Microfiber Cleaning Cloths

[countrycousin]

 Many of you know about these - this is for those who don't, yet.

You can buy, almost anywhere, cheaply in bulk, inexpensively in small packages:  cleaning cloths, purportedly made of "micro-fiber".

Sounds like a marketing scam?  Probably some of them are, but I haven't found those yet.

They clean very well, pick up dust and hold on to it (until you

Comments

[charlie_ego]

I totally have used microfiber cloths for cleaning my glasses/jewelry/camera for years. It never occurred to me that I didn't have to use them just for delicate items - yes, I'm a little thick :) So thanks, I learned something!

The other amazing thing I've found for dusting is the Swiffer duster. Though it's probably full of noxious chemicals, it works really really well.

[countrycousin]

I've heard complaints about the Swiffer chemicals, but have not checked them out. What is true is that lots of generic microfiber cloths will fit the Swiffer applicator and work fine with whatever chemical you choose to use. ;-) For a lot less.

[harimad]

Now that's a good tip!

[charlie_ego]

Ah! Yet another brilliant idea! (Honestly, I think my life would be a lot easier if I had any common sense at all...)

[furzicle]

If I cleaned, I would take you up on this hint. (See my post!)

[countrycousin]

heh.

But somebody's got to. Make sure they know? ;-)

I am one that didn't--

[carbonelle]

I was certain this was a scam. You're telling me they really do get the dust off and don't just waft it into the air the way a dry dust cloth (I use baby diapers) does?

Re: I am one that didn't--

[countrycousin]

heh. We used to use EndDust on diapers, old T-shirts, disintegrating sheets, etc. It worked pretty well.

But, yes, these things work well. Very good with dust. Good at cleaning mirrors, leaving neither streaks nor lint. Good at messier jobs, too, but then the cloth gets very dirty. It washes out well, but not perfectly. Carol Jean's sister doesn't like them because they don't wash out perfectly. We reserve different ones for different tasks.

When my daughter was young, she had a stuffed bear with a nice, soft fur. She used to like to rub its ear against her cheek, and, when she was feeling sociable, would rub it against her companion's cheek. Carol Jean made a spare ear for her for convenience and emergencies. I bet this stuff would make a great such appliance (pure speculation, haven't tried it), but I suppose Bunny Bright is a bit old for it.

Re: I am one that didn't--

[carbonelle]

Thanks!

Re: I am one that didn't--

[countrycousin]

You are quite welcome!

When I was reading up to answer some of these questions, I found that the NBA had tried microfiber-covered basketballs one year (absorb sweat better than leather) but stopped after other problems, one being cuts on players' hands. I haven't had any trouble that way, but I hereby withdraw my speculation about its suitability for fuzzies-for-tots. :-(

[sraun]

How do you clean them? My success has been ... mixed, in the past.

[countrycousin]

1. Primary way - I keep a detergent bottle in the bathroom, put some in a little water, swish the cloth around a bit, squeeze it a few times. Maybe repeat if the original condition merits. Wring out, rinse & wring out. A good wringing leaves these things close to dry.

2. Secondary - throw in the wash, do not use bleach or softener nor put in the dryer. Easier than the first way, but I usually wash one or another of these things about once a day. And one has to remember to dig for them before throwing the load in the dryer.

Both ways work, but the two cloths that I use mostly have smudges. This does not seem to impair their effectiveness, but I'd be reluctant to use them for washing dishes. Whether that reluctance is merited or not? Don't know. If I can't get the smudges out, not much is going to come out in use, but for dishes one worries about very small amounts.