The Microfibre Cloth - Review & Guide

What Is It?

That's a good question! I wonder how many people recognise the MF cloth as quite
the wondrous 21C innovation it is, rather than as maybe just a posh sounding
duster? My belief, from watching others, is the latter attitude prevails. In the
sphere of detailing they play a significant part, but it should be borne in mind that
you can very easily inflict as much harm as good to your surfaces when using them.

The best way of visualising how an MF cloth works is to envisage an image of the
goose-stepping N.Korean Army, just in micro-miniature. As the legs cross, so dirt
is trapped in the fibre. So, it follows that to do minimal damage you do need some
lubrication.

What Does It Bring to the Table?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Wikipedia

Microfiber or microfibre is synthetic fiber finer than one denier. This is
finer than the diameter of a strand of silk (which is approximately one denier),
which is itself about 1/5 the diameter of a human hair. The most common types
of microfibers are made from polyesters, polyamides (e.g., nylon, Kevlar, Nomex,
trogamide), or a conjugation of polyester, polyamide, and polypropylene.

Microfiber is used to make mats, knits, and weaves for apparel, upholstery,
industrial filters, and cleaning products. The shape, size, and combinations of
synthetic fibers are selected for specific characteristics, including softness,
toughness, absorption, water repellency, electrostatics, and filtering capabilities.

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How Do I Use It?

• First Off - Fold Your Cloth:
  Before using an MF cloth it's important to learn a basic detailing technique.
  It's folding a cloth (usually 16 inches or 40 cm square) into 4. From there you
  should endeavour to keep the folded integrity of your cloth. At first, this is
  very much easier said than done. However, if you adopt this practice from the
  start, you will reduce your potential to damage the surface with micro-marring
  at best, or scratches at worst.
  
  Folding your cloth provides 8 working sides that you have control over, because
  you need to regularly check each surface, the cleaning capability is that good!
  The folded cloth also provides a gentle cushioning of your cleaning pressure.
  Every wipe of your paint provides a potential for marring, and no-one's wipe
  provides even pressure across their swipe.
• Use Your Cloth Lightly Dampened:
  An MF cloth comes into its own when dampened. The technology was developed to be
  used with plain water to provide a chemical free method of efficient cleaning.
  With water-spots being a major bug-bear, our choice of dampener will invariably
  be a quick-detailer.
  
  My preferred choice of QD cleaner is (ONR) Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine. This
  gives me the widest of effective cleaning choices, where I can allow the QD to
  dwell before I do my cleaning wipe. ONR also makes an excellent drying aid!
• What About Different Density MFs?
  Plush, deep, high denier cloths, call them what you will, do have their uses,
  however, you can just as easily inflict damage with them because these cloths
  / towels will trap bigger dirt particles.
  
  For buffing-off, short-pile cloths can be more efficient at removing polish
  / pre-wax cleaner / wax residues. For buffing-off liquid potions a longer pile
  cloth may be better.
• What About Dry Usage?
  Of course, you will want to use MF cloths for buffing-off waxes. The maxim I
  follow is that until I am certain that a surface is absolutely clean, like
  after a wax has been applied, then it's always a dampened cloth. However, there
  is one other down-side to using MF cloths dry, the creation of static :eek:
• What About Microfibre Drying Towels
  The drying of a car after washing probably provides the greatest risk of paint
  marring or swirling. To effectively dry your vehicle, I would suggest that you
  lightly dampen your cloth, possibly with a dryng aid, _before_ the towel is
  placed on the paint. From there, avoid dragging the towel, just lightly dab.
  Curiously, a lightly dampened towel will gather more water than a dry one.
• Is It Safe To Use Cheap Cloths?
  There can be a bit of cloth snobbery, but my advice is that as long as you are
  using a proper microfibre cloth, it is thoroughly clean and your touch is gentle,
  there is little risk of damage. Of course, there are occasions when better
  quality cloths can make the job a tad simpler or more enjoyable.

How Do I Care For Microfibre Cloths?

Depending upon the level of soiling you can wash MF cloths at up to 60degC.
That's not to say that you always should. The probable minimum is 40degC.
Simply use a washing detergent that does not contain a fabric softening agent.
Instead, into that receptacle in the washing machine, pour some clear distilled
vinegar, enough to fill it.

The effect will be a very temporary smell of the local chippy, especially at
the higher temp, but a very clean machine and soft cloths / towels that are free
of detergent residues. There will be no vinegar smell in the fibres.

If you're in a hurry, then you can tumble dry for a short while, though line
drying will probably make your cloths last longer.

Pros...

A very efficient cleaning and polishing aid. Beware that when using MF cloths
for polishing, the cloth has a great part to play in the process. So, you need
to keep a close eye on proceedings, being prepared to either rinse-out or turn
the cloth at regular intervals.

Cons...

Requires care in use to avoid marring

Conclusions

Over the 7 years that I've been using MF cloths, the technology has moved on to
better and better products. The standard 40cm square cloth is a mainstay and I
cannot have enough of them! Yes, I have spoiled myself by buying some better
quality cloths, but I'm not averse to buying them in Aldi's.

Despite their being available for several years now, I'm surprised at how few
people recognise the technology behind them and simply treat them like they are
just posh-sounding dusters. Whatever you take away from this missive, be sure
that folding them and keeping the folding integrity will give you the best
results.

Where Do I Buy It?

Microfibre cloths are widely available from supermarkets, car shows, and the
interweb. However, if you're looking for perhaps a better quality cloth or
towel, then I would point you toward Serious Performance as your source. Even
their most basic towels are good quality.

My Disclaimer: You might notice a pattern with several of my reviews, in that
the source of many products is Serious Performance. The reason is simple: I'm
not keen on P+P charges, so buying from a single source is attractive. The fact
that Alex is also one of very few suppliers of Finish Kare products in the UK
just makes me a very satisfied customer. When compared to other suppliers his
prices are competitive too.

Regards,
Steve