What is microfiber cloth? A guide to this incredible material

Have you ever wondered about microfiber or microfibre cloth? This incredible material has a huge history and a million uses. This guide to microfiber cloth will help you gain an educated insight and boost your understanding.

Introduction to microfiber

Microfiber is a high density variety of polyester that has a plethora of positive and useful properties most other traditional and natural fibres do not have. The fibers are roughly 100 times finer than a human hair, 1 third the diameter of cotton, half the diameter of fine silk and 1 quarter the width of wool.

They are formed from polyamide and polyester fibres with a material density that allows it to grip up to 8 times its own weight in water. The resulting microfiber material is extremely lightweight and incredibly durable.

The use of microfiber in everyday life came about because of its incredible ability to clean surfaces and to pick up very tiny particles without using an additional solvent. This is due to its high density and positively charged characteristics.

Amazingly, microfiber cloth can disinfect and clean many surfaces, removing up to 99% of bacteria and germs without additional chemicals which has resulted in reduced chemical costs in many hospitals and other ‘clean’ environments.

Interesting fact: Ultra-microfibers can be the thickness of just 1/200th of a human hair!

Brief history of microfiber

Although the manufacture of ultra-fine fibres can be traced back to the late 1950’s, microfiber didn’t come about until a couple of decades later in the 1970’s. Its inventor was a Japanese scientist by the name of Dr. Miyoshi Okamoto who guided microfiber cloth into existence whilst working for Toray Industries in Japan.

Interesting fact: Ultrasuede® is the trademark name for the first microfibre cloth and is still used today.

How microfibre compares to other fibres

Okamoto and his colleague Dr. Toyohiko Hikota spent years trying to develop the material that would go on to be initially named ‘Ultrasuede’. The new material would not make commercial production until 1989 and was put into production by E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Company (DuPont as we know it now).

It is also claimed that microfiber was introduced in England UK in 1986 which is before the generally accepted historical timeline. There are also other unsubstantiated claims as to where and when microfiber first entered commercial production. What is true though is that microfibre has become an everyday part of our working and home lives.

Microfibers were created using a process involving melt-blown spinning and flash spinning. This resulted in random, intermittent length fibres for which there were very few uses. Continued experiments were made in the production of a continuous filament which led to a resulting material with multiple industrial applications.

Ultrasuede® found its way into the public realm in the 1970s and saw much bigger success as a marketable product in the 1990’s

Characteristics of microfiber

Spelt either microfiber or microfibre, the name refers to machine-made synthetic fibers that are 1.3 denier or decitex. Obvious comparisons with human hair show that a microfibre can be 1/100th the diameter and 1/20th the diameter of a single strand of silk.

Microfiber is commonly made up of a blend of polyamide and polyester. Other recognised products made from similar processes are Kevlar and nylon. Although it is available as a pure product, microfiber also comes as mixed with natural fibres such as wool, silk and cotton. Mixing it with other fibres can result in improved performance and visual appeal.

These improvements have opened the door to the commercial successes and the diversity of microfibre cloth products available today. Variations of microfiber are used to make cleaning cloths, mats, clothes, upholstery and many, many more products.

Microfiber cloth is:

• Lightweight, durable and flexible
• Has a wicking ability (permits perspiration)
• Has stable characteristics and retains its shape
• Doesn’t wrinkle easily
• Very comfortable to wear
• Incredible at repelling water
• Can be digitally printed onto

Interesting fact: ‘Denier’ is the word that describes the diameter or ‘fineness’ of fibre.

The many uses of microfibers

Because of the flexible and strong polyester and nylon fibres, microfibre has a multiplicity of of diverse uses. Microfiber is used in many textiles, apparel, dress making and so on. It is widely used in the making of fleece jackets, suit jackets, all kinds of sportswear, jogging suits, body wear and is a very popular alternative to cotton.

It has become incredibly popular with sportsmen and women because its wicking ability helps it to effortlessly breathe and filter away the body’s humidity. This helps keep the athletes skin cool and free from perspiration. Microfiber products have also cornered aspects of the outdoors market with cloth variations being used to manufacture sleeping bags, tents and blankets.

Inside the home there are a plethora of microfibre cloth based products such as cleaning cloths, dusters, napkins, luxurious fabrics, sheets, pillow cases, upholstery, the list is endless.They have been used in the production of lingerie, stockings, blouses, sanitary products, babies’ nappies and even artificial blood vessels.

Cleaning and maintenance

Microfiber cloths are perhaps best known for their unmatched cleaning capabilities. Thanks to their ability to trap dust, dirt, and grease without the need for harsh chemicals, they’re used for:

• Household cleaning: Wiping down surfaces, windows, mirrors, and appliances.
• Automotive care: Buffing car exteriors, cleaning windows, and detailing interiors.
• Electronics maintenance: Gently cleaning screens, keyboards, and lenses without scratching or leaving streaks.

Sports and outdoor gear

Beyond cleaning, microfiber is a popular choice for sportswear and outdoor gear due to its lightweight and moisture-wicking properties. Athletes rely on microfiber towels to absorb sweat quickly and stay cool during workouts, while outdoor enthusiasts use it for:

• Camping essentials: Sleeping bags, tents, and quick-drying towels.
• Performance wear: Sports jerseys, jackets, and base layers designed to keep skin dry and comfortable.

Everyday household products

Inside the home, microfiber has become a staple in a variety of everyday items, such as:

• Cleaning cloths and dusters.
• Luxurious bedding, including sheets and pillowcases.
• Upholstery and decorative fabrics.

Fashion and medical applications

Microfiber has also made its mark in fashion and healthcare. From stockings and lingerie to baby nappies and even artificial blood vessels, its soft yet durable nature makes it suitable for delicate applications.

Interesting Fact: In 2012 almost 141 million square meters of microfiber leather was produced.

Facts and features of microfiber cloths

Exceptional performance

• Superior absorbency: Microfiber cloths can absorb over six times their weight in water, making them perfect for tackling spills and cleaning tasks.
• Quick drying: These cloths dry three times faster than regular cleaning cloths, reducing downtime and preventing odours.
• No chemicals needed: Thanks to their non-abrasive, tightly woven structure, microfiber can clean surfaces without solvents, lifting dirt, oil, grease, bacteria, and even germs effortlessly.

Durable and long-lasting

• Shrink-resistant: Microfiber’s intense durability ensures it resists shrinking, keeping its shape over time.
• Reusable and efficient: Mops and cleaning cloths made from microfiber outlast traditional alternatives, making them a sustainable choice for households and businesses.

Comfortable and hypoallergenic

• Soft and lightweight: Microfiber is silky, breathable, and incredibly lightweight, offering superior comfort in clothing and bedding.
• Allergy-friendly: The hypoallergenic properties make it suitable for people with sensitive skin or allergies.

Versatile applications

• Weather-resistant: Microfiber’s tightly woven fibres resist rain, wind, and cold, making it ideal for outdoor gear.
• Rich colours: The material’s fineness allows for deep, vibrant, and long-lasting colours in textiles.
• Customisable: Custom-printed microfiber cloths are popular as promotional products thanks to their practicality and branding potential.

Interesting origins

• While microfiber started as a polyester-based material, it’s now available in nylon, acrylic, and rayon blends, further expanding its applications and versatility.

Even more facts about microfibers

• The fineness of any material produced makes it easy to produce deep, rich and bright colours
• Microfiber cloth is very comfortable, very soft, silky & lightweight
• They are less sweaty and more breathable in warm weather than other synthetics
• Extremely intense material making them almost completely shrink-resistant
• Very easy and quick to clean (can be cleaned with just water)
• As mops they are much more reusable, longer lasting and efficient than other mops
• The fineness of the cloth and its hypoallergenic properties means it causes no issues with allergies
• Microfiber cloth can easily absorb more than 6 times its weight in water
• Custom printed microfibre cloths are a fantastic promotional product
• They also dry in a 3rd of the time of regular cleaning cloths
• It can clean surfaces without the use of additional solvents and is non-abrasive
• Was initially a polyester driven material but is now also found in nylon, acrylic and rayon.
• It is so fine a material that it can absorb oil, grease, bacteria and germs without solvents
• Microfiber cloths is so tightly woven a material that it can even resist rain, wind & cold

Taking care of microfibers

As we have learnt already, there are different variations of microfibers so taking care of them can be different to. Microfibers from similar fibre groups can usually be treated the same, the most notable examples being polyester and nylon that are usually treated the same as other fabrics produced from these materials whereas viscose rayon is better off being dry cleaned and polynosic fibres are machine washable.

Because the microfibers have a very fine denier, heat can penetrate the fibers much more quickly than other fibers and melting or scorching can occur.  So when the heating is turned on and there is low humidity the fibre can build up static so it’s important to be aware of this.

A few care tips:

• If ironing microfibre use a cool iron and don’t use too much pressure
• In many instances you should avoid the use of bleach
• Using fabric softener can clog the microfibers
• Do not wash with cotton items as the microfibres hold on to the cotton fibres
• Squeeze the cloth lightly after rinsing and avoid squeezing too hard
• Avoid the use of powdered detergents as they can clog the microfibers

How to wash microfiber cloth

Proper care is essential to keep your microfiber cloths performing at their best. Follow these simple tips to maintain their cleaning power and durability:

• Avoid bleach: Bleach can break down the delicate microfibers, reducing their effectiveness. Stick to mild detergents instead.
• Skip fabric softeners: Fabric softeners can clog the microfibers, leaving them less absorbent and reducing their ability to trap dirt and dust.
• Separate laundry: Don’t wash microfiber cloths with cotton items, as the microfibers tend to cling to cotton fibres. This can leave your cloths less effective for cleaning.
• Gentle detergents only: Avoid powdered detergents, as they can clog the fibres. Liquid detergents are a better option for preserving the cloth’s performance.
• Handle with care: After rinsing, lightly squeeze the cloth to remove excess water. Avoid wringing it out too hard, as this can damage the fibres.
• Cool ironing: If you need to iron microfiber, use a cool iron with minimal pressure to avoid damaging the fabric.

By following these washing tips, you’ll ensure your microfiber cloths stay in top shape, maintaining their exceptional cleaning abilities for hundreds of uses.

Environmental and safety considerations

Microfiber cloths have a mixed environmental story. While they’re made from petrochemicals and aren’t biodegradable, there are notable advantages that make them a more sustainable option in certain scenarios.

Challenges

Microfiber production does have environmental drawbacks. The materials are derived from non-renewable sources, and their manufacturing process emits nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas. Additionally, being flammable and non-biodegradable means disposal can pose challenges, especially if burned, as toxic gases may be released.

Positives to consider

On the other hand, microfiber’s exceptional durability makes it a more sustainable choice over time. A single microfiber cloth can withstand up to 1,000 wash cycles, significantly reducing the need for frequent replacements compared to natural alternatives. This longevity keeps them in use for far longer, reducing waste.

Moreover, microfiber cloths require far less water during cleaning and eliminate the need for harsh chemical cleaners in many households and workplaces. By cutting down on water and chemical usage, they help reduce other forms of pollution, making them a more eco-friendly option in daily use.

While they’re not perfect, their durability, efficiency, and ability to reduce chemical reliance make them a compelling choice for those looking to balance functionality with environmental impact.