Smelly Microfiber Coths

Don't be surprised that microfiber cloths may develop a smell after a period of use even though they are still serviceable. The question I sometimes encounter is asked, "How can I keep the microfiber cloths from smelling bad after washing?" First of all, realize that the microscopic fibers in the cloth trap a lot of stuff. They can hold onto a lot more than regular cloths. The reason anything smells is because it is permeated with something giving off the smell.

First of all, launder your microfiber cloth regularly and do not let them sit in a pile for very long. You already know what is going to happen when wet, dirty rags are left to sit too long. The same is true of microfibers. They do not generally come with treatment to kill bacteria. Once a smell gets in a rag, it can be tough to get out.

Second, do not lump your rags into one washing if some are used in particularly bad areas. If you pick up aromatic chemicals in some rags and mix them with other rags, the smell will transfer.

Third, use a antibacterial detergent made for microfibers or one that is able to really handle what you are asking it to do. Cheer may not be the best stuff. Bacteria is generally the source of odd smells if it is not through chemicals picked up. You do not want to merely mask the smell with a heavier scent detergent. This is less than a Green practice anyway.

Floor mops of microfiber have cleaning systems that allow the user to rotate dirty mops in and get clean mops out. It is difficult to say how totally effective these systems are, but they do allow the mops to get more rapid treatment than hauling them back and forth to the shop.

Microfibers brag that they are good for 200 to 500 washings making them more cost effective than cloth rags. This maybe true, but the longevity of the microfibers means they are become embedded with a lot of crazy things. Combine that with a little neglect or delay in the laundry cycle, and they will stink. It is not the microfiber that smells. It is relatively odorless in the final product. It is what gets into these cloths that cause them to smell. the longer you use them, the less effective they can be in the long-term application, and the more they might tend to smell.

Final tip, use a marker to date the microfibers that will not wash out. When one cloth is too old, too worn, or too smelly, do not keep it with the others. Wash badly soiled rags separate from lesser soiled rags. Throw out rags that smell if they come out of the laundry still smelling. Something is embedded in them that makes them perfect candidates for the nasty jobs that require throw-away rags.

Here's another question. "Is there still a place for disposable or cheap cloth rags?" Absolutely! Biodegradable towels or rags (that will eventually break down in the trash) are best for the really bad clean up situations. Do not waste a microfiber towel on a bad cleanup. If you clean up a foul mess with a microfiber and then try to recycle it through the wash cycle, you may badly impact the other microfiber rags.

This lesson is one example of the need for Green Practices training of the working staff. There are many things that make the Green Cleaning process different from just using Green products. I highly recommend that all janitorial services use the Green Clean Institute training for their staff.