what is microfiber and what are its benefits
What is microfiber?
microfiber is a towel made with a blend of polyester and Polyamide resulting in a super soft and absorbent towel. the blend can be anywhere from a 90/10 blend all the way to 70/30, the more polyester the stronger the towel will be, while the more polyamide the softer and more absorbent it will be. microfiber can be altered in different weave patterns to change how the towels interact with surfaces.
History of microfiber
invented in 1970, microfiber made its debut in Japan in the journey of ultrafine fiber towels. they were the first of its kind and was aimed at the medical field for higher capturing of dirt or bacteria. commonly found in its microsuede form you will recognize it mainly as those little towels you get with every pair of glasses. unlike cotton, microfiber doesnt need a cleaner to remove oils or contaminants from a surface, just with water microfiber is capable of capturing almost 95% of foreign material.
The first main distributor of microfiber in the field was the rag company which started their first product line in 1999. aimed towards the detailing market, The rag company boomed the market with alternatives to shammy towels and wool wash media making cleaning faster and safer. being known for their infamous eagle weave 70/30 blend towel, the rag company aims for quality and precision in their field.
A microfiber for every need!
there are 4 main types of microfiber weaves that you will see in a day-to-day. these towels and weaves will interact differently with every material, each coming with strengths and weaknesses but all will make your life significantly easier!
Terry weave microfiber
Terry weave is the most common type of towel by far. It's an all-around, general-purpose towel great for grunt work, drying, polish removal, sealant application, and pretty much any job you need it to do. Across the board, I would not say that these towels excel in a certain field, but in the same breath, they do not have many downfalls.
The cons of these towels can be leaving streaks on glass, the harsher fibers potentially damaging soft paint, and their overall average properties for various uses. terry towels are best in an 80/20 blend to save on cost and give them more structural rigidity but can also be found in 70/30 blends for softer paint work.
Twist loop
Twist loops microfibers are the king of paint work towels when it comes to cleaning a vehicle, they excel in absorption and low lint properties. twist loop being a more expensive weave due to towel density, they would not be ideal for interior or any generally dirty work. the twist loop microfiber can be found mainly in a 70/30 blend for the highest absorption rate but 80/20 can be found as well. the only real downside to twist loop is its price but rest assured they will last the test of time if taken care of properly.
waffle weave
The waffle weave microfiber takes the best of twist loop properties but with a better budget in mind, great for drying, sealants, glass, and even interior cleaning. where waffle weave falls short is its density and absorption capability, though it is highly absorbent it will become saturated very quickly. nonetheless, waffle weave still holds true to its versatility and is a great option.waffle weaves are best in a 70/30 blend as well for absorption and softness.
Diamond weave
The diamond weave towel is a specialty towel that is purpose-built for glass cleaning and metal work. the diamond weave gives it a very aggressive cutting-like action that when paired with a rinseless wash or glass cleaner, it will leave the glass in its cleanest state possible without harsh abrasives or techniques. versatility of this towel is very low but the purpose-built style of it will make you never want any other towel to clean glass. Diamond weave towels or best in a 80/20 blend for keeping a rigid hold while cleaning.
Cleaning and maintaining microfiber
Don’t let microfiber sit after using it as it will create bacteria and start to mold
Wash microfibers with a free and clear detergent in cold water
Use air tumble no heat to fluff the fibers, and hang dry for excess moisture.
Once dried, fold and store in an enclosed dry area to keep them clean
don’t wash heavy dirt towels with soft paint towel, cross-contamination will ruin towels.