Debunking The Cleaning Myths Around Microfiber

When it comes to cleaning, microfiber towels are very good.  However, there are a lot of myths out there for why they are the best and how you can get the most out of them.  When you do not know how and why microfiber works, you could shorten its lifespan, overpay and be left with a surface that is still dirty.  This is why you need to about the myths around microfiber and what the truth actually is.

Myth 1: Microfiber Cleans With Magical Chemical Properties

This is false as microfiber will be cleaning in a purely mechanical manner.  All cleaning towels are made with synthetic or natural fibers and will work in the same way.  The fibers will absorb liquid and the spaces between the weave pattern and along the fibers will catch and hold the dirt.

The more spaces and groves there are, the more dirt the fibers will hold.  One of the reasons why microfiber excels at cleaning is the thinness of the fibers in the cloth.  100 microfibers will be the same size as a single human hair.  

Advanced microfibers go even further as the fibers are shredded to enhance the dust catching powers.  Fabrics with advanced microfibers will contain millions of holes and grooves which trap 100 times more dirt than towels made of cotton.  This is the reason why microfiber towels are better at cleaning mirrors and floors because they are able to trap all the dirt and water to remove any streaks.

Myth 2: All Microfiber Towels Are The Same

This is untrue the quality of the ingredients and the manufacturing process will make a difference.  When it comes to microfibers, the ratio of synthetic materials in the fibers and the machinery which has been used to weave the fibers can change the quality of the towels.  The best microfibers will generally be a mix of polymide which absorbs water and polyester which attracts oils.  

Advanced manufacturing machinery will also produce finer fibers and more split threads while also allowing for a variety of different patterns.  Some of the patterns will glide better when they are wet which will reduce fatigue while you are mopping or wiping with them.  There are other patterns which are designed to be better for slippery conditions which makes them ideal for the bathroom.  

A low-quality microfiber towel will not absorb as much liquid or trap as much dirt.  They will also shed more fibers when they are washed and have less fiber density per inch.  All of this will result in you needing to scrub for longer and harder when you want to clean.

Myth 3: Microfiber Can Be Washed With The Rest Of The Laundry

This is also false.  While quality microfiber will only cost a few dollars per towel, you need to properly care for it to ensure that it lasts as long as it should and that you get the best cleaning performance.  When you wash and dry your microfiber, you should not use heat as the microfibers can melt and the split fibers will shrink.  

You should instead use warm water to wash your towels and dry them for the least possible amount of time.  Microfiber is also very effective at picking up which means that the loose parts from other fabrics will cling to them.  When you wash your microfiber in isolation, you will prevent this from happening.

It is also important that you use a simple detergent and never add fabric softener to the wash cycle.  The polymers and oils in the softener will clog the holes in the fiber which makes the towel less absorbent.  If you want to have soft and fluffy microfiber towels, you can use dryer balls, preferably plastic which will also help to beat the dirt from the fibers of the towel.

Myth 4: Microfiber Is So Effective You Just Need Water

This is sort of true.  It is true that microfiber will hold water, dirt, and oils which makes it a good substitute for detergents when you need to lift some light soiling from non-porous surfaces.  However, this is where the powers come to an end.

If you have a heavily soiled area, particularly on a porous surface, you need detergents o break the soils and lift them.  Complex soils including hard water stains and soap sum will chemically bond to the surface and will need to be chemically dissolved before they can be rinsed or wiped away.  Microfiber also does not have the ability to kill germs which is why you should never use it as a replacement for disinfectant cleaners in your bathroom and kitchen.  If you need to do some real cleaning, you need to use some soap and water.

Myth 5: You Can Add Silver To Microfiber To Make An Antibacterial Cleaner

This is also sort of true.  Almost every cleaning myth will have some kernel of truth to it including this one.  You can treat your microfiber towels with an expensive chemical additive or silver filament as they have antibacterial properties.  These towels, which often sell for a lot more than normal, will have less bacteria when waiting to be washed.  

This will also mean that they do not smell as bad and will not need to be bleached to kill off the germs.  However, they will not do anything to protect your home and family from germs.  As you wash your microfiber, you may want to add bleach to the cycle.  This will help you stay healthy and will cost less in the long run.

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