How to Wash Microfiber Cloths (and What to Skip)
Quick Answer: Yes, microfiber cloths can be washed. Wikipedia says to use regular laundry detergent, never fabric softener, because softener oils clog the fibers and cut absorbency, and to avoid hot water, which can melt or wrinkle the cloth. Two publishers add: wash cloths apart from linty fabrics. Follow any care label on your own cloth first.
A glass cloth that has been through a wash with the wrong product can stop polishing and start leaving streaks or lint. This post covers what the sources agree on, where they disagree, and what a glassware cloth needs from the wash. For how a polishing cloth is used on glass, see the microfiber glass cloth guide and how to polish wine glasses.
Can you wash microfiber cloths?
Yes, with a few rules. Wikipedia (checked October 2026) says microfiber rags must be washed only with regular laundry detergent, not oily, self-softening, soap-based detergents. It says fabric softener must not be used, because the oils and cationic surfactants in softener and self-softening detergents clog the fibers and make them less absorbent until the oils are washed out. It adds that hot temperatures may cause the cloth to melt or become wrinkled. That sentence is footnoted to a seller's page, so treat it as Wikipedia's summary, not a test.
What do the sources say about detergent, water and drying?
They agree on softener and on heat, and differ on detergent. Tom's Guide and Homes and Gardens (both checked October 2026) are publishers that each say they may earn an affiliate commission on purchases through their links, so use them as corroboration, not authority.
| Topic | What the sources say | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric softener | Do not use it; it clogs the fibers and cuts absorbency | Wikipedia; Tom's Guide; Homes and Gardens |
| Dryer sheets | Do not use them; they coat the fibers in residue | Tom's Guide |
| Detergent | Regular laundry detergent, not oily or self-softening ones (Wikipedia); a dedicated microfiber detergent (Tom's Guide); a bleach-free detergent (Homes and Gardens) | All three, and they differ |
| Water temperature | Hot may melt or wrinkle (Wikipedia); cool to warm for hand washing, not hot (Tom's Guide); warm, not hot (Homes and Gardens) | All three |
| Mixing with other laundry | Wash apart from other fabrics, or the cloths can pick up lint | Tom's Guide; Homes and Gardens |
| Drying | Hang to dry, or use a dryer at a low temperature with no dryer sheets | Tom's Guide; Homes and Gardens |
The detergent advice is where the sources split, so go with any care label on your cloth. If there is none, a plain detergent without softener, a cooler wash and a wash apart from linty fabrics are the points the sources share.
What does a glassware cloth need from the wash?
It needs to stay clean of lint and grit. Wikipedia warns that a microfiber cloth that has picked up grit or other abrasive particles can damage flat surfaces, which is a reason to shake out and wash a cloth that has been used on a dusty counter before it touches glass. Tom's Guide and Homes and Gardens both say washing cloths apart from towels and clothes keeps lint out of the fibers. A cloth for glass is meant to leave none behind, so lint matters more here than it does for a dusting cloth. Retire a cloth that starts leaving fibers on the glass. That last point is this post's suggestion, not a sourced rule.
This post makes no claim that washing sanitizes a cloth. A polishing cloth polishes. If you also need to sanitize dishes, that is a separate step with its own method.
Is the Excalibur Brothers polishing cloth machine washable?
This post does not say. The product page for the Excalibur Brothers Premium Glass Polishing Cloth lists the material as microfiber, the size as 23.5 x 20 inches per cloth, and the use as dry or barely dampened, with no solution needed. It gives no washing instructions that could be confirmed when this post was written. Check the label that came with your cloth. The general rules above are for microfiber cloths as a class, not instructions for this cloth.
What about glasses and lens cloths?
The rules above are for microfiber cloths in general. Anyone washing a cloth for eyeglass lenses should follow the lens or cloth maker's instructions, because nothing here covers lens coatings.
When is the Excalibur Brothers cloth the wrong choice?
When what you need is a lens cloth or a dusting cloth, you do not need this one. And no cloth makes up for a wash with fabric softener, so fix the wash first.
Where the Excalibur Brothers Premium Glass Polishing Cloth fits
The Excalibur Brothers Premium Glass Polishing Cloth is our own product, sold on this site. The Premium Glass Polishing Cloth 23.5" x 20" (2 Pack) - White is sold as a pair, and its listing describes it as a large, lint-free microfiber cloth for stemware, crystal and fine glass. If you already own one, the washing rules above apply to it as microfiber in general. The glass polishing cloths page shows the other colors.
Frequently asked questions
Can you wash microfiber cloths?
Yes. Wikipedia says to use regular laundry detergent and no fabric softener, and to avoid hot temperatures. Check any care label on the cloth first.
What is the best way to wash a microfiber cloth?
The sources agree on three points: no fabric softener, no hot water, and wash apart from linty fabrics. They differ on detergent, so follow the cloth's care label if it has one.
How do you wash microfiber cloths in a washing machine?
Tom's Guide says most cloths carry a care label with recommended washer settings. It advises washing them apart from other laundry and skipping softener. Homes and Gardens says the same and suggests a warm wash, not hot.
How do you wash microfiber cleaning cloths by hand?
Tom's Guide says to use cool to warm water, not hot, and to keep the cloths apart from other fabrics. Rinse well and wring out the excess before drying.
How do you wash a microfiber cloth for glasses?
The rules here are for microfiber cloths in general. For an eyeglass lens cloth, follow the lens or cloth maker's instructions.
Can you use fabric softener on microfiber?
No. Wikipedia, Tom's Guide and Homes and Gardens all say not to. Softener oils clog the fibers and make the cloth less absorbent until they wash out.