how do you clean your microfiber cloths?

[Sparrow]

... I don't know joe ... but I would suspect neither do the people who sell lens cloths either.

From a technical textile pov the more abrasive yarns tend to be those that are most contaminated, that is its the contaminates that are the problem rather than the fibre itself.

All of the thermal plastics have up to 2% oil added for processing and even if white around 4% dyestuff, heat can cause all sorts of migration problems and most of them will attract all sorts of things due to static ... so new I'd not clean the glass bits with any of them

When machine washed in detergent a few times any free dye, oil or particles will be gone so clean cotton, polyester, acetate or triacetate would be fine ... wool, nylon, polypropylene, kevlar and the like I would avoid as they are all made from very hard source materials

PS I seldom need to clean lenses, but if I do a T-shirt is usually to hand

 

[bwcolor]

I thought that I was the only one that uses a t-shirt.

Not to hijack the thread, but this brings up a question regarding lens brushes. Now, I wonder if some of these synthetic lens brushes are doing more harm than good...???

 

[bobbyrab]

Well, I've a pet hate of anything other than crystal clear glasses, and prior to microfibre clothes I would use the smallest dot of washing up liquid and water before drying on something like a clean t-shirt. Just using a t-shirt or cotton shirt will always leave a film of oil and was never satisfactory, but I am a bit OCD about it.
Never had a problem with microfibre clothes and they've never caused any scratches. The best I've found have been Sigma which are larger and thicker than most and I just put them through the washing machine.

 

[back alley]

i have 2 from pentax, perfect at about 12 inches square that i use constantly…and a handful of others that i have bought over the ages...

 

[rfaspen]

Years ago, when I part-timed at a photo retailer in California, we sold a product called the "lens chamois". It was just what you think, a small sheet (4x6 inch) of chamois? cloth. I don't know exactly what the material was, but it was supple and kind of thick (um, like a chamois?). I used it for a while and it worked quite well, but using any kind of cloth on a lens surface where abrasive particles could be present causes me angst.

Your average "dust" can contain very hard, abrasive particles, albeit tiny. That can be the dust sitting on your lens, or the dust that's on your cloth. I cringe just thinking about it. Even if you blow/brush off as much dust as possible, some invisible amount remains on the lens surface...and the dust that resides in/on your cloth is doubly difficult to see, much less remove.

This is probably my primary motivation for semi-permanent filters on my lenses. I'll happily clean a filter with my t-shirt, lens chamois, or micro-fiber cloth. If/when scratches become apparent, I find a new filter. More importantly, my OCD need to preserve a pristine objective is satisfied.

 

[Sparrow]

Well, I've a pet hate of anything other than crystal clear glasses, and prior to microfibre clothes I would use the smallest dot of washing up liquid and water before drying on something like a clean t-shirt. Just using a t-shirt or cotton shirt will always leave a film of oil and was never satisfactory, but I am a bit OCD about it.
Never had a problem with microfibre clothes and they've never caused any scratches. The best I've found have been Sigma which are larger and thicker than most and I just put them through the washing machine.

... once washed I would expect the cotton shirt and the lens cloth to take up oil from the 'fabric conditioner' in roughly the same amount, they will also both regain water ... however the cotton will tend to absorb more oil (and water) than a manmade fibre, which would tend to collect its oil on the surface

 

[Bill58]

I never use them, but use an old t-shirt instead. Most "microfiber" cloths are cheap imitations from Asia.

 

[Jack Sparrow]

Do not throw microfiber in the washing machine; too much chance of introducing grit from clothing. If you must, do NOT use fabric softener. You'll end up with a smeary mess on your lenses. Hand wash with dishwash soap; it'll remove any oil residue. Hang to dry.

 

[Balto]

I have a few made specifically for lens cleaning, they are stored in a ziplock bag to avoid dust and are tossed once they start to appear dirty. I had a small grain of sand on one that I missed once and put a big line across the UV I was cleaning, was very happy it was just a filter and not my cron but I went out immediately and got a few new cloths.

 

[rfaspen]

I poked around and actually found one of the "lens chamois" I mentioned in an earlier post. I'm afraid to use it, but....I'm wondering if anyone else has seen or heard of this product? I'd post a picture of it, but there's not much to see.

As for microfiber cloths, so far I've tossed them when they get dirty. But, if I was to keep them around I would avoid most laundry soaps, and all fabric softeners or dryer sheets. All of those products typically have tons of surprising ingredients that are not good for lenses or people.

I know its off topic, but the overwhelming majority of laundry soaps contain strong fragrances that have been engineered to persist on fibers. The same is true of fabric softeners and dryer sheets. The synthetic fragrances, and supporting chemicals, are responsible for increasing rates of chemical sensitivity among humans. I happen to be one of them. But, even if I were not sensitive to these chemicals, I would opt to clean my microfiber cloths with the most basic no-nonsense soap and hang to airdry if possible.

 

[Nokton48]

I have always used a clean T-shirt for cleaning my lenses.

 

[kshapero]

Clean them? I thought those oil stains were good for my lenses. Maybe that's why this didn't come out so well.

 

[locheeboy]

Toughen up you lot...

Ah never use cloths just give the lenses tae charity shops on my annual "clean-up/clearout". Good for the environment - recycling...😎

 

[noisycheese]

I wash mine with my laundry in the machine - regular liquid laundry detergent but no fabric softner. Then I rinse them thoroughly twice using distilled water. Then I wring them out and air dry them on a plastic coat hangar.

This has worked out fine over the years.