How to Choose the Right Microfibre Cloth for Car Care

Advantages of microfibre cloths

Microfibres are extremely thin and usually consist of polyester and polyamide, which gives them a positive charge along with their absorbency. Their ability of microfibre cloths to absorb dirt and liquid is one of the reasons they are popular for use in car care. But they have many benefits, including:

• Attracts dirt
  The positive charge and shape of the fibres in microfibre cloths attract both dirt and liquid.
  
  
• Lint-free
  Before using them for the first time, it can be beneficial to wash your microfibre cloths, since this makes most microfibre cloths completely lint-free.
  
  
• Highly absorbent
  Microfibre absorbs liquid extremely efficiently.
  
  
• Durable and strong
  Although microfibre is thin, it is a strong and durable material. Most microfibre cloths can withstand up to 100 washes if properly maintained.

Different microfibre cloths – for different purposes

There are different types of microfibre cloths used for different purposes. Some thinner microfibre cloths are ideal for dusting the interior or window cleaning, while slightly thicker microfibre cloths have higher absorbency and are better suited for applying car shampoo, car wax or exterior paintwork protection. The differences between microfibre cloths used for the interior and exterior are minor yet important for you to get optimal cleaning results and protect the car’s different surfaces.

GSM - microfibre cloths

GSM is a common measure used for microfibre cloths and stands for grams per square metre. GSM is a measure of the weight of the material. The higher the GSM, the thicker and fluffier the microfibre cloth, resulting in a higher absorbency.

What GSM should I choose for my microfibre cloths?

For the interior car cleaning, a microfibre cloth between 200-350 GSM is sufficient. Microfibre cloths that you use to clean or wipe the paintwork should be 300 GSM or higher, so that they absorb the dirt better and minimise the risk of scratches.

Microfibre cloths for exterior car care

Microfibre cloths for exterior car care are thicker and designed to handle larger amounts of water and dirt without scratching the car’s paint. The microfibre cloths have longer fibres to more easily catch dirt and impurities on the car’s paintwork, without scratching or damaging. The high absorbency also means the cloths effectively dry the car after washing.

Uses for microfibre cloths in exterior car care

You can use microfibre cloths for a variety of different exterior car care tasks, as long as you use the right type of microfibre cloth.

Areas of use:

• Degreaser
  Apply degreaser with a microfibre cloth.
  
  
• Car shampoo and drying
  Apply the car shampoo with a microfibre cloth, and use a dry microfibre cloth to dry the car after washing.
  
  
• Car wax and paintwork protection
  Protect your car’s paintwork with car wax and paintwork protection, which you can easily apply using a microfibre cloth.
  
  
• Clean details
  Microfibre cloths are perfect for cleaning small details on the car that can be difficult to reach with a sponge, such as emblems, grilles, and around door handles.

Microfibre cloths for exterior car care

Microfibre cloths for interior car care

Microfibre cloths for interior car cleaning are usually a little thinner and softer so that you can effectively clean the interior surfaces of the car, such as leather, plastic and electronics, without damaging or scratching them. Microfibre cloths for interior car care usually consist of finer fibres, which are able to capture small particles and dust from narrower and hard-to-reach surfaces.

Uses for microfibre cloths in interior car care

You can use microfibre cloths for a variety of different interior car care tasks, as long as you use the right type of microfibre cloth.

Areas of use:

• Clean and wipe the dashboard and door panels
  Capture dust and other impurities on the dashboard. You can also use a microfibre cloth to apply interior cleaner for the dashboard.
• Window cleaning
  Clean the inside windows with microfibre cloths and specially adapted window cleaner.
• Textiles and leather
  Apply textile and leather cleaners with a microfibre cloth.

Microfibre cloths and accessories for interior car care

How to wash and maintain your microfibre cloths

For you to benefit from your microfibre cloths for a long time, you need to take care of them properly. By properly maintaining your microfibre cloths, they can last for more than a hundred washes.

1. Sort the microfibre cloths before washing

You should always sort the microfibre cloths according to the fibre length. A microfibre cloth that is “long-haired” can emit fibres during washing that can be attracted by smaller long-hair cloths. The microfibre cloths should also always be sorted by colour, so that they do not become discoloured during washing.

2. Always wash microfibre cloths separately

Microfibre cloths should never be washed with your other laundry as lint from the clothes sticks to the microfibre cloths. You should also never wash your microfibre cloths with fabric softener as this will destroy the cloths.

3. Wash at max. 60 °C

You should never wash your microfibre cloths above 60 °C as the fibres can melt at higher temperatures. If the fibres melt, your microfibre cloth will become stiff and lose its absorbency. You should preferably wash your microfibre cloths at 40 °C-60 °C. If you have a washing machine that has a program where extra water is added to the cycle, you can should use it since more water results in dirt being separated even more efficiently from the cloths.

Remember that microfibre cloths must be air dried and never tumble dried.