How do microfibre cloths work?

Is cleaning with microfibre better than using a normal cloth?

Google different ways to clean around the home and you’ll find recommendations for cleaning with microfibre cloths. They are widely used for chemical-free cleaning for dusting to cleaning windows, baths, floors, benches and stainless steel. But are they any good?

Why use microfibre?

If you google why to use a microfibre cloth, this is what you’ll learn:

• It saves money and outlasts other cleaning cloths.
• It's safe for the environment and cleans with water, not harmful chemicals.
• It removes 99 per cent of bacteria on surfaces.

Is it magic? No, it’s basic physics.

How can microfibre cleaning cloths help?

The technology in microfibre cleaning cloths really can make life easier. Not only are they more hygienic, there is no need for expensive, and often damaging detergents, and they can get things looking far cleaner in a lot less time.

We need to clean with detergents, don’t we?

Not really, and not for every job. Detergents can be expensive, they can cause allergic reactions and skin complaints for some, and there is concern that in an effort to make our homes cleaner and more hygienic, the overuse of detergents and cleaning agents is undermining our bodies' immune systems. Added to that, the chemicals in many detergents don't simply disappear into thin air. They go down our drains into rivers and oceans.

How does microfibre work?

Microfibre cloths are made of millions of fibres, much smaller than fibres in normal cotton cloths. These cloths clean with nothing but the adhesive power of forces and a teeny bit of elbow grease.

The fibres in microfibre cloths include both positive-charged polyester fibres and negative-charged nylon fibres. On each microfibre there is a tiny amount of force between it and any miniscule dirt particle, so given there are millions and millions of microfibers in a cloth, there is an overall powerful sticking effect. The cloth can actually attract and pull up whatever is on the surface you’re cleaning.

These millions of fibres can lift and hold dirt, grease, grime, liquids and bacteria: particles that normal cloth fibres, which are huge in comparison, cannot pick up. Microfibre cloths can ‘hoover up’ dirt, dust, and other stuff, and that is also why you have to clean microfibre cloths so thoroughly after you've used them. The dirt stays locked inside the cloth's fibres until you wash it in hot water, which makes the fibres uncurl slightly and release their content.

How to clean with microfibre cloths

• Like a traditional cleaning cloth, you use them dry for dusting and very slightly wet for more general cleaning - use these cloths with as little water as possible.
• To make the most of microfibre cleaning cloths, use only one section of the cloth at a time.
• When the cloth starts to leave behind dirt or lint, or if you’ve used it a few minutes, re-fold to a fresh section. Continue until the entire cloth has been used or the cleaning chore is complete.

How to clean your cloths

• After each use, rinse the microfibre cloth with warm to hot water for 10-15 seconds, or until the water runs clear. Once rinsed, the cloth is ready to use again.
• Microfibre cloths that are used daily should be machine-washed every week. Rinse them first to flush dirt from the fibres, then toss them into the washing machine. Do not use bleach, as it will damage fibres, or fabric softener, as it will clog fibres.
• If cloths become ineffective or if they start to smell, boil them in water and 1/4 cup of baking soda for 10-15 minutes.
• You can also microwave them on high for 30 seconds.

Do microfibre cloths wear out?

Providing you keep them clean, good quality microfibre cloths will keep on cleaning hygienically even after 150 washes.

All microfibre is not equal

Like everything, with microfibre, you get what you pay for. Microfibre cloths can vary widely in the size of the fibres in them and therefore in their cleaning effectiveness.

Bargain microfibre has fewer fibres, around 50,000 per square inch (just over 5 square centimetres). Since it’s the fibres that do the work, these cloths do not clean as well as quality cloths, nor do they last as long. Quality microfibre cloths have around 3.1 million fibres per square inch and lasts around 300 washings.

If you're still doubtful, try one of these cloths for yourself. And remember that what's cleaning your home or business isn't magic, it's science and you working together for the planet.

Sustainable products for the good of all

Here at Insinc Products we choose to use and promote eco-friendly and sustainable products as much as possible because we have a firm belief in doing what we can to save our environment. Not sure which is the right product for you? If you would like advice on what sustainable products to use at your business or place or work, call us on 0508 467 462.

We're always happy to help!

Why use microfibre:

How to use microfibre: