Microfiber is highly durable, and is much less likely to fade or lose its shape than other fabrics, even over several years and many washes. Microfiber is also more wrinkle-resistant. Microfiber feels smooth and silky because of its tiny, thin fibers, giving it a really luxurious feeling against the skin.
Microfiber has a lightweight, smooth, and slippery feel. However, due to the sheet's thinness, active sleepers might notice the sheets easily bunch. These sheets are also less ideal for people with sensitive skin. Cotton has a clean, cool, and soft feel and gets softer with every wash.
Most microfiber is a blend of polyester and polyamide. Some (lower quality) microfiber is 100% polyester (there is some high grade 100% polyester microfiber, which does perform wel, in certain applications).
Microfiber is a man-made, synthetic material formed through a chemical process. It is composed of materials such as polyester, nylon polymers, or wood pulp. Unlike their natural-fiber counterparts, materials made with microfiber are less prone to shrinking and wrinkling while still maintaining a soft and durable feel.
It also has a long lifespan when properly used and maintained, and is lint-free. Microfiber has only a few limitations — it comes with a much higher upfront cost than cotton, and it requires special laundering. But cleaning experts say, when compared side-by-side, microfiber is clearly superior to cotton.
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!
Cotton sheets are not. Cotton sheets are made of natural fibers, while microfiber sheets are made of synthetic fibers. Microfiber has a lower denier than cotton. This means it will feel silkier but be less durable.
Microfiber bed sheets of high quality are extremely soft on the skin and don't cause any irritations. These sheets have a smooth & slippery feeling, somewhat similar to satin or silk. A high thread count determines not only the softness but durability of the sheets. The higher the thread count, the softer the sheet.
Both microfiber and cotton sheets are fairly easy to wash. Most of the time, both microfiber and cotton sheets are safe to toss in the washing machine and dryer on the warm water setting. As a reminder, we suggest washing sheets once a week to keep them free of allergens, dead skin cells, and body oils.
Make sure your microfiber towel is an 80/20 or 70/30 polyester to polyamide ratio. There is much debate on which of these blends is better. Some say one is better for cleaning and the other for drying, others say there is no difference at all.
Polyester is more durable while microfiber is more absorbent, breathable, and more comfortable. Both are easy to care for.
Yes, 100% polyester shrinks but in some circumstances because it resists shrinkage by nature. Polyester is resistant to shrinkage but if you wash polyester with hot water or if you iron polyester with excessive heat iron, it can cause shrinkage as it is a man-made fabric that is made with polymer.
The material is known to be hypoallergenic, resistant to dust mites, cool, and soft on the skin—perfect for those who suffer from eczema or have sensitive skin. Microfibers trap less moisture than cotton so they're less likely to cause dryness or irritation on your face or body.
You're more likely to find hypoallergenic sheets made from natural fabrics such as cotton, bamboo, silk, and eucalyptus. "Synthetic fabrics, like microfiber, can also be hypoallergenic, but are not as breathable," adds Dr. Jain. "They may contain materials that are irritating to the skin."
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.
Microfiber can feel odd because it catches on your skin. Some people don't like the “feel” of it but consider this, if it "grabs" your skin, it will likely also grab dirt, with no harmful cleaners.
Machine wash a load of microfiber cloths in cold or warm water. Do not use hot water. If using detergent, choose a gentle detergent with no scent or laundry additives. Use a small amount of detergent, no more than one or two teaspoons.
Separate From Other Fabrics
Always wash microfiber towels separately to avoid the transfer of lint, hair and dust from other items. Since microfiber towels are a magnet for lint, don't wash them with clothes or towels made from natural fibers that tend to shed, like cotton.
Microfiber is also an appealing fabric for regularly-used furniture pieces because it is a lot cheaper than leather, but it has many of the same benefits of it. Another crucial benefit of microfiber is that it is relatively easier to clean than other plush fabrics.
Like cotton, high-quality microfiber sheets are soft and comfortable. However, microfiber tends to have a silkier feel when compared to cotton. It is common for microfiber to be “brushed”—this involves gently lifting each fiber to create a soft, velvety texture.
If you've ever held a microfiber cleaning cloth in your bare hand, you've probably noticed that it's more bristly and rough than a standard towel. That's because the ultra-fine fibers in this synthetic fabric are woven and then split to increase surface area.
This is a synthetic fabric made from polyester that can be somewhat similar to velvet and suede in its texture, soft to the touch, highly durable, and easy to care for.
Microfiber is water repellent or water absorbing.
The fine fibers can be woven or knitted extremely tightly together, giving them water-repellent characteristics—ideal for table linens, upholstery fabrics, and automotive interiors.
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.