Condo Blues: Ultimate Cloth – Does it Clean as Green as They Say?

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Ultimate Cloth – Does it Clean as Green as They Say?

Does your house need a good clean after the holidays? Yeah, mine too. I love a clean house but I don’t want to spend my whole life cleaning it. I also want to clean as chemical free as possible for the sake of my family.

And I’ll let you in on a little secret. I have a mad crush on trying different green cleaning supplies. That sounds like a very strange hobby, because it is.

That’s how I came by the Ultimate Cloth. The Ultimate Cloth is a MiraFiber cleaning cloth. What’s that? Well I didn’t know until they told me either. Instead of being made with fibers that have little hooks that pick up dirt like a microfiber cloth, MiraFiber cloths have open spaces between the fibers that act like tiny scoops that pull dirt into the cloth and hold them.

At first glance the Ultimate Cloth looked like a cross between a glorified paper towel and a chamois - thin, stiff, and flat. I figured this thing would rip when I popped it in the washing machine for the first time. And it’s supposed to clean with just water? No cleaners? Riiiight. Honestly I didn’t have high hopes for this one.



I washed the Ultimate Cloth prior to its first use as recommended and let it line dry. Then I dampened it and got to cleaning. The Ultimate Cloth cleaned the toothpaste splatters off of the bathroom mirror with the same amount of elbow grease as I use with rag and vinegar but without the streaks or lint. No lint and no streaks meant I didn’t need to go over the mirror a second time and buff them out. Score one Ultimate Cloth but I’m not done testing you yet.

For the next two months I used the Ultimate Cloth to clean countertops, appliances, and windows, Blitzkrieg’s nose prints off the sliding glass door, mirrors, even Husband’s car. I cleaned with both a damp Ultimate Cloth and with my favorite spray cleaner – vinegar. In all cases the Ultimate Cloth cleaned well. Where the Ultimate Cloth really sings is when cleaning glass, mirrors, and my black appliances. All were clean and streak and lint free. It’s an excellent alternative to a leather or suede chamois for you vegetarian car buffs out there.

Pro

Can clean with water only.

Leaves surfaces streak, spot, lint, and dust free.

Strong and long lasting. I admit my initial skepticism made be beat the heck out of the Ultimate Cloth during my test period. It looks just as good and is soft as the first day I washed it.

It uses a water jet manufacturing process to bond the fibers together instead of a chemical process. The product plant recaptures and recycles the water in a closed loop system. Nice.

You can wash the Ultimate Cloth using chlorine bleach unlike traditional microfiber cloths. I didn’t try this because I use hydrogen peroxide based oxygen bleach or straight up hydrogen peroxide or vinegar for my disinfecting needs. However, you may feel differently.

Con

MiraFiber is made from a form of polyester which is made from petroleum byproducts. This isn't a deterrent for me, but if you are one of those people who hates any and all forms of plastic whatnots, this may not be the product for you.

You can’t use fabric softener because it leaves a film on the cloth. I don’t use fabric softener so this isn’t an issue for me, again, it might be for you.

It’s more expensive than a using an old rag. However you might consider it a better return on investment because it doesn’t wear out as easily and it eliminates the need for paper towels.

You have dampened the Ultimate Cloth to use it. I wouldn’t use it to dust sensitive electronics ifyaknowwhatImean but as always, your mileage may vary.

Wouldn’t you know it after putting this thing to a little harder test because I was such a skeptic, it cleaned well and is as sturdy and soft as the first day I washed it. Surprised? Indeed I am.

Don’t believe me? Buy it and try it yourself at Ultimate Cloth America.

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FTC thingywhatis:
 I received a complimentary Ultimate Cloth to test for this review. No other compensation was provided and all opinions are my own at the time of this writing. Further disclosure: Yes, I really did try to beat the hell out of that thing. Really.

8 comments :

Kirsten@Nexyoo said...

Interesting! Do you like it better than microfiber cloths?

Lisa Nelsen-Woods said...

Kirsten - I like the Ultimate Cloth better for mirrors and windows because I tend to streak both. When it comes to dusting electronics, TV/computer monitors, etc. I like microfiber cloths because they pick up dirt when dry and the Ultimate Cloth works best when damp.

Robj98168 said...

Personally, I would pick Skoy Clothes over this product. Skoe cloths are natural, last forever, and clean in the washer. O wpn my first set of Skoy from Fake Plastic Fish, and fell in love with them, And you know if FPF is talking about them there is no plastic involved

Lisa Nelsen-Woods said...

Rob - I thought Skoy cloths were for doing dishes. Can you clean the house with them too?

Joanna Jenkins said...

I learned something new! Thanks a million.

Happy New Year

Allie said...

Oh wow - these look like something I would use. We have major dust in our house from the dogs (and now from drywall dust too).

Robj98168 said...

I use them for everything!

Kristin - The Goat said...

I love cleaning products - products like cleaning cloths are my favorites! I will absolutely check out this product. absolutely!

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