A flat wiping cloth for arrangement on a wiping cloth holder includes an elongated base body and an active ingredient that inhibits or suppresses the growth of bacteria or viruses. The active ingredient is allocated to the base body. The base body has at least one of fibers, yarns or fringe, which have free ends that can be oriented to face a surface to be cleaned during use. The active ingredient is distributed within a material of which the fibers, yarns or fringe is made, or is distributed in a component of the base body.