Microfiber Cloths: Green Cleaning or Plastic Pollution?

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When I first switched to more natural and green cleaning products, microfiber cloths seemed like a panacea. They cleaned almost all surfaces with little or no additional products, were reusable, and seemed really sustainable. I found myself using them more and more and many sources recommended them as a natural cleaning alternative.

From a no-waste perspective, they seem great! They’re reusable and pretty close to zero-waste if you take care of them.

Fast forward almost a decade and science and technology have advanced, bringing up some potential concerns with microfiber.

In this post, I tackle the updated research on microfiber and share what I’m using now. I often think of the quote from Maya Angelou that “When you know better, do better.” This post is an example of that progression for me.

I should also mention here that while I’ve been anti-plastic for years, I can thank my 12-year-old for bringing this issue to my attention. He’s on a mission to end plastic pollution and I’m so proud of how dedicated he is.

What Is Microfiber?

Generally speaking, the microfiber used in cleaning cloths is made from a combination of two synthetic polymers — polyester and polyamide (nylon). In the highest quality microfiber cloths, these fibers are approximately 1/100 of a human hair in diameter. This makes the fibers barely visible to the naked eye. The fibers are bundled together and spun into thread which is then woven into cloth.

Some microfiber cleaning materials also have silver or other substances spun into them and claim to be antibacterial as a result.

Unfortunately, while they may feel like cloth, microfiber is essentially made of plastic. Petroleum products are used to create plastic polymers that are spun into a cloth. On the one hand, this high-tech process produces a product that is really, really good at picking up dirt and dust. Unfortunately, recent research shines light on a dark side of microfiber as well… more on that below.

Why Microfiber Cloths Became So Popular for Cleaning

When examined under magnification, an individual microfiber has a split or spoke-like appearance. The area between the spokes creates a larger surface on the fiber itself. When the individual fibers are joined together into thread, and then woven into cloth, the result is a product that has an amazing ability to pick up and trap dirt coupled with superior absorbency and scrubbing power.

In comparison, a traditional fiber, such as a cotton fiber, is larger and smooth. Cloths made from these fibers require a cleaning agent (detergents, soaps and other chemical cleaners) to dissolve the dirt, which is then absorbed into the cloth in order to be removed from the surface. If dirt isn’t easily dissolved, it isn’t easily picked up and can be left behind. While the split fibers of the microfiber cloths are able to pick up and hold dirt, traditional fibers tend to push dirt and moisture around a surface. So essentially, if you want a cleaner surface, choose microfiber!

But…

Is Microfiber Bad for the Environment?

Short answer: yes.

The longer answer? We may not even fully know the extended impact of microfiber use yet.

Emerging evidence shows that synthetic materials like microfiber cloths may release these tiny fibers into the water supply during washing. Scientists are finding tiny microfibers in our oceans and lakes and trace these back to our home washing machines.

It turns out that a single piece of synthetic material may release thousands of fibers into the water supply in each wash!

Yet when we talk about the potential environmental downfalls, we aren’t just referring to microfiber mops and cleaning towels. All synthetic material and clothing may have an environmental impact by releasing microfibers into the water supply.

Microplastics Affect Us All

A few years ago, news outlets were abuzz with reports of how microbeads in beauty products were making their way into the water supply and harming ocean life. Microfibers belong to the same classification of microplastics as microbeads, and the new research in the last few years is shedding light on just how bad they are.

While our oceans literally fill up with floating islands of plastic that are as big as the state of Texas, these tiny fibers may be much more problematic.

Since they are so small, they can be more easily ingested by marine life. Over the long term, they make their way into our food supply in larger and larger amounts and cause problems for the ocean in the process.

Microfibers Are Not Recyclable

The materials used in microfiber towels and cleaning clothes are technically recyclable, but when woven into these types of materials they become non-recyclable microplastics. Not only that, they can contaminate the recycling process if we even try to recycle them.

As my son has explained to me, in order for plastics to be recycled effectively, they have to be correctly sorted by type. Microplastics melt at a different temperature than other types. This early melt causes a clump and turns the entire batch of recycling plastic into an unusable clump that cannot be made into a new plastic.

How to Reduce the Environmental Impact

Sadly, this means that microfiber cleaning cloths are not the best environmental option but they aren’t the worst either. While I wouldn’t suggest buying new cleaning cloths or microfiber mops as a green choice, if you already have them, I wouldn’t throw out the baby with the bath water either.

We can still use microfiber to effectively clean viruses and bacteria from surfaces. They are a more sustainable option than paper towels or single use disinfecting wipes and throwing them in a landfill is just going to create more waste.

If you’re just starting with green cleaning, check out the recommendations at the bottom of this post for my top options but if you already have microfiber in your home, here are some tips for reducing its environmental impact:

Wash Microfiber Sparingly

With any synthetic cloth, most microplastics are released in the washing machine. Personally, I’m trying to just use microfiber when I’m dealing with mirrors or light cleaning so they can be washed as infrequently as possible.

The less I we wash them, the less we release into the water supply. Also, use cool or warm water instead of hot water when washing them, as higher temperatures seem to release more microplastics into the water.

Keep Using Them As Long As Possible

While I’m not buying any new microfiber cleaning products, I’m trying to use the ones I have as long and carefully as possibly since they can’t be recycled. I can’t turn back time and not buy them so I’m starting from here and reducing my impact going forward. Again, when we know better, we do better.

Use a Special Bag to Catch Microplastics

I’ve also started using a special bag called a Guppy Friend to catch microplastics in the wash. I use this especially for microfiber products but also for any synthetic clothing. There is evidence that this step greatly reduces the amount of plastics that make their way from washing machine into water supply.

I haven’t found any great options yet, but several companies are also working on special washing machine filters that would help filter out these plastics before they hit the water supply. I’m hopeful that increasing awareness about this problem will lead to continued innovation in filtration.

Better Alternatives to Microfiber for Natural Cleaning

When it comes to natural cleaning options, you’re hopefully convinced that microfiber isn’t the best option. If you’re here looking for the most natural way to clean your home, I have some other suggestions that have less environmental impact:

Reuse Cotton Cloth

Instead of buying any cloth for natural cleaning, reuse some that you have if possible. Things like old cotton t-shirts and socks make great cleaning rags. Old burp cloths and baby blankets also work and can be used as-is or cut into smaller pieces.

Rather than pitching or donating natural fiber clothing like cotton, hemp, and wool, turn these into reusable cleaning cloths for your home. We now keep a hamper of these in our laundry room as use them as paper towels, cleaning rags, and to mop up spills. When they eventually become too worn out to use they can be used as natural weed block in the garden and will naturally break down over time.

Eco-Friendly Cleaning Concentrate

Many cleaning products contain some pretty toxic junk. Microfiber cleaning cloths do let us avoid many of these products and this is one reason for the surge in popularity.

Thankfully, there are now some great natural cleaning alternatives that work just as well with lower environmental impact!

I personally use Branch Basics for almost all cleaning in our home now. It’s a natural, biodegradable, non-GMO plant and mineral based cleaner. Use it to make all purpose cleaner, on laundry, to clean countertops and on almost any surface in your home. It’s so non-toxic and safe that it can be used as a baby wash and I even use it to remove eye makeup!

Also, as a concentrate, it has a lower environmental impact. One bottle can last for months and months and leave only one recyclable bottle as a result. I recommend keeping some glass spray bottles on hand for mixing up various concentrations for natural cleaning.

Final Verdict on Microfiber

These types of cleaning cloths are not the green cleaning powerhouse we once thought they were. As we learn more about microplastics, we all have an obligation to prevent plastic pollution by using it sparingly and consciously. At the same time, if microfiber is already part of your cleaning routine, use them as long as possible to keep them out of the landfill and replace with better options when the time comes.

How do you handle this in your home? Were you aware of the issues with microplastics? I’d love to hear your thoughts below!

Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

232 responses to “Microfiber Cloths: Green Cleaning or Plastic Pollution?”

  1. Susie Avatar

    Norwex now recycles their microfiber! I think it goes toward renewable energy, not more microfiber, but you don’t need to feel bad about giving the cloths back after their decade, plus of use!

  2. Sarah Avatar

    Good thoughts! It’s easy to throw the baby out with the bath water but it’s critical that instead of moving with the flow just because, or instead of doing what everyone else is doing “just because,” that we carefully consider all sides and take into account multiple perspectives.

  3. Pam T Avatar

    Wow, I had never heard about there being a negative to microfiber cloths before (I clearly am not in the know). I bought a ton of them over 10 years ago and have been using them with care so that they last a very long time. I have a supply that will last me for decades still, but will now not buy more.I hadn’t researched what they were actually made with and had my eyes opened regarding the water contamination aspect. Thank you for putting this information out there to help inform others and allow them to make more informed decisions.

  4. jen Avatar

    We can never stop learning….thanks for this thoughtful post. I too, quote Angelou, telling folks to do their best until they know better. I only have one microfiber cloth and I don’t even know where it came from….I’m so frugal that I’ve always just used old t-shirts, or retired washcloths, or towels cut down to size. I’ve found that spraying my rag with water until just damp works best to pick up dust!

  5. Margaret Black Avatar
    Margaret Black

    Wow! Thanks for this information. I do use some microfiber cloths, but will not buy more. I have moved to bamboo reusable paper towels; since they are a natural fiber, washing shouldn’t cause an issue. Thank you!

  6. Andrea Avatar

    I can see your point here, but certainly feel the clothing industry and our high consumption of clothing with synthetic fibres is something for all of us to focus on reducing first and foremost in this area.

    1. Stephanie Avatar
      Stephanie

      I tend to agree, while we need to consider the effects of everything we use, there are many other items that create far more lint than a high quality microfiber cloth.

  7. Leah Avatar

    The whole cycle is frustrating. We have a couple of microfibre cloths that we’ve picked up here and there, but haven’t seen a massive amount of use, except for glass cleaning. What struck me the hardest when reading this post, was how all synthetics shed particles in the wash. I’d never really considered that, tbh. We have quite a fair amount of technical clothing, fleece, sports clothing etc, that does see a fair amount of washing through the week. For the most part, I prefer natural fibers for clothing, but sports clothes are nearly all some form of synthetic. What to do? Replacing synthetics and plastics, doesn’t strike me a particularly environmentally friendly either. It makes my head hurt.

  8. Helena Avatar

    I had no idea so am going to eliminate the cloths as soon as possible. I really appreciate all this information and will pass it on.

    Thanks so much.

  9. Michelle Smith Rapoza Avatar
    Michelle Smith Rapoza

    Goodness, I love my microfiber cloths, now I will have to gradually weed them out. I actually just had my daughter’s go through all their t-shirts from high school and college to make quilts, give away or use for rags. I’m so glad to know that cotton is a great alternative. Thank you.

  10. Melanie Avatar

    Every textile we wash sheds to some degree or another. I can’t speak to other companies, brands, or products, but as a Norwex user for four years now, it’s something I’ve looked into extensively and weighed against other options as research has come out about the problem of microplastics & the environment. To my relief and peace of mind, I’ve learned that Norwex has several things in place that help with this:

    1) higher quality microfiber sheds less. This is a BIG point in favor of Norwex microfiber over other brands as Norwex’s microfiber is woven 1/200th the size of human hair and is the highest quality on the market that I know of.

    2) Because of the BacLock microsilver agent inside most of Norwex’s microfibe cloths, users don’t have to wash the cloths as often as we would cloths without microsilver in them.

    3) Since Norwex’s detergents don’t have fillers and they offer the wool dryer balls, laundering is much gentler on our clothes than using other products with harsh chemicals. This is why we get less lint after laundering when we use Norwex’s laundry detergent & the dryer balls– because there’s less breakdown of material.

    I know Norwex is actively looking into this microplastic problem from all angles and looking for sustainable and economical solutions, but in the meantime they’re already are doing much better than other companies by the quality of their cloths and the unique help of Baclock.

    As with anything, there’s a need to weigh costs and benefits, pros and cons. When you consider cleaning efficiency, time spent cleaning, costs spent producing, cost invested in buying, longevity of cloths, and more, Norwex is still reducing harmful chemicals in our homes and making a positive ripple effect through small, conscientious decisions. I hope I always keep an open mind about options so our family is willing to constantly re-evaluate what we’re using and consider if there’s a better balance of products, sustainability, environmental concern, and more, but for now, I’m convinced that Norwex products are the best bang for our buck with all factors weighted and considered. Good post– I’m always encouraged by others who are similarly working to be good stewards of our resources and not accept trends at face value but dig into the research, long term effects, production, sustainability, efficacy, and more!

    1. Stephanie Avatar
      Stephanie

      Well said! I agree and couldn’t have found better words to say it. Thank you!

    2. Debra Avatar

      This! This is crucial. It’s easy to swing the other way and say microfiber isn’t good, but Norwex sounds like they have some really solid plans in place to balance all factors and do it with respect to the environment. Thanks for sharing, Melanie!

    3. Lauren Avatar

      I am also very aware of this and have researched it a lot. And when weighing the pros and cons like Melanie said, cleaning with microfiber and water is still a better option for not only a cleaner home, but still using less products (natural or not) that are likely in a plastic bottle. I also launder all of my microfiber (which I don’t launder often) in a laundry bag to prevent the microplastic from getting into the water. After much consideration on this topic, microfiber (for me and my family) is still a better option than anything else out there.

  11. Jen Avatar

    I have actually made my own dish cloths, towels, cleaning cloths, and washcloths from cotton yarn for several years. I get more satisfaction, and use, out of them because I made them myself.

  12. Shannon Gardner Avatar
    Shannon Gardner

    What do you say to the fact that Norwex uses a lot of recycled plastics to make their Microfibers and that they will recycle your cloths once they have outlived their usefulness? Thank you, Shannon Gardner

  13. Evelyn Avatar

    Thank you for providing such a clear explanation on the impact of microfiber. They always felt weird to my hands so I refused to buy/ use them but a couple of years ago I did buy some that didn’t `feel` so bad… I will definitely follow your suggestion and only use them for light cleaning. I always used to cut up old tees now I’ll go back to that… thank you again!

  14. Penny Avatar

    Great article. I too, have been reducing my plastic use. Everybody should. I think we should go back to glass bottles for deposit at the grocery store, and use glass or stainless steel co gainers for everything. I have to correct you on one item though. There is no plastic island the size of Texas floating in the ocean. Thanks for writing and keep up the good work!

  15. KATHLEEN Avatar
    KATHLEEN

    I found wood fiber cloths. These clean well and the best part is they rinse clean and do not smell over time like regular wash cloths and sponges.

  16. Jill Avatar

    I love that you posted this as I am having a norwex party in a couple days but have read about the cons of polyester and microfiber. The consultant told me that norwex has a recycling program, but they only take norwex cloths. She said they make new cloths out of the old. She is currently looking into if the polyester is at any point sprayed with flame retardant. I like the idea of no cleaning agents needed but not sure this is the better option.

  17. Madison Avatar
    Madison

    But isn’t microfiber, made from polyester, full of toxic chemicals itself? Even though it may prevent you from needing to add chemicals it still has chemicals within? Wellness Mama has written extensive way about properly source materials, and I’m so confused about why microfiber is an exception.

  18. jem Avatar

    Hi If microfibre cloths are able to remove grease then why use them on your skin. I’ve never had dry skin until I used a ‘facial’ microfibre cloth. Yes, it removed make-up really well, including mascara but after only using for about a week, (two months ago) My face is still so dry, even after slathering coconut oil on a few times a day….
    The one I used was Magnitone London WipeOut

  19. Sharon Avatar

    Microfiber is HORRIBLE for the environment. There’s nothing “green” about it.

  20. Kathy Avatar

    Katie, How do you feel.about H20 at Home products vs. Norwex. Ive seen some testing results showing that the idea behind silver infusion is not full proof and there is a cost difference. Im just learming & considering between the two companies
    I highly respect ypur experience & would appreciate your valued input..
    Thank you,
    Kathryn

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