More and more UK households are swapping sprays and kitchen roll for reusable cleaning cloths. It makes sense: fewer bottles, less waste, and cloths you can wash and use again. But the shelves are full of options, and a cheap pack of microfibre cloths is not the same thing as a cleaning system that lets you clean with just water. This guide explains what to look for before you buy.
1. The fibre makes the difference
“Microfibre” covers a wide range of materials. Many cheap cloths are fine for a quick wipe, but they mostly move dirt around and need a spray to do the real work.
What you want is a fibre that holds on to dirt. Raypath cloths are made from very fine fibres, about 20 micrometres thick, with a grooved shape a little like a human hair. When the cloth is damp, grease and dirt are drawn into those grooves and held there instead of being spread across the surface. That is what makes cleaning with water alone possible.
In tests at the Collegium Medicum of the Jagiellonian University and the Cracow University of Economics, the Raypath material used with only water removed 98% of test dirt from worktops and tiles. Three well-known chemical cleaners, used with a cotton cloth, removed between 67% and 86%.
2. Look for a two step system, not a single cloth
The most common reason people are disappointed with reusable cloths is that they buy one cloth and expect it to do everything. Cleaning with water works best in two steps:
- A damp glove or wipe lifts grease and dirt off the surface and holds it in the water.
- A drying cloth picks up that water, and the dirt with it, and leaves the surface dry and streak-free.
In the Raypath range, step one is a glove such as the White Glove M, and step two is a Sunbeam cloth, which comes in blue, grey and pink. Used together, they replace most everyday sprays.
3. Different surfaces need different cloths
A good reusable range gives you a material for each kind of surface. Raypath makes this easy, because the colour tells you the job:
- White: the strongest cleaner, used damp, for surfaces that are fine with water, such as tiles, glass, kitchen units and appliances.
- White NOVA (with a yellow label): the same cleaning job, but it absorbs much more water, so the surface is left drier. Good for surfaces that dislike water.
- Beige (Maintenance): holds even less water, for surfaces that can only take a little.
- Pink: used dry, for dusting and polishing furniture and electronics.
- Sunbeam: the drying and finishing cloth you use after any of the gloves.
The same material comes in different shapes, so a White Mini Wipe, a White Glove M and a White Floor Pad all do the same job in different places.
4. Choose the right size for the job
Size matters more than most people expect. A glove is easier to control than a flat cloth and covers your whole hand. A large drying cloth gets through a kitchen or bathroom without needing to be wrung out every minute. Some useful sizes to know:
- Sunbeam Cloth, 38 x 41 cm: the standard drying cloth for most rooms.
- Sunbeam Cloth XL, 55 x 55 cm, and Sunbeam Blue Cleaner XXL, 75 x 75 cm: for larger areas.
- Kitchen towel, 50 x 80 cm: a washable towel for the kitchen.
- Sunbeam Optic Wipe, 19 x 19 cm: small and made for glasses, phone screens and laptops, not for windows.
For windows, a cloth is not the best tool at all. The Express for the Windows 25cm combines a washable cleaning pad with a rubber blade, so you can wash and dry a pane in one go.
5. Check how they are washed
A reusable cloth is only as good as its care instructions. Look for cloths you can put in the washing machine and that keep working after many washes. Raypath cloths:
- wash by hand with soap, or in the machine at up to 60°C
- should be washed 3 to 4 times before first use, to open up the fibres
- must not be washed with fabric softener or rinse aid, as these coat the fibres
- should dry naturally, away from the tumble dryer and radiators
The fibres actually open up with use, and the manufacturer found their cleaning performance unchanged even after several dozen washes.
6. Think about how long they will last
The real saving with reusable cloths comes over time. A cloth that falls apart after a few months is not much better than a disposable one. Raypath products are designed for many years of use, so one set can replace a long line of sprays, wipes and rolls of kitchen roll. They also come in paper packaging rather than plastic.
7. Buy genuine products from a UK seller
If you are buying in the UK, it helps to order from someone who knows the range and can answer questions. Raypath UK Shop is run by Monika and Joanna, independent Raypath® consultants in the UK. We sell genuine Raypath products with £5 UK delivery, free on orders of £50 or more, and orders are dispatched within 1 to 2 working days.
Where to start
If you are new to reusable cleaning cloths, the Mini Set is the simplest way to begin. It includes all four gloves (White, NOVA, Maintenance and Pink), a White Mini Wipe, two Sunbeam cloths and Water with Nanosilver, so you have the right material for every surface in your home. You can also browse the full range of gloves and cleaners.
For a room by room method, read our guide on how to clean your home with just water.
Quick answers
Are reusable cleaning cloths better than kitchen roll?
For everyday cleaning, a good reusable cloth does the same job and can be washed and used again for years, so you buy and throw away far less.
Do I still need a cleaning spray?
Not for everyday cleaning. With the right material, water is enough to lift grease and dirt from most surfaces. For heavier dirt, a little natural soap can be added.
Can I put reusable cloths in the washing machine?
Yes. Raypath cloths can be machine washed at up to 60°C. Just leave out the fabric softener.
Which cloth should I buy first?
A White Glove M and a Sunbeam cloth cover most jobs. The Mini Set covers every surface in the home.