HOW MICROFIBER CAN HELP IN THE COLD & FLU SEASON

Using microfiber can help reduce the spread of germs in your home this cold and flu season! You already know how great microfiber is at removing dirt and tiny dust particles from your floors and counters, but keep reading and see just how much more it can do.

How does Microfiber Work? Microfiber is extremely small! It's about 1/100th the diameter of a human hair and 1/20th the diameter of a strand of silk. That means it's great at picking up a variety of tiny things. Plus if it's split microfiber (which most are), then each microfiber will act like a little shovel scooping up surface contaminants.

Microfiber Is A Healthy Alternative To Fight Household Pathogens

Are you living in a clean and healthy home? Obviously, you can’t see the millions of microorganisms that lurk on your countertops or inside dust, dirt, and debris. Household chemical cleaners are toxic, and according to a study by the American Journal of Infection Control, disinfectant wipes can end up spreading bacteria!

That's what makes microfiber so great! It can clean with just water, making it a healthy and eco-friendly way to clean. And what you probably didn’t know is that microfiber is capable of removing unseen microbes, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and germs from your counter tops.

Before you continue please understand there is a difference between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting. Microfiber alone or used with water will clean, not sanitize or disinfect. But microfiber can be used to help in the sanitizing and disinfecting processes.

Differences between cleaning, sanitizing, & disinfecting

Cleaning: Removes debris, dirt, or dust. Cleaning removes allergens and microorganisms.
Sanitizing: Reduce bacteria on a surface by 99.9%. Sanitizers do not kill viruses or fungi.
Disinfecting: Disinfection is when you use a product that has been tested to kill the microscopic organisms on the label, including viruses and fungi.

Do Microfiber Cloths Remove Bacteria & Viruses?

Yes, microfiber cloths can remove a variety of bacteria, viruses, and microorganisms from surfaces. That's because microfiber is extremely small, so it actually picks up many microorganisms as well as things that those microorganisms can be attached to (like dust and dirt), unlike many cotton towels. For more information check out the studies below!

Note: we are not saying that microfiber is will remove all bacteria, viruses, etc. But there is enough evidence to show that it is more effective than alternatives such as cotton. There are other factors that determine how well different microfiber cloths will perform when removing microbes from a surface.

Fun Fact: A study done at the UC Davis Medical Center are showing that extremely fine Microfiber can remove up to 98% of bacteria and 93% of viruses with only water. This does not mean all microfiber cloths will be that effective because certain microfiber cloths have finer (smaller) microfibers than others, but what's important to note is that microfiber is effective at picking up a variety of bacteria and viruses. For more information on how microfiber can remove bacteria and viruses, check out this post by Infection Control Today! More studies:

Is Microfiber Antimicrobial?

No, microfiber in and of itself is not antimicrobial. But if you get a microfiber towel infused with an antimicrobial agent, then that microfiber cloth will be antimicrobial. Check out our 16"x16" Buff™ Pro Antimicrobial Microfiber Towel with Fresche® below!

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A Better Way To Clean & Disinfect!

With microfiber products, you can effectively fight bacteria and other pathogens without any chemical cleaners. As mentioned above, disinfectants kill pathogens, but they come with a cost, mainly being chemical cleaners are hazardous to humans. When you continually clean with chemical cleaners, you are continually being exposed to hazardous and synthetic chemicals. Thus, there are a variety of chemical cleaner related health problems. Ever gotten light-headed after bleaching your bathroom? Or gotten a headache from being exposed to too much chemical sprayers and aerosols? It’s also worth mentioning that these hazards are increased dramatically when you mix them together by using them in the same space.

Microfiber doesn’t kill bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microbes the way chemical cleaners do. Instead it physically removes them from your surfaces and stores them with its incredible amount of surface area, with the use of only water! To destroy the microbes, all you need to do is effectively wash or rinse them out of your microfiber.

Eco-Friendly

Microfiber has many environmentally friendly benefits! It is machine washable, meaning it doesn’t end up polluting our oceans and landfills like disposable wipe alternatives. There is also no chemical run-off, and harmful chemicals do not get into the air, since it only uses water to clean. Even when disinfecting, Microfiber is much better than other alternatives like cotton or paper because you'll use less chemical cleaners in the process. Check out this article on how to use microfiber to disinfect almost anything!

Prevent Cross Contamination

Even if you have the right cleaning products, it’s also important to remember to have a system to prevent the spread of germs and viruses! Microfiber is great for preventing cross contamination. You can color-code your microfiber cloths or go with a disposable microfiber option! We recommend using disposable microfiber cloths when pairing with a disinfectant or when you need a cloth for heavy-duty jobs. That way you get the amazing power of microfiber, but you won't have to fear the recontamination of your surfaces. Check out our 12"x12" Mwipes™ Disposable Microfiber Cloths below.

Best Disposable Microfiber Cloths!

Great for pairing with a disinfectant and preventing the spread of germs! As low as $0.20 per cloth!

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Written by

Em Rey

Content Contributor at

Microfiber Wholesale

Em has been writing content for over eight years, creating articles for lifestyle, home, and beauty publications.

She’s passionate about smart, effective cleaning and loves sharing practical tips that actually work, especially when it comes to microfiber products.

With a deep understanding of the cleaning industry, Em crafts content that connects with professionals and everyday cleaners alike.

Outside of work, you can find her trying out a new recipe, restaurant, or exploring the outdoors with her toddler in tow.

Deep Clean Hard Floors, Effortlessly.

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