When it comes to cleaning the kitchen, there are a few key things to consider. First and foremost, you need to make sure you have the right cleaning products for the job. Cleaning the kitchen is an important part of keeping your house clean, so what is the best cloth for cleaning the kitchen?
With so many different types of cleaning cloths on the market, it can be hard to know which ones are best suited for cleaning the kitchen. That’s what we’re going to find out today. In this blog post, I’ll break down the three best cleaning cloths for cleaning your kitchen, so that you can make an informed decision about which ones are right for you (and stop using so many paper towels).
*This post contains affiliate links. Full disclosure here.
Top Picks For Best Cloths For Cleaning The Kitchen
If you are in a rush to find out which are the best cleaning cloths, here are our top 3 favorites.
#1 Zwipes Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
#2 Libman Microfiber Sponge Cloths
#3 Cellulose Swedish Dishcloth Cleaning Cloths
Best Cleaning Cloths for Cleaning The Kitchen
Zwipes Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
My favorite dish towel is of course microfiber and the Zwipes Microfiber Cleaning Cloths have never failed me before.
Microfiber towels are made from very fine synthetic fibers that are woven together to form a tight, dense fabric. With just a little water, these kitchen towels are able to pick up a lot of dust and grime. They can actually hold up to eight times their weight in fluid!
I specifically like these because I can wash them in the washing machine without damaging them, which makes life easier.
This is a lint-free, no-streak cloth that helps keep your counters clean without the need for harsh chemicals, with a high absorbency level. They are a little thin, but that actually helps when it comes to storing them.
You can purchase a pack on Amazon here
Libman Microfiber Sponge Cloths
Another excellent option for cleaning cloths is the Libman Microfiber Sponge Cloths.
They are a perfect combination of a sponge and cloth in one convenient package. You can clean the dishes and clean your appliances and all functional surfaces with one cleaning tool.
This is a synthetic sponge cloth that is quilted between two microfiber cloths making it an absorbent tool that wipes without leaving streaks on delicate surfaces, unlike paper towels. They are great for all areas of you kithen, from the countertops, to appliances, to inside the cabinets.
These towels are also easy to clean since you can toss them in the washing machine or the dishwasher, but it’s best to air dry them.
Also, these towels tend to last about 20 washes before needing replacement. This means a pack of 3 can last about 3 months, a better value than using a paper towel for cleaning kitchen counters.
I highly recommend these super-absorbent, lint-free, and easy-to-wash microfiber cleaning towels as a great choice in the best kitchen cleaning cloth category.
You can purchase a pack on Amazon here
Cellulose Sponge Cloths
A non-microfiber option that is excellent for those who prefer a different material in the kitchen cleaning cloth is the Cellulose Swedish Dishcloth.
Just like the Libman cloths, these are sponge cloths but without the MF outer cloth.
I love that these Swedish dishcloth towels are a little bit smaller because then I can use them to clean the dishes as well as the countertops, kitchen tables, and cabinets. They are very absorbent and have a criss-cross waffle-like weave which means they pick up dirt and dust very well.
They work well with the absorbency level, which is something you want in dish towels for drying dishes, delicate items, and glass. Not to mention they are machine washable (another plus, you can clean them with laundry), and they are safe to use on all surfaces.
You can purchase a pack on Amazon here
Best Cleaning Cloths for Home
3 Things to Consider Before Buying a Kitchen Cloth
There are certain things you should think about when choosing the best cleaning cloths for your kitchen. You want cleaning cloths that are highly absorbent, and durable, and a clean cloth that can be washed to get rid of any bacteria left on it.
I love microfiber cloths, but they are not the only option for a good clean. You still need to consider the type of surface you are cleaning (like glass, for instance), the quality of the MF that you purchase, and how well you can take care of them.
Type Of Surface
Because MF cloths can be used to clean pretty much any surface in your home from mirrors and windows to surfaces, the weave in the cloth should always be considered when you’re choosing the perfect cloth for the kitchen. You’re going to want to look for a “waffle weave” that can help remove water deposit stains and larger dirt particles in the kitchen.
Durability
Microfiber cloths do tend to last longer than regular cotton rags and they clean the best overall. But if you do not care for them properly, they will not be effective and you’ll end up tossing them earlier than expected. Washing heavily soiled kitchen towels in the washing machine with a lot of detergents is a surefire way to ensure that your towels are not going to be an effective cleaning tool for long. It’s always best to follow the instructions that your microfiber cleaning cloths come with, to make sure you can sustain the durability of your cloth and clean the kitchen longer with them.
Quality
The quality of a MF cloth is measured by fiber density, weave, and filament size. The quality and price of the cloth go hand in hand, so it’s a good idea to keep in mind what other reviewers say about the durability of the cloth you choose. A cotton cloth that will leave lint behind, is not a high-quality kitchen towel. You’re going to want to look for a cloth with smaller fibers and the best blend ratio is 80% polyester and 20% polyamide. Most of the cheaper cloths have a 90-10 percent ratio which is how you can tell they are low in quality.
Remember that microfiber does not actually kill the bacteria and germs you pick up. But rather, it picks them up and helps you dispose of them. Cloths with tiny dense fibers do claim to be anti-viral!
Another factor to consider is the GSM (grams per square meter) of your cloth. Cloths with GMS of 200 or less are more likely to leave streaks whereas a GSM of 200-350 is more helpful for removing tough grease and stuck-on stains. You’re also going to want to look for a dish towel that has a waffle weave which is excellent for scrubbing, scouring, and taking on the tough cleaning jobs that kitchens tend to have.
Why a Microfiber Cloth is The Best Cloth For Cleaning The Kitchen
While I do love all sorts of other kitchen cotton cleaning rags, the MF kitchen towels ones are my favorite. According to research, microfiber is the most effective way to attract dirt without needing too many heavy chemicals. But those aren’t the only reasons I love microfiber cloths! Here are some more:
Healthy Clean
While microfiber cloths cannot actually kill viruses, they can pick up germs and debris, helping to decrease the risk of disease. Their tiny filaments are effective for cleaning and erasing dust and allergens! Much preferred over a traditional sponge, which harbors bacteria. Trust me, once you stop using a sponge to clean, you won’t go back!
Hospitals are even needing MF for cleaning more often as well because microfiber mops pick up more bacteria than the traditional loop mops or a sponge, decreasing the spread and risk of E-coli spores. Microfiber cloths are certainly not a cleaning replacement for those extra soiled and greasy areas of your home, but they do work well for cleaning.
Low Maintenance
These type of towels are pretty durable and low maintenance too. You can either scrub them by hand with cool water and no soap, or wash them in the washing machine without detergent or bleach. You’ll need to look at your specific cloth care instructions to figure out how to care for your set but they are fairly simple to keep clean. You can air dry or tumble dry on low to protect surface properties on the cloth and keep them effective for longer. You want to make sure that your cloths stay highly absorbent when you’re cleaning a wet surface.
You also want to avoid creating cloths that leave behind lint, which is why caring for the cloths properly is important.
Eco-Friendly
Because kitchen cleaning cloths are reusable, they are an eco-friendly green alternative to paper towels. The man-made fibers are non-toxic and you don’t need chemicals to pick up dirt and dirt. Plus, they last a long time through many washes without falling apart and losing their cleaning power.
Why Use Reusable Cleaning Cloths?
You can clean your kitchen with either cloth or paper towels, but I much prefer to go the reusable cloth route myself.
Even though I am constantly switching out my kitchen cleaning cloth on a daily basis and washing the dirty ones, it makes me feel better to know I’m not just throwing used paper towels away every time I finish cleaning.
I mean, I don’t JUST clean the countertop, I also tackle the dining room table, and kitchen island and do a quick swipe of the cabinets daily too. So one kitchen cloth gets a fair bit of action before it gets thrown into the washing machine.
Tips For Wiping Down Kitchen Counters
Cleaning the kitchen counters isn’t a difficult thing to do, but I almost couldn’t believe it when I learned some people didn’t wipe down the counters after the daily dishes are complete. It just wasn’t part of the routine, and washing the dishes meant “washing the dishes” and nothing else.
I mean this boggled MY mind, and I wonder how many other families think the same way.
So here are some tips that I use when I clean the kitchen (including dishes too!) and they are simple, and should be completed daily.
Wipe down counters daily
Yes, I’m saying it again, do this daily. It’s a pretty quick task and if you’re going to step on the kitchen floor after anyway, you can knock a lot of crumbs right onto the floor, making the job of counter wiping super simple.
Use A Simple Cleaning Solution
You don’t need to get complicated cleaners to clean your countertops. A simple mixture of vinegar and water in a bottle is all you really need. If you hate the smell of vinegar, add a few drops of essential oil to help. If you’re unsure about the vinegar, go with dish soap and water. Spray and wipe down, easy as pie!
Just a tablespoon of dish soap (Blue Dawn) in a spray bottle full of water and you’ve got your perfect counter cleaner. I do like to disinfect my counters after I use a dish soap mixture, and I use something called Sol-U-Guard for the job.
If I’m all out of Sol-U-Guard, I’ll go with the vinegar for the disinfecting portion of the daily clean. If I had raw meat on the counters, I will rinse the counters with some tried and true Lysol cleaner.
Don’t Forget The Floors
After you clean your countertops, you’re going to want to do a quick sweep (maybe even mop if time and energy allow) because all the crumbs from the countertop are now on your floors.
If you have a dog that acts like a vacuum cleaner, that’s pretty cool, but I would still prefer to use a broom or your trusty vacuum mop.
How To Wash Microfiber Cloths
In order for your microfiber cloths to work effectively, we’ll need to keep them clean. Most microfiber cloths are machine washable. Rinse your cloths with clean water after each use which will help the grime and dirt from getting stuck in the fibers. Wash the MF cloths in warm or hot water with mild detergent.
Do not use bleach or fabric softener as that could make the cloth less efficient over time, just like with towels. If you are needing your microfiber cloths daily, you should wash them every day, or more often if you need to.
Using Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
You can use microfiber cleaning cloths to clean many surfaces around your home, but here are my favorite things to clean other than the kitchen counters.
Stainless Steel
Remove smears and smudges off your stainless steel and leave your appliances and faucets looking shiny.
Cabinets
Because microfiber can reach deep into cracks and crevices, these cloths are great for washing inside cabinets.
Counters
One of my favorite things to clean with microfiber cloths is kitchen counters. These cloths pick up sticky messes and other grime without scratching marble or granite counters.
Chrome
I like to use MF cloths to wipe down faucets all over the house which leaves them nice and shiny!
Windows and Mirrors
While I do have special window cloths, sometimes I like to use microfiber cloths to clean my windows and mirrors still.
Bathtub and Shower
You can use your microfiber cloth to wipe down your shower and tub after each use to keep things dry and prevent mold growth (FYI in case you didn’t know by now, your cleaning sponge is full of germs!).
Dusting
If you’re going to be a dust detective, then a microfiber cloth is going to be a good friend to have as it traps dust so well.
Dishes
If you’re looking for a material that’s both effective and gentle, microfiber is a great option for washing dishes. When it comes to dishes, microfiber cloths can quickly remove grease and grime without scratching delicate surfaces.
In addition, microfiber is less likely to harbor germs than other materials, making it a more hygienic option. For best results, use a damp microfiber cloth on dishes, and rinse them thoroughly with hot water before drying.
Best Kitchen Cleaning Cloth
So what is the best cloth for cleaning the kitchen? Still, the choice is up to you, but the best set of cloths is the Zwipes Microfiber Cleaning Cloths as they are super reliable and simply have never failed me before. They do not leave bits of cloth and lint when I’m wiping down the counters and appliances, unlike cotton rags.
Overall they are great cloths, and they come in many colors so I can delegate colors to certain rooms in the house (I’m not the only one who does that right?). It’s always nice to know that the green kitchen cloths are bathroom only, and the blue ones are for mirrors and windows!
Cleaning the kitchen can be a daunting task, but there are some simple steps you can take to make the job less overwhelming. First, clear off all surfaces. This will give you a clean slate to work with and make it easier to see what needs to be done. Next, focus on one area at a time. Whether you start with the sink or the stove, tackling one section at a time will help you stay organized and focused. Finally, don’t forget to empty the trash! A full garbage can is not only an eyesore, but it can also attract pests. By taking things step by step, you can ensure that your kitchen will be sparkling clean in no time.
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