Microfiber Towels

There are lots of different types of microfiber cloths. The most common type is the terry towel, as it is the most versatile construction. Microfiber terry towels have good absorbency, and good scrubbing ability. They work well both wet (for scrubbing) and dry (for dusting). They feature an open loop construction, so they are more likely to leave lint or streak than other towels with a different construction.

Waffle-weave towels are the best towels for absorbing and drying. They are most common in the automotive and detailing industries for drying cars. They absorb faster than terry towels and hold more water. They are also less likely to streak or leave lint because the strands of microfiber are not “hanging loose”.

Suede microfiber towels are often called optical cloths. They are used for lens cleaning. They are not super absorbent, but they are great for removing streaks from glass. They are super soft and when made right, don’t lint.

Microfiber glass cloths are becoming more and more popular. The feature a super tight weave, and no pile (unlike the terry towels which can streak glass or leave lint). They are also more abrasive than the other towel types. These towels do not leave lint or streaks, and are becoming popular in restaurants for cleaning wine glasses.

Microfiber towels and mop pads can be washed in your home washing machine, and dried in your home dryer, but there are a few precautions you should take to extend the life of your products.

First and foremost, don’t use bleach. Bleach will break down and erode the integrity of the split microfiber strands, your towels will lose their absorbency, and dust clinging ability, they will become rough and ineffective.

Second, don’t use fabric softener. Fabric Softener will clog the micro-pours in the microfiber fabric that suck up water and dust.

Third, don’t dry too hot. When it comes down to it, microfiber is like a plastic. If you heat it up too much it will melt, and will lose cleaning effectiveness.

For those of you who are cleaning grease, heavy grime, or using car waxes and polishes, Micro-Restore Detergent a specially designed detergent for microfiber.

Notice how much surface area the microfiber has vs. cotton.

Microfiber picks up and holds onto dirt, dust, and liquids while cotton pushes it around.

Microfiber is used for many cleaning products. First and foremost are microfiber cloths. They are used for dusting, cleaning, wiping, and absorbing. One of the best characteristics of microfiber is that you don’t need to use chemicals when you clean. Studies have shown that over 95% of bacteria is removed when wiping a surface with a damp microfiber cloth.

Microfiber mops are fast becoming the de facto standard for floor care. The health care industry, hard floor industry, and many other are switching to microfiber mops from standard string and bucket mops because of their vast superiority. They are lighter, easier to use, easier to maintain, last longer, and less expensive in the long run.

Microfiber is being used in hundreds of different industries. Here is a small list:

Health Care
Schools
Janitorial
Auto Detailing
Musical Instruments
Furniture
Bowling
Golf
Farming
the list goes on and on.

Microfiber is an ultra thin synthetic fiber that is composed of a blend of polyester and polyamide textiles. There are basically two types of microfiber, that which is for cleaning and that which is for clothing and furniture. The microfiber for cleaning is chemically split which adds considerable surface area to the fiber, and gives it a magnetic attraction to dust, dirt, and grime, as well as gives it a capillary effect which allows it to soak up to 7 times its weight in water. While the microfiber made for furniture and clothing is non split, and repels dirt and liquids.