Microfibre vs Cotton: The Science Behind Better Cleaning

Cotton has been humanity’s go-to cloth for centuries. Microfibre, by contrast, is a relatively recent invention, introduced at scale in the 1990s. Both fabrics clean, but they do it in fundamentally different ways. Understanding the science behind them reveals where each shine, and where one outperforms the other.

Here we will compare the fundamental differences by breaking down the properties which set these two apart.

Fibre Structure: Smooth vs. Split Fibres

Cotton fibres are constructed from natural cellulose strands; these typically are 15-20 microns thick. They’re smooth, round and absorbent. Cotton relies heavily on water dense environments and with current processes evolving pesticides are becoming increasingly popular.

Microfibre is man-made, it is constructed of polyester and polyamide, these will vary in their content of each. The most common ratio is 80% polyester to 20% polyamide, and 70% polyester to 30% polyamide. Sometimes it is possible to see cheaper microfibre manufactured with an 88/12 ratio. It is rare to see microfibre with a higher polyamide content than 30%, however not impossible!

During production of microfibre, polyester and polyamide pellets are melted down together and carefully split into strands finer than human hair, typically less than 10 microns thick per fibre.

When these fibres are split, it is increasing the overall surface area and microscopically hooking and lifting particles on a surface which smooth filaments like cotton would glide over. 

Absorption: Internal vs. Capillary

Given the organic nature of cotton, any liquid it absorbs is drawn into the cellulose fibres themselves. This is known as internal absorption, and it has a few implications:

• Once liquid enters the fibre, it's difficult to remove. The cellulose has hydroxyl (-OH) groups that form hydrogen bonds with water molecules, allowing cotton to become heavily saturated and significantly increase in weight.
• Substances such as oils, food residues, and bacteria can also become trapped inside the fibre matrix.
• Over time, this leads to odour retention and a decline in the cloth's cleaning performance, as absorbed material is not easily released during washing.

Microfibre behaves differently. Its absorbency relies on capillary action, not internal absorption. The spaces between the ultra-fine split filaments pull liquid into the network of fibres, rather than into the fibre itself.

• This allows a quality microfibre cloth to hold up to seven times its own weight in water, depending on the fibre blend and GSM — with high-pile or Korean microfibres reaching as much as eight to ten times under ideal conditions.
• Because the liquid sits between fibres, not within them, it can be released more easily when wrung or washed, and the cloth dries much faster than cotton.
• This mechanism also enables microfibre to handle both water-based and oil-based residues, as the combination of polyester (hydrophobic) and polyamide (hydrophilic) filaments draws in different types of liquids effectively.
• When combined with a pH neutral microfibre wash the longevity of your cloth can be enhanced and you can typically make your cloth last much longer. 
  
  

Cleaning Mechanism: Wiping vs Lifting

Cotton cleans mainly through surface contact and absorption. Its round, relatively smooth fibres have limited points of friction, so while it can soak up moisture effectively, it tends to push debris and oils across a surface rather than lift them. When viewed microscopically, cotton’s larger fibre diameter means fewer fibres per square inch of fabric, resulting in lower total surface area and less ability to capture fine contaminants.

Microfibre works on a completely different principle. Each filament is split during manufacturing, forming wedge-shaped fibres that create thousands of microscopic edges. These edges act as tiny “squeegees,” cutting through surface films and lifting particles into the voids between fibres. The inter-fibre spaces trap dust, oils, and residues through a combination of mechanical entrapment, capillary attraction, and Van der Waals forces; weak molecular forces that allow the fibre surfaces to hold fine particles.

Additionally, the polyester component of microfibre carries a slight electrostatic charge, which attracts negatively charged dust and dirt, while the polyamide component contributes hydrophilicity, enabling it to draw in water-based contaminants. Together, this creates a dual-action effect, static attraction and capillary absorption, that allows microfibre to remove contaminants down to the micron level, far beyond what cotton can achieve.

These mechanical and electrostatic effects explain why microfibre can remove contaminants far more effectively than cotton, not just liquids or visible dust, but microscopic particles and residues that ordinary fibres fail to capture. This efficiency also has important implications for hygiene: by lifting and trapping contaminants instead of simply moving them, microfibre significantly reduces what’s left behind on the surface.

Hygiene: Removal vs Growth

A lot of people don’t realise how differently cotton and microfibre behave after cleaning, especially when it comes to bacteria and smell.

Cotton, being an organic fibre, holds water deep inside each strand. Those inner spaces stay damp for a long time, and when you combine moisture, warmth, and the odd trace of dirt or food, it’s the perfect environment for bacteria to grow. Once that happens, it’s hard to fully wash out as the cellulose fibres can hold onto residues and even build up biofilms over time. That’s why old cotton cloths often start to smell or feel a bit “off,” even when they look clean.

Microfibre doesn’t work like that. Because it’s synthetic and doesn’t absorb water into the fibre itself, it dries quickly and doesn’t give bacteria much of a place to live, while still possible it’s not as common. The structure of microfibre also helps it stay cleaner between washes. Those tiny split filaments grab and trap particles, including bacteria, pulling them away from the surface. In published tests, quality microfibre has been shown to remove up to 99% of surface bacteria using just water. No chemicals required.

It’s worth noting though, microfibre isn’t antimicrobial by itself. It doesn’t kill bacteria; it just removes them far more effectively than cotton. Regular washing with a pH-neutral detergent, free from fabric softeners and proper drying is enough to keep it hygienic. Do that, and a good cloth will stay fresh and keep performing for hundreds of cycles.

We spent years testing the microfibre washes on the market before formulating our own Microfibre Wash. Our research showed that most of the available products had a more alkaline pH. While that can deliver a stronger clean initially, sustained use causes the fibres to degrade more quickly, meaning you’ll be replacing your cloths sooner than you should. Our formula was developed to clean thoroughly while preserving the fibre structure, helping your microfibre last longer and perform like new.

Durability: Cycles & Care

Cotton and microfibre age very differently. Cotton fibres weaken over time because of their organic structure, the cellulose swells each time it gets wet, and repeated expansion and contraction eventually cause the fibres to fray and lose strength. High temperatures, harsh detergents, and oxidation from bleach accelerate that process. After enough wash cycles, cotton starts to thin out, lose absorbency, and tear more easily.

Microfibre, being a synthetic material, behaves almost opposite. The polyester and polyamide filaments don’t swell when exposed to water, and if cared for properly, they can withstand hundreds of wash cycles without significant loss of performance. The main threats to microfibre aren’t wear and tear from use, but improper washing and drying, high heat can melt or fuse the split ends, while fabric softeners and alkaline detergents coat the fibres, blocking the very splits that make them so effective. Once that happens, you’ll notice the cloth feels smoother and doesn’t grab dirt the way it used to.

In our own internal testing, quality cloths maintained their cleaning efficiency well past 500 wash cycles when laundered correctly. The difference between a cloth that lasts a few months and one that lasts several years almost always comes down to care, not quality. A consistent wash routine using a pH-neutral microfibre detergent and low-heat drying helps preserve fibre flexibility and keeps your cloths performing like new.

Environmental Impact

When it comes to sustainability, both cotton and microfibre have environmental trade-offs, they just occur at different stages of each material’s life.

Cotton is a natural, renewable fibre, but its environmental footprint comes mainly from production. Conventional cotton farming requires large amounts of water, fertiliser, and pesticides. It’s estimated that producing just one kilogram of cotton can use over 10,000 litres of water, depending on where it’s grown. Organic cotton reduces the chemical load but still demands significant land and irrigation resources. On the positive side, cotton is biodegradable and breaks down naturally at the end of its life cycle.

Microfibre is a synthetic material, made by extruding polyester and polyamide, both derived from petrochemicals. Manufacturing uses less water and land than cotton, but it’s not renewable or biodegradable. That said, the technology surrounding synthetic fibre sustainability has evolved rapidly in recent years. New methods are emerging to recycle microfibre and polyester textiles, converting them back into usable polymer chips for re-extrusion. Mechanical recycling is already possible for clean post-industrial waste, while chemical depolymerisation processes, can break polyester down to its base monomers and rebuild it into new fibre without loss of quality. Although large-scale textile recycling is still developing, these innovations show real promise in reducing the long-term footprint of synthetic materials.

The other side of the equation is longevity. A well-made microfibre cloth can last several years and replace dozens of disposable cotton or paper alternatives. When cared for properly, the extended lifespan can offset much of its higher production impact.

In short, cotton is kinder to the environment at the end of its life, while microfibre tends to have a lighter impact during use due to its durability and lower resource requirements per clean. Neither option is perfect, but ongoing advances in fibre recycling and better care habits are helping to close the loop and make microfibre a more sustainable choice over time.

Conclusion: Choosing What Works Best

Cotton and microfibre both have a place in cleaning; they simply perform in different ways. Cotton excels at soaking up large amounts of liquid and remains a reliable, natural option for general household use. Microfibre, however, delivers precision. Its split-fibre construction, electrostatic charge, and capillary action make it far more effective at lifting dirt, oils, and bacteria from surfaces without relying on chemicals.

From a durability standpoint, microfibre clearly lasts longer when cared for correctly, giving it a lighter environmental impact over time despite being synthetic. And with advances in fibre recycling and lower-impact manufacturing, its sustainability story is improving every year.

At the end of the day, the best cloth is the one suited to the job, and the one that’s looked after properly. Using a pH-neutral microfibre wash and following correct care practices keeps your cloths working efficiently and extends their lifespan, saving you money and reducing waste.