1. How are microfiber towels different?
2. Why is the GSM of microfiber towels so important?
3. Different types of microfiber towels
4. How to identify the quality of microfiber towels
5. Why microfiber towels are superior to others
6. Benefits of microfiber towels
7. How to clean and care for microfiber towels
8. How to inspect and fold towels
9. How to store microfiber towels
The production of microfiber has revolutionized the cleaning industry by providing better cleaning, higher quality, and greater durability. Microfiber is an extremely small material, with a diameter about one percent of human hair. Microfiber is primarily a mixture of two materials, polyester and polyamide. The mixture ratio of different materials determines the versatility and wide range of uses of microfiber. The blend ratio represents the percentage of polyester/polyamide. For example, most microfiber towels are blended 80/20, 75/25, or 70/30, with polyamide increasing the softness of the towel. This also allows the towel to exhibit different characteristics such as softness, toughness, absorbency, breathability, and durability.
1. How are microfiber towels different?
There are two ways to classify microfiber towels: the blend ratio of polyester and polyamide, and density. Density is the relationship between the mass of a substance and the space or volume it occupies (density = mass/volume). Mass measures how much matter is in an object and is measured by how gravity pulls on it.
As the density of a towel increases, so does its thickness, weight, and fiber count. The more microfiber a towel has, the better its absorbency and cleaning ability. The density of microfiber towels is expressed in grams per square meter (GSM). A 500 GSM towel that measures 16x12 inches does not weigh 500 grams, but rather a homogeneous microfiber towel that weighs 500 grams per square meter. A 500 GSM, 16x12 inch towel will weigh approximately 63 grams. By using weight per square meter rather than actual towel weight, we can establish a standard that allows us to compare towels of different sizes. If we were to use weight instead of GSM as a standard, it would be very confusing because as size and dimension increase, weight increases, but density remains constant.
2. Why is GSM of microfiber towels so important?
A 630 GSM towel will always be thicker and softer than a 350 GSM towel. A 630 GSM towel is better suited for surface scratch removal and is more suitable for the drying process due to its high absorbency. A 350 GSM towel is generally used for cleaning wheels, exhaust tips, carpets, and door jambs. The higher the GSM, the more expensive the towel and the more comfortable and efficient it is for handwork.
3. Different Types of Microfiber Towels
80/20 GSM220 Short Fiber
Used for general cleaning; suitable for non-sensitive surfaces; mainly used for door crevices, interior, wheels, and exhaust pipes.
75/25 GSM360 Medium Fiber
Safe to use on all surfaces; softer than 80/20 GSM220 towels; mainly used for waxing, dewaxing, degreasing, polishing, and interior detailing; avoid using this quality towel on heavily soiled areas.
75/25 GSM600 Medium-Long Fiber
Safe to use on all surfaces; softer than 75/25 GSM360 towels; mainly used for waxing, dewaxing, degreasing, polishing, and interior detailing; use this towel only on delicate surfaces.
75/25 GSM400 Medium-Long Fiber
Safe to use on all surfaces; very soft and gentle; mainly used for waxing, polishing, drying, and interior detailing; avoid using this quality towel on heavily soiled areas.
70/30 GSM600 Long Fiber
Safe to use on all surfaces; the softest towel in the market; mainly used for polishing, drying, and interior detailing; avoid using this quality towel on heavily soiled areas.
Waffle Weave Towel 80/20 GSM350
Safe to use on all surfaces; mainly used for drying and cleaning glass; highly absorbent.
Short-Pile Wash Mitt 75/25 GSM360
Safe to use on all surfaces; mainly used for cleaning; highly absorbent.
Application Towel 70/30 GSM350
Safe to use on all surfaces; mainly used for applying wax, sealant, glaze, or more.
4. How to Identify the Quality of Microfiber Towels?
First, touch the towel against your skin and feel whether it is soft and whether it conforms to the curves of your skin. If it does, it's a good sign that the towel is made of split microfiber. Split microfibers have a unique star shape that makes them better at capturing dirt than traditional cylindrical cotton towels. High-quality towels are always made of split microfibers.
Second, hold the towel up to a light and see how much light passes through it. A high-quality towel will be less translucent, but a low-quality towel will allow light to pass through easily.
Third, perform a water absorption test on the towel by flattening it out and dropping some water on it. If the towel quickly absorbs the water, it is a high-quality split microfiber towel. If the water droplets rotate on the towel, then it is of poor quality and may not be made of split microfiber.
Finally, consider the weight of the towel. If you have two 16x12 inch towels, one heavier than the other, the heavier one will have more microfibers. Towels with higher GSM (grams per square meter) are usually of higher quality.
5. Why are Microfiber Towels the Best Choice?
As mentioned earlier, microfibers are very small, but their size is not the only advantage. Traditional cleaning cloths have cylindrical fibers that only have one direction. Mixed fibers have a shape like an asterisk, and they have the ability to clean dirt, dust, and moisture.
Microfibers have small spaces between them that attract dirt and dust like a magnet. Each fiber is independent and will not leave anything behind after cleaning or drying. The fibers are so small that they can penetrate pores on the microscopic surface of materials that cotton fibers cannot clean, even on seams. The asterisk-shaped fibers can hold 7-8 times their weight in liquid. If you are still using leather or suede to dry your car, you may want to consider a microfiber towel instead.
In a study, microfiber mop heads were found to clean more thoroughly than traditional mops. After cleaning a surface with a traditional tool, bacterial cultures showed a 30% reduction, while those cleaned with microfiber materials showed a 99% reduction. In addition, they are more durable than traditional towels. Microfiber towels can be washed more than 500 times, while traditional towels only last 55 washes.
6. Summary of the Main Advantages of Microfiber Towels:
Traps dust and dirt; High absorbency; Durable; Soft; Lightweight; Resistant to shrinkage and stretching; Wrinkle-free; Quick-drying.
7. How to Clean and Maintain Microfiber Towels
It is important to properly maintain your microfiber towels after use. To prevent dirt from accumulating during the drying process, set up two buckets of warm water with a small amount of detergent, one for wiping paint surfaces and detailing, and the other for everything else. This will help you categorize your towels after use, ensuring they are not used in the wrong areas and preventing cross-contamination.
Cleaning microfiber towels requires a little more thought. They need to be washed separately as the microfibers can catch onto threads from your other clothes. The higher the water temperature, the more thoroughly stains will be removed. Choose a detergent and ensure it is not a combination of detergent and fabric softener. Fabric softeners can clog the fibers and damage the towels. Additionally, do not use bleach, which can also harm the fibers. On the other hand, adding half a cup of white vinegar during the final rinse cycle is a good idea to remove any detergent residue on the towels. Vinegar is a natural fabric softener and will help keep your towels soft. Everyone loves soft towels.
Finally, it is best to use liquid detergent instead of powdered detergent. If the powder is not completely dissolved in water, it will become trapped in the fibers and potentially cause damage when cleaning sensitive surfaces.
8. How to Inspect and Fold Towels
During use, we must visually inspect each towel to ensure we do not scratch the working surface. Typically, you can pick out large chunks of dirt and debris, and use a toothbrush to loosen any fibers. If tar or other sticky substances remain on your towel, you can try using a tacky removal agent or simply cut them off with scissors or a blade.
After washing, it is important to develop a habit of folding towels. This will help you manage and maximize space. Whether you fold them twice or three times depends on the towel's purpose and the user's habits, as it can save time.
9. How to Store?
Fold microfiber towels neatly and place them in a separate box. Make sure the towels are dry before placing them in the box to prevent mold or other issues. For towels that are not used for a long time, store them in a vacuum compression bag.
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