Microfiber or microfibre is synthetic fiber finer than one denier or decitex/thread. This is smaller than the diameter of
a strand of silk, which is itself about 1/5 the diameter of a human hair.
The most common types of microfibers are made from polyesters, polyamides (e.g., nylon, Kevlar, Nomex,
trogamide), or a conjugation of polyester, polyamide, and polypropylene
(Prolen). Microfiber is
used to make mats, knits, and weaves for apparel, upholstery, industrial
filters, and cleaning products. The shape, size, and combinations of synthetic
fibers are selected for specific characteristics, including softness,
toughness, absorption, water repellency, electrostatics, and filtering
capabilities.
Microfiber
is widely used by car detailers to handle tasks such as removing wax
from paintwork, quick detailing, cleaning interior, cleaning glass, and drying.
Due to their fine fibers which leave no lint or dust,
microfiber towels are used by car detailers and enthusiasts in a similar manner
to a chamois leather.
Microfiber
is used in many professional cleaning applications, for example in mops and cleaning cloths. Although
microfiber mops cost more than non-microfiber mops, they may be more economical
because they last longer and require less effort to use.
Microfiber
textiles designed for cleaning clean on a microscopic scale. According to tests
using microfiber materials to clean a surface leads to reducing the number of
bacteria by 99%, whereas a conventional cleaning material reduces this number
only by 33%. Microfiber cleaning tools also absorb fat and grease and their electrostatic properties give them a high
dust-attracting power. Microfiber cloths are used to clean photographic lenses
as they absorb oily matter without being abrasive or leaving a residue, and are
sold by major manufacturers such as Sinar, Nikon and Canon. Small microfiber cleaning cloths are
commonly sold for cleaning computer screens and eyeglasses.
