This post will show you how to use Norwex window cloths effectively, explain why microfiber beats chemical cleaners and answer common questions. With proper care, your cloth can deliver sparkling, streak‑free windows for years to come.
How to Use the Norwex Window Cloth
The Norwex Window Cloth works best when paired with water. The company recommends two methods depending on how dirty the surface is:
For heavily soiled surfaces
Pre‑clean with a damp EnviroCloth: If the window or mirror has grime, soap scum or old cleaner residue, first wipe it with a moist Norwex EnviroCloth to remove the heavy soil. The EnviroCloth is made of the same microfiber and will loosen stuck‑on dirt.
Polish with the Window Cloth: Immediately follow with a dry window cloth, wiping in the same direction as the grain. Folding the cloth into quarters gives you eight clean surfaces to work with. Glide across the glass from top to bottom or side to side rather than circular motions. The cloth will absorb moisture and leave a streak‑free shine.
For lightly soiled surfaces
Mist with water: Lightly spray the window or mirror with water using a spray bottle (Norwex sells a Forever Bottle with a sprayer). There’s no need for commercial glass cleaner.
Wipe with a dry Window Cloth: Use the dry cloth to polish away the moisture. Back‑and‑forth or up‑and‑down motions are sufficient. You don’t need to apply pressure or wipe in circles.
Tips for best results
Fold the cloth: Fold your cloth into quarters and keep one side flat against the glass. When one section becomes damp or dirty, refold to expose a clean section. This technique yields eight cleaning surfaces from one cloth.
Less water is more: If watermarks remain, the cloth may be too wet or pulling off residual cleaner. In this case, wash the glass first with a wet EnviroCloth, then polish with a dry Window Cloth.
Use on mirrors, stainless steel and screens: Many users love the cloth for mirrors, TV screens, computer monitors and microwave doors. On brushed stainless steel, test a small area first because some surfaces scratch easily.
Avoid anti‑glare surfaces: Norwex advises against using the cloth on anti‑glare coatings found on certain glasses and electronics.
Yes! I want sparkling windows
What Is the Norwex Window Cloth?
The Norwex Window Cloth is a silky, tightly woven microfiber cloth designed specifically for glass, mirrors and other glossy surfaces. According to Norwex’s product information sheet, the cloth cleans windows, mirrors and other glass surfaces with just water—no sprays or paper towels required. The microfiber’s dense weave is certified by Oeko‑Tex® Standard 100, meaning it has been tested against more than 350 harmful substances. Norwex’s exclusive BacLock micro silver agent is embedded in the fibers to inhibit bacterial odor, mold and mildew growth inside the cloth. Unlike many household products, this antibacterial agent remains effective for at least two years, and independent testing showed that bacteria counts inside BacLock‑treated microfiber decreased by 65–70 percent, whereas untreated cloths saw bacteria increase by 34–50 percent.
Key features
- Dense microfiber removes up to 99 % of bacteria: Independent lab tests using E. coli and S. aureus demonstrated that Norwex microfiber removed 99.8 % and 99.4 % of bacteria from surfaces using only water. (This is a cleaning claim, not a disinfectant claim.)
- BacLock® self‑purification: The silver agent inhibits bacterial growth within the cloth between uses.
- Streak‑free finish: A dry window cloth produces a polished shine without lint or smears.
- Chemical‑free: Because the fibers physically lift dirt and bacteria, you don’t need to expose your family to ammonia or glycol‑ether based cleaners.
- Reusable and eco‑friendly: Eliminates disposable paper towels and reduces chemical pollution.
- Warranty: Norwex provides a two‑year warranty on its microfiber products.
Why Use Microfiber Instead of Conventional Cleaners?
Traditional glass cleaners rely on solvents like glycol ethers and ammonia to dissolve dirt. Glycol ethers are common in glass and all‑purpose cleaners and have been linked to fertility problems and low birth weight in animal studies. Ammonia is a strong gas that can burn eyes and lungs and should never be mixed with bleach because of toxic chlorine gas formation. Beyond personal health, detergents and solvents flush down drains and contribute to environmental pollution. These concerns drive many people to seek chemical‑free cleaning.
Microfiber cloths clean mechanically rather than chemically. An ordinary cotton cloth has relatively few large fibers, so cleaning can be hit‑or‑miss. By contrast, a Norwex window cloth contains millions of tiny fibers that attach to microscopic dirt particles via van der Waals forces—weak attractions that multiply when millions of fibers act together. This “mechanical cleaning” wipes away dirt and bacteria without leaving chemical residues. The densely woven microfiber physically removes bacteria from the surface, and lab tests prove it reduces E. coli and S. aureus counts by over 99 percent.
In addition to cleaning power, microfiber is kinder to the planet. Because you only need water, there’s no chemical runoff, and you can reuse the cloth hundreds of times. A study cited by explainthatstuff.com notes that detergent overuse can pollute rivers and seas and that people often prefer chemical‑free cleaning. Cleaning with Norwex microfiber also eliminates paper towel waste.
Caring for Your Norwex Microfiber
Proper care ensures your cloth performs for years. Both Norwex and experienced users recommend these guidelines:
- Wash regularly but avoid fabric softeners and bleach. Wash your cloth in the washing machine with a free‑from detergent like Norwex Ultra Power Plus. Fabric softeners and dryer sheets coat fibers and reduce their ability to grab dirt, while bleach degrades the material. Many Norwex consultants recommend adding white vinegar to soften laundry instead of using commercial softeners.
- Dry with low‑lint items. The microfiber’s static charge attracts lint. Dry your cloth with low‑lint items such as sheets.
- Hand‑wash between loads. If the cloth isn’t heavily soiled, rinse it under warm running water with a drop of dish soap. Squeeze, rinse thoroughly and hang to dry. BacLock® will self‑purify the cloth over 24 hours, but laundering prevents grease buildup.
- Store dry. Hang the cloth by the tag in a dry location to allow air circulation. Avoid leaving it crumpled in a damp pile, which can encourage bacterial growth.
The Science Behind Norwex Microfiber and BacLock®
Norwex microfiber is created from a blend of polyester and polyamide that is split into extremely fine strands—approximately 1/200th the size of a human hair. The Norwex EnviroCloth contains more than three million meters of microfiber. When used dry, static electricity lifts dust and dirt into the cloth, preventing it from resettling. When used wet, the densely woven fibers physically remove up to 99 percent of bacteria from a surface.
Mechanical cleaning vs. chemical cleaning
Microfibers attach themselves to microscopic dirt particles using van der Waals forces, the same forces that allow geckos to climb walls. Millions of tiny fibers create enough adhesive force to dislodge dirt and hold it inside the cloth until rinsed. In contrast, chemical cleaning relies on soap molecules to emulsify dirt and grease; leftover detergent and water can remain on surfaces. Because microfiber cloths clean mechanically, there’s no chemical residue.
BacLock® self‑purifying technology
Many Norwex microfiber products, including the window cloth, contain a BacLock micro silver agent embedded into the fibers. The silver ions do not clean the surface—microfiber does that—but they inhibit bacterial growth inside the cloth after use. Independent tests performed by Intertek found that bacterial growth within BacLock‑treated cloths decreased by 65–70 percent, whereas untreated cloths saw bacteria increase by 34–50 percent within 24 hours. This self‑purifying feature helps keep the cloth fresh between washes but does not eliminate the need to launder it regularly.
Benefits of the Norwex Window Cloth
Besides the obvious streak‑free shine, the Norwex Window Cloth offers several advantages:
Health benefits
Avoiding toxic chemicals: You no longer need to breathe in ammonia fumes or handle solvents like glycol ethers, which have been linked to reproductive harm and can irritate eyes, lungs and skin.
Reducing allergens: Dry microfiber dusting traps dust and pet dander without releasing it back into the air. This can be helpful for people with allergies or asthma.
Safe for children and pets: Because you clean with just water, there’s no risk of exposing children or pets to harsh cleaners.
Environmental benefits
Waste reduction: Cleaning with microfiber eliminates disposable paper towels and reduces plastic bottles from commercial cleaners.
Less water and energy: Microfiber uses 95 percent less water and chemicals compared to cotton mops and cloths, according to a University of California San Francisco fact sheet.
Long life cycle: With proper care, Norwex microfiber performs effectively after 100 washings, equivalent to two years of use.
Time and cost benefits
Faster cleaning: The cloth polishes glass quickly, saving time compared to scrubbing with sprays and paper towels.
Lower costs: Although the initial investment is higher than a roll of paper towels, one cloth replaces dozens of bottles of cleaner and hundreds of disposable towels over its lifetime.
Two‑year warranty: Norwex backs its microfiber products with a two‑year warranty.
Versatility
Multiple surfaces: Users report using the window cloth on windows, mirrors, computer monitors, TV screens and even microwaves. It also works on some stainless steel and granite, though testing on an inconspicuous area is recommended.
Mitt option: For those with arthritis or small hands, Norwex offers a window cloth mitt. It allows you to slip your hand inside for better control, and many parents find it easier for children to use.
Get your streak-free Norwex Window Cloth
Complementary Norwex Products
A multipurpose microfiber cloth used wet to remove dirt and grease. It’s ideal for pre‑cleaning dirty windows before polishing.
Norwex EnviroCloth
Household Package
EnviroSponges
Forever Bottle with Sprayer
Safe Haven 5 Set
Frequently Asked Questions
You can use the Norwex Window Cloth on brushed stainless steel, but always test an inconspicuous spot first. The tightly woven fibers can scratch some finishes, so Norwex offers a dedicated stainless steel cloth for those surfaces.
If streaks remain, the cloth may be too wet or pulling off residue from previous cleaners. Wash the surface first with a wet EnviroCloth, then polish with a dry window cloth. Also ensure you are using plain water—soap or detergent can leave a film.
BacLock is designed to self‑purify the cloth, not disinfect surfaces. The microfiber removes bacteria from surfaces; the silver agent reduces bacterial growth inside the cloth between uses. You still need to launder the cloth regularly.
Wash the cloth when it becomes dirty or loses its polishing ability. BacLock will reduce bacterial growth within 24 hours, but laundering removes grease and prolongs performance. Follow the care guidelines above and avoid fabric softeners and bleach.
Conclusion
Learning how to use the Norwex Window Cloth transforms the tedious chore of cleaning glass into a quick, eco‑friendly routine.
The cloth’s densely woven fibers physically remove dirt and bacteria using only water, while the BacLock agent keeps the cloth fresher between washes.
By ditching chemical sprays full of ammonia and glycol ethers, you protect your family’s health and reduce environmental pollution. A single Norwex Window Cloth can replace hundreds of paper towels, saving money and reducing waste.
With proper care, your Norwex Window Cloth will deliver streak‑free shine for years—and might even make window cleaning enjoyable!
