Greenspeed Whitepaper Microfibre

THE NAKED TRUTH ABOUT MICROFIBRE

A CLOSER LOOK AT MICROFIBRE

Microfibre is synthetic fibre with a linear density of less than 1 denier. (1 denier is 1 gram per 9 kilometres of strand.) This is 100 times thinner than a human hair.

In the professional cleaning market, a high quality microfibre consists of a nylon core surrounded by polyester fibre wedges. This is created in a process that melts polyester and polyamide (nylon) together in order to weave thin threads. These threads then undergo a unique splitting process.

The optimal splitting of microfibre creates a system of hollow tubes with capillary action. These hollow tubes or pinholes pick up dirt quickly and efficiently.

This gives the microfibre very high absorbency, higher than a conventional cotton cloth or mop.

HYGIENIC CLEANING WITH MICROFIBRE

A microfibre cloth cleans surfaces efficiently and hygienically. The microfibre’s capillary action ensures that the cloth absorbs microorganisms as well as visible dirt. A cotton or low-quality microfibre cloth spreads or moves the dirt on the surface rather than absorb it fully. As a result, more residue is left behind on the surface.

CONVENTIONAL FIBRE HIGH QUALITY MICROFIBRE

In order to clean hygienically, it is important to consider the following points.

USE THE FOLDING METHOD

Use the folding method. By using this folding method, you stop your hands from coming into contact with the soiled cloth, which avoids contamination of the surfaces.

Folding method: Fold the cloth in half 3 times (8 sections). Hold the cloth in your hand so that the folded edge is on the side of your thumb. Use the first section of the cloth to start cleaning. When the first cloth section is dirty, open the cloth and fold it again to reveal the second section. This ensures that you use the sections one by one and you use a new section when necessary. After using all sections, place the microfibre cloth into the laundry bag.

Image: folding instructions

Here we take a step-by-step look at how you can get started with the folding method. Once you have mastered this technique, it comes automatically and you can clean hygienically and efficiently.

SPRAY METHOD OR PRE-IMPREGNATION

To obtain optimal capillary action, it is important to use the spray method or pre-impregnation rather than the dipping method. A damp cloth will pick up and retain dirt best. If the cloth is completely wet, the hollow tubes will have already filled completely with water. This will make it difficult to absorb dirt and bacteria.

WASH REGULARLY AT 60°C

Change your microfibre cloth regularly and wash the microfibre cloth after use. This synthetic cloth can be machine washed at 60°C after use (and even up to 90°C for thermal disinfection), which releases the dirt and microorganisms. This makes the cloth hygienically clean again.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

SAVE WATER AND DETERGENT

Using microfibre allows you to clean in an ecological way. You save water and detergent.

The spray method in combination with microfibre products allows us to clean with 90% less water than with the dipping method.

LONG LIFE SPAN

High quality microfibre products also have an exceptionally long life span. The Original microfibre cloth can be washed at least 600 times. That is twice as often as the average microfibre cloth on the market.

With the right washing products and the right washing programme, the microfibre products can even be washed up to three times more often.

A+ SCORE MICROPLASTIC EMISSIONS

In 2018 Greenspeed participated in a study by Weber & Leucht to investigate the impact of microfibre products on microplastic emissions. Because a microfibre cloth is made of synthetic materials, very small particles of plastic may enter the environment during the washing process.

This study showed that Greenspeed microfibre cloths achieved an A+ score. This means that the fabrics cause virtually no microplastic emissions: 10 times less than the average knitted cloth on the market.

-> It is therefore important to use high quality microfibre products, as they cause minimal microplastic emissions during the washing process.

NORDIC SWAN ECOLABEL

Greenspeed introduced microfibre in the Benelux and was the first player on the professional cleaning market to achieve the Nordic Swan Ecolabel for its microfibre products. The Nordic Swan Ecolabel guarantees an environmentally responsible life cycle, the highest product quality and guaranteed efficiency in the field. The product’s entire life cycle is analysed.

Only a minimum of toxic ingredients can be used. For example, this means that no dyes with carcinogenic pigments and no environmentally harmful process chemicals can be used. During the production of raw materials and fibres, standards are also enforced to minimise the pollution of waste water and the emission of certain gases that would cause air pollution

IMPACT ON HEALTH

MINIMUM OF TOXIC INGREDIENTS

In addition to the impact on the environment, we also take a look at the health impact of a microfibre cloth.

By choosing Nordic Swan, EU Ecolabel or EUKO TEX-certified products, you can be sure that very few harmful substances have been used in the cloth itself or during its production.

ERGONOMICS

The development of Greenspeed microfibre products also takes into account ease of use A high-quality microfibre cloth enables you to clean in an ergonomic way. With the spray method and folding technique, you do not have to dip and wring, which can strain the wrists. The microfibre cloths are lightweight and easy to use. This makes cleaning faster and more convenient.

The PTC R03.036 report of the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) also showed that the Greenspeed Original microfibre cloth removes stains 3 times faster than a conventional cloth with detergent. Good capillary action ensures that you can pick up dirt quickly and reduces the need for scrubbing. This gives a clean and streak-free result, which then translates into satisfaction.

SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE PRODUCTION

Greenspeed also feels that the well-being of its employees during production is very important, and ensures that production always happens in a socially responsible manner. Our microfibre production meets the standards of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

ILO is a United Nations agency that specialises in labour standards. Enterprises and businesses are checked for compliance with various basic standards of behaviour. ILO’s guidelines have been developed in four categories: (1) freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining, (2) the elimination of forced or compulsory labour, (3) the abolition of child labour and (4) the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

Greenspeed also has the production sites audited in accordance with Sedex’s 4 pillars. This is a social audit of the working conditions to ensure that all employees can make microfibre products under healthy conditions.

QUALITY ASSURANCE

High cleaning power, high absorbency and a long life span are the three pillars that guarantee a good quality microfibre cloth. How can these pillars be tested?

1. CLEANING POWER

Cleaning power is about the speed and level of dirt absorption. This is expressed as a percentage of dirt absorption after repeated washing. The washing process must be carried out in accordance with DIN EN ISO 6330 at 60°C, which means the cloths are washed at least 50 times.

For Nordic Swan, high cleaning power means that the cloth must absorb at least 85% of dirt after it has been washed

The Greenspeed Original microfibre cloth even achieves a dirt absorption of 93-95%.

2. ABSORBENCY

Absorbency is determined by measuring the amount of water and dirt the cloth can absorb. This is tested in accordance with ISO 9073-12. For Nordic Swan, high absorbency means that the cloth must absorb at least 2.5 times its own weight. Greenspeed absorbs 6 times its own weight, rather than 2.5 times.

The speed with which the cloth absorbs the dirt is also excellent. For example, the Original cloth absorbs 4.2 cm of moisture in 30 seconds. In comparison, the average cloth absorbs 0.8 cm of moisture in that time.

3. LONG LIFE SPAN

A long life span is important for a reusable cloth.

The absorbency should not be drastically reduced as the number of washes goes up. The Greenspeed Original cloth lasts at least 600 washes without any drastic changes in absorbency. That is twice as long as the average microfibre cloth on the market.

The DIN EN 5077 test is also used for faster measurements. This test determines the percentage of dimensional change after 50 washes. For Nordic Swan, a long life span means that there can be no more than a 6% dimensional change. Greenspeed’s dimensional change score is less than half in this test: 2.5%.

The Greenspeed Original therefore did very well in the test. It maintains its shape after repeated washing.

THE DISTINCTIVE CAPABILITIES OF GREENSPEED

Do you want to find out how Greenspeed guarantees this high quality?

YEARS OF EXPERTISE

Greenspeed was the first to introduce the microfibre cloth in the Benelux.

Greenspeed has offered the high-quality Original microfibre cloth for more than 25 years, thanks to its many years of expertise in microfibre production and with constant quality control by a qualified laboratory and a well-organised quality system.

The production site also achieved ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. ISO 9001 is a standard that sets requirements for an organisation’s quality management system. ISO 14001 sets requirements for the environmental management system the organisation uses to develop and implement its environmental policy.

WEFT KNITTING

Greenspeed uses the weft knitting technique. This method achieves a far softer and stretchy fabric than warp knitting or woven fabrics. This makes the fabric convenient to use and most suitable for high-absorbency cleaning textiles.

OPTIMAL COMPOSITION AND SPLITTING

Greenspeed’s optimal composition of 80% polyester and 20% polyamide (nylon) and optimal 95-98% splitting process allows it to manufacture fine microfibres with excellent capillary action.

Splitting fibres is a difficult process. It must be well balanced with the necessary force (pressure and temperature). It requires the necessary expertise to determine the right conditions for perfect splitting. For example, a fibre can soon be subjected to too much splitting (+98%). This damages the fibre and the fabric will not retain its quality and shape. It is also possible that the fibre is not split, or is split insufficiently (-95%). This results in poor absorption and a stiff cloth. The desired thickness is checked regularly during production to ensure consistent quality. You can’t see this with the naked eye. It requires microscopic examination. Greenspeed fibres are extremely fine. They achieve values of 0.125 - 0.138 denier.

This ensures a high cleaning and absorbency level.

NO SPLITTING

OPTIMAL SPLITTING

TOO MUCH SPLITTING

EXCELLENT FINISH

Because weft knitting is used to make the cloths, they are very stretchy. As a result, a good edge finish is essential to prevent deformation during washing. Greenspeed uses its own method of wrapperTM binding for this purpose.

This technique gives the edges even more reinforcement. Then the edge is given an extra finish with a double overlock. This ensures that the cloth retains its shape and does not fray. This means that Greenspeed microfibre cloths have an exceptionally long life span.

SUMMARY

Greenspeed microfibre consists of a nylon core surrounded by polyester fibre wedges. The optimal splitting of Greenspeed microfibre creates a system of hollow tubes with optimal capillary action.

Capillary action ensures absorption of > 90% of dirt and 99.9% of microorganisms. (Note that this is not the same as disinfection)

Clean hygienically by using a damp cloth, the folding method and by washing the cloth frequently.

The Greenspeed Original cloth has a minimal impact on the environment: it has 90% less water consumption, it uses less detergent, it has a long life span, its microplastics emissions score is A+ and it is Nordic Swan certified.

The Greenspeed Original has a minimal impact on health: it uses minimal harmful substances, is easy to use and is manufactured according to ILO standards and Sedex’s 4 pillars.

Greenspeed microfibre products offer high cleaning power and high absorbency, and have a long life span.

Greenspeed makes a difference because of its many years of expertise, the optimal composition and splitting of its fibres, its weft knitting technique and its excellent cloth finish.