What is Microfiber?

Microfiber (as it's known in the U.S.), also known as microfibre (in English in the Commonwealth of Nations), is a manmade synthetic fiber that has a diameter of less than ten micrometers and is finer than one denier or thread/decitex. Most motorists and auto detailing shops are familiar with the towel version of the fiber used to dry wet cars without leaving streaks.

Facts about Microfiber

• Microfiber History

Back in the 1950s, manufacturers have been producing ultra-fine fibers (that are finer than 0.7 denier) with the use of flash and melt-blown spinning techniques. Nevertheless, only random-length fine staples could be made and few uses can be found through this fiber creation method.

The most promising of these ultra-fine fibers of the continuous filament type were made in the 1960s by Dr. Toyohiko Hikota and Dr. Miyoshi Okamoto. These new fibers got many industrial applications, including the microfiber brand known as Ultrasuede and various textile industrial uses. Microfibers like those used in auto detailing towels were first publicized in Sweden in the 1990s and saw success as a product in Europe over a decade.

• What Makes Microfibers So Excellent at Cleaning?

Microfiber towels are pretty efficient when it comes to absorbing water with one wipe, making the act of rinsing and drying your vehicle a breeze. The diameter of microfiber is smaller than a silk strand (which is about one denier) and about the fifth of the diameter of human hair.

The most common microfiber types are made of a conjugation of polys (polypropylene, polyamide, and polyester) or polyamides and polyesters individually. It's through these synthetic materials that makers can alter the traits of the towels however they want in accordance to user needs.

• Different Microfiber Applications

Aside from being used for cleaning towels in auto detailing to easily dry cars that have been washed, microfiber material is also used to make weaves, knits, and mats for upholstery and apparel as well as industrial filters.

You can change the size, shape, and combination of synthetic fibers in order to get specific traits, which includes filtering capabilities, electrostatics, water repellency, absorption, toughness, and softness. Natural fibers aren't nearly as tailor-made or adjustable as microfibers.

Conclusion

Microfibers aren't only used for towels. They're also used for many other jobs and products, including accessories that are usually made of leather, which includes coin purses, cellphone cases, shoes, book covers, backpacks, handbags, and wallets.

There's also such a thing as microfiber athletic wear like cycling jerseys. This multipurpose material might be most well-known as towels for auto detailing because of its ability to wick moisture or repel water depending on how it's made and what sort of poly-something it's made of.