The science behind microfiber cleaning cloths is amazing. Thanks to a\u00a0combination\u00a0of physics and modern manufacturing these cool little cloths can suck\u00a0up\u00a0and hold on to dirt, grime, and even microscopic bacteria. They work without any water or chemical, are inexpensive, long lasting, and really help cleaning crews get the job done.<\/p>\n
If they are used correctly.<\/p>\n
To get the desired results microfiber cleaning cloths must be properly used and laundered. Get the process wrong and your staff could accidently create a\u00a0dangerous cross-contamination nightmare<\/a>. Here\u2019s a look at the science behind microfiber cleaning cloths along with how to correctly use and care for these cleaning powerhouses.<\/p>\n Invented in the 1950s<\/a>, microfiber cleaning cloths are created from synthetic materials like polyester and nylon. The materials are heated, forced through a small pipe in a process called extruding, and then\u00a0split into tiny widths<\/a>\u00a0of between five to three microns. Some manufacturers go even smaller, creating fibers a mere .33 microns across.<\/p>\n The tiny fibers suck\u00a0up\u00a0and hold onto microscopic bits of dirt, soil, and bacteria using adhesive van der Waals forces. (These same, sticky forces allow\u00a0geckos<\/a>\u2014with millions of microscopic hairs on the bottom of their feet\u2014to scramble\u00a0up\u00a0walls and walk across ceilings.) A single microfiber has just a bit of this force, but a cloth with millions of fibers working together creates a powerful cleaning tool.<\/p>\n Microfiber cleaning cloths are so efficient at attracting and holding dirt that they work without additional water or cleaning chemical. \u201c\u2026extremely fine (.37 micrometer diameter) microfiber was both\u00a0laboratory\u00a0and clinically tested and proven to remove\u00a0up\u00a0to 98 percent of bacteria and 93 percent of viruses from a surface using only water (no chemicals),\u201d according to\u00a0this article<\/a>\u00a0in Infection Control Today. \u201cIn comparison, traditional cotton fibers have been shown to only remove 30 percent of the bacteria and 23 percent of the viruses from a contaminated environmental surface.\u201d<\/p>\n The material also absorbs much more liquid than cotton,\u00a0sucking\u00a0up\u00a0to seven times its weight in water<\/a>. Another bonus, they are lint free making them perfect for use on glass, mirrors, and electronics.<\/p>\n Be advised. Microfiber excels at picking\u00a0up\u00a0soils bigger than itself but will leave smaller soils on the surface. That mean average cloths, with fibers three to five microns across, can easily attract and hold on to hair, pollen grains, and even large bacteria and C. diff\u00a0spores<\/a>. But they will miss most viruses. Even better cloths with the tiniest fibers will still miss smaller viruses.<\/p>\n When disinfecting use an\u00a0EPA-registered disinfectant<\/a>\u00a0to first kill viruses before wiping with a microfiber cleaning cloth.<\/p>\n As amazing as they are, the science behind microfiber cleaning cloths is just half the story. Use these tools incorrectly or launder carelessly and these tools become\u00a0less effective<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0ruined outright<\/a>.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s how to get them most out of your microfiber cleaning cloths.<\/p>\n Most of the don\u2019ts around microfiber have to do with its care. Here are\u00a0things to avoid<\/a>\u00a0when caring for your tools.<\/p>\nHow Microfiber Works<\/h2>\n
The Do\u2019s and Don\u2019ts of Microfiber Cleaning Cloths<\/h2>\n
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