Why Microfiber is Better Than Cotton

Many homeowners who hire custodial maid services to clean their homes are noticing the frequent use of microfiber cleaning cloths. Have you ever wondered why these particular cleaning cloths are used?

It’s safe to say that if a professional cleaning service company is using them, you can bet it’s with good reason.

Both microfiber and cotton cloths are useful for cleaning when it comes down to common household chores. We’re here to tell you that microfiber materials are just flat-out better than cotton.

In fact, we’re beginning to see more and more homeowners switching from cotton to microfiber cloth options even allowing them to save money by not having to purchase paper towels every week.

But let’s be realistic, everything comes with its rightful advantages and disadvantages. We’ll be comparing the two to make making a decision easier for you.

For starters, microfiber cloths are produced with different materials than cotton cloths. They consist of synthetic materials; normally a polyester-nylon blend.

As a result of this synthetic blend, you get a cloth that has a much finer feel because the fiber itself is much smaller, whereas cotton cloth fibers are much larger.

Microfiber cloths can be constructed with up to 110,000 fibers per sq. inch. The more fibers your cloth has, the lesser the need for chemicals or detergents. The millions of microfibers are able to attract and attach dirt onto themselves and dislodge it.

Microfibers are also very efficient at cleaning water or other fluids in the case of any spilling. They are highly absorbent and can hold up to eight times its own weight with water!

Due to their composition and how fine the fibers are, microfiber cloths are able to pick up and attract fluids and dirt very efficiently leaving a surface that’s streak-free.

Owners of microfiber cloths value and cherish their lifespan. Microfibers are highly resistant to lint shedding so users are able to continue using them for longer periods of time.

Cleaning your microfiber cloths are a simple task since you can just throw them in the washing machine without worrying about it shedding lint.

Even after washing your microfiber cloths on a weekly basis, they should be able to last at least 5-10 years. That sounds like a sound investment if you ask us!

Washing your microfiber cloths can be somewhat of a hassle since they do need to be washed separately from your other articles of clothing.

The reason why they need to be washed separately is that the fibers and cotton from the other articles of clothing can shed and clog the microfibers, significantly reducing its lifespan and usefulness.

To be safe, microfibers should never be washed or mixed with any other fluid other than water. Cold water is always better than hot water as it can partially melt the microfibers.

Microfiber cloths are an investment. They do cost significantly more than conventional cotton swabs and cloths upfront.

That is why it’s so important to care for your microfibers much more cautiously than cotton. If you want to extend the lifespan of your microfibers, stay diligent with care and maintenance methods and procedures to get the maximum value out of them.

As opposed to microfibers, cotton cloths are relatively cheap to purchase.

A standard 24-pack of cotton cleaning cloths costs around $15 on Amazon.com. With 15$, you can only buy a 12-pack of microfiber cleaning cloths.

Microfibers require special care instructions and separation from other substances and materials. It can be very specific and a nuisance at times.

Cotton is the fabric of our lives. Our towels are made from cotton; our t-shirts are made from cotton; our bed sheets are made out of cotton. This makes cleaning and washing cotton cloths much easier since you’ll be able to throw them in the washing machine along with the rest of these cotton items mentioned.

Cotton is not as durable and sturdy as microfibers. After repeat washing cycle, you may find your cotton cleaning cloths are fraying, shedding lint, and tearing at times.

As a result, you may need to restock your cotton cloths much more frequently than microfibers. The cost of continuous replacements can add up and can call for frequent visits to the store.

Depending on how big of a mess you’re dealing with, cotton can be inefficient if there are messes and spills that are too large or too dirty.

The cotton does not absorb dirt as effectively as microfibers so you’ll often need chemicals or detergents to deal with dirt and grime. Otherwise, you can end up just spreading the dirt around the surface and leave behind unwanted streaks and stains.

Cotton, on the other hand, is composed of 100% organic materials. Normally, we’re used to hearing “organic” in a positive connotation. However, due to cotton being all-organic, it can collect and harvest unwanted bacterias and growth, causing unwanted odors and overall dirt.

Mildew is a common fungus that grows on damp cotton if they stay damp for long enough periods of time. It can emit a sour and unpleasant odor that can turn anyone off. A simple solution is to keep cotton items in sunny areas of your home so they can dry off quicker.

As you can see, the advantages of microfibers significantly outweigh the advantages of cotton cloths, and for good reasons.

Microfiber originated in Europe so it is a very popular material used in European countries, but we’re slowly seeing that trend make its way to the U.S.

More homeowners are ditching there cotton cloths, and even paper towels, for microfiber cloths. They make less frequent cleaning supply trips now and save a ton of money by investing in a pack of good quality microfibers.