How to Wash Lens Cloth Chamois without Leftover Residue

[Andre Noble]

Hello,

Does anyone have a favorite technique of washing their microfiber or chamois lens cloth so that they are clean and free of moisturizers, detergent residue - to say nothing of dirt itself?

For example, when washing lens chamois in dish washing liquid, later cleaning lens with said cloth once can see residue from the detergent on lens surface, etc.

Thanks in advance.

[vinny]

I don't use detergents. I RARELY clean a lens. I replace a cloth when it gets nasty.

[Tin Can]

Gotta agree with Vinny, I try to never clean a lens. I am really careful with them and will not let anyone handle them. Microfiber is so cheap I also just use new ones, I do blow dust off with dry clean air, not with canned air.

I have heard people wash the microfiber in Woolite, but why?

I don't use detergents. I RARELY clean a lens. I replace a cloth when it gets nasty.

[Gem Singer]

I wash my large microfiber cloth in warm water with a few drops of Woolite.

Rinse in warm water. Hang to dry as if it were a large sheet of film.

Store in a sealable plastic bag.

Cloth is more than five years old. Hasn't scratched yet.

[Paul Fitzgerald]

rarely clean lenses, NEVER reuse the cloth, just use new microfiber paper towels

Carrand 45076 Microfuse Towels

[Tin Can]

Do these towels have paper content, the link says 'infused with microfiber"? Paper scares me, it's wood and wood scratches glass. imho

rarely clean lenses, NEVER reuse the cloth, just use new microfiber paper towels

Carrand 45076 Microfuse Towels

[Paul Fitzgerald]

if it's paper it's like Tyvek, purely synthetic, no wood pulp or debris. Seriously tough, can't tear it, need to cut it with scissors, store the roll and pieces in a zip-lok bag.

[Gem Singer]

P.S. I also rarely need to use my microfiber cloth to clean a lens. When I do, it usually is only a gentle wipe.

However, there are many other surfaces that need to be wiped clean (focusing screen, optical viewer, spot meter, etc.).

Don't want to carry a bunch of disposable microfiber wipes in my kit.

My 12"x12" microfiber cloth was distributed by a major lens manufacturer (Schneider, Nikon, Leica?) . Sold for a slightly over $20.

Besides, I have developed a sentimental attachment to it after all these years.

[gleaf]

I would have some concern over the hardness of the rinse water leaving lime residue on the microfibers around here. My untreated side tap water being approx. 25 hardness on a 50 maximum scale.

[AtlantaTerry]

Rinse anything photographic (film, microfiber cloth, etc.) in steam distilled water.