Microfiber is an ultra-fine synthetic fiber that is thinner than silk and human hair. It is typically made from a blend of 80% polyester and 20% polyamide that is spun into yarn. Microfiber has wedge-shaped fibers that form hook-like claws which lift dirt away from surfaces. Though microfiber cloths are highly effective at cleaning with just water, they are made from non-renewable petrochemicals that do not biodegrade.

1. Internal training materialInternal training material

8.  From the weave to the edging, microfiberFrom the weave to the edging, microfiber
takes on many different characteristicstakes on many different characteristics
and formsand forms
 The ratio of the blend. While 80%The ratio of the blend. While 80%
Polyester and 20% Polyamide is typical, aPolyester and 20% Polyamide is typical, a
70/30 blend that contains more Polyamide70/30 blend that contains more Polyamide
fibers can be more expensive.fibers can be more expensive.

9.  Microfiber = ultra-fine yarns.Microfiber = ultra-fine yarns.
Comparatively, it is two times finer thanComparatively, it is two times finer than
silk and 30 times finer than cotton andsilk and 30 times finer than cotton and
100 times finer than a human hair!100 times finer than a human hair!
 The industry standard for Microfiber is aThe industry standard for Microfiber is a
denier of 0.02 or smaller.denier of 0.02 or smaller.

10.  Also, it is 1/100Also, it is 1/100
(0.1-0.3 denier)(0.1-0.3 denier)
that of a humanthat of a human
hair and its specialhair and its special
wedge shapedwedge shaped
fibers lead to thefibers lead to the
excellent absorbentexcellent absorbent
and drainingand draining
power.power.

11.  Microfiber is a man-made yarn that combines twoMicrofiber is a man-made yarn that combines two
basic fibers: The primary component is polyesterbasic fibers: The primary component is polyester
and the other component is polyamide (nylon).and the other component is polyamide (nylon).
 These two polymers are used during the spinningThese two polymers are used during the spinning
process and are initially melted in a machineprocess and are initially melted in a machine
called an extruder, and then they are combinedcalled an extruder, and then they are combined
together.together.
 However, since they are completely two differentHowever, since they are completely two different
materials and do not tend to combine togethermaterials and do not tend to combine together
very well, the nylon component moves to thevery well, the nylon component moves to the
outside of the fiber with the polyester componentoutside of the fiber with the polyester component
forming the core of the fiber.forming the core of the fiber.

12.  These oil and water-These oil and water-
attracting polymerattracting polymer
fibers are woven intofibers are woven into
masses of tiny loops.masses of tiny loops.
These loops formThese loops form
hook-like claws thathook-like claws that
act as scrubbers,act as scrubbers,
lifting away dirtlifting away dirt
particles and trappingparticles and trapping
them within thethem within the
weave.weave. This is whereThis is where
these towels get theirthese towels get their
scratch freescratch free
reputationreputation..

13. The upside of microfiber cloths:The upside of microfiber cloths:
 They only need water to cleanThey only need water to clean
streaks, smudges, dirt and grime onstreaks, smudges, dirt and grime on
glass, mirrors and stainless steelglass, mirrors and stainless steel
surfaces (without the need forsurfaces (without the need for
cleaning solutions). They are alsocleaning solutions). They are also
easily washed and reused. Goodeasily washed and reused. Good
quality cloths last several years.quality cloths last several years.

14. The downside of microfiber clothsThe downside of microfiber cloths
 They are made from petrochemicalsThey are made from petrochemicals
 Problem is, they are nonrenewableProblem is, they are nonrenewable
resource and do not biodegrade.resource and do not biodegrade.

16. Some additional informationSome additional information

17.  MicroMicro is a word that comes from theis a word that comes from the GreekGreek
μικρός (μικρός (mikrósmikrós), meaning "small".), meaning "small".
 It can be used to indicate a smaller than averageIt can be used to indicate a smaller than average
scale (microscopic scale), as opposed to prefixesscale (microscopic scale), as opposed to prefixes
mega and macro, which can be used to indicate amega and macro, which can be used to indicate a
larger than average scale.larger than average scale.
 micro- (μ) a prefix in the systems of unitsmicro- (μ) a prefix in the systems of units
denoting a factor of 10denoting a factor of 10−6−6 (one millionth of a(one millionth of a
meter,meter, 0.0000010.000001 ) or) or 1 micron = 0.001 millimeter1 micron = 0.001 millimeter

18.  Caprolactam is theCaprolactam is the basic raw materialbasic raw material ofof NylonNylon
 Purified Terphthalic AcidPurified Terphthalic Acid - is the preferred raw- is the preferred raw
material for Polyester.material for Polyester.
 PTA was first introduced in 1965 as an alternativePTA was first introduced in 1965 as an alternative
feedstock to Dimethyl Terephthalate (DMT) forfeedstock to Dimethyl Terephthalate (DMT) for
the production of Polyester. By end of 1999,the production of Polyester. By end of 1999,
almost 85% of total world production was basedalmost 85% of total world production was based
on PTA and this continues to grow.on PTA and this continues to grow.