This question comes up because Norwex microfiber and BacLock® are often discussed together, but they do two different jobs.
The short answer is no. BacLock is not what removes bacteria from a surface.
Norwex’s performance claim is that designated Norwex Microfiber can physically remove up to 99% of bacteria from a surface using water alone when proper care and use instructions are followed. BacLock helps protect certain Norwex products by inhibiting the growth of odor-causing bacteria, mold and mildew within the product.
The microfiber does the surface cleaning. BacLock helps protect the cloth.
I have used and taught Norwex microfiber since 2008, and this is the clearest way I know to explain it. Once you separate the two jobs, the claims make much more sense and the cloth is easier to use correctly.
What the 99 percent claim actually means
Every part of the statement matters. It is a specific cleaning claim, not a promise that every cloth kills every germ in every situation.
- Physically removes: The microfiber lifts and carries material away from the surface. Removal is different from killing.
- Up to 99 percent: This is a qualified performance result, not a guarantee that every wipe, surface or user will produce exactly the same result.
- From a surface: The claim describes what is removed from the area you wipe. It does not say that bacteria transferred into the cloth are dead.
- Using water alone: Water and the microfiber are the cleaning system used for this performance claim. A separate cleaner is not what creates the physical-removal result.
- Proper care and use: Technique and cloth condition matter. A cloth coated with fabric softener, overloaded with soil or used without enough clean working sides cannot perform at its best.
For the broader explanation of fiber construction, cloth selection and everyday use, read The Ultimate Guide to Norwex Microfiber .
What BacLock actually does
BacLock is antimicrobial product protection built into certain Norwex products. Within a microfiber cloth, it helps inhibit the growth of odor-causing bacteria, mold and mildew. The practical benefit is odor control within the cloth so it stays fresher between uses.
BacLock does not perform the wiping. It does not remove bacteria from a countertop, disinfect the surface or eliminate the need to rinse, dry and launder the cloth.
The simplest way to remember the difference is this: microfiber works on the surface; BacLock works within the cloth.
What newer research makes clear
Over time, additional studies and testing have provided more information about what happens on the surface and what happens within the cloth. This article reflects the most up-to-date information available today.
The surface-removal result belongs to the microfiber. The product-protection benefit belongs to BacLock. Describing those benefits separately is both more accurate and more useful when you are deciding how to clean and care for the cloth.
Cleaning and disinfecting are separate jobs
Cleaning removes dirt, soil and microorganisms from a surface. Disinfecting uses a product labeled to kill specified microorganisms when it is used according to its directions.
For routine household cleaning, I use microfiber and water when they are appropriate for the job. When a specific situation calls for disinfection, I use a disinfectant that is appropriate for that surface and follow its label. An EnviroCloth is a cleaning tool, not a surface disinfectant.
How to use Norwex microfiber correctly
• Wet the cloth with water and wring out the excess so it is damp rather than dripping.
• Fold the cloth into quarters to create several clean working surfaces.
• Keep the folded cloth flat against the surface instead of bunching it in your hand.
• Move to a clean side as each section becomes soiled.
• After lighter use, wash the cloth under warm running water, rinse it thoroughly and hang it open to dry or dry it completely in the dryer.
• After extra-dirty kitchen or bathroom tasks, machine wash the cloth with other lint-free laundry.
• Do not use bleach, fabric softener or dryer sheets because they can coat or damage the fibers and reduce cleaning performance.
See the complete Norwex microfiber care and use instructions for additional laundering and surface guidance.
My honest bottom line
Norwex microfiber and BacLock are both useful, but for different reasons. The microfiber performs the surface cleaning by physically lifting, trapping and removing material. BacLock helps protect the cloth from odor-causing bacterial, mold and mildew growth within the product.
Use the cloth correctly, rinse and dry it well and launder it when the job or condition of the cloth calls for it. That is the practical way to get the cleaning benefit without expecting BacLock to do a job it was never designed to do.
Where to begin with Norwex microfiber
If you are new to Norwex microfiber, the EnviroCloth® is the most versatile place to begin. It can be used damp for everyday surface cleaning or dry for dusting. You can shop the EnviroCloth through my Norwex store or start with my complete microfiber guide before deciding what fits your home.
Frequently asked questions
Does BacLock remove 99 percent of bacteria
No. Designated Norwex microfiber performs the physical surface cleaning. BacLock helps protect certain products by inhibiting the growth of odor-causing bacteria, mold and mildew within the product.
Does an EnviroCloth kill bacteria
That is not the performance claim. Norwex’s claim is that designated microfiber can physically remove up to 99% of bacteria from a surface using water alone when proper care and use instructions are followed.
Does BacLock self clean the cloth
BacLock’s self-cleaning benefit refers to antimicrobial product protection within the cloth. It inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria, mold and mildew. It does not mean the cloth becomes sanitized or never needs laundering.
Is Norwex microfiber a disinfectant
No. Norwex microfiber cleans by physically lifting, trapping and removing material from a surface. Disinfecting is a separate job that requires an appropriate labeled disinfectant.
Can I clean with an EnviroCloth and water alone
Yes, for many routine cleaning jobs. Use the cloth damp, keep it flat and move to a clean side as it becomes soiled. Use a cleaner or disinfectant appropriate for the task when water and microfiber are not the right tools for that job.
Get to know this material even better in The Ultimate Guide to Norwex Microfiber page!
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