Amazon Basics Microfiber Cleaning Cloths, Ultra Absorbent, Lint Free, Streak Free, Non-Abrasive, Reusable and Washable, 16" x 12", Blue/White/Yellow, Pack of 24

First impressions and what you actually get

I keep a bin of microfiber in the utility closet, and every so often I need to replenish with something that’s inexpensive, dependable, and not precious. The Amazon Basics microfiber cloths fit that role well. You get 24 cloths in bright blue, white, and yellow, each measuring 16 x 12 inches. They’re thin and flexible rather than plush or fluffy, which tells you a lot about where they shine: glass, countertops, fixtures, dashboards, and general-purpose wipe downs where contact and control matter more than cushioning.

Right out of the pack, the fibers feel soft with a tight, uniform weave and stitched edges that don’t snag. They’re billed as non-abrasive and lint-free, and in practice that held up across a couple of weeks of daily use in the kitchen, bath, and garage.

Build, size, and feel

These cloths are on the lean side of microfiber. If you’re used to thick, high-pile “drying towels” for car paint, these aren’t that. The lower pile gives you good feedback on the surface—helpful on glass and stainless where you’re chasing streaks and fingerprints. The 16 x 12 size is smaller than a typical car-care towel but perfect for household tasks. It folds neatly into quadrants for eight fresh cleaning faces, which is how I used them most of the time.

The trim is simple overlock stitching, even around the corners, and it kept its shape wash after wash. I didn’t see curling or fraying after repeated laundering.

Cleaning performance

• Glass and mirrors: This is the standout use. Dry or paired with a light glass cleaner, the cloths leave a clear finish with no lint. On mirrors, I use a two-towel method: one slightly damp to lift the grime, one dry to buff. It produced consistent, streak-free results.

• Kitchen surfaces: On sealed stone, laminate, and stainless appliances, the cloths grab oils and crumbs effectively. The thin profile lets you get into tight spots around handles and faucet bases. I prefer them slightly damp with an all-purpose cleaner; then a quick dry wipe leaves a uniform finish.

• Electronics and screens: The soft, non-abrasive fibers handled TV screens, phones, and laptops without micro-marring. I spritz cleaner on the cloth, never directly on the device, and the small size keeps it manageable.

• Bath fixtures and glass: On shower glass and chrome, they pick up water spots without leaving fuzz behind. For daily wipe downs, a single towel does the entire shower if you wring it out once or twice.

• Auto interiors and glass: Inside the car, these are workhorses. They dust vents, wipe down touchscreens, and clean interior glass without streaking. I keep a couple in the door pocket for dash dusting and impromptu smudges.

• Car exteriors: They’re adequate for drying small sections or spot cleaning, but I wouldn’t pick them for delicate paint correction or rinseless washes where a thick, plush pile matters to encapsulate grit. They’re much better suited to wheels, door jambs, glass, and trim.

Absorbency and soil handling

The manufacturer claims they can soak up to eight times their weight. In practical terms, one towel comfortably handles a kitchen counter plus a cooktop before feeling saturated, and two will dry a standard shower stall after a rinse. More importantly, they release what they pick up under running water, so they don’t load up immediately with grime.

Because they’re thin, they don’t hide dirt; you can see when it’s time to fold to a clean side. That’s useful for preventing scratches on clear plastics and glossy finishes.

Care and maintenance

Microfiber lives and dies by how you wash it. A few simple habits kept these performing like new:

• Wash separately the first time, and with like colors thereafter. Some dye transfer can occur on that initial wash.
• Skip fabric softener and dryer sheets; they coat fibers and kill absorbency.
• Use a mild detergent, warm water, and low heat to dry. They come out soft and ready for another round.

These cloths tolerate frequent washing well. After multiple cycles, the fibers spring back, and the edges stay flat. I expect each to last through dozens of uses, if not hundreds, based on how they’re holding up.

Durability

For a budget set, durability is better than expected. Stitching stayed intact, no seam unraveling, and the cloths didn’t shrink. The pile didn’t mat down into a slick sheet the way ultra-cheap microfiber tends to after a few hot dries. They’re not indestructible—catch a corner on a sharp edge and you can snag fibers—but treated reasonably, they’ll outlast the typical “shop rag.”

What they’re not

It’s helpful to be clear about limitations:

• Size: At 16 x 12, they’re smaller than many detailing towels. If you’re drying a large vehicle, you’ll want something larger and plusher for the main job.
• Pile thickness: Not the right tool for high-risk paintwork where you need maximum nap to keep grit away from the surface.
• Dye fastness on first wash: Expect some color bleed initially; washing separately avoids surprises.

None of these are deal-breakers for general use, but they’re worth noting so you match the cloth to the task.

Tips to get better results

• Color-code tasks. I keep yellow for kitchen, blue for glass and mirrors, white for bath and electronics. It prevents cross-contamination.
• Fold into quarters. You get eight clean surfaces per towel by flipping and refolding as you go.
• Use minimal product. Microfiber does most of the work; too much cleaner can cause streaks.
• Two-towel method for glass. One damp to cut grime, one dry to polish—fast and consistent.
• Light pressure on sensitive surfaces. Let the fibers, not force, do the lifting.

Value

Value is where these really make sense. A 24-pack covers the whole house, garage, and a few spares in the car. They’re inexpensive enough that you don’t baby them, but not so cheap that they feel disposable. If you’ve been burning through paper towels, a set like this quickly pays for itself and cuts down on waste.

Who should buy these

• Homeowners and renters needing an all-purpose cleaning cloth that won’t shed lint.
• Drivers who want reliable interior and glass towels and don’t need plush paint towels.
• Anyone setting up a color-coded cleaning system for different rooms or tasks.
• Folks looking to replace paper towels for everyday wipe downs.

If you’re a car enthusiast working on soft or freshly corrected paint, keep a separate set of premium, high-pile microfiber for that specific use and lean on these for everything else.

Alternatives and complements

• High-pile drying towels: Pick a dedicated 600–1200 GSM towel for vehicle drying and rinseless washes.
• Waffle-weave glass cloths: If you do a lot of automotive glass, a waffle weave can complement these by boosting bite on stubborn film.
• Microfiber applicator pads: For waxes and dressings, applicator pads pair well with these towels for cleanup and final buffing.

Bottom line and recommendation

The Amazon Basics microfiber cloths are exactly what I want from a house-and-garage staple: soft, truly lint-free on glass, easy to wash, and durable enough to take abuse. They’re thin and manageable, which makes them excellent for glass, stainless, electronics, and interior car work. They’re not a replacement for plush paint towels, and the compact size won’t suit every automotive task, but as everyday workhorses they punch above their price.

I recommend them. If you need an affordable, versatile set you won’t feel precious about, this 24-pack covers nearly every cleaning job without leaving streaks or lint behind. Wash them properly, color-code your tasks, and they’ll quietly become the towels you reach for first.