Microfiber is becoming an integral tool in many cleaning programs. Most often, cleaning professionals see microfiber in the form of cloths and mops, used to dust, wet mop, clean glass and more. For all of its uses, microfiber is here to stay. To help prolong the life of your microfiber, it’s important to understand how to provide the best care throughout the entire laundry cycle.

HP Products has offered the following tips to laundering microfiber:

• Microfiber should be washed and dried separately from all other fabrics. Microfiber will pick up any lint left by other fabrics.

• General guidelines recommend wash temperatures do not exceed 160°F and that drying temperatures stay below 140-degrees Fahrenheit. Depending on the model of dryer used and the temperature level, drying cycle times can be reduced by 40 to 60 percent from those used to dry cotton bar mops.

• Fabric softener should never be used. The magic of microfiber lies in the wedge-shaped strands that allow it pick up dirt. Fabric softener will clog up the fibers and render it less effective.

• Chlorine bleach may be acceptable for use in the laundering process depending on your manufacturer’s recommendations. In many applications an appropriate use of bleach is needed to preserve the whiteness of microfiber towels or for sanitation reasons. However, some floor care items may contain a foam backing that would be broken down by the alkalinity of bleach.

• Load the washer at approximately 80 percent capacity. Microfiber absorbs more than cotton rags, and wash loads must be adjusted to accommodate the expansion of fabric.

• Immediately remove the microfiber cloths from the dryer when the cycle is finished. It is important to prevent the microfiber material from sitting on the hot metal drum of the dryer for any extended period of time. Prolonged exposure to high heat can damage the fibers.