Microfiber towels are one of the most important tools in auto detailing, yet they are often misunderstood, misused and even improperly cared for. In this section, we will break down microfiber, covering certain areas like GSM, Blends, etc. while sharing how to properly wash and store. Learning how to choose, use, and maintain your microfiber towels will help you achieve better results and extend the life of your detailing supplies.

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• Microfiber (Towels, Applicators, Mitts, etc.)
• Microfiber Detergent and Storage

What is Microfiber?

• Fabric produced from a blend of fine synthetic fibers, designed to provide superior moisture wicking and surface cleaning.
• Microfiber is any fiber that is less than 1 denier. For reference, a strand of silk is one denier. A human hair is 5 denier.
• Microfiber is most often made of a blend of polyester, polyamide (nylon).
• The micro-filaments are spun into a yarn, the yarn is woven or knit into a fabric sheet at a specific GSM (grams per square meter). The sheets are cut and sewn into towels and other products.
• Most detailing microfiber is a blend of 70/30 or 80/20 polyester and polyamide.

General Microfiber Makeup

What is GSM?

• GSM stands for grams per square meter. It is the weight of the fabric when it is cut into a 1 meter by one meter square.
• GSM most closely represents the absorption capacity of the fabric. It is not a measure of quality, thickness, or plushness.

What is Blend?

• Blend is the ratio of polyester to polyamide. Usually 80% polyester 20% polyamide or 70% polyester and 30% polyamide within detailing towels.
• Lower cost and quality towels are often closer to 100% polyester, sometimes 95/5.
• You really cannot trust the blend markings on cheap towels from big box stores. They are often mis-marked, and there is no one testing them.
• When buying from a reputable source the blend can be a useful metric for comparing quality, but, in general, it is not useful for determining the quality or functionality of the towel.
• You should test and evaluate towels based on how they work for the particular task with the other products being used with them.

What is Weave, Pile & Nap?

• Weave, pile, and nap are the physical look and feel of the fabric. They are determined by the machine and/or machine settings that the fabric is woven or knit on. Examples are, Terry, Twist, Waffle, Diamond, Pearl, etc.

What is Edging?

• The edging is how the towel is finished after the fabric is made and cut to size. ​​Examples are: Overlock, Edgeless & Banding.

When & Why Do We Use Microfiber?

Microfiber is used throughout the entire detailing workflow, providing you with an incredibly safe way to tackle almost any detailing step. The variety of different shapes, sizes, colors, and constructions allows you to find a microfiber item that fits your needs best. Detailer’s often reach for microfiber when:

• Interior: Wiping down plastics, leather, vinyl, navigation screens, and glass surfaces. Applying dressings and protection products.
• Exterior: Commonly used in mitts and drying towels, to remove polish or compound residue, leveling ceramic coatings, applying spray sealants, applying and removing excess trim dressings, and performing final wipe downs.

The advantage of microfiber comes down to its structure as covered in the sections above. Overall, microfiber is designed to pull, trap and lift dirt away from surfaces rather than pushing it around, which reduces the risk of scratching compared to traditional cotton based towels. Microfiber also has a high absorbency rate, that allows it to hold several times its weight in liquid, making it ideal for drying, excess product removal, and applying dressings or protection products.

Microfiber is not just a convenience item, it is a critical component in achieving safe, high quality results. Choosing a high quality mitt, towel or applicator helps maximize detailing performance and efficiency, while minimizing the risk of damage during the process.

Microfiber Care Instructions

1. Wash separate from other non-microfiber towels.
2. Do not use bleach or fabric softener.
3. Dry on low or no heat.
4. Thoroughly clean your lint filter before drying
5. Use a dedicated Microfiber Detergent.
6. Do not use too much detergent.
7. You can soak the towels in a mixture of water and microfiber detergent if they are extra dirty.
8. If you use too much detergent use vinegar in the rinse cycle.
9. Do not wash glass and drying towels with towels that have chemicals on them.
10. Wash wheel and engine towels separate.

How do You Properly Store and When do You Replace?

• It is important to store your microfiber away from environmental dust and debris. Detailers often have plastic bins, bags or cabinets for storage.
• There is no general time frame on when a towel should be replaced
• Many detailers use an A-B-C-D system where new towel are A grade, and once they are used, they are downgraded to lower precision tasks like interior, and finally super dirty tasks like wheel and engine cleaning.
• When washed continuously (without use) most towels can last over 100 washings. But in real world detailing situations they last far fewer cycles.
• How you wash and dry your towels also has a huge influence on their longevity and effectiveness over time.

How do You Choose the Correct Microfiber Towel?

There is not a “correct” towel for every detailing process. In reality, a creative and experienced detailer will be able to determine the right towel based on their personal preference, and the process and chemicals that they are using. Certain nap lengths can offer easier wiping (i.e. shorter naps for tightly bonded product to the clearcoat), while longer and thicker naps tend to work better on interior and final wipedown areas.

Pro Tips

• It is a good idea to color code your towels by process and sort and store them based on color and process.
• Proper towel organization and storage is a great way for detailers and shops to increase efficiency and productivity.
• Always inspect towels even if new or clean, they can pick up debris in the packing or shipping process, or lint upon first use.
• Dry on low heat. Microfiber is delicate and heat can burn the fibers.
• Wash towels for different tasks separately to reduce cross contamination in the laundry.
• Always use a microfiber detergent for proper cleaning. Any detergent with fabric softener, scents, dyes, etc. can clog the pours of your microfiber towels.
• If you drop a towel on the ground be careful and inspect it or switch to a clean towel.
• Follow the A-B-C-D method listed above to reduce microfiber waste.

Related Articles

• All About Microfiber Featuring Autofiber!
• Autofiber: What is Microfiber GSM
• Ask DI: What is the Best Microfiber Towel for Coating Applications?
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• Detailing Essentials #5 | Quality Microfiber
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