What is Microfibre and How Does it Work?

Microfibre is a synthetic fibre made from a blend of polyester and polyamide that creates tiny tear drop-shaped fibres. These small fibres are finer than a single human hair, making them able to penetrate small nooks and crannies in surfaces to remove dust and dirt. The thickness of fibres is measured in ‘denier’. Microfibre thickness can range from 0.01 up to 0.7 denier (a single strand of silk has a denier of 8 and a human hair has a denier of 20!) and the smaller the denier, the less abrasive the material will be.

HOW IS IT MADE?

The synthetic material, microfibre, is made using a blend of Polyester and Polyamide (a nylon bi-product). The combination of these 2 products usually sits at a ratio between 70:30 and 90:10 (Polyester:Polyamide).

Some microfibres are ‘flat weave’ – the weave repels water and is used predominantly within the textiles industry, in the construction of items such as clothing and watch straps. ‘Flat weave’ microfibre is not suitable for cleaning or polishing, as it has less than half the absorption capacity of ‘split weave’ microfibre.

‘Split weave’ microfibre is made by the splitting of the polyester fibres from the polyamide fibres, increasing the surface area and in turn, the amount of water a cloth or mop can absorb.

When the threads are split, thousands of loops per square inch are formed. These loops are perfect for picking up tiny dust and dirt particles without being abrasive to surfaces.

MICROFIBRE PROPERTIES

Absorption

Cleaning up spills is inevitable in any food and drink environment, from home kitchens to busy restaurants, so finding a fast and efficient method of wiping up is essential to speeding up cleaning times. Microfibres have high density and large surface area, allowing them to absorb up to 7 times their weight in water, which makes the synthetic material perfect for use in cloths and mops.

Hygienic

As well as dust and dirt, Microfibres also attract and catch pathogens, bacteria and viruses until cleaned in the wash. This makes microfibre cloths and mops perfect for use in food preparation areas, dining areas, hospitals and health care establishments, reducing the risk of illness and germs being spread around.

Pathogens love to feed on organic material, so the inorganic (synthetic) nature of microfibre cloths and mops makes them perfect for catching and destroying any harmful bacteria that may be lingering. Conventional cotton cloths only push dust from furniture, such as plastic chairs and metal tables, whereas dust clings to microfibre cloths, helping to keep furniture dust free for longer.

Non-Abrasive

Thanks to the tiny fibres, Microfibre cleaning products are non-abrasive. This means that cloths, mops and pads do not have a negative effect on surfaces, leaving any waxing or finish undamaged – ideal for use on furniture and flooring.

WHY CHOOSE MICROFIBRE

Longevity

Unlike most conventional cotton cloths that degrade and wither with regular use, microfibres can be easily cleaned with a quick spin in the washing machine on a hot wash. Always remember to never wash your microfibre cloths, mop heads and pads with bleach or fabric softener as this can degrade the material and break it down quicker, reducing its effectiveness and shortening its life.

Microfibre is also extremely durable, with thousands of ‘loops’ per square inch of material and up to 200,000 strands of fibre per square inch of material. This means the synthetic fibre can withstand up to 500 washes, enabling you to reuse the man-made cleaning products time and time again.

Environmentally Friendly

Thanks to the cleaning power of these synthetic cleaning products, you will use less cleaning chemicals and water to achieve superior cleaning results, saving you money and helping to preserve the environment. A study carried out at UCDMC (a reputable academic medical centre based in California) found that they used up to 95% less water when cleaning floors with microfibre mops and cleaning equipment.

MICROFIBRE PRODUCTS

Cloths

Microfibre cloths are ideally suited to everyday cleaning and dusting of furniture and almost any surface. Our selection of microfibre cloths are available in a range of colours, perfect for use in commercial venues such as restaurants, cafes and bars where a colour coded cleaning system is used.

Mops

A microfibre mop is an extremely efficient way to clean and dry floors. With super absorbent properties, any microfibre mop head can absorb massive amounts of water, helping you to clean heavy spillages or clean large areas with ease.

Browse our full range of cleaning and hygiene supplies to help maintain a high level of hygiene.