Reusable cotton cloths save money, but only if you care for them well. In this guide you learn how to wash cotton cleaning cloths so they stay soft, fresh and strong. First, we cover rinsing. Then we explain detergent, drying and storage.

Wash cotton cleaning cloths – JuteiQue cotton pocha pack

Rinse before you wash cotton cleaning cloths

Rinse the cloth in clean water straight after cleaning. Dirt and grease dry hard in the fibres, so they are much harder to remove later. Also, a quick rinse stops stains from setting.

How to wash cotton cleaning cloths

Machine or hand wash with a mild detergent. For the first wash, separate dark and light cloths, because new cotton can release a little colour. Then use warm water for kitchen cloths. As a result, oil and food residue wash out better.

Avoid bleach and fabric softener

Bleach weakens cotton fibres. Fabric softener coats them, so they absorb less water. However, if a cloth smells, soak it in warm water with a spoon of baking soda or white vinegar before washing.

Dry fully, preferably in the sun

Dry cloths completely before you store them. Sunlight helps remove odour and freshens cotton. A damp, folded cloth is the main cause of a musty smell. Therefore, hang cloths open in a breezy spot.

Rotate and retire your cloths

Keep at least four cloths in rotation so each one gets a full wash and dry. When a pocha thins out, use it for dirty jobs like wiping shoes. Then discard it. Good cloths show wear slowly.

Explore our cleaning cloth range and read about cotton fibre on Wikipedia.

Signs it is time to replace a cloth

Even good cloths wear out. Replace a cloth when it feels thin, when it smells after washing or when it stops absorbing water. Also, replace it if the edges fray badly. Then buy a fresh pack, so you can keep a healthy rotation. As a result, your cleaning stays quick and hygienic.