The average “normal” cleaning rag pushes dust and dirt around, causing smearing or even worse scratching.
The Microfiber cloth grabs dust/grime particles and soaks away liquid (even oil) with its fantastic wicking action. Microfiber has a tendency to become electro statically charged which also helps with attracting/removing dust, hair and little “fuzzies”. This material works wonderfully dry but is a whole other experience when dampened with water or a cleaner. Depending on what you’re trying to “sparkle up” will determine if your cloth should be wet or dry.
So what makes Microfiber so effective?
Microfiber is a blend of two materials: polyesters and polyamides. There are two different ways that microfiber is woven together. One is the “flat” weave. This weave repels water and is used in the textile industry for making water resistant clothing, watchbands, etc. Not ideal for a cleaning cloth at all since it will only push partials around and not absorb them.
To be effective for cleaning microfiber must be “split” during processing. This method consists of actually splitting the polyester (the scrubbing fiber) from the polymide (the absorbing and quick drying fiber).
Once the Microfiber is split, the fibers are woven into a fabric; the percentage of material normally consists of 70% to 80% polyester and 20% to 30% polyamide, depending on the style of fabric construction.
The polyester and polyamide are combined during weaving creating hundreds of thousands of microscopic “loops”. This web like formation of “loops” grabs hold of dust, grime, dirt, oil and traps it within the weave making this material a one of the safest cleaning tools in your cabinet! This weave makes the material non abrasive which makes Microfiber ideal for gently “buffing” dirt off from delicate surfaces such as glass or LCD screens. Since most Microfiber is lint free, your results will be a streak free clean. Microfiber can remove nicotine, fingerprints, dust… I’ve even had it remove toothpaste! (On my bathroom mirror, not my computer screen lol Although I’m sure it would take it off of that too!).
The absorbency of Microfiber is quite impressive as it holds up to seven times it weight in liquid! With a couple of firm wrings this material is ready to mop up until the mess is gone. Because of its special loop weave, the Microfiber is quick to dry. In fact this material dries in 1/3 of the time of ordinary cleaning cloths.
Why we call it “green”
Microfiber is a washable re-useable product which is why we call it “green”. With a mild detergent you can toss your cloths into the washing machine and even into the dryer. Just be sure to never ever use a fabric softener! Using a fabric softener can weaken the static charge of the filaments and reduce the effectiveness of your cloth. So it is okay to fluff them up – just keep those fun little smelly sheets off of them. You can wash your Microfiber cloths up to 500 times!
I myself wash my cloths in the washer but I always air dry my Microfiber cloths but I’ve known folks who have been very pleased with the result of the dryer.
We offer many different weaves of Microfiber cloths. Cloths to clean lenses and smaller screens, cloths to clean larger screens like Computer monitors, TV’s, etc. We also carry general purpose cloths that work great on other surfaces.
Also available on our website is our Sample Cloth Packs for you to trial a few of our Microfiber Cloths without a large commitment. These kits come in two forms: one is for Smaller Screens and Lenses Microfiber Samples and the other is for Larger Screens and General Purpose Microfiber Samples.
My next blog I’ll share with you my own list of everything I (and some other fun folks) clean using a microfiber cloth. It’s actually a pretty big listbut it is a pretty amazing material!
I’m outta here for now! Take Care!
~Lisa Marie
