Microfiber: What is it and why do I need it?

Microfiber fabric is a composite blend of two materials: polyester and polyamide. Together they create a synthetic fibre that is similar to the feel and makeup of silk but is much thinner on a microscopic level, over 5x smaller than the width of a human hair. It's is available in many different weaves, and can be woven to have high or short pile height depending on the intended application, plushness, or absorbent properties. Microfiber, like anything, can come in different qualities.

The proper blending of the polyester to the polyamide is what gives it its "grade." The highest grades are considered 70/30, or 70% polyester to 30% polyamide, as well as 80/20. These tend to be ultra-soft, gentle, and last longer than lesser blends due to their resistance to shedding and breaking down.

Another attribute for microfiber is what's called the GSM, or Grams Per Square Meter. This describes of the weight or thickness/ pile height of the microfiber. A low GSM of 245 is what most multipurpose terry microfiber towels are, whereas a high GSM of 800 is reserved for ultra-thirsty drying towels with long strands and big plushness.

The right GSM is important for specific tasks, for example, a glass towel needs a very short pile and GSM in order to not streak or smear. Whereas a buffing towel for wax should be around 400-600 for optimum pickup without clogging and scratching delicate paint.

Back in the day, single-stage automotive paints, or lacquers, were harder than today's the base/ clear systems. They enabled one to use a leather chamois to dry or clean the car without a huge risk of scratching. Although chamois was once considered the safest thing to use on your paint, they didn't really have many other options at the time, and chamois' still left marring and swirls.

When microfiber came onto the scene, it changed the way we detail cars and is now the safest way to clean and touch your vehicle due to the great softness and different weaves/ weights available.

If you're still rocking the old chamois on your car, we suggest ditching it for a few microfiber towels and see the difference. They're cheap, widely available, and are much safer for paint and delicate surfaces.

Check out our tips for caring for microfiber below:

Microfiber Tips

• Wash in warm or cold water only, never boiling hot.
• Tumble dry on low heat, or air dry. High temps will singe the fibres, leading to scratching.
• Use actual microfiber detergent, or "free and clear" laundry soap without dyes, scents, or fabric softeners; these will clog the fibres.
• Separate your towels into categories, like wheels, interior, paint, very dirty, medium, and lightly soiled. Wash separately from other categories to prevent contamination.
• Sort your towels into categories above, and never use a lower category cloth on a higher level surface (eg wheels on paint)
• Don't be afraid to throw them away when old or dirty, or very soiled!
• Demote soiled towels down the line to be used on dirtier parts as they get used. Then discard once heavily soiled.
• For drying towels, a damp towel will pick up water better than a bone dry one.
• Use two towels when cleaning glass, one for wiping on cleaner, the other for buffing away streaks. Same goes for spray waxes and sealants.
• If a towel drops to the floor or touches a dirty spot accidentally, it never touches the car again until cleaned.