway wipes, I can’t see an alternative?

"If trying to be environment friendly, but not use paper towels or throwaway wipes, I can’t see an alternative?"

Hi op, I can see your frustration at being told that microfibre cloths are bad but just a heads up that there are places that sell cloths made of cotton / other things that aren't microfibre.

I've got a pack and they perform just the same as microfibre cloths, I promise. I got some in Sainsbury's I think. It was annoying that they came in a plastic packet but I like to think that with all the use I'm getting out of them it's still done some good plus I had to buy something!

Cloths made of cotton, or normal dishcloths are better.
Bamboo ones are great, but expensive.

I still use the microfiber ones for now, I'll replace soon, but I was them on a quick hot wash when I'm already running one to clean the machine.

Cotton ... I didn’t think of that. Grrr and thanks

Life's to short to fanny about worrying over how to wash cloths

I’m bored okay

The least damaging way of replacing wipes etc must be to use rags, old cotton facecloths etc so you're re-using rather than buying. The problem with that for me is that I like specific cloths for specific jobs.

At present, I have lovely bamboo cloths for the kitchen. I think a pack of ten were about £10 on Amazon. The old cotton dishcloths that I was using are now bathroom cloths.

I have white cotton dusters from Lakeland that I've had over twenty years - they are looking seriously worse for wear - for dusting etc. I might try old tea towels because I have a few in their way out.

I bought all my microfiber cloths before I knew the impact of them. When it's time to replace, just look for cotton or bamboo. Or use old t shirts, muslin cloths etc.

That's how I approach things now - I use what I have, but replacements are more thought out and ecological, if possible!

Please don't buy new cloths. Of any material (cotton also has environmental impact issues since its very water intensive). Just cut up old T shirts. If you're anything like us there will be clothing you have that isn't good enough to go to the charity shop? We seem to find white T shirts are just too greyish to be resold. Each T shirt, cut up will make a few cotton cloths. Literally cut them into squares with scissors. Likewise old bedsheets. One would give you a supply of cloths which would last years and years. Old towels also good. So an old T short and old sheet an old towel and you have enough cleaning cloths that you never need to buy any ever again. They can all be washed along with normal washing - no need to separate. We are all way too obsessed with buying stuff when the things that already exist will serve us perfectly well.

If you have microfibre cloths already you can buy a guppy bag which captures the microscopic plastic particles and prevents them from being released into the waterways.

I only have white microfibre cloths. They all go in with the white wash I do every Friday. I never use fabric softener for any wash. I dry them either on the line or a radiator before putting them in the laundry basket to avoid their damp smell making everything else in their pong.
I'd like to say I've put a tiny bit of embroidery on each one to indicate which is used for loo, kitchen etc. But that would be a lie.

@HasaDigaEebowai yes I have them already