PR Microfiber Fabric is a type of synthetic fibre that is typically made from polyester and polyamide, but can also be made from other materials. It is often used for its impressive cleaning and absorbency properties, and can be found in a variety of clothing, sportswear, home textiles, and cleaning products.
Microfibres are incredibly small fragments of fibres that can be released from fabrics during domestic laundering and, as such, are considered to be a significant contributor to marine plastic pollution (Carney Almroth et al. 2022). Due to their small size, they can be readily ingested by marine organisms, and may accumulate in the food chain.
In addition to their environmental impacts, microfibres can cause physical damage to textile machinery and equipment. They can clog and block drains, and can also lead to excessive wear on machine parts. This can result in costly repairs and downtime for the production process.
In order to avoid these issues, manufacturers should ensure that their fabric suppliers use low-lint, high-quality microfibers. This will help to minimise the risk of premature degradation and ensure that their fabric is in good condition after repeated washes.
As with any textile material, it is important to test the performance of your PR Microfiber Fabrics in a laboratory environment before incorporating them into your production line. Laboratory tests are performed using a range of different washing conditions, including temperature, duration, and agitation level. These tests are designed to mimic the conditions of a normal washing cycle in a commercial or residential washing machine, and can be used to predict the level of microfibre release from a specific fabric sample.
The most commonly used testing methods measure the total number of microfibres released from a sample during a set washing cycle. These values are then converted to a mass-based indicator of the total quantity of microfibres that are potentially released during a full wash cycle. However, a number of variables can influence the quantity of microfibres that are released from a particular fabric, and estimates of this total can vary significantly.
One of the most influential factors is agitation level, as increased agitation is likely to disturb the surface of the fabric and liberate any loose fibres held within the fabric and yarn structure (Kelly et al. 2019). The level of agitation can be controlled and monitored to achieve desired results.
When laundering your custom-printed microfiber cloths, it is recommended to follow the care tag instructions, which should include a mild detergent with no fabric softener added. Fabric softener can coat the threads of the microfiber, thereby eliminating the absorbency and causing them to shed and leave lint behind when cleaned.