To choose detergent for microfiber cleaning cloths, start with the cloth maker’s care instructions, then check the complete detergent formula and directed dose. We would not choose by powder versus liquid alone. A product that combines detergent with fabric softener may be unsuitable for a cloth whose instructions exclude softener, even when it sounds convenient.
A cleaning cloth is not just a small towel
Before washing, identify what you have: a glass-polishing cloth, general cleaning cloth, dusting pad or another product. Similar-looking items can have different care instructions. Keep the product name or a photograph of its label so you can look up the right instructions later.
We suggest separating two questions: how to wash the cloth, and whether it is suitable for the surface you plan to clean. A correctly washed cloth is not automatically appropriate for every coating, screen or polished surface. Check the surface maker’s instructions as well.
Read the cloth instructions before choosing a detergent format
For a concrete example, E-Cloth’s care guidance allows laundry detergent but excludes detergent-and-softener combination products. It also advises against fabric softener and dryer sheets, and gives different care advice for some dusting products. Those instructions apply to its products; do not copy their temperatures or quantities to every microfiber item.
Our selection checklist is straightforward: identify the cloth, note any excluded ingredients or product types, check your detergent against those conditions, and measure for the actual washing task. The word “natural” does not complete those checks. Nor does choosing a liquid establish that it contains no conditioner.
A few cloths do not automatically need a full clothing-load dose
Use the quantity supported by your detergent and cloth instructions for the load you are washing. Avoid borrowing a teaspoon recommendation from a different product or converting a liquid cap into an equal volume of powder. If the two instructions cannot be reconciled, ask the manufacturers rather than inventing a dilution.
For our laundry powder, the supplied level scoop holds approximately 10–15 g. That is a measurement reference, not a microfiber-cloth dose. Our powder dosing guide explains why the washing conditions still matter. We do not describe our range as universally compatible with every specialist cloth.
Check what the washing machine adds automatically
Suppose you choose a detergent that meets the cloth instructions, but the washer also dispenses conditioner. The detergent choice alone has not resolved the task. Before starting, check the selected programme and automatic dispensing settings against the washer manual.
Keep this check separate from the amount you add by hand. Our guide to mixing detergents explains duplicate main-wash dosing. Adding two detergents is not a useful substitute for finding out what is already being dispensed.
If the cloth leaves streaks, investigate before replacing everything
We suggest recording the symptom rather than immediately blaming one product. Does the mark appear with one cloth or several? On one surface or every surface? What cleaner was used on that surface, and what was in the last laundry load? These observations give a manufacturer something specific to assess; they are not a test proving the cause.
If softener was accidentally used, consult the cloth maker’s recovery directions. E-Cloth recommends rewashing its affected products. Do not assume repeated washing can repair worn or damaged material, and do not copy a boiling method from another brand without instructions for your exact item.
A heavily contaminated cloth, an unidentified pad or a missing care label may need a different decision from routine household laundry. Pause experiments with additional cleaners and contact the relevant manufacturer. Washing guidance is also not evidence that a cloth has been disinfected.
Choose for the task, then choose where to buy
We organise our range around specific laundry and household uses, not one product for every material. Review our product information and compare it with your cloth’s care instructions. For a compatibility question, send us the product name and cloth label. Our buying guide keeps regional shopping options together.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use powder detergent to wash microfiber cloths?
Check the exact cloth instructions and the complete detergent formulation. Powder versus liquid alone does not establish compatibility; any restrictions on additives and dose still apply.
Can I use a full scoop for a few cleaning cloths?
Do not assume a clothing-load dose fits a small cloth load. Follow the detergent and cloth instructions for the actual task. Our 10–15 g level-scoop reference is not a universal microfiber dose.
What if my washer automatically adds softener?
Check the programme and dispensing settings before starting. If the cloth instructions exclude softener, choosing a suitable main detergent is not enough while the machine still adds conditioner.
Written by our Twiggy team. Published 8 October 2026.