Which Microfibre Towel Should I Use?

Get The Best Possible Results By Choosing The Right Cloth For The Job...

Microfibre cloths and towels are not just a detailer's best friend—they’re an essential tool for nearly every cleaning and finishing task. But how well do you really know yours? The truth is, not all microfibre cloths are created equal.

There’s a wide range of microfibre towels available, each with specific attributes tailored to different tasks and different detailing products. Whether you’re cleaning, polishing, or finishing, using a cloth designed for the job at hand will always deliver the best results. Beyond that, choosing high-quality cloths is vital to avoid damage, enhance performance, and ensure durability, helping to keep costs down in the long run.

What Exactly Is Microfibre?

In detailing, we often use the term "microfibre" to describe an entire towel, but it actually refers to the individual fibres themselves. To qualify as a microfibre, each fibre must be finer than 1 denier, approximately the diameter of a single strand of silk. The microfibres used in automotive cloths typically range from 0.1 to 0.3 denier, making them up to 200 times finer than a human hair. These fibres are made from a synthetic blend of polyester, which forms the primary structure, and polyamide (nylon), which enhances absorption and density. Common blends are 70:30 or 80:20 polyester to polyamide.

During manufacturing, the fibres are split to make them exceptionally fine and are woven into various constructions, such as closed loop, waffle, and twisted loop. These, along with short and deep pile designs, each offer unique attributes, making them ideal for specific detailing tasks.

How Do Microfibre Cloths Actually Clean & Dry A Car?

Microfibre cloths are not just versatile companions for a variety of detailing products; they also possess inherent cleaning and drying capabilities thanks to their unique split fibres, weight, and weave construction.

For instance, when you run a short-pile, closed-loop microfibre cloth (like our Work Cloths) over your hand, it might feel slightly "grippy." This sensation isn’t due to a lack of softness or a risk of scratching surfaces, but rather the fine fibres interacting with and clinging to tiny imperfections in your skin—imagine these fibres as countless tiny hooks. Similarly, these fibres excel at picking up and retaining dirt and moisture, rather than merely spreading them around.

The structure of the fibres themselves also plays a crucial role. A split microfibre strand has a cross-section resembling an asterisk ( * ) or a multi-spoke wheel face without the outer rim. This design dramatically increases the surface area, allowing the strands to capture fine particles within their structure. When dragged across wet or dry surfaces, these fibres effectively lift and trap particles or water molecules within individual strands. This property makes microfibre far superior to cotton for tasks like dry dusting an LCD screen. Cotton fibres have a round cross-section, which can trap some dirt between strands but lacks the ability to hold fine particles within the fibres themselves. Consequently, a microfibre cloth captures and holds dust, rather than simply redistributing it.

Additionally, the effectiveness of microfibre when dry dusting is enhanced by an intriguing scientific factor. During the fibre splitting process—which increases their fineness, absorbency, and surface area—the fibres gain a positive static charge. This charge attracts and securely holds negatively charged dust particles, making microfibre cloths an excellent choice for achieving a thorough and residue-free clean.

What Is GSM?

GSM, or grams per square metre, refers to the dry weight (or density) of a microfibre cloth. This figure is independent of the weave type or pile length, but generally, a higher GSM indicates a softer cloth that’s better suited for absorbing moisture or liquid detailing products. For example, our ultra-deep pile Aqua Deluxe Drying Towel is specifically designed for drying and boasts an impressive 1200GSM, enabling it to absorb significant amounts of water. High-GSM cloths are also ideal for sensitive surfaces, like soft paint. Our Ultra Plush Microfibre, with its thick, plush 800GSM, is not only highly absorbent but also perfect for buffing products and removing residues.

Lower GSM cloths are less absorbent but excel in heavier cleaning tasks. For automotive use, however, it’s best to avoid GSM ratings below 250. Our 300GSM Work Cloths strike a balance between softness and durability, making them versatile for a wide range of detailing tasks.

Another key aspect of cloth density is durability during washing. In theory, a higher GSM corresponds to increased resilience to wear and tear in the washing machine, reducing the likelihood of fraying or degrading. However, this difference is often minimal. High-quality microfibre cloths, regardless of GSM, can last for years—up to approximately 500 washes—with proper care.

How Does The Pattern Make A Difference?

The weave pattern plays a significant role in choosing the right microfibre cloth for a specific task.

• Short-Pile, Closed-Loop Cloths: These are ideal for deep cleaning and debris removal. They excel when used with liquid cleaning products and are perfect for removing residues left by polishes, waxes, or coatings. Our Work Cloths are a great example of short-pile closed-loop microfibre.
• Dense, Deep-Pile Cloths: Known for their softness and absorbency, these are best suited for tasks involving quick detailers, dry dusting sensitive surfaces, final buffing, and soaking up water. Our Primo Plush and Ultra Plush Microfibre Towels are deep-pile cloths.
• Twisted Loop Weaves: This design features ultra-deep pile fibres that are bundled together, compacted, and twisted into a long, spiral configuration. This increases the surface area dramatically, making these cloths excellent for maximum absorption. A great example of this is our Silk Drying Towel, which uses this design to deliver unparalleled drying performance.
• Waffle Weave Patterns: Patterns such as those found in our Superior Waffle and Glass Waffle cloths are also optimized for a large surface area, making them perfect for absorbing spray products. While all microfibre is designed to trap potentially harmful particles within its fibres, these weaves go further by incorporating physical "pockets" between the fibres. These pockets can store larger debris during cleaning. This reduces the risk of scratching.

How To Make My Microfibre Cloths Last Longer?

Proper care can extend the lifespan of your microfibre cloths significantly. High-quality microfibre cloths are generally safe for machine or hand washing at cool temperatures. The key is to avoid melting or damaging the synthetic fibres, which can make the cloths sharp, scratchy, and unusable. This is why we recommend washing at temperatures below 30°C and avoiding ironing or tumble drying at high heat.

Exceptions to the "Washable and Reusable" Rule

While most microfibre cloths can be reused after washing, there are exceptions:

• Ceramic Coating Residue: Cloths used to buff off ceramic coatings should be discarded, as residue can be nearly impossible to remove.
• Solvent-Based Products: Towels exposed to tar or glue removers often retain traces of solvents that may compromise future cleaning tasks.
• Heavily Contaminated Cloths: Cloths that are extremely dirty or have been dropped on the floor should also be replaced, as trapped particles can cause scratches during the next use.

Avoiding Fabric Softeners

Fabric softeners should never be used when washing microfibre. These products leave a coating on the fibres, reducing their ability to clean, absorb, and trap particles effectively.

Detergents: What to Use and Avoid

• Avoid Powdered Detergents: These can leave behind undissolved particles that are abrasive and can scratch sensitive surfaces.
• Use Liquid Detergents: Specifically, we recommend using Micro Wash, a liquid detergent designed to remove grime and detailing product residues while conditioning the fibres. Use approximately 50ml per wash for hand or machine washing at a low temperature.

Drying and Storing

After washing, spin-dry at a high setting to remove excess water, then hang your cloths to air dry. Once completely dry, fold and store them in a clean, dust-free environment for future use.

Preventing Cross-Contamination

To avoid cross-contamination:

• Separate by Pile Length: Wash short-pile and long-pile cloths separately.
• Wash Drying Towels Alone: Drying Towels should be washed separately since they typically haven’t come into contact with cleaning products or heavy residues.

By following these care guidelines, your microfibre cloths can remain effective and durable for years to come.

For more on how to keep your cloths in the best condition, see our full article: Washing Your Microfibre Cloths.

The AF Microfibre Cloth Range

We offer a machine-washable microfibre cloth for every task, carefully designed to help you tackle all your cleaning, polishing, and finishing needs. Here’s a quick guide to our range of cloths and their specific purposes…

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And that's all ypu need to know about getting the best microfibre cloths and towels, be sure to browse through our Microfibre Cloth Selection in our Online Store.

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