In the last decade the popularity of microfiber cleaning products such as towels, mops, and dusters has grown exponentially. The reason for this popularity is simple, they’re very effective tools. Microfiber products clean with less effort than traditional methods and without the need of additional chemicals. Microfiber tools are also more ergonomic than traditional cleaning equipment.

In cleaning products microfiber is a blend of polyester and polyamide (nylon). In higher quality cleaning textiles the fiber is split during the manufacturing process to produce spaces in each fiber. If you were to look at a cross section of split microfiber it would look like an asterisk. It’s the split fiber working in conjunction with the space between them that do the work. They pick up and hold the dust and dirt, and absorb liquid. Lower quality microfiber cleaning products may not be split (neither is microfiber clothing or furniture because you don’t want them to be absorbent).

In addition to the open spaces in the fibers created during the splitting process, microfiber is an effective cleaning tool because the fibers are positively charged. Dirt and dust are negatively charged so they are literally attracted to microfiber like a magnet. The microfiber holds on to the dust and dirt until it’s released in the laundering process or when it’s rinsed out. .

The attributes of split microfiber discussed above make it a true green cleaning product. Microfiber works extremely well as a cleaner without added chemicals. All of the edges on each fiber created during the splitting process act like squeegees scraping up the dust and dirt while the open spaced between the splits hold it. When water is added to the towel or duster it helps emulsify the dirt allowing it to be scrubbed off the surface being cleaned. .

The advantages to using microfiber to clean are almost endless. Given the facts that they can last hundreds of washings when cared for properly, can absorb 7 times their weight in liquid, are hypoallergenic, don’t need added chemical cleaners it’s no wonder their popularity has skyrocketed in the last decade.