Is there a difference between microfiber cloths?

Not All Microfiber Cloths Are Created Equal.

In recent years, many manufacturers have tried to imitate microfiber technology, looking for ways to reduce costs. This has resulted in a compromise of quality industry-wide. While these products initially seem similar, they are not and will not perform as well. Prices for microfiber cloths depend on the quality of the product and the precise polyester/polyamide blend. Since inexpensive microfiber products cannot meet all the specifications, they have poor absorption and scrubbing qualities.

There are many microfiber products currently on the market, making it difficult for consumers to determine which is the quality product and which is the knock-off. To get the best cleaning results from your microfiber cloths, it is important to make sure you know which ones to buy.

Microfiber is 1/16th the width of a human hair.

Microfiber used for cleaning should be less than 1 denier or decitex per thread. The type of denier for these microfiber cloths is an important feature to understand the quality thickness and best cleaning performance for the product’s durability. High-quality microfiber used for cleaning should be smaller than 0.5 denier. The yarn used for our SmartChoice Cloths is 160D/72F and after splitting, DPF will be 160/72/9=0.25 denier. This is the finest split available in the microfiber cloth market.

How can you tell that your cloth is less than 1 denier thick?

You really can’t with the human eye. It’s a question you have to ask your distributor.

Research shows that the quality of the microfiber comes down to the number of splits. The splitting process breaks down each fiber into a very thin strand, estimated to be 1/16 the size of a single human hair.

How do you determine if a cloth has been split?

Rub the palm of your hand across the cloth. If it catches slightly on the surface of your hand, it has been made with split yarns. Another way to tell is to push a water spill with it. A microfiber cloth that has been split will absorb the water, not push it.

You should be mindful, that a thick, fluffy microfiber towel with a little bit of nap on it may feel softer and appear to be a better product, but it is not. Better microfiber cloths are actually tighter and more tightly woven, which makes them feel stiffer.

Test the cloth by holding it up to the sunlight, stretch the cloth, and if it is a tight weave and you don’t see a lot of sunlight, it’s a high-quality cloth. If it stretches easily and you see a lot of light, it is not a high-quality cloth.

Our SmartChoice cloths are a great example of a high-quality cleaning cloth. While different microfiber cloths may appear similar at first, compare the quality yourself.

How will I know that a microfiber cloth is of good quality?

There are tests you can perform to see the quality of the cloth you buy. One test is to rub hand lotion on a mirror. Look at the number of passes it takes to remove the lotion — the SmartChoice cloth will do it in only one or two passes.

No matter the thickness of the cloth, there are a couple of things you should look for in microfiber cleaning cloths.

There are many sizes of microfiber cloth, which one is right for me?

A microfiber cloth should be large enough to be folded four times to complete the job. This allows for cleaning several different surfaces by unfolding and re-folding the towel with the clean side exposed.

How can I tell that a microfiber cloth will last a long time?

Heat sealing around the perimeter of the cloth is another valuable feature since it helps the fabric withstand multiple washings.

Recently automated machines have taken over to cut and sew the cloth hems. While quicker, they do not heat seal the edges, which shortens the life of the cloth. Read More.

What is the ideal yarn type for cloth construction?

The cloth should have at least 80% polyester/20% polyamide blends. Polyester provides the scrubbing fiber and polyamide is the absorbent, quick-drying fiber.

In the end, the old adages “You get what you pay for” and “it looks too good to be true” are correct. Before considering a plush, low-priced cleaning cloth, do your research and conduct some tests. It may not be the right cloth for you.

If it all comes down to cost, consider buying wholesale microfiber towels and cloths from Monarch Brands. All products are made with the high-quality materials you want, but for less.

To request a quote on all-purpose microfiber cloths click here.