Microfiber: What Is It and Why Is It Good for Cleaning?

Do you want a tool to effectively clean your home? Microfiber is a great ally that you will love to have at home. Learn why here.

Microfiber is a type of synthetic fabric that has become very popular in recent years thanks to its properties. It’s used to manufacture various types of products, such as towels, bed linen, and cleaning textiles. In this article, we’ll tell you more about this material, its properties, care, and how to get the most out of it in your home.

Microfiber is usually made of polyester, polyamide, or nylon. These materials are usually combined. Nowadays it’s one of the best materials for household cleaning.

Microfiber characteristics

Microfiber is a type of textile that is composed of very fine fibers of 1 dtex in Europe and less than 1 denier in the United States. For example, its yarns are much thinner than human hair. For this reason, it has differential properties compared to other fabrics.

Microfiber fabrics have multiple applications. The Intexter Bulletin of the Institute for Textile Research and Industrial Cooperation states that its raison d’être consists in the possibility of manufacturing finished articles more in line with the prevailing fashion, with flexibility and softness.

The benefits of cleaning with microfiber towels

As already mentioned, microfiber has very thin yarns that make it a very soft material. For this reason, it does not tend to scratch surfaces. In this regard, it’s also beneficial that it can be used both wet and dry. In fact, when no product is applied, it also captures very dust and dirt very well, since it easily adheres to its fibers.

On the other hand, since it’s composed of such small fibers, it’s very effective for disinfection processes, as it allows bacteria and germs to be easily captured. According to the characteristics of the seller, they can help to eliminate up to 99% of bacteria as if it were a magnet. In this case, it can also be combined with bleach or alcohol.

Another benefit is that it tends not to be damaged as quickly with use. Its anti-pilling properties prevent it from deforming or turning into balls.

In terms of care, they have a great advantage that they’re very easy to wash and dry quickly. These factors save time and money.

Uses of microfiber towels

Microfiber towels or cloths have many uses in household cleaning. Here are some of the most beneficial uses.

Cleaning screens

Microfiber is the best material for cleaning electronic devices. This is especially the case for the flat screens of televisions, cell phones, and computers. It allows cleaning with firmness to remove marked fingers and dirt without generating scratches.

Cleaning the car

Usually, when you have a car, you’re always wary about taking care of its paint from scratches. However, it’s difficult to know how to take care of it.

In this sense, microfiber towels are a very good solution, since they don’t cause any kind of scratches and don’t leave marks. The key is to use a specialized car product and wipe it with a towel to leave it shiny.

Drying windows

Those who have large windows or glass doors at home know how difficult it can be to keep them free of dirt. One of the biggest challenges is drying them after washing them with glass cleaner or soap and water.

Traditional towels and cloths often leave lint and marks. However, microfiber allows them to dry easily and leave no streaks.

Caring for wood floors

When you have laminate wood floors, you need to give them special care to keep them shiny and scratch-free. Applying wood care products with a microfiber towel is a great idea, as it allows you to easily remove the shine. Also, due to its absorbent power, it doesn’t leave behind moisture.

Many other purposes

Microfiber is really a good quality material for cleaning at home. Therefore, it can be used in different areas, such as the kitchen, bathroom, living rooms, and bedrooms.

They are excellent for removing dust. However, they tend to be highly flammable, so they may not be the most recommended for use on the stove.

How to wash microfiber towels

We’ve already talked about the benefits of microfiber towels for cleaning at home. As such a good tool, it’s necessary to give them proper care.

First of all, it’s advisable to shake them after cleaning to remove traces of dirt, specks, and dust. In addition, they can be run under warm water to help remove the dirt.

However, for a more thorough wash, the cloth should be rubbed well with detergent. If you use it to clean the kitchen, it’s very likely to have accumulated grease.

It’s also advisable to use hot water and let the cloth soak to loosen the dirt. You can wash it in the washing machine. However, it’s a good idea to avoid using fabric softener because it tends to damage its fibers.

Tips for buying microfiber towels

It’s possible to find many types of microfiber towels and cloths. Their variations are given by the percentages of the materials that compose them. For example, they can be 80% polyester and 20% polyamide.

Although it may seem that they are all the same, the reality is that they have different properties. For example, the ones sold for cleaning electronic devices are softer. They’re also small. On the other hand, they also sell specific ones for cleaning the car.

If it’s for household cleaning that doesn’t require so much delicacy, you can choose according to price, design, and size. If you are going to use it to mop the floor, it’s best if it has a shape that can be used with the mop.

The best thing about microfiber is that it’s very versatile. Today you can find a variety of implements, beyond towels and cloths. There are brushes and even mops made of the material.