Most of us hate condo cleaning and all the tasks it takes to keep our homes sparkling clean. Unfortunately, cleaning is a necessary evil you can’t avoid, even if sparkling isn’t on your list of priorities.
We find that using the right tools can make cleaning faster and easier.
Enter the microfiber cloth. These handy little cleaning tools have replaced the old rags and paper towels used for cleaning by not only households, but cleaning companies alike. They are ideal for cleaning tasks thanks to their special material designed to hook onto dirt and remove it instead of just moving it around like other cloths. However, to keep them effective, you have to make sure you are cleaning and caring for your microfiber cloth properly.
What Is This Miracle Cloth Made Of?
Microfiber cloth uses a scale of fibers so tiny that they are even smaller than a whispery strand of silk. These tiny strands are much smaller than common materials you might find in a cotton cloth. Instead of cotton or cotton blends, the fibers used in a microfiber cloth are made from a blend of polyester and polyamide or nylon which are forms of plastic.
When the fibers used in microfiber cloths are combined, the fibers are split making the cloth more porous than any other cloth you can use. This creates a cloth that is absorbent and collects dirt and even bacteria for quick cleanup.
How does Microfiber Work?
When you clean with rags or paper towels, they actually make clean up harder. Why? Because they push dirt around instead of collecting it and removing it. When you use microfiber cloths, their special combination of plastic blends, tiny strands, and split fibers all work together to gang up on dirt and grime and hook onto it to remove it.
The nature of microfiber also means you can clean more safely because microfiber cloths work better on their own so there is no need for harmful cleaning products. If you’re worried about bacteria, don’t be! The strength of the fibers can even remove bacteria, which means no need for chemicals. All you need is a clean microfiber cloth and if you choose, you can use a little water for more stubborn dirt.
You can also avoid the frustration of having to do an additional swipe with a clean paper towel to pick up that watery, dirty residue left behind by rags and dishtowels. A microfiber cloth doesn’t need the messy water or cleaning products that will leave that cloudy residue behind. With the grit removing split fibers you also won’t see any gross, soggy debris such as crumbs either.
A lot of people will still use detergents with their microfiber cloths because they don’t think it’s possible to remove built-up grime or grease with the cloth alone. However, the polyester used in the cloth works as a magnet for fats and will clean them up easily without too much elbow grease.
Finally, if you do feel the need to use water, the extra absorbency of the microfiber cloth will sop up any liquids without leaving any traces behind. The key to keeping your microfiber cloth working effectively all boils down to how you clean and care for it.
Hand Wash or Machine Wash?
It might seem like using a cleaning cloth that has to be cleaned seems counterproductive. However, like any other cloths, if you use it when it’s dirty you are just adding more bacteria and dirt onto the surface you are trying to clean.
Cleaning your microfiber cloth is recommended after each use to remove all the debris it has collected during the cleaning process. Keeping a few handy in the kitchen is always a good idea so you can replace them when you need them, but because wash up is so easy, you can also get away with having just one.
You can choose to wash your microfiber cloths by hand or use your washing machine. There is an easy mantra to help you remember how to care for your clothes: No heat, no fabric softener, no detergent.
If using a washing machine, you should always run all your microfiber cloths together without any other clothing or linens. The reason for this is that the magnetic effect of the fibers tends to collect tiny pieces of lint that cling to the strands. This then coats the strands stopping them from working properly. Cotton and natural fibers are the worst things to wash your microfiber cloth with, so, if you must throw in other items, make sure they are synthetic.
Because you can’t use heat, always wash your microfiber cloth on a cool or warm setting. Do not use any detergents when running the wash cycle and once they are washed, you can air-dry them or toss them in the dryer at the lowest setting. Do not use any anti-static sheets when you are using the dryer and never iron your microfiber cloth.
When washing them by hand, begin by soaking your cloth in cold or warm water — never use hot water. Once they’ve soaked for a few minutes, you can stir the water with your hand to loosen dirt and debris from the cloth.
Rinse them under the tap to get out any debris that is left behind and then air-dry. You can also throw them in the dryer as mentioned above. We recommend air-drying as it will avoid picking up particles in the dryer as well as keeping it away from heat.
These cleaning tips work for most microfiber cloths, but it’s always best to read the care instructions provided by the manufacturer for the best results. Caring for your microfiber cloth will help them last longer and keep them working hard so you can work less!
If cleaning isn’t your thing, call Maid4Condos at 647-822-0601 or contact us here for more information about to get a spotlessly clean condo without having to lift a finger.
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