Publication date: 04/30/2010

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Microfiber cloths save you time and money

Microfiber cleaning cloths are all the rage these days, and I have talked about their superiority versus cotton cloths or paper towels for dusting and cleaning. In fact, you have probably already used a microfiber cloth and didn't know it. If you've ever cleaned your eyeglasses with that small piece of fabric that comes inside the case, you've used a microfiber cloth.

By definition, microfibers are a blend of synthetic fibers such as polyester and polyamide (a byproduct of making nylon) that are spun, split into microsize strings and then woven together to produce a cloth. But be careful, as all microfiber is not created equal.

According to Steve Licht of Details Matter, (586) 557-4947, a quality car detailing company, the ratio of polyester to polyamide, along with the denier, or fineness, of the fabric are what determine microfiber quality. While a strand of cotton has a denier of 200, and a human hair has a denier of 20, a microfiber has a denier of only 0.01 to 0.02, or 100 times finer than a human hair. Steve says to look for either a 70/30 ratio of polyester to polyamide or, at most, 80/20.

The microfiber surface contains thousands of microscopic "hooks" per square inch that work like a cleaning magnet. These very tiny threads make the microfiber cloth extremely soft, and because they have electrostatic properties, they clean and attract dust, lint and pet hair better than other types of cloths.

It's best to purchase microfiber cloths that are identified for a specific use rather than one labeled for general purpose. While a waffle weave or large loop towel is great for trapping dust and dirt, it won't perform like one with feathered or polished fiber ends that work best on optical glass, eyeglasses or mirrors.

Some brands that have a variety of microfiber cleaning products are Zwipes by 3L Industries, (800) 809-7760, www.zwipes.com; Scotch-Brite from 3M, (800) 846-8887, www.scotch-brite.com; Bona, (800) 872-5515, www.bonapro.com; Rubbermaid, (888) 895-2110, www.rubbermaid.com; and Quickie, (800) 257-5751, www.quickie.com.

Most home and hardware stores like ACE Hardware, Home Depot and Lowes carry microfiber cloths. Cobra Microfiber Products are viewed as some of the best in the auto detailing field with more than a dozen specialty cloths available online at sites like www.properautocare.com, (800) 628-7596.

There is a big difference between inexpensive and quality microfiber products. Cheap cloths are made with nonsplit fibers, and many of the cheaper cloths have threads that aren't as fine, making them less effective. That's why I recommend buying a well-known brand name microfiber to ensure you get a quality product.

One of the big advantages of microfiber is that you don't need to use cleaning products or polishes to dust and clean household items. With just a microfiber cloth, you can easily dust, clean and polish everything in the house, including windows, mirrors, tubs and showers, kitchen cabinets, TV screens, appliances, toilets, furniture, sinks and walls. You also can use them to clean and polish the interior and exterior of your cars, boats and recreational vehicles. You can use the cloth dry for dusting and polishing, and wet for cleaning.

Using a microfiber cloth also eliminates much of the streaking you get when using cotton or paper towels with a cleaner on windows, mirrors and shiny appliances in your kitchen. Another advantage of microfiber is that it doesn't scratch.

In addition to cloths, you also will find microfiber mops and mop pads, making it easy to use this technology to dust and clean any type of flooring.

Quality microfiber cloths can cost as much as five times the price of cotton cloths. But one of the biggest advantages of using a microfiber cloth is that it has a longer life span. A well-maintained microfiber cloth can last through as many as 500 washes, and you only need to wash it when it gets very dirty. When you do wash them, look for microfiber cleaners formulated to deep clean the fibers and keep them lint-free. Try either the Pinnacle Micro Rejuvenator, www.pinnaclewax.com, (877) 929-3100, or DP Microfiber Cleaner, www.autogeek.com, (800) 869-3011. Don't use bleach, fabric softener or dryer sheets and tumble dry on low or no heat.

When you factor in the longevity of the microfiber cloth, the fact that you don't need to use cleaners, and that it actually helps you clean the house faster, the cost difference between microfiber and cotton cloths or paper towels evens out in the long run. And, if you have seen the price of good paper towels these days, reusable microfiber cloths start to look like a bargain.

Note: This article was accurate at the date of publication. However, information contained in it may have changed. If you plan to use the information contained herein for any purpose, verification of its continued accuracy is your responsibility.

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