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I found this site Microfiberplus to be very informative. I had bought the only microfiber towel at a local Checker's, but once I read some info on this site, I'm sorry I bought the other kind. The most important issue that I saw was the towel content, in other words, what it was made of.
The towel I bought was made in Korea and didn't even list what they used. In fact, it was pretty vague. However, this site seems to have it together and their prices are well within the competitive range. They even offer embroided monograms! Anyway, here's a few paragraphs from their 'scientific' summary of the better towels out there.
Microfiber is not a fabric, it is a yarn, spun into thread, that is used to weave or knit fabric. Most common microfibers are polyester and will indeed scratch the surface of your car if you aren't careful. You should, as a rule, avoid any cloth material that is not 100% natural. Stay away from polyester, rayon, nylon, and the like.
By definition, microfibers are ultra-fine yarns made from various sources. They can be polyester, nylon, or a natural material such as cellulose. Microfiber is two times finer than silk and nearly one hundred times finer than human hair. In fact, many microfiber yarns are so fine that a strand stretching 25,000 miles around the earth will only weigh a few pounds.
One more thing: I hand washed my towels, even though they say it is machine washable. I also let it hang dry naturally instead of using the dryer. The Brits in the UK like to hang dry their clothes because they say it makes the fabric last longer, and they have been around a lot longer than us Yanks. The other tip is to wash the towel before its first use. After my wash, the towel does seem softer and easier to handle. I didn't use any soap. Just hot water, let it soak, then wring it and let it hang.
The towel I bought was made in Korea and didn't even list what they used. In fact, it was pretty vague. However, this site seems to have it together and their prices are well within the competitive range. They even offer embroided monograms! Anyway, here's a few paragraphs from their 'scientific' summary of the better towels out there.
Microfiber is not a fabric, it is a yarn, spun into thread, that is used to weave or knit fabric. Most common microfibers are polyester and will indeed scratch the surface of your car if you aren't careful. You should, as a rule, avoid any cloth material that is not 100% natural. Stay away from polyester, rayon, nylon, and the like.
By definition, microfibers are ultra-fine yarns made from various sources. They can be polyester, nylon, or a natural material such as cellulose. Microfiber is two times finer than silk and nearly one hundred times finer than human hair. In fact, many microfiber yarns are so fine that a strand stretching 25,000 miles around the earth will only weigh a few pounds.
One more thing: I hand washed my towels, even though they say it is machine washable. I also let it hang dry naturally instead of using the dryer. The Brits in the UK like to hang dry their clothes because they say it makes the fabric last longer, and they have been around a lot longer than us Yanks. The other tip is to wash the towel before its first use. After my wash, the towel does seem softer and easier to handle. I didn't use any soap. Just hot water, let it soak, then wring it and let it hang.