Fibers are considered to be substances that can be both natural and man-made. These are long and very lean yarns that are spun together to make clothes and other objects.
Microfibers and Polycotton are also two types of fibers that are used to make clothes and other significant stuff.
Key Takeaways
- Microfiber is a synthetic fabric made from ultra-fine fibers, while polycotton is a blend of natural cotton and synthetic polyester.
- Microfiber is more absorbent and dries faster than polycotton, making it suitable for cleaning and sports apparel.
- Polycotton is more breathable and comfortable than microfiber, making it ideal for everyday clothing and bedding.
Microfiber vs Polycotton
Microfiber is a synthetic material made from a blend of polyester and polyamide, Microfiber is more durable and absorbent, and it dries faster than cotton. While polycotton is a blend of polyester and cotton. Polycotton is more breathable and easier to handle.
Microfiber is known to be synthetic fibers that are composed of polyamides and polyester with a diameter of up to 10 micrometers. Microfibers are a great absorbent of moisture and feel porous.
That is the main reason they are used to make mats, towels, weaves, knits, etc. Also, there are multiple types of microfiber are available based on weight.
Polycotton is the name given to a type of cloth. Polycotton is made of 35% Polyester and 65% cotton and that’s how it got its name that is poly+cotton. It also consists of synthetic fibers.
Polycotton does not shrink easily and that’s why it doesn’t need frequent ironing. It has both a soft and crispy texture.
Comparison Table
| Parameters Of Comparison | Microfiber | Polycotton |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Microfibers are known to be completely synthetic fibers because no other natural materials are used. | Polycotton fibers are known to be semi-synthetic because they are composed of Polyester and Cotton. |
| Etymology | As the name suggests, microfibers’ name is derived from the minimum size of the fibers they’re made of. | As the name suggests, Polycotton’s name means the composition of Polyester and Cotton in a particular percentage. |
| Appearance | Microfibers look rough and mushy. Most of the time they can even resemble a sponge-like appearance. | Polycotton is a mixture of Polyester and Cotton and it looks shiny and slippery giving the texture of both. |
| Benefits | Microfibers are environmentally friendly, safe, and very easy to clean because they use fewer chemicals or water. | Polycotton is wrinkle-free, does not require frequent cleaning, easy to maintain, and doesn’t absorb dust particles. |
| Uses | Microfibers are commonly used to make clothes that are required on the cleaning procedure due to their structure. | Polycotton is used to make bedsheets, quilts, shirts (all types of dresses), cushion covers, etc. |
What is Microfiber?
Microfibre is a man-made fiber having a linear density of less than one denier, where denier is a unit to measure the linear density of fibers. Microfibres are composed of polyamides and polypropylene.
With the dawn of the 21st century, microfibres gained much recognition across the world. Microfibres started to replace other fabrics as a raw material for making several textile products.
They are used to make various textile products. To epitome, knits weave, mats, and towels are largely produced from microfibers.
The physical features including the shape, size, hardness, and softness of these fibers can be altered according to their use as products.
Microfibers are also being used to make clothes for athletes like marathon runners and cyclists, due to their properties to absorb moisture and make the wearer feel cool.
Based on altered hardness or softness of fabrics, these can be mended into jackets, skirts, bathrobes, swim trunks, etc. These are also used as a substitute for leather to make various products such as handbags, wallets, shoes, phone cases, and many more.
On the other hand, microfibres on being burnt release toxic gases in the atmosphere causing air pollution. In addition, on washing, microfibers also release components which on mixing with water contaminate it.
Hence, microfiber is a good source for making a variety of products but it also has several drawbacks.
What is Polycotton?
Polycotton is a type of semi-synthetic fiber obtained by fusing polyester with cotton. The proportion of these components is not stable, however, it varies with the formation of the product.
Generally, it is nearly 65% cotton and about 35% polyester. The need to make a fabric inexpensive and softer than cotton yet giving the feel of cotton led to the devising of Polycotton. Unlike cotton, Polycotton is water-resistant.
It absorbs moisture and dries quickly. Polycotton is more durable and strong which makes it averse to tearing. It does not shrink on washing like other cotton clothes. It does not stick to the skin due to the breathability of the cotton.
It is used to make upholstery including cushion covers, quilts, and bedsheets.
Polycotton is widely used to make a variety of clothing like scarves, skirts, shirts, and many dresses. It is resistant to wrinkles, which makes it an ideal clothing fabric and one does not have to iron it every time before wearing it.
Furthermore, there are also several disadvantages of polycotton.
It is not suitable to wear poly-cotton clothes in hot weather. It can also cause irritation or allergies to those with sensitive skin. It readily attracts dust which makes it look filthy.
Overall, polycotton is a semi-natural replacement for cotton with several merits as well as demerits.
Main Differences Between Microfiber and Polycotton
- The breathability of clothes made of microfibers is quite high. On the other hand, Polycotton has less breathability compared to microfiber.
- Microfibers do not last for a very long time, hence, it is not wrong to say they’re less durable. While Polycotton is very durable.
- Microfibers are softer to touch and are more delicate than other types of fibers. On the other hand, Polycotton is hard and inflexible.
- Microfibers are known to be very suitable for water or moisture absorption. While Polycotton works as a repellent of water and does not absorb moisture.
- The typical use of microfibers is for making cleaning products and warm small clothes like a scarf. While Polycotton is used for several things including fashion.
Last Updated : 13 July, 2023
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
