How to Wash Glasses Cleaning Cloths UK Guide

Why microfibre cloths should be washed separately

Always wash microfibre glasses cleaning cloths separately from other fabrics.

Washing microfibre alongside regular laundry can allow lint and loose fibres to become trapped inside the microfibre weave. This can reduce cleaning performance and introduce additional contamination into the cloth.

How to hand wash a glasses cleaning cloth

For cloths that are suitable for hand washing, lukewarm water and thorough rinsing provide a simple way to remove oils and residue. Always follow the cloth manufacturer’s care instructions.

• Shake off loose dust or grit before washing.
• Hand wash separately in lukewarm water.
• Use a very small amount of mild, unscented soap only when needed.
• Rinse thoroughly until no soap residue remains.
• Air dry naturally. Avoid tumble dryers, radiators and high heat.

Barroccu & Co. optical-grade microfibre cloths are specifically designed to be machine washable. Follow the supplied care instructions and wash separately from lint-producing fabrics. For other cloths, manufacturer-specific care instructions should take precedence.

High heat can affect microfibre structure and reduce the useful surface area that helps the cloth lift oils and contamination from lenses.

What detergents should you avoid?

To protect microfibre performance and avoid coating the fibres, avoid using:

• Fabric softeners
• Bleach
• Strong or heavily scented detergents

These products can leave residue within the fibres or reduce the cloth's ability to lift contamination cleanly.

How often should you wash a microfibre cloth?

Wash the cloth when it begins smearing, feels oily or no longer lifts contamination effectively. Daily users may need to wash it more frequently.

Regular washing helps reduce the build-up of oils, dust and contamination within the fibres, making it easier for the cloth to lift rather than redistribute material across the lens surface.

When washing is not enough

Microfibre cloths are designed to be washed and reused, but no cloth lasts forever. Over time, fibres can become permanently clogged, flattened or affected by heat and wash products.

Signs a cloth may need replacing include:

• Persistent streaking after washing
• Reduced absorbency
• Fibres that feel stiff or less soft
• Visible lint embedded in the weave

If careful washing no longer restores effective cleaning, read our guide explaining when you should replace a glasses cleaning cloth .

Cloth size and contamination control

Oversized cloths provide more usable surface area, making it easier to fold to a clean section during use. This reduces repeated wiping, helps minimise finger contact and oil transfer, and supports better contamination control.

Cloth size is not only a convenience feature. More clean surface area can make everyday lens care more controlled, especially for glasses, sunglasses, camera lenses and other suitable coated optics.

Keeping more than one cloth in rotation

For regular lens cleaning, keeping more than one cloth in rotation can help reduce contamination build-up over time.

One cloth can stay at home, one can stay in a bag or case, and one can remain clean while another is being washed.

Choosing a washable microfibre cloth

Construction quality influences how well a cloth performs after repeated washing. Fibre structure, edge finishing and usable surface area all affect how reliably it can be kept in service.

A cloth that maintains its useful cleaning surface is less likely to redistribute contamination or require repeated wiping during daily lens care.

If you are choosing a cloth for regular optical care, our guide to the best glasses cleaning cloth explains what to consider when comparing cloth size, clean surface area and everyday lens-care use.

You can also explore our collection of oversized optical-grade microfibre cloths for glasses, camera lenses and other suitable optical surfaces.