Guests always expected a clean environment when they entered a restaurant, stayed at a hotel, or visited the hospital. With the coronavirus around, customers expect more in terms of cleanliness and hygiene than ever before.

Stocking up your business with the right cleaning supplies is one way to make meeting these new expectations—not to mention CDC guidelines—a whole lot easier. A first step you can take is selecting the right cleaning towels for the job.

Below, we’ll introduce you to microfiber cleaning cloths and explore how they compare to the cotton cloths you’re likely already using.

What is a Microfiber Cleaning Cloth?

Microfiber is a synthetic material typically composed of polyester-polyamide. As a cleaning cloth, microfiber feels softer than cotton because of the fiber. The thinner the fibers, the more fibers that fit on a single microfiber cloth. The more fibers a cloth has the less detergent, cleaning solution, and chemicals you need for cleaning. Not only is that great for the environment, but it helps lower costs too. Even with less extra solution, you’ll still pick up more dust and dirt with each swipe.

Some other benefits of microfiber towels include:

• Highly absorbent
• Easy to dry
• Get into small spaces
• Attract dirt and dust
• Lint-free
• Durable and wrinkle-free
• Lightweight

What is a Cotton Cleaning Cloth?

Cotton cleaning cloths are widely used in homes and businesses across the United States. In contrast to microfiber, cotton is a natural material with large fibers. Because cotton is made only from organic materials, it’s highly absorbent and it takes longer to dry. Natural materials like cotton are also more likely to harvest bacteria and develop a foul odor or mildew. That’s why promptly washing and drying cotton cleaning cloths is key.

Businesses rely on cotton cleaning cloths because they’re easy to clean, affordable, and made from eco-friendly materials.

What is the Difference Between Microfiber and Cotton?

Microfiber is a synthetic material, while cotton is natural. That construction leads to vast differences between the two types of textiles. Below, we’ll compare microfiber vs cotton towels in depth so that you can better determine which material suits your business’ deep cleaning and sanitation needs best.

Cost: Cotton is Cheaper Upfront

Stocking up on microfiber cleaning cloths will initially cost more than cotton cleaning towels because cotton towels are significantly cheaper. How much you’ll save by choosing cotton over microfiber depends on the quality of the cotton or microfiber towels you want. Thicker cotton towels and microfiber cloths with the finest fibers cost the most.

When picking between the two, other costs you should consider include replacement frequency and cleaning solution. For example, you won’t need as much cleaning solution when using microfiber. Microfiber also lasts longer if you care for it properly.

Care: Cotton is Easier to Care For

Whether it’s sheets, uniforms, patient gowns, tablecloths, or bath towels, you likely already use a lot of cotton products in your business. You already know how to care for cotton, and you can wash all of these cotton fabrics together in the same load. Sticking with cotton for your cleaning towels keeps your cleaning process simple.

Microfiber has a charge, so if washed with other textiles, it will attract lint, dirt, and hair. That’s why microfiber cleaning cloths should be washed separately from all of your other laundry to keep them as effective and as clean as possible.

Longevity: Microfiber Cloths Last Longer

Microfiber cloths offer more durability than cotton cloths because cotton sheds lint, and microfiber doesn’t. Lint is fibers that shed off of a cleaning cloth during use and a wash and dry cycle. In time, cotton sheds enough lint that the cloths wear thin and develop holes. When that happens, you’ll need to replace your cotton towels.

Reusable microfiber cleaning towels don’t shed lint, so they last much longer. A study from The Journal of Hospital Infection compared the effectiveness of different microfiber towels. It found that after repeated washing, microfiber cloth performance improved. Many of the cloths tested still worked better than they did after the first wash.

Absorbency: Both are Highly Absorbent

Cotton and microfiber cleaning towels can both absorb many times their weight in water. Exactly how much depends on the quality of towels you choose.

With both, you can easily wipe up and remove spills from countertops, floors, and more. Cotton mop heads are recommended when you’re wiping up large amounts of liquid.

Effectiveness: Microfiber Cleans Many Surfaces Better

Microfiber has more surface area when compared to cotton. It’s a positively charged material too, so it picks up negatively charged particles like dirt, dust, grease, and other allergens that could trigger a guest’s allergies.

A study from the American Journal of Infection Control found that a microfiber mop sanitizes better  than cotton, even without using any disinfecting agents. Microfiber mop heads removed 95% of bacteria from surfaces while cotton mops plus a disinfectant only removed 68%. The study from the Journal of Hospital Infection also found that microfiber cloths effectively reduce levels of MRSA, E. coli, and C. difficile on surfaces.

Pairing a microfiber towel or mop head with a virus-killing cleaning agent will effectively trap and kill microorganisms too.

Trust Venus to Meet Your Cleaning Needs

Whether you need to restock your trusted cotton cleaning cloths and mop heads or want to try out microfiber towels, Venus Group manufactures the high-quality utility textiles your hospital, restaurant, or hotel needs. Choose from a variety of microfiber cleaning supplies and cotton towels that will help your business fulfill all deep cleaning and sanitation requirements. For questions or to request a quote, call us today at 800.421.6599 or email us at sales@venusgroup.com.