To find the best microfiber towels for different cleaning needs—including dusting furniture, polishing cars, cleaning floors, and more—we evaluated top-rated microfiber towels on factors like material, density, efficiency, and versatility. We also received expert tips on purchasing and using microfiber towels from Angela Brown, CEO and founder of Savvy Cleaner, as well as Leanne Stapf, COO at The Cleaning Authority. “The number one thing to look for in a highly-quality microfiber cloth is if it is ‘gripping’ what you’re cleaning,” says Stapf. “Although soft to the touch, if you run your hand over the cloth, you’ll notice a gripping sensation caused by the electricity pulling at your skin. If there is a gripping sensation, you’ll know that the cloth is ready to pick up any dirt you throw its way!” Our top pick is the Mr. Siga Microfiber Cleaning Cloth Set, which is a great all-purpose microfiber towel that’s non-abrasive and absorbent, yet still effective at picking up dirt. It also comes in a variety of colors so you can delegate different colors to specific cleaning tasks to avoid cross-contamination. Find our recommendations for the best microfiber towels below, and keep scrolling for expert advice on what to look for in a microfiber towel. For a jack-of-all-trades microfiber towel that’s effective on both tough messes and delicate surfaces, this affordable set is a great option. Trusted by professional cleaners, these towels can be used for everything from scrubbing toilets to dusting furniture to soaking up spills. They’re highly absorbent and won’t leave behind any lint or streaks, and their lightweight design means they dry quickly, too. The set includes 12 towels in four different colors, so you can designate different colors to different cleaning areas to ensure all germs and contaminants are contained to that area. In terms of durability, these towels have reinforced edges that will endure hundreds of wash cycles when properly cared for. However, we would caution you not to use these towels on painted surfaces when car detailing, considering the grams per square meter (GSM)—or the grade of a microfiber towel’s density—is below 350. (Keep scrolling for more information on GSM in microfiber towels.) Product Details:
Size: 12.6 x 12.6 inchesMaterial: 85 percent polyester, 15 percent nylonGSM: 280-320Care: Machine wash
For significantly less per towel than the Mr. Siga set, this set of microfiber towels is great for large cleanups around the house, car, or garage. Each towel has more surface area than many similarly priced towels at 12 x 16 inches, providing more absorption and grip for tough messes. The sets range from 24 towels per pack to 144 towels per pack, each with three different colors so you can designate different colors to different cleaning areas (e.g. kitchen, bathroom, car). Despite the manufacturer’s claim that these towels are “non-abrasive,” at 220 GSM and 90/10 polyester to polyamide blend, we don’t recommend these towels for automotive detailing or delicate glassware that is prone to scratching. But their mildly abrasive texture and large surface makes them a reusable alternative to paper towels for cleaning up spills, dishwashing, dusting, and more. Product Details:
Size: 12 x 16 inchesMaterial: 90 percent polyester, 10 percent polyamideGSM: 220Care: Machine wash
For many people, having a variety of different microfiber cloths for various everyday cleaning tasks makes the most sense. This top-rated set of microfiber towels includes five for cleaning, two for polishing, and one for dusting, with varying textures and piles. E-cloth is one of the most trusted names in microfiber, claiming their towels remove over 99 percent of bacteria without the use of chemical cleaners (you just simply add water). From counters to windows to tile, this set gives you the tools you need to manage a variety of messes. Product Details:
Size: VariousMaterial: MicrofiberGSM: VariousCare: Machine wash
For a microfiber towel you can trust on all household surfaces, look no further than this set of multi-surface cloths. They have just enough grip to snatch up dirt and grime without scratching or streaking, and you can use them for dusting, wiping up spills, cleaning and drying dishes, polishing glass, cleaning stainless steel appliances, wiping down car interiors, and more. The overall density plus high percentage of polyamide make them particularly plush and absorbent. Although each 12-count set features just one color, the towels are available in seven different colors so you can purchase multiple sets if you’d like different colors for different cleaning tasks. Product Details:
Size: 12 x 12 inchesMaterial: 80 percent polyester, 20 percent polyamideGSM: 325Care: Machine wash
Microfiber cloths are the industry standard when it comes to car detailing, but not all microfiber cloths can be trusted not to scratch paint. Fortunately, these professional-quality towels were designed for sensitive detailing. The 70/30 microfiber blend and silk edges ensure a lint-, swirl-, and scratch-free finish. Use the high-pile side of the cloth to wipe away dust and debris, and use the low-pile side for removing waxes and sealants or cleaning windows and glass. Of course, the trade-off with these plush microfiber towels is that they may not be abrasive enough for scouring and scrubbing, and they’re more expensive than a lot of the competition. But if you’re looking for the best microfiber towels for cars, we’d argue these are well worth the investment to protect your paint job. Product Details:
Size: 16 x 16 inchesMaterial: 70 percent polyester, 30 percent polyamideGSM: 380Care: Machine wash
When cleaning windows and other glass surfaces, it can be hard to avoid the pitfalls of streaking and scratching. Fortunately these microfiber towels were designed with delicate surfaces in mind. The unique, fish-scale design features a rough side for cleaning/wiping and a smooth side for lint- and scratch-free polishing. Use the towels to clean and dry windows, mirrors, stainless steel appliances, glass shower doors, glassware, windshields, and more, all without streaking. In fact, you don’t even need to use a cleaning solution when using these towels—simply wet one towel to wipe clean and buff dry with a dry towel. The multi-color pack allows you to assign different colors to different cleaning areas for more organized housekeeping. Product Details:
Size: 11.8 x 11.8 inchesMaterial: 80 percent polyester, 20 percent nylonGSM: Not listedCare: Machine wash
Keyboards, phone screens, TV screens, camera lenses, and eyeglass lenses all have an annoying habit of attracting dust, smudges, fingerprints, and oils. These ultra-thin microfiber cloths will bring your electronics and other delicate surfaces back to life without streaking, scratching, or linting. Plus, each cloth comes with a polybag so it will remain protected and ready to use straight from your purse, car, desk, etc. These towels are probably best reserved for dusting or removing smudges rather than general deep cleaning, as they’re not thick enough to absorb large spills. And it should be noted that the manufacturer suggests hand washing these towels. Product Details:
Size: 6 x 7 inchesMaterial: MicrofiberGSM: Not specifiedCare: Hand wash only
Unlike most microfiber towels that feature a loop weave, these towels have a no-pile waffle weave that simultaneously collects dust and dirt while quickly wicking away water and liquids. This design makes the towels particularly adept at drying or cleaning up spills, and the non-abrasive microfiber means it’s ideal for cleaning windows and mirrors. With a GSM of 370, these high-quality towels are made to withstand hundreds of washes, getting softer with each one. Product Details:
Size: 16 x 16 inchesMaterial: 80 percent polyester, 20 percent polyamideGSM: 370Care: Machine wash
How to Shop for Microfiber Towels Like a Pro
Weave and Pile
Most microfiber cloths feature a loop weave with tiny hooks that can grab wet and dry messes without damaging surfaces. Loop weave microfiber cloths have different pile lengths, from low to high. Low pile towels are less prone to linting and more effective at cutting through tough messes, while high pile towels are more plush and absorbent, and best for cleaning delicate surfaces. Waffle weave microfiber towels are no-pile towels that feature a cross-hatched pattern that’s great for drying. Water becomes trapped in the grooves of the waffle pattern, while the ridges give the towel scouring power. And when made from high quality microfiber, waffle weave towels are non-abrasive and lint-free, making them ideal for glass cleaning.
Density
There are different grades of microfiber cloths based on density, or grams per square meter (GSM). All-purpose microfiber towels often range from 250-350 GSM. The lower the GSM, the better for scouring and tougher cleaning jobs, but the higher the likelihood of streaking and scratching. The higher the GSM, the better for delicate surfaces. Use the chart below as a guide when choosing the right GSM for your cleaning needs:
Color
You may not think to pay attention to color when purchasing a microfiber cloth, but having a variety of colors within a set can help prevent cross contamination, especially considering how well microfiber holds onto dirt and grime. “With the awareness of cross-contamination it’s great to have a variety of cloths you can keep separate in your cleaning caddy, in your car, and in the wash,” says Brown. “And using the same color for every job removes the guesswork from trying to keep your cloths separate.” Try designating a different color for each cleaning area, such as kitchen, bathroom, automotive, glass, etc.
Questions You Might Ask
How do microfiber towels work?
Microfibers are set apart for their ability to attach themselves to microscopic dirt particles and even bacteria: “A microfiber cloth is designed with millions of small fibers that can lift and hold dirt, bacteria, and liquids,” says Stapf. “Scientifically speaking, the polyester fibers are positively-charged and the nylon fibers are negatively charged, which creates the perfect storm to attract and pull in the mess you’re cleaning up.” High-quality microfiber towels are also more absorbent and quicker to dry than other towels, which makes them ideal for household cleaning.
When should you use microfiber towels?
Microfiber towels have many different uses, and certain blends lend themselves particularly well to specific cleaning tasks. In general, you can use microfiber towels any way you would a paper or cloth towel, because they’re great for picking up dirt and bacteria. “Every type of cloth has a purpose,” says Brown. “In cleaning, microfiber cloths are preferred because of their effectiveness in sanitizing surfaces.“Because of its ability to snatch up tiny particles, microfiber is also great for dusting surfaces, including electronics and car interiors. And depending on its density, it can be used for scrubbing down surfaces or drying and detailing scratch-prone surfaces, such as car paint. Microfiber cloths can be used dry, with water, or with cleaning solutions.
Which side of the microfiber towel should you use?
Some microfiber towels have one soft side and one slightly more abrasive side. The latter is best for scrubbing, while the former is meant for drying or detailing delicate surfaces without scratching them.
How should you wash microfiber towels?
Because microfibers have the ability to attract dirt, it’s essential to maintain that attraction in order for your cloth to last: “Harsh chemicals will coat the cloth and make it less viable over time,” says Stapf. “Therefore, you actually don’t need to give the cloth a deep clean with every use. You can reuse the towel a few times in a row and just simply rinse it out under warm water and hang it to dry.” When it’s time to wash, most microfiber towels are machine washable in cold or warm water (not hot) and should be washed separately from non-microfiber items to avoid attracting lint from other fabrics, such as cotton. Use a mild, unscented detergent and avoid fabric softener, dryer sheets, and bleach when washing microfiber towels. Fabric softeners and dryer sheets can affect the towels’ absorbency, while bleach will erode the fibers. “Instead of fabric softener, you can throw in a tablespoon of white vinegar to combat any odor,” says Stapf. To get as many wash cycles out of your towel as possible, Brown suggests the following steps:
Soak gunky microfiber towels in a pH-neutral cleaner before washing. Hang towels to dry or tumble dry on the no-heat cycle. Avoid using microfiber towels on extra greasy or tar-like surfaces, such as the engine of a car, oven hood, etc. Don’t let dirty microfiber cloths sit in a damp pile for an extended period of time. Instead, either soak them in a bucket or hang them to dry until you can wash them.
Take Our Word for It
This article was written by Melanie Fincher, associate commerce editor for Real Simple with nearly three years of experience writing product reviews and lifestyle content. To compile the list, she spent hours researching microfiber towels and reading customer reviewers. She also received tips on how to shop and care for microfiber towels from Angela Brown, CEO and founder of Savvy Cleaner, as well as Leanne Stapf, chief operating officer at The Cleaning Authority.
