We have heard so much about the excellent absorbency of microfiber towels. These towels are often compared to their cotton counterparts. But how does towel absorbency work? And why is absorbency considered the most important factor in microfiber towels?
In this article, we explain the science behind microfiber towel absorbency, compare their performance to cotton towels, and recommend procurement practices for your business.
The Science Behind Microfiber Towel Absorbency
Microfibers are made up of a blend of ultra-thin polyester and polyamide threads. Polyester provides structure, and polyamide (nylon) brings absorbency and softness. The recommended polyester/polyamide blend ratio is 80/20 for regular cleaning and 70/30 for scratch-free cleaning.
Each of these microfiber fibers is finer (20 times thinner) than a human hair. So they can be woven into a tight and smooth knit. Microfibers also have a unique split fiber design.
We can compare the microscopic structure of fibers to get some deeper insights. Traditional cotton towels are made with round natural fibers. And microfiber towels are made with synthetic fibers that have a split fiber design (like a mechanical gear).
The Split Fiber Structure
The split fiber design increases the surface area of the microfiber towels. On contact, the liquid gets drawn into the split microfibers through capillary action. This results in overall greater absorbency for microfiber towels.
Another benefit of split fibers is their ability to trap and effectively hold onto dirt, water, and grease. Instead of pushing it across the surface area. Which can result in smudges, smears, and even scratches.
With its unique design, microfiber towels can absorb water seven times their dry weight.
7 Benefits of Using Highly Absorbent Towels
Absorbency is clearly the best attribute of an average towel. In this section, we’ll look at all the ways highly absorbent towels improve cleaning performance.
- Faster Spill Clean Up: Useful in both household cleaning and commercial kitchens and restaurants.
- Superior Liquid Retention: Liquid retention means the towels absorb and hold onto water until you wring them dry. So you don’t end up with a wet towel that’s dripping on the floor.
- Reduced Cleaning Chemical Usage: Liquid retention allows microfiber towels to hold onto cleaning chemicals longer. So you are able to efficiently use your cleaning supplies.
- Streak Free Drying: If you don’t use high absorbency towels, the remaining water will smear on the surface. Resulting in water streaks and spots.
- Superior Performance in Dry Wiping: Microfiber towels excel in dry cleaning. They can clean surfaces with zero (or minimal) water usage.
- Softer Surface Texture: Highly absorbent towels also tend to be softer. The extra surface area of the towel fabric results in a gentle skin feel.
- Improved Cleaning Efficiency: All these benefits come together to give you a faster cleaning experience. Same cleaning performance in less time is always beneficial for businesses.
Microfiber vs Cotton Towel And Microfiber Performance
Cotton towels help us put the absorbency of microfiber towels in perspective. Microfibers are absorbent, but are they always better than organic cotton towels? Let’s see the real microfiber vs cotton towel performance.
Table 1 – Comparing the properties of microfiber and cotton towels
| Towel Properties | Microfiber Towels | Cotton Towels |
| Absorbency | Excellent | Excellent |
| Weight | Lower | Higher |
| Drying Speed | Quick Drying | Slow Drying |
| Sensitive Skin Compatibility | Generally Good, but Situation Dependent | |
| Streak Performance | Excellent | Decent |
| Lint Transfer | Lint-Free | May Shed Lint |
| Washing & Maintenance | Hand & Machine Wash Compatible | |
| Fabric Softener Use | Not Recommended for Towels | |
| Storage Space | Fits in Tiny Spaces | Requires Large Space |
| Common Towel Weights | 200-1600 GSM | 400-600 GSM |
| Weave Options | Compatible with all Weave Options | |
| Initial Cost | Moderate | Low |
| Replacement Frequency | Low | High |
1. Excellent Absorbency By GSM
GSM (or grams per square meter) is a measure of towel weight and density. Increasing the towel GSM will make it more absorbent. But it will also increase the weight and make towels harder to use. Pound for pound (or GSM for GSM), microfiber towels have better water absorption than cotton ones.
Technically speaking, cotton can absorb 24-27 times its own weight. But makes cotton towels heavy and slow drying after being saturated with water.
2. Weave Options & Lint-Performance
Weaving is the process of converting fibers (threads) into a towel. Both cotton and microfiber can be woven into any number of designs (flat, terry, or waffle weave).
Terry cotton towels are the most popular choice for bath and hand towels. But they are more likely to shed lint. Microfiber towels, regardless of weave design, prevent lint transfer.
3. Fast Drying
Microfibers have a quick drying ability. They immediately absorb moisture on contact and just as quickly release it when wrung dry. This towel technology means your bathrooms, gym bags, and utility closets won’t get those musty odors associated with wet towels.
In comparison, cotton towels take much longer to dry and often have a damp feel. In our experience, microfiber towels dry five to ten times faster than cotton options.
4. Streak Free Finish
The best microfiber towels give you consistent streak-free drying. It’s a combination of their high absorbency and split fiber structure.
It makes the microfiber the right towel for tasks like drying cars and cleaning glass surfaces. With larger towels offering even better streak-free performance.
5. Environmental Impact
The synthetic materials in microfiber are plastics. So microfiber towels share the drawbacks of plastics. They shed microplastics during the wash cycle. And the polyamide ratio makes recycling a harder task.
Cotton, by comparison, is biodegradable but uses a lot of water to produce. Farming also involves the use of harmful pesticides, which are detrimental to the environment.
- The synthetic composition of microfiber towels prioritizes absorption.
- The natural fibers in cotton towels prioritize sustainability.
6. Towel Durability & Life
80/20 microfiber towels are generally more durable than cotton ones and last longer. This also offsets their environmental concerns. A 70/30 blend is a common indicator of superior microfiber quality. It gives you softness and absorbency but compromises on durability.
The highest quality towels usually last over five years. As long as you give them the proper care they deserve. Microfiber options last 300 to 500 wash cycles, depending on use and maintenance. If you wash your towels twice a week, that results in a minimum three-year lifespan.
Common Applications of Absorbent Microfiber Towels
Some applications benefit more from higher absorbency than others. So, here are five sectors where these microfiber towels really shine.
1. Cleaning Towels
Cleaning towels and clothes all require high absorbency. The best towels are those that can quickly absorb water and pick up grease without a hitch.
2. Drying Towels
After washing a surface, it’s important to use a streak-free drying towel. Low absorbency towels can leave water spots on kitchen counters, coffee tables, glass windows, and car paint. In fact, microfiber towels are the go-to option for drying cars.
3. Bath Towels
Bath, body, hand, and face towels need high absorbency. Wet skin can result in a slipping hazard, and a good drying towel improves safety and hygiene. Quick drying is also a valuable attribute for microfiber body towels. Especially in a household with two or more people.
4. Beach Towels
Same logic as bath towels. You’re at the beach, covered in sand and water. You need a towel with good absorbency. However, the really impressive part is that microfiber towels increase absorbency without increasing weight.
5. Sanitizing Surfaces
Sanitization is a common application in the medical and food service industries. High absorbency towels hold on to the sanitizing solution and apply an even coating on the surface area.
How to Take Care of Your Microfiber Towels & Maintain Absorbency?
Proper care will help maintain the softness and absorbency of microfiber towels. It also increases the lifespan of your average towel by at least a year.
1. Wash Separately
We always recommend that you wash microfiber towels separately to prevent lint transfer, cross–contamination, and potential towel damage. You can wash microfiber towels by hand or using a gentle cycle on the washing machine.
2. Avoid Fabric Softener
Avoid fabric softeners and bleach when washing microfiber towels. Fabric softeners coat the microfibers in a waxy layer that hinders absorbency. Bleach will often result in faded colors and damaged fibers.
Check out this guide for dealing with yellowing towels.
3. Air Dry Completely
After washing, we strongly advise against tumble drying. The heat can damage the sensitive microfibers. Hang dry your microfiber towels outside, away from direct sunlight.
For humid environments, you can tumble dry at a very low heat setting.
How to Choose a High-Quality Microfiber Towel for Your Business?
Here are seven simple steps to help you choose the right microfiber towels for your business.
- Pick a reliable microfiber towel factory with good reviews and a consistent track record.
- Select the right towel blend ratio. 70/30 for luxury and 80/20 for durability.
- Choose towel sizes and GSM weights that suit your cleaning or drying applications.
- Select terry weave for absorbency, flat weave for scratch-resistance, and coral fleece for softness.
- Customize your microfiber towels with brand colors and your company logo.
- Always request early product samples and tests before placing a large order.
- Order microfiber towels in bulk to reduce overall costs.
Conclusion
Microfiber towels are designed for maximum absorbency. No matter the application, you can always rely on microfiber to perform its best. Absorbency also delivers lint and streak-free cleaning. So it makes sense that businesses should prioritize absorbency above all else.
Get Highly Absorbent Microfiber Towels from Manywell!
Manywell is a leader in the microfiber towel manufacturing space. We specialize in high-quality and ultra-absorbent microfiber towels. That same level of care and quality is also present in our microfiber cleaning cloths and flat mops.
Businesses get special discounts on bulk orders. So, improve your cleaning efficiency with Manywell. Contact Us Today!
