Aren’t All Microfibre Cloths The Same?
Find Out How Microfibre Cloth Works on Different Surfaces
Did you know microfibre cloths can remove 99% of harmful bacteria? Compare that to a conventional cloth, which reduces bacteria by a mere 33%. With the addition of water, you can clean most surfaces without using harmful chemicals. Time to say goodbye to sponges and paper towels! A high-quality microfibre towel can be used hundreds of times, unlike disposable cleaning cloths.
Not only does it save you money, microfibre cleaning cloths also outlast other cleaning cloths. First created in the 1950’s, and developed further in the 1970’s, microfibre began to find its way into the mainstream by the early 1990’s. Today, professional cleaners are using microfibre material more than ever.
What are the Different Types of Microfibre?
Over the years various manufacturers have developed specific microfibre products for particular tasks ranging from scrubbing floors and dusting, to cleaning hard surfaces like wood, tile, glass, and stainless steel. These products range from split, to non-split fibre. While high-quality fibre is split during the manufacturing process to produce multi-stranded fibres, non-split is typically disposable or for limited use. While bargain microfibre can have approximately 50,000 fibres per square inch, superior microfibre cloths can have more than 3.1 million fibres per square inch. The difference in quality and longevity can go from 50 washes to 300 washes!
- How to tell if it’s split or non-split fibre product: Pour a small amount of water on a surface. If the cloth pushes instead of absorbing water, it’s non-split microfibre. You can also run the cloth over your hand. If it clings to your hand it’s split microfibre.
Typically, microfibre cleaning cloths can be made of 100% polyester or a combination of polyester and polyamide (nylon). The shape, size, and combination of fibres are created for certain characteristics such as: softness, toughness, absorption, water repellency, electrostatics, and filtering ability.
- Microfibre can be used to make mats, knits, weaves, apparel, upholstery, and industrial filters.
- Microfibre is useful for making wallets, handbags, book covers, shoes, cell phone cases and coin purses. It’s lightweight, durability and water repellency make for an ideal leather substitute.
But how does it work? One strand of microfibre is about 1/5 the diameter of a human hair. These millions of split fibres all help lift and hold dirt, grease, grime, liquids, and bacteria. The fibres include positive-charged polyester and negative-charged nylon that helps attract and sweep away whatever is on the surface.
Unlike cotton, microfibre will leave zero lint behind. Think of microfibre as a million little fingers that work together to pick up debris from various surfaces around your building.
How to Use Microfibre Cleaning Cloths on Surfaces
When dusting surfaces, be sure to keep the cloth dry. That will maximize the amount of debris that gets lifted up. For other chores, dampen the cloth to wipe surfaces clean.
Try using one section of a cloth at a time. Here’s a little tip: fold the cloth in half, then in half again. This gives you 8 total surfaces for cleaning (4 on each side of the cloth). When the cloth section begins to leave dirt or lint, refold the cloth to a fresh section.
Things to Keep in Mind About Microfibre Cleaning Cloths
- Microfibres are antibacterial but are not antiviral.
- Split microfibre cloths are your best choice for effective cleaning. Since it can hold up to 8 times its weight in water, this makes it very helpful during messy cleanups like cleaning spilled food off of countertops. It also leaves a streak-free finish, which is perfect for greasy fingerprints and cleaning the stovetop with no streak residue.
- Non-split microfibre is basically a soft cloth. These are typically used for facial cleansing, as well as removal of skin oils, sunscreens, and mosquito repellents from optical surfaces such as cameras, phones, and eyeglasses. They effectively remove the oils without smearing.
- While microfibre can clean most surfaces, it can be unsuitable for some high-tech coated surfaces such as television screens.
How to Clean Microfibre Products
One of the many benefits of microfibre cloths is that they’re machine washable. For best results, you should wash your microfiber cloths after every use. Between machine washes, you can easily rinse the cloth in warm to hot running water for about 10 to 15 seconds to flush out the accumulated dirt.
If the microfibre towel is extra grimy, keep washing until the water begins to run clear. Once rinsed, it’s ready for use again.
Tips for Cleaning Microfibre Towels and Products
- Always use regular detergent, and don’t use bleach or fabric softener. The bleach can potentially damage fibres, and the softener can clog the fibres.
- If cloths have become ineffective or start to smell, simply boil them in water with a ¼ cup of baking soda for approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
- Always follow proper drying instructions. Some products have specific instructions for care.
You might ask, what about potential microfibres being washed and released into the environment? You can purchase special fibre-trapping balls and washing machine filters as a perfect solution.
Why use Microfibre Cloths?
Microfibre towels and cloths are vastly more hygienic than conventional cloths and can help you to avoid using expensive and harmful cleaning products too. While cleaning solutions do break down some dirt and grime, dirt can be missed and chemical residue can be left behind.
These same cleaning products can cause potential allergic reactions in people and animals. Chemical cleaners can also drain into our rivers and seas, creating water pollution.
Quality cloths made from microfibre are much more beneficial and cost-effective in the long run. They can be used on countertops, windows, metal, baseboards, any bathroom surface, and various electronics. Make the switch to microfibres today!
Mayfair Building Services Ltd. offers expert janitorial services with over 30 years of experience, available in the Greater Vancouver Area. Whether you need a one-time, daily, weekly or monthly deep clean, carpet clean, window washing and anything else involving clean, we can help. Contact us today to schedule your first appointment.
