Unfortunately, while they may feel like cloth, microfiber is essentially made of plastic. Petroleum products are used to create plastic polymers that are spun into a cloth.
Oftentimes they're made of a blend of polyester and polyamide or nylon. In short, this means the cloths are made of plastic. The polyester and polyamide are combined in such a way that the fibers are split. In addition to creating more fiber surfaces with which to clean, this makes the cloths very porous.
If you're concerned about the environment, then you don't want to toss worn out microfiber in trash receptacles that will end up in a landfill. However, there are numerous ways to recycle microfiber. The easiest way is to take your worn-out microfiber to a thrift store like Salvation Army or Goodwill.
There is also no chemical run-off, and harmful chemicals do not get into the air, since it only uses water to clean. Even when disinfecting, Microfiber is much better than other alternatives like cotton or paper because you'll use less chemical cleaners in the process.
Fabrics like cotton, linen, wool, hemp, viscose, modal, and Tencel are not made from oil and do not shed plastic microfibres.
When washed, synthetic clothing sheds tiny plastic fragments known as microfibers. Microfibers are the most prevalent type of microplastic (plastic pieces less than 5 mm in diameter) found in the environment.
What causes microplastics to produce? Where do they come from? Textiles, particularly the domestic laundering of clothing, have been identified as producing microplastics; which consist of materials found in clothing such as polyester, acrylic and polyamides.
You can use these cleaning wonders in many areas of your home and office. Split microfiber is positively-charged which attracts the negatively-charged dust particles like a magnet. This makes it more effective (and safer) than a regular cloth and chemical spray for dusting.
1) Light colors look dirty right away 2) “Swirl” marks are quite annoying and make the furniture look stained even if it isn't 3) There is resistance between the microfiber and the fabric of your clothes — you rather stick to it and can't adjust your position easily 4) STATIC!
From a different website, microfibers tend to create a lot of static, making it hard to move around on furniture. They are also a magnet for pet hair and clothing fibers. Formaldehyde is found in microfibers, and emits the volatile organic compound as a gas at room temperature.
Better Alternatives to Microfiber for Natural Cleaning
Instead of buying any cloth for natural cleaning, reuse some that you have if possible. Things like old cotton t-shirts and socks make great cleaning rags. Old burp cloths and baby blankets also work and can be used as-is or cut into smaller pieces.
In fact, Newcastle University researchers estimate that small loads release twice the microfibers compared to large loads. Likewise, shorter wash cycles, laundering clothes less often, and using cold water are all ways to reduce microfiber release. These methods also save energy.
Use cold or warm water during the wash cycle. Never use hot water, as it can melt the fibers. Don't use fabric softener, which can easily clog the open spaces in the microfiber and make it less effective. Skip the dryer and air dry instead.
These rags have a distinct texture and a slight positive charge, making them excellent at picking up dust and dirt. Most commonly, microfiber rags are made of polyester, though they're sometimes blended with nylon or polypropylene. The polyester is the key to giving the rags their signature texture.
Comparing Microfiber to Cotton
While cotton is a natural fiber, microfiber is made from synthetic materials, typically a polyester-nylon blend. Microfiber is very fine — as much as 1/100th the diameter of a human hair — and about one-third the diameter of a cotton fiber.
Heavy-duty microfiber cloths are used for heavy-duty cleaning to remove deep soil and oils. These cloths are great for construction cleaning and locations like automotive shops. Medium grade microfibers are used for dusting and medium-duty tasks like wiping countertops and sinks.
Test the cloth by holding it up to the sunlight, stretch the cloth, and if it is a tight weave and you don't see a lot of sunlight, it's a high-quality cloth. If it stretches easily and you see a lot of light, it is not a high-quality cloth. Our SmartChoice cloths are a great example of a high-quality cleaning cloth.
Cotton sheets are more breathable than microfiber and won't trap heat as easily, providing a more comfortable sleep. However, microfiber sheets can be more durable than cotton sheets, as natural fibers — particularly less expensive cotton options — can break down more easily with frequent washes.
Cons of using a microfiber towel
The biggest and probably the only drawback of using a microfiber towel is the material itself. There is a lot said about microfiber pollution caused by synthetic fabrics. Microfibers are tiny pieces of plastic that wash off of clothing and flow down the drain into our water systems.
According to Microfiber Wholesale, an average microfiber cloth can last up to 5 years if washed 25 times per year. Ultimately, the longevity of your microfiber cloths depends on several factors like how often you use them, what you use them for, and how well you take care of them.
These cloths should last a while if you follow the recommended care instructions. “If you take care of your microfiber towels and clean them properly, they should last you a few years before needing to be replaced,” says Willatt. Sometimes your reusable cloths will give you a clue that it's time to buy new ones.
Lint is a fiber that has separated from a cloth. Since the length of cotton fiber is so short it's common for the fibers to separate during use and during the laundering process. Microfiber, on the other hand, won't lint unless the cloth is damaged and the fibers are broken.
Microplastics can come from a variety of sources including larger plastic pieces that have broken apart, resin pellets used for plastic manufacturing, or in the form of microbeads, which are small, manufactured plastic beads used in health and beauty products.
Synthetic textiles are the single greatest contributors to engineered microplastics in the ocean, accounting for 35 percent of the total volume. Polyester, nylon, acrylic, and other synthetic fibers – each a form of plastic – make up 60 percent of the fabric content of our clothes.