Using Microfiber Towels To Clean

Created: Monday, 18 December 2017 17:28

When you consider cleaning, you probably first think of soap, water and maybe some bleach. You make some bubbles, scrub until things seem clean, then rinse and repeat. However, traditional cleaning methods are changing, and people are becoming more conscious of how cleaning methods affect themselves and the environment.

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Many cleaning products contain fragrances and harmful chemicals like bleach and ammonia, which are irritating and potentially dangerous when absorbed into the skin, eyes or lungs. Chemical cleaners can also have a negative impact on the environment. These substances evaporate into the air, absorb into the soil and run into rivers, oceans and lakes, where they build up over time and cause pollution. Chemical cleaners are also expensive and require lots of manual labor.

• What is Microfiber?
• Benefits of Microfiber Towels
• Cleaning with Microfiber Towels
• Caring for Microfiber Towels
• How You Can Use Microfiber Towels
• Buy Microfiber Towels for Your Home or Business

So, in our efforts to make our homes cleaner and protect ourselves, we may be exposing ourselves to more danger through our cleaning products. With this knowledge, many people are looking for a way to effectively clean and remove bacteria and germs without exposing themselves to harmful chemicals.

Enter microfiber towels, a chemical-free cleaning solution with many distinct uses and numerous benefits.

What Is Microfiber?

Microfiber is a polyester and nylon fiber used to make fabric. When multiple microfibers are woven together into a fabric, they create a net-like surface that can absorb and trap moisture, dirt and other particles.

The nylon, or polyamide, in the microfiber has a static electric charge that attracts and traps dirt particles, ensuring dirt clings to the fabric during cleaning. During manufacturing, microfiber towel manufacturers use a chemical process to split microfibers and create a positive electric charge. This causes dirt and debris, which has a negative charge, to be attracted to and stick to the fabric.

Microfibers are about one-sixteenth of the thickness of a human hair. So, microfiber towels have many more fibers than in a typical cleaning cloth, allowing them to deep-clean surfaces more easily. Their many fibers can get into pores and crevices traditional cleaning tools can’t and pick up microscopic dirt and germ particles.

The nylon in the microfiber also helps the microfiber towels be absorbent and dry quickly. In fact, microfibers can absorb up to seven to eight times their weight in liquid. Microfiber towels can be used wet or dry to clean surfaces and don’t require any other chemicals or polishes — they can remove up to 99 percent of dust, dirt and other residues on their own. They’re thought to be four times more effective than traditional cleaners.

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Benefits of Microfiber

Microfiber towels have numerous benefits for individuals and the environment. Here are five of them.

1. Better Cleaning

Microfiber towels contain more than 200,000 fibers per inch of fabric and can absorb more than seven times their weight in water, making them much more effective than traditional cleaning cloths. Traditional cleaning rags and chemical cleaners can’t pick up every bit of dirt and often leave behind residues. Microfiber, on the other hand, traps dirt and liquid in its fibers, leaving behind a completely clean surface.

In fact, microfiber towels have shown to be 98.9 percent effective in removing bacteria, while conventional towels used with Lysol or bleach are only 92 percent effective. Microfiber allows for deep cleaning, as its tiny fibers can reach into surface pores and cracks — unlike cotton rags and mops with fibers too big and clumsy to effectively deep-clean and trap all dirt and germs. This makes microfiber perfect for disinfecting areas where preventing cross-contamination is priority, like kitchens and health facilities.

Microfiber towels also don’t leave behind lint or scratch surfaces, making them perfect for cleaning delicate surfaces like glass or mirrors. Because they absorb more liquid and dirt than typical cleaning cloths, they also give you a streak-free clean.

2. Environmentally Friendly

Microfiber towels allow for water and chemical-free cleaning. Even when water is used, much less is needed to clean the surface. A 2002 study by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found that with cotton mops, staff used 105 gallons of water to clean 100 rooms. When using microfiber mops, only 5 gallons of water were needed for all 100 rooms.

By using microfiber in place of traditional cleaning methods, individuals and industries can save water, eliminate waste and reduce the use of chemical cleaners. Many chemical cleaners contain toxic chemicals, which can have harmful effects on the environment.

Since cleaners are usually washed down the drain after being used, they’re absorbed into the water, soil and air. Some of these chemicals don’t break down over time and can remain in water and soil long-term, threatening the health of the habitat and wildlife. Microfiber eliminates the need for cleaning chemicals, which can reduce negative impacts on the environment.

3. Cost Savings

Although the initial cost for microfiber cleaning products might be higher than traditional cleaning products, microfiber products are extremely cost-effective in the long run. Microfiber towels can be used hundreds of times before they need to be replaced, unlike cotton towels that wear out when used for heavy duty cleaning.

Because microfiber doesn’t require the use of cleaning chemicals, companies can spend less money on cleaning supplies. Microfiber mops also use 10 to 20 times less water than conventional mops, meaning businesses can use less water for cleaning.

Aside from using less resources, microfiber towels clean more effectively. For companies, this means microfiber towels make workers’ jobs easier, allowing them to be more efficient and thorough. With the time saved, they can focus on other critical tasks.

4. Improved Safety

Microfiber is more effective at removing dirt and germs than traditional cleaning fabrics. According to a study by the University of California, Davis Medical Center, microfiber mops reduced bacteria by around 99 percent, whereas cotton mops only reduced bacteria by 30 percent. In settings such as hospitals, where preventing the spread of germs and potential infections is a top priority, microfiber towels allow staff to clean more effectively, reducing the potential spread of germs.

And the safety benefits extend beyond cleaning. Cleaning equipment made from microfiber is lightweight, making it easier to maneuver and safer for employees to use.

The New Hampshire Hospital estimates at least one or two injuries per month occur due to staff using cotton mops. Microfiber mops weigh only about two pounds and use 10 to 20 times less liquid than cotton mops, reducing the potential for worker injury from handling heavy cleaning equipment. Traditional mops also require workers to frequently dump, rinse and change water, increasing the risk for potential injury. Since microfiber mops need little to no water, workers have less risk for injury.

Microfiber cleaning tools also dry in a third of the time of traditional cleaning tools, allowing surfaces like floors to dry faster. About two-thirds of the liquid in a cotton mop isn’t used. This results excess water on the floors, which causes floors to take longer to dry and increases the risk of accidents.

5. Better Health

Although chemical cleaners make surfaces sparkling clean and pleasant-smelling, cleaning products are some of the most toxic substances found in households. Many chemicals in cleaning products have negative effects on health, can cause eye and skin irritation and are toxic if ingested. Some are even associated with long-term health effects, like cancer and hormone disruption.

Since microfiber cleaning tools require no use of products, people aren’t exposed to these harmful chemicals when cleaning. Microfiber cloths are also hypoallergenic, making them safe for individuals with allergies or asthma to use without suffering from irritation.

Cleaning With Microfiber Towels

Microfiber can be used for a variety of cleaning tasks. Microfiber towels and cleaning tools can be used wet or dry to clean any surfaces. Here are a few ideas on how to use your microfiber towels:

• Dry-Dusting: Microfiber’s static charge makes it perfect for collecting and trapping dust from any surface. Microfiber also won’t leave streaks or track dust around. Take a dry microfiber towel and wipe down surfaces — they’ll be dust-free and sparkling in no time.
• Disinfecting: Microfiber is ideal for cleaning areas that need to stay clean and bacteria-free, such as the kitchen and bathroom. With microfiber’s ability to trap bacteria, it can help you eliminate germs and keep your surfaces sanitary. Clean these surfaces frequently with microfiber, and make sure to launder your microfiber towels after each use to avoid cross-contamination.
• Scrubbing: The tiny fibers on microfiber towels are perfect for removing dirt and debris from any surface, from floors to countertops. You can wipe up most messes without even wetting your towel. If you’re dealing with a particularly stubborn mess, wet your microfiber slightly for optimal scrubbing power.
• Polishing: With microfiber towels, your windows and glass will be sparkling and streak-free. Since microfiber attracts and traps dust and other particles, it won’t leave any streaks of dirt or moisture behind. Use a dry microfiber towel and rub your surface until it’s clean.
• Absorbing: Microfiber towels are perfect to have around in case of a spill, since they’re highly absorbent and can soak up liquids quickly. Stash some microfiber towels in your kitchen and bathroom, and you’ll be ready if a spill disaster strikes!

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Caring for Microfiber Towels

Microfiber towels are easy to clean and care for but require some special attention when being laundered. To keep your towels working their best, read these guidelines before tossing your towels in the washing machine.

Ideally, you should only wash your microfiber towels with other microfiber materials. Microfiber can collect lint from cotton and other fabrics, which can render the towel ineffective. If you must wash your microfiber with other materials, try to choose materials that are less prone to lint.

When washing microfiber, use laundry detergent, but avoid bleach and fabric softeners, which can damage the microfiber. While most chemicals won’t affect microfiber, it’s important to avoid acids. Check any chemical product before using it on your microfiber towels — if it can hurt plastics, it will likely hurt your microfiber.

Also, keep heat in mind when caring for your microfiber. Microfiber contains nylon, so if exposed to an elevated level of heat, the towel’s fibers will break down, making it ineffective. Avoid washing your microfiber in water hotter than 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Drying temperatures should not be higher than 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

If your towels start to smell or not work as well as they should, try boiling them in water with one-fourth cup of baking soda for 10 to 15 minutes. Be sure to let them dry completely before folding and storing them.

Taking the time to properly care for your microfiber towels will significantly benefit their effectiveness and longevity. With proper care, you should be able to clean your microfiber towels anywhere from 100 to 500 times without the towel losing effectiveness.

How You Can Use Microfiber Towels

Microfiber can be an effective tool for workers in many different industries, including:

• Automotive: Microfiber's high absorbency makes it perfect for car washes. Auto shops can use microfiber towels for washing, cleaning and detailing. Microfiber towels won't scratch paint on cars or leave lint behind, making them an ideal tool for drying and polishing cars. They can also withstand heavy-duty use, scrubbing and many repeated washes without deteriorating, so car washes and auto shops get the best value from their investment in microfiber cleaning supplies.
• Healthcare: With its ability to remove bacteria, microfiber can help prevent cross-contamination and the spread of infections. Some hospitals have replaced conventional mops with microfiber mops for cleaning patient-care areas in an attempt to reduce hospital-acquired infections. Since microfiber is so effective at removing bacteria and requires little to no water or chemical cleaners, it has enormous potential to help healthcare facilities prevent the transmission of bacteria.

• Janitorial and Housekeeping: Microfiber cleaning tools are made to be light and ergonomic, unlike traditional cleaning tools that can be heavy and difficult to maneuver when wet. This can make it easier for janitorial workers to do their job effectively. Since microfiber requires little or no water to clean effectively, it can reduce the potential for worker strain or slip-and-fall accidents while cleaning. Microfiber cleaning tools also require no chemicals, so janitorial workers are exposed to less harmful fumes and substances.
• Day Care: Microfiber provides an effective, chemical-free cleaning method for day care and nursery facilities. With lots of children around, there's a high potential for daily messes and the spread of germs. Microfiber's durability and absorbency make it perfect for use in day care facilities, whether it's for disinfecting a surface or mopping up a spill. Since microfiber also requires no chemicals to clean, facilities avoid exposing children to harsh chemical cleaners.
• Home: Microfiber isn’t just for industry purposes — it’s perfect for disinfecting and cleaning up messes around the home, as well. Keep microfiber towels on hand in your kitchen and bathroom to wipe up spills, polish cabinets and keep your countertops germ-free. Use them to dry-dust surfaces like mirrors and picture frames, or to mop your floors. You can even keep a microfiber towel in your travel bag or purse to wipe down dirty surfaces on the go, such as your phone or tablet.

Buying Microfiber for Your Home or Business

Microfiber towels provide a long-lasting, effective tool for cleaning without the use of chemicals. Towel Super Center offers wholesale microfiber towels in a variety of sizes and colors. Our towels are high-quality and guaranteed to last through your toughest cleaning jobs.

Whether you’re looking to purchase towels for your business or home, Towel Super Center has the microfiber products you need to revolutionize your cleaning routine. Visit us today to browse our selection of microfiber towels.