Microfiber Care
How To
Clean Your
Microfiber.
Most people ruin their microfibers in the wash. Here's how to not do that.
The science
Why Microfiber
Is Different
How it works
Millions of Split Loops
Microfiber works by trapping contamination inside millions of tiny split loops. A single towel can hold 8× its weight in water. That performance depends entirely on those loops staying open and uncoated.
The wrong wash routine doesn't just clean less effectively — it permanently degrades the fiber structure.
The two killers
Softener & Cotton Lint
Fabric softener is the biggest offender. It coats the fibers in a waxy film that prevents absorption. One wash with softener and the towel is functionally dead.
Cotton lint from washing with regular towels or clothes is second. It embeds into the loops and kills absorption permanently.
Step by step
The Right Way
To Wash
Shake it out first
Knock off loose dirt before it goes into the machine. Grit in the drum scratches fiber loops during the spin cycle.
Microfiber only — never mix
Never with cotton, denim, or anything that sheds lint. Cotton embeds into the loops and cannot be removed. Microfiber washes only.
Cold or warm water — 30°C / 90°F max
Hot water shrinks and damages the polyester/polyamide split fibers. Use the cold or warm setting — never hot.
Free & clear detergent — small amount
No dyes, no fragrance, no built-in softener. All Free & Clear works. Seventh Generation works. A few drops of Dawn in a pinch — strong surfactant, rinses completely clean.
Add ¼ cup white vinegar
Not as a cleaner — as a rinse aid. Strips mineral buildup from hard water and keeps fibers soft without clogging them. Do this every wash.
Low heat or air dry — never high heat
High heat degrades the fiber split permanently. Air dry when possible. If using the dryer, set to no heat or low heat only.
Non-negotiable
No fabric softener. Ever. Not in the wash. Not in the dryer. No dryer sheets either. This is the one rule that matters more than all the others.
Advanced
Heavily Contaminated
Towels
Always separate
Sort by Use
Wash polish and wax towels separately from drying towels. Product contamination transfers between towels in the wash and is hard to fully flush out once it does.
Wax & sealant load
Pre-Soak First
If a towel has heavy wax or sealant load, do a hot bucket soak at 60°C / 140°F with a few drops of dish soap before the machine cycle. It breaks down oils before they go into the drum.
Quick reference
What To
Stop Doing
Coming Soon
Polaris
Microfiber
Wash.
We built a detergent specifically for microfiber. No fillers. No fragrance. Formulated to strip wax, sealant, and product contamination without touching the fiber structure.
Get early access
Join the list. We'll email you when it's ready — before anyone else.