What Is Microfiber? Uses, Types, and More

Microfiber can be used for a variety of different purposes around your home. You can find microfiber in household cleaning cloths, athletic gear, upholstery on furniture, in cars, and even in bed sheets. But what is microfiber and is it really something new?

What Is Microfiber?

Microfiber is a material made from synthetic fibers. A microfiber is no more than one denier (a standard unit of weight) thick—about one-fifth of a human hair. 

Most microfiber is made of polyester but may also be mixed with nylon to add strength and repel water. A few are made from rayon and resemble the qualities of natural silk. Depending upon the shape, size, and combination of materials, the benefits of microfiber include its ability to take on different qualities, like strength, softness, water absorbency, or repellency. As a cleaning cloth, it's also lint-free and effective at removing dirt from both delicate and strong surfaces.

The production of these ultra-fine fibers began in the 1950s and Ultrasuede, also made of microfibers, was developed in the 1970s for easy-care fabrics for apparel and home fashion applications.

Microfiber Uses

Cleaning Rags and Mops

Cloths, towels, and mops made from microfiber can be found everywhere and are excellent fabrics for cleaning. They are woven to be strong and long-lasting, and because of their extremely fine man-made fibers, they leave no lint or dirt. Due to the type of microfiber used, these cloths are electrostatic and will also absorb grease and oil. The fine thread and weave of the material mean these cloths can even be anti-bacterial since they will pick up small bacteria that elude cotton cloths. Cleaning cloths made of microfiber should be washed after every use in laundry detergent.

Furniture and Upholstery

Microfiber is used for furniture upholstery because it is tough as nails, hard to stain, and easy to clean. Liquids tend to run off or bead on microfiber so it's easy to sop up a mess. Microfiber does not generate lint so it does not create allergens. It's also soft and comfortable, which is ideal for sofas and chairs.

Accessories and Sports Equipment

Most of the fabric wallets, coin purses, backpacks, and shoes that you purchase today are made of microfibers. The fabric makes them water-resistant and strong. Microfiber is even used in today's desert combat boots and to make footballs and basketballs.

Bedsheets, Table Linens, and Towels

Since microfibers are extremely thin, they can be woven to feel very silky but remain quite strong. Bed sheets made from microfiber are breathable, light, longer-lasting than natural fibers, and easier to wash. And, because the fabric can be woven so tightly to make pillow and mattress covers, it is great for those with allergies because dust mites are more easily trapped.

Tablecloths and napkins are woven from microfibers and have qualities that will cause spilled liquids to bead up, making stain removal much more simple. The opposite weaving technique is employed for microfiber bath and beach towels, so they will absorb water quickly and in great quantities. These towels will dry quickly and are less likely to mildew than cotton towels if not dried immediately.

Follow the care labels on your bedding and linens when washing. Microfiber sheets, tablecloths, and towels should not be dried on high heat or for extended periods of time.

Activewear and Compression Garments

Many garments promoted for use by athletes—jerseys, t-shirts, and shorts—are made from microfiber fabrics because the material wicks perspiration away from the body. The tightly woven fabric is also used for compression garments that are used for both athletic training and medical uses to increase blood flow.

All of these microfiber garments should be washed using cool or warm water by hand or in a gentle machine cycle. Allow to air-dry.

Types of Microfiber

One of the most popular applications of microfiber is for cleaning cloths and products. Various weaves can be used for different applications but microfiber for cleaning cloths is not woven the same as microfiber for upholstery, drapery, or apparel:

• Lightweight: Lightweight microfiber is used to make cleaning cloths to remove dirt and oil from glass surfaces, phone screens, and eyewear.
• Medium weight: The most common type of microfiber is medium-weight and it's used to produce towels and other types of cleaning cloths.
• Plush: Though it feels almost luxurious, this type of microfiber is thicker than medium-weight microfiber and is used for waxing and polishing applications. These cloths absorb a lot of moisture and dirt into their long fibers but the tips of the fibers are left free and clear for buffing away streaks and marks.
• Waffle weave: Waffle weave microfiber has waffle grooves designed to grab and trap liquids and dirt, making this material ideal for washing and dusting cloths.
• Chenille: Chenille microfiber is used for cleaning cloths, sponges, and car mitts. The material has thick and tubular protuberances of fiber that make the material very absorbent.
• Suede: This type of microfiber, also called microsuede, faux suede, and its trade name of Ultrasuede, looks and feels almost like natural suede and is used for upholstery, curtains. and sometimes apparel. It is more affordable than natural suede, easier to clean, and more resistant to stains and wear.

Microfiber vs. Cotton

Oftentimes microfiber is compared to cotton for many applications. There are pros and cons to both materials within each application:

• Cleaning: Microfiber picks up and traps more dirt than cotton cleaning cloths or mops.
• Clothing: Both cotton and microfiber can be combined with other fibers to make clothing more comfortable, durable, and easy to clean. Cotton holds on to moisture more than moisture-wicking microfiber so the man-made fiber can be a better choice for athletic wear.
• Sheets and bedding: Microfiber sheets tend to trap heat so it's not as comfortable for hot sleepers as cotton, which is more comfortable, breathable, and cooler.
• Upholstery: Cotton upholstery is smooth and comfortable but even the thickest material, such as cotton duck canvas, is notorious for staining and wrinkling compared to microfiber. Microfiber is also more resistant to scratches from a pet's claws.

How to Wash and Care for Microfiber

• Chlorine bleach should not be used when washing microfiber. Bleach or acidic cleaning solutions can damage the fibers.
• Never use self-softening, soap-based detergents that will affect the properties of the fibers.
• For cleaning cloths, washing after every use will prevent the dirt and debris collected by the cloth from scratching surfaces.
• Skip the addition of fabric softener because the residue from fabric softener will clog up the fibers and make them less effective.
• Fibers can actually melt at high temperatures and wrinkling can become nearly permanent.