Is Polyester Microfiber?

Is Polyester Microfiber?
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Well, the short answer to the question “Is polyester microfiber?” is no, polyester is not microfiber. And, as many would think, they are entirely different fabrics.

However, the words from experts are that polyester and microfiber have so many similarities, so it will be right to say that they are more similar than different.

Is Polyester Microfiber

In this guide that is centered on the question “Is polyester microfiber?” you will get the right explanation for the answer to the above question.

Furthermore, not only will you get important details on the similarities between polyester and microfiber, but most importantly, you will also get to know and understand their differences.

So, ride with me on this till the end. Read through to get all the information you need on polyester and microfiber.

What Is Polyester Fabric?

So, let me start by briefly talking about what polyester fabric is. Polyester is something you see almost, if not all the time, on the tags of your pillow covers, bed sheets, and clothes, making you wonder what polyester is precisely.

The simple answer to this is that polyester fabric is a synthetic fabric that is manufactured using chemicals derived from coal, petroleum, and other fossil fuels.

Polyester is used to make a variety of products that range from carpets to apparel to fishing nets and so on.

Despite the fact that it is widely used in the clothing industry, which is why it was invented in the first place.

Polyester is also widely used for home furnishings, mainly for blankets and bed sheets.

And, thanks to the fact that it is very affordable to make and it is also long-lasting, which to a great degree boosts its popularity.

Polyester is resistant to wrinkling and also to tear which also goes the same with items made with polyester.

It is also easy to clean polyester, which also goes the same with getting stains off polyester. However, polyester is not the most breathable fabric, so to add more comfort, it is commonly mixed with other fabrics such as cotton.

What Is Microfiber?

Microfiber is an outgrowth of polyester. And, in that sense, it is also a synthetic fabric that is just like polyester.

It is created by the process of mixing polyester with similar synthetics such as polyamides, let’s say nylon.

With this, you would be right to consider microfiber the upgraded form of polyester.

And, in comparison, microfiber has more solidity and a richer surface and quality compared to polyester, which in turn makes microfiber cozier, more convenient, and more absorbent.

The term “microfiber” originated from the fact that the fiber is created to be thinner compared to regular polyester fibers.

In general, microfiber is made through the process of mixing polyester with nylon to produce a material that is more absorbent and breathable.

Microfiber is used for so many things. It is also used for apparel as it is frequently used to make athletic wear thanks to the fact that it is highly absorbent, which in turn keeps the body dry.

The high absorption rate feature of microfiber helps keep the body dry by absorbing sweat during exhausting physical activities.

And, thanks to this feature, it is also used to make wipe cloths, mops, towels, and beddings like sheets, comforters, blankets, weighted blankets, and duvets.

Pros and Cons of Polyester

Although polyester is a widely and commonly used fabric, it is not perfect. It has its pros and cons, and some of them will be listed here.

Talking about pros, polyester is resistant to staining, wrinkles, and shrinkage. And it also has the ability to quick-dry moisture.

Polyester is an excellent choice of fabric for clothing that is intended for frequent wear and tear.

Nonetheless, as said earlier, polyester is not perfect. It also has its own cons, which are its disadvantages.

They include: it is synthetic, which means it is man-made, although this is not too much of a disadvantage.

Compared to microfiber, it is less breathable and, thanks to the fact that it was made by chemicals, it is to some degree flammable.

Polyester cannot withstand high heat and it is not as soft as other fabrics. Some people might prefer natural fibers such as silk, linen, or cotton to polyester, which is a synthetic fiber.

The Pros and Cons of Microfiber

Since microfiber is just the upgraded version of polyester, many of the pros of polyester have reference to it.

Microfiber, just like polyester, is also long-lasting and quite affordable. Below, there will also be an addition to its pros.

Microfiber is absorbent; it is soft, warm, and easy to clean. As explained above, microfiber is an excellent choice of fabric for towels and other clothes thanks to the fact that it is an excellent absorbent of moisture, which polyester isn’t.

However, it also has its own cons, some of which are also similar to those of polyester.

Just like polyester, microfiber cannot withstand high heat, for sure, and it is also a synthetic fabric.

So, if you are a great lover of fabric, microfiber is also not a great choice of fabric for you. Some of its cons will be below.

In comparison with polyester, microfiber wrinkles more easily. It can also shrink, which is quite the opposite of polyester, and it contains more fragile fibers.

This means that to not shrink your microfiber, you have to be extra careful when you are washing and drying it.

The Main Differences Between Polyester and Microfiber

After dealing with the brief explanation of what polyester and microfiber are and also their pros and cons, it will be right to also discuss their main differences since it is said that they are more similar than different, although they are still different from each other.

  • Polyester is gotten from petroleum products, while microfiber is gotten from a combination of polyester and nylon.
  • Polyester is mostly suited for fashion, while, on the other hand, microfiber is commonly used for household accessories.
  • Microfiber is soft and warm, which is quite the opposite of polyester. However, polyester can withstand water, but microfiber absorbs water and does it effectively.
  • And lastly, on the main differences between polyester and microfiber, in comparison with microfiber, polyester is more rigid.

Final Thoughts: Is Polyester Microfiber?

With the help of this guide, I’m sure you can now distinguish between polyester and microfiber, so you should go for the one you want based on your preference, needs, or wants.

Both polyester and microfiber are extensively used in the textile world, and they are both very affordable and long-lasting.

I’m sure you are now certain of the fact that polyester is not microfiber, which answers the question “Is polyester microfiber?” Although they are very similar, they are still not the same.

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