Terry Cloth vs. Microfiber Towels: Key Differences & Best ...

27 Nov.,2024

 

Terry Cloth vs. Microfiber Towels: Key Differences & Best ...

Terry cloth and microfiber towels both have legitimate uses in many business applications. Terry cloth is highly absorbent, affordable and luxuriantly soft. Microfiber is hypoallergenic and can be an excellent material for use on sensitive surfaces such as glass. Both materials also come in many varieties, so a company can target the qualities it most wants in a towel.

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The Basics of Terry Cloth Towels

The term terry cloth refers to a broad group of fabrics that can be made of a variety of materials at several weights, making it sometimes difficult to discuss because one type of terry cloth can have different properties than another. One universal trait of different types of terry cloth is the tiny loops that cover the material, helping make the cloth feel soft and keeping it absorbent. It is a common material for use in towels.

Benefits

Terry cloth tends to be durable. It is generally made from cotton and sometimes also infused with silk, linen or polyester fibers. This material is highly absorbent, generally able to soak up over 20 times its weight in water; therefore, it frequently serves as the primary towel material in towels for washing or drying surfaces or keeping a user dry, such as a baby's bib.

Drawbacks

Terry cloth is made of cotton. Although cotton can be grown sustainably, it generally isn't. Typical cotton production processes involve significant amounts of water, fertilizers and pesticides, causing major soil erosion and pollution problems worldwide. However, it's possible to greatly reduce the environmental impact of cotton if it's properly sourced using green practices, reducing its environmental impact. 

One way a company can confirm whether a source is using green practices is to inquire as to whether the source is part of the Better Cotton Initiative. This is a program that focuses on companies producing cotton under the Better Cotton Standard, a set of guidelines that make cotton production more ethical and sustainable. 

The Basics of Microfiber Towels

Microfiber towels are made of synthetic fibers. Microfibers are thin, measuring about one-fifth the width of a human hair. Typically, these fibers are made of polyester, but they may also be mixed with nylon to make them more water-repellent and strengthen the material. Less commonly, these fibers can be made from rayon, which gives them a silky quality. 

Benefits

Microfiber towels can have a variety of qualities similar to terry cloth in variety of material, depending on the specific substances and methods used to create it. It can be especially strong, soft, water-absorbent or water-repellent. One major benefit of microfiber towels is that they are lint-free and tend to be effective at removing dirt from surfaces.

Microfiber towels can dry quickly and are less mildew-prone than traditional cotton towels. Microfiber is also hypoallergenic and unlikely to damage sensitive surfaces such as glass or some electronic devices.

Drawbacks

Microfiber needs to dry with some care because high temperatures can cause it to melt. If this occurs, the damage is typically permanent, locking in wrinkles and potentially making the towel unusable. 

As with any material using polyester, microfiber production and use raises some significant environmental concerns, including potentially introducing microplastics into nearby water sources ' the exact cost of which still isn't understood. Polyester also involves the use of nonrenewable materials, notably petroleum. Although it's possible to produce biodegradable polyester, this isn't typical. 

Choosing the Right Option for Your Company

Whether microfiber or terry cloth towels might best serve your company's needs is a question with no single right answer. Complicating the question further is the diversity of materials. To find an option that works for your needs, you will need to identify what you're looking for in your towels. Terry cloth towels are potentially highly absorbent, but so are microfiber towels. One unique advantage of microfiber towels is their hypoallergenic quality, but this is arguably offset by the significant environmental concerns regarding their production. 

If you're interested in this topic, we've written more broadly on the differences between microfiber and cotton towels in the past. If you're debating whether to choose microfiber or terry cloth towels, our article will also help you decide whether other types of cotton towels might also serve your needs.

Rent Towels From Alsco Uniforms

Both terry cloth and microfiber towels can serve a business well. Many businesses benefit from having a mix of both types of towels, allowing them to best use the benefits of both materials. At the very least, a business will want to have a hypoallergenic option available for clients or employees who cannot use cotton-based towels.

If you'd like help equipping your company with towels, consider using Alsco Uniforms. Through our rental services, your company can obtain towels, washcloths, napkins and more. 

With over 130 years of experience, we at Alsco Uniforms deliver high-quality items to customers quickly and efficiently while staying green, with a sophisticated laundering system that cleans better with less chemical waste and water usage. We're happy to discuss how we can best fulfill your company's needs. Contact us today to learn more.

References

Cotton. WWF.

Our Manifesto. Better Cotton.

What Is Microfiber? (July ). The Spruce.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of microfiber terry stripe cloth. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

What is Terry Cloth? (Materials, Colors & Projects). (August ). Shannon Fabrics.

Benefits of Microfiber

We pride ourselves on commercial quality microfiber products at consumer friendly price points. Whether it's a light home application or national healthcare laundry, we have the product that will get the job done effectively. With hundreds of sku's and private label programs in place you will find a program of mops and cloths that will provide a cost effective solution.

It's better!

Microfiber strands are split or 'cracked' 10 times which creates a positive electric charge. The dirt and dust particles have a negative charge which makes them a perfect match ' one who's bond is super strong.

It's green!

Using Microfiber is the responsible thing to do for your business, employees, and the Earth. Because less chemicals need to be used in the average cleaning, there is less contaminated water entering the water stream. According to the EPA, this can result in up to a 95% reduction in cleaning chemicals in our water supply.  Also, because a soiled Microfiber mop is never returned to the cleaning solution it's a healthier and safer solution ' there is never cross-contamination or unnecessary contact with cleaning chemicals.

It's healthier!

According to the EPA, Microfiber leaves traditional mops in the dust when eliminating harmful bacteria. When bacteria culture is taken after cleaning with a Microfiber mop, there can be up to a 99% reduction from pre-cleaning vs. just a 33%reduction when using regular cotton mops.

It's safer!

Our Microfiber solutions greatly reduce inhaling and/or absorption  of toxic chemicals Can you believe that each year in the
United States, commercial structure managers spend as much on hazardous cleaning chemicals as is spent on over 1 million cars, or 100,000 houses?* Our cleaning solution significantly decrease this demand, which benefits everyone!

It's smart!

As if all the other benefits are not enough, Microfiber is a financial no-brainer!

Lower labor costs by 20%/day

Using Microfiber reduces fatigue while increasing square footage coverage and allows fewer trips to change water/solution. For example, in 1 year a hospital could see a 20% average custodial labor savings per day. When combined with the mop cost savings it can be more than $7,000 per year, per custodian!

Reduce mop costs by 60%  

Microfiber mops can be laundered up to 500 times. Compare that to the 55-100 times of regular mops. For example, in 1 year, a hospital could see a 60% reduction in mop costs. Plus, more mops fit in 1 load of laundry, lowering water, detergent, and energy usage.

Save 90-95% per day in product costs.

Because of Microfiber's increased efficiency and efficacy, you can experience water and chemical savings as much as 90%-95% per day, according to the EPA's statistics.

For more wholesale microfiber wet mopinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.