When I first made the switch to natural and eco-friendly cleaning products, microfiber cloths seemed like the perfect solution. They could clean just about every surface with little to no extra products, were reusable, and seemed very sustainable. I found myself reaching for them more often, especially since many sources recommended them as a natural cleaning choice.
From a zero-waste perspective, they appeared ideal because they were reusable and almost zero-waste if properly maintained. But now, almost a decade later, advances in science and technology have raised some concerns about microfiber.
In this post, I’m diving into the latest research about microfiber and what I’m using now. It’s all about the idea that when you know better, you do better. While I’ve been against plastic for years, my 12-year-old son, who’s on a mission to fight plastic pollution, opened my eyes to these microfiber issues. And I’m really proud of how committed he is.
Microfiber cloths are typically made from synthetic polymers, like polyester and nylon. Top-quality microfiber cloths have fibers that are about 1/100 the diameter of a human hair, making them almost invisible to the eye. These fibers are spun into thread and woven into cloth. Some microfiber materials also include silver or other substances and claim to be antibacterial.
Despite feeling like cloth, microfiber is basically plastic. It’s made through a high-tech process using petroleum products to spin plastic polymers into cloth. This results in a product that’s great at picking up dirt and dust. However, new research highlights some drawbacks of microfiber.
Under a microscope, a single microfiber looks like it’s split into many tiny spokes. This creates more surface area on each fiber. When these fibers are combined into cloth, they can trap dirt and absorb liquid effectively. In contrast, traditional fibers like cotton are thicker and smooth. Cloths made from these fibers need cleaning agents to dissolve dirt, which then gets absorbed by the cloth. If dirt doesn’t dissolve easily, it can be left behind. While microfiber can pick up and hold dirt efficiently, traditional cloths often push dirt around.
But there are concerns. Evidence is emerging that synthetic materials like microfiber can release tiny fibers into the water when washed. These microfibers are showing up in oceans and lakes, traced back to our washing machines. One piece of synthetic cloth can release thousands of fibers per wash.
This problem isn’t limited to microfiber cleaning cloths—any synthetic materials can release microfibers. Previously, reports showed that microbeads in beauty products were polluting water and harming marine life. Microfibers are a type of microplastic similar to these microbeads. Recent studies highlight their potential harm.
Small and easily ingestible by marine life, these fibers can infiltrate our food chain, causing more problems in our oceans. Although the materials used in microfiber products are technically recyclable, they turn into non-recyclable microplastics when woven into cloth. Attempting to recycle them can even contaminate other recyclables. Microplastics melt at different temperatures, which can spoil entire batches of recycling.
So, microfiber cleaning cloths aren’t the greenest choice, but they’re not the worst, either. If you own them, there’s no need to discard them unnecessarily. They’re still more sustainable than paper towels or disposable wipes. To minimize their environmental impact, here are some tips:
With synthetic cloths, most microplastics are released during washing. I try to use microfiber only for light cleaning or mirrors, reducing the frequency of washes. Less washing means less release of microplastics. Use cool or warm water instead of hot to wash them, as higher temperatures seem to release more fibers.
While I’m not buying more microfiber products, I’m using what I have for as long as possible since they can’t be recycled. To further reduce impact, I’ve started using a Guppy Friend bag to catch microplastics in the wash, especially for my microfiber items and other synthetics. This helps limit the plastics reaching our water supply.
I’m also hopeful about new innovations, like special washing machine filters designed to capture these plastics before they enter the water supply. As awareness grows, so does the potential for solutions.
If you’re considering natural cleaning options, microfiber might not be the best choice. Instead, you can repurpose old cotton t-shirts, socks, or baby blankets as reusable cleaning cloths. This approach uses materials you already have, reducing the need for new resources.
Many cleaning products contain harmful chemicals, but microfiber does help avoid these. Luckily, there are now natural alternatives that work just as effectively without the environmental cost. For instance, I use Branch Basics, a natural, biodegradable cleaning product that’s safe enough to use as a baby wash or even as makeup remover.
While microfiber isn’t the eco-friendly hero we hoped for, being aware of its impact encourages us to use it with care and transition to better options over time.
How are you handling microfiber in your home? Did you know about microplastic issues? Would love to hear your thoughts!
