Cleaning with microfiber is easy, effective, less toxic
UPdate Summer 2007

MIcrofiber cleaning cloths are an invention which make less toxic cleaning infinitely easier. Microfiber cloths clean, dust and polish without using use of any cleaning chemicals. The cloths are made of tiny wedge shaped fibers, up to 100 times finer than a human hair. The tiny fibers grab and hold dirt. They are long lasting and re-usable.

• In the kitchen, use microfiber for cleaning counters and stovetops. The tiny fibers pick up more dirt and food residue than most cloths.

• In the bathroom, microfiber can clean tub, sink and shower stall surfaces.

• Chrome faucets, taps, and showerheads can all be polished with microfiber alone. Dirt disappears, and voila, shiny surfaces with little effort.

• Windows can be cleaned with just microfiber cloths and water. Use one cloth to wash, and another to dry. No dirt, no streaks.

• Dusting is easy with microfiber. The little fibers trap dust so that it stays in one place instead of flying around. When the job is finished, shake the cloth outside, or rinse in lukewarm water and hang to dry.

• Floors can be washed with microfiber mops. The most common have flat-surfaced, easy to remove microfiber heads. Instead of rinsing a bulky mop head in a bucket, the microfiber head can be removed from the mop handle, rinsed it in a small amount of warm water, and replaced on the handle to continue the job. Because it’s so easy, mop heads can be rinsed more frequently using very little water. This type of mop head get is easier to rinse clean cleaner than other types of mops. A microfiber mop head can be wrung out well, so that mopping is done with a damp mop, not a soaking wet one dripping water all over the floor. Floors dry faster because there is less water left on them. The same mop can be used to dust floors. Microfiber makes for a revolution in mop technology.

• Microfiber is superb for cleaning eyeglasses or other lenses.

• A microfiber cloth in the car is perfect for cleaning the windshield. It will remove condensation, kids’ hand prints, dog nose prints, ice cream smears and other dirt. Make sure it’s dry before storing in the glove compartment to avoid mould.

Microfiber cloths should be damp for cleaning, dry for dusting. They work best for cleaning if soaked for a few minutes in warm water, but they work even if that step is omitted.

Microfiber clothes should be cleaned after use by washing in warm water with a little dish detergent. They can be washed in the washing machine but MUST BE KEPT AWAY FROM FABRIC SOFTERNER. Fabric softener clogs the fibers and will ruin the cloth.

For tough cleaning jobs where a little extra oomph is needed, use microfiber cloths with a small amount of less toxic cleaner.

Microfiber cloths are tolerated well by people with chemical sensitivity. They may need to be aired out or rinsed with a mild detergent before use to remove store smells.

Microfiber cloths save money by reducing the need for chemical cleaners. They reduce exposure to chemicals in the home and reduce pollution from cleaning chemicals. These durable, reusable cloths are made from synthetic fibers, usually polyester and nylon, and are not treated with chemicals.

Available in grocery stores, health food stores, hardware stores, dollar shops and from a number of home sales companies, prices range from cheap ($1.00) to mid-range ($3.00- $5.00) to pricey ($20.00). There are differences in quality and durability. Higher priced cloths usually have smaller fibers and pick up more dirt and dust, but even the cheap ones get good results.

Microfiber cloths are a super t less-toxic choice for multiple cleaning uses.

An industrial cleaning contractor reports that she uses only microfiber cloths for office windows. When a client resisted changing from “W”, his favourite commercial spray window cleaner, she convinced him to let her do a comparison test. The result - he agreed to switch to microfiber.