How To Remove Lint from Microfiber Towels

There's nothing more frustrating when your freshly cleaned microfiber has hair and lint stuck in their fibers. Not only does it feel like they haven't been cleaned thoroughly, but they can also leave hair and lint behind on surfaces that you're trying to clean.

With its amazing ability at holding onto dust and dirt, high-quality microfiber is professionals' choice when it comes to cleaning. The grippier the microfiber, the better it works. But then how do you successfully remove the debris when it's designed to hold onto it?

We're going to show you how to pros get it done.

Contents

microfiber towels in a stack on a countertop in a laundry

How to Remove Lint and Hair from Microfiber

Here are several ways professionals clean their microfiber to ensure that all hair and lint is removed every single time:

1. 1. Lint Roller Method
  2. Soft Brush Method
  3. Masking Tape Method
  4. Soak and Hand Wash Method

1. Lint Roller Method

You'd use a lint roller on your clothing to remove lint and fluff, so why not your microfiber? There are different types of lint rollers on the market, like fabric lint removers and shavers. But the best one for this kind of job is a roller with disposable sticky sheets.

Lay your freshly washed and dried microfiber out on a countertop, and run your lint roller across both sides to pick up any remaining debris.

Always do it once your microfiber is clean and laundered. This keep the lint roller from clogging up with gunk, and it prevents cross-contamination.

a plastic handle and bristle scrubbing brush

2. Soft Brush Method

A soft bristle brush is another effective tool to use to pick up any stuck on lint and hair from your microfiber. Choose one that is specific for laundry like a soft plastic brush, or go with a natural fiber boar bristle brush.

Again, work on clean microfiber to prevent cross-contamination. Lay your microfiber out flat, and using long, firm strokes, sweep all debris out of the fibers.

3. Masking Tape Method

If you're in a bind, you can use something that most of us already have in our homes: masking tape. A standard tape will work just fine. Or if you've got some painters tape leftover from home projects, that will also work great.

Pull a strip of tape from the roll, and wrap it around your hand sticky side out, securing it onto itself so you've got a circular loop. Then working from one side to the other, press and lift the tape along your microfiber, collecting any debris in your path.

4. Soak & Hand Wash Method

Another method that works, but can be a little more tedious, is to soak and then hand wash your microfiber. This will be more effective than the standard machine-washing of microfiber because it allows for more thorough cleaning.

Opt for something like Borax or laundry washing soda for soaking, and use a mild detergent or one specifically for microfiber when washing your microfiber. Then using your hands (with gloves if you prefer), scrub the towel against itself or use a soft bristle brush to dislodge any hair and lint.

To dry your microfiber, hang dry or always use low or no heat with no dryer sheets. Add some plastic dryer balls to help knock out any debris you may have missed.

a wicker laundry basket with different colored towels inside

Prevention is the Best Way

When cleaning, you'll always come across hair — be it the human or pet kind. It's mostly unavoidable. But there are many other types of lint found on your microfiber that don't come from cleaning, and can be traced back to your laundry habits: washing your microfiber with other fabrics, like cotton.

Because of microfiber's cleaning power and grip, as mentioned earlier, when you launder it with other fabrics, it picks up any lint and fibers that come off other fabrics during the wash and dryer cycle.

So, to prevent lint from forming on your microfiber, always wash them separately from other fabrics.

Opt for a Different Type of Microfiber

The type of microfiber towel you use can have a big impact on how easy it is to clean. An extremely plush towel, like a professional-grade microfiber towel or one for auto detailing is the most effective option for cleaning, but will be more challenging to remove lint.

So, when it comes to cleaning areas that have more hair and lint, such as bathrooms, you might want to reach for something else. Here are three alternatives:

Microfiber With a Lower GSM

Microfiber is made with microscopic fibers, and just like your favorite cotton sheet set, their quality is determined by thread count — or GSM (grams per meter).

A great-quality towel is typically over 300GSM, lik our MW Pro Towels (320GSM). But, for many cleaning tasks, like the hairy bathroom floor, you can use a lower GSM, like our MWipes™ Reusable Microfiber Wipes (200GSM).

Waffle Weave Microfiber

Another type of microfiber towel that is an excellent option are Waffle Weave Microfiber Towels. Typically designed to be a kitchen drying towel, they're super absorbent and quick drying.

They're constructed with alternating indentations that create the waffle-like pattern, making them great for scrubbing. And the fibers are shorter and less plush than a standard microfiber towel, so hair and lint won't get trapped as easily.

Disposable Microfiber

The third great option to avoid hair and lint is to go with a disposable option, like our Mwipes™ Disposable Microfiber Cloths. You still get the superior cleaning power of microfiber, but won't have to worry about the hassle of rewashing them, since they are cheap enough for a one-time use.

While you may be tempted to reach for paper towels, they won't give your surfaces the deep clean they really need. Our disposable microfiber cloths are non-woven and non-linting, which means no hair or debris will get stuck, and they give a perfectly polished finish every time.

a professional cleaner cleaning a bathroom sink with a waffle weave microfiber towel

Choose Your Microfiber Wisely

When cleaning, there's no reason why you can't use a variety of different microfiber to get the job done. Just make sure they're always good quality choices so you're getting the deepest clean possible every time.

Opt for low-GSM, waffle weave, or disposable microfiber when you are cleaning hairy or linty surfaces to prevent hair and lint from sticking to your plush towels. Being selective about what you use and where will ensure you are getting a thorough cleaning without any frustration.

Our curated cleaning kit for professionals

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a professional microfiber cleaning kit curated by our team of microfiber experts

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Written by

Em Rey

Content Contributor at

Microfiber Wholesale

Em is an experienced content creator and strategist focusing on lifestyle, home, and wellness. She advocates for eco-friendly and effective cleaning initiatives with microfiber. In her personal time, she enjoys cooking, being outdoors, and hanging with her husband and baby girl in Austin.