How can the water absorption and stain removal ability of Polyester Microfiber Fabric be enhanced?

Polyester itself is a hydrophobic material with poor natural water absorption. However, due to the extremely fine fiber diameter (usually between 0.5 and 1.0 denier), large specific surface area, and capillary effect of Polyester Microfiber Fabric, it has excellent water absorption and cleaning properties in its structure. However, in order to further enhance its water absorption and cleaning ability, several physical and chemical methods are often used to optimize and strengthen it.

1、 Enhance water absorption through fiber structure design
Island type composite spinning structure (Split Type Microfiber)
Polyester ultrafine fibers can be manufactured through the "sea island method" process to create fiber surfaces with grooves or porous structures, forming a large number of small gaps, thereby enhancing capillary forces, improving water absorption speed and water holding capacity.
Two component fiber structure (PET/PA composite fiber)
Common polyester/nylon (PET/PA) composite ultrafine fibers, in post-processing, peel off one of the components to form more microporous structures, which helps to quickly penetrate and absorb moisture.
Optimization of Fabric Texture Structure
If high-density knitting or weaving is used, increasing the contact surface and capillary channels between fibers can also help improve water absorption efficiency.
2、 Improving water absorption and stain removal performance through post-processing technology
Hydrophilic Finishing
The use of hydrophilic additives (such as polyether, anionic or nonionic surfactants) for dip rolling treatment of polyester ultrafine fibers changes the surface tension of the fibers, making them more easily wetted by water and significantly improving their water absorption.
Plasma treatment or corona treatment
Using physical methods to micro etch the surface of fibers, increasing surface roughness and the number of polar groups, thereby improving the adsorption capacity of fibers for water molecules.
Antistatic treatment
Static electricity can hinder the adsorption of dust or liquids by fibers. Adding anti-static agents can reduce the accumulation of static electricity, making it easier for fabrics to adsorb water molecules and particulate pollutants.
Special cleaning purposes after the three prevention measures have been organized
In some high-end cleaning cloths, polyester microfiber is treated with waterproof and non absorbent but oil absorbing properties (such as used for wiping precision electronic devices), and this reverse function is also an application form of stain removal ability.

Enzyme treatment (biological finishing)
Although mainly used for natural fibers, certain novel biological enzymes can also be used to improve the surface properties of polyester fibers, enhancing their hydrophilicity and softness.
3、 Optimize cleaning effectiveness through usage methods
Dual use characteristics of dry and wet
Polyester microfiber cloth can be used for both dry and wet wiping, with strong water absorption during wet wiping, suitable for removing grease and water stains; Low static electricity during dry wiping, suitable for removing dust and fingerprints.
Repeated cleaning does not affect performance
Compared to ordinary cotton fabric, polyester microfiber cleaning cloth can be washed repeatedly without deformation or shedding, and can still maintain good stain removal ability after multiple washes.
4、 Examples of application scenarios
Glasses cloth and screen cleaning cloth: Utilizing their delicate fibers and strong cleaning ability, they easily remove dust, fingerprints, and oil stains;
Car beauty cleaning cloth: combined with hydrophilic/hydrophobic finishing, can be used for body waxing, glass cleaning, interior dust removal;
Kitchen cleaning wipes: highly efficient in absorbing water and removing oil stains, suitable for wiping range hoods, stoves, and tableware;
Medical wiping cloth: dust-free, low fluff, suitable for use in clean room environments.

Although polyester itself is a hydrophobic material, the water absorption and stain removal ability of Polyester Microfiber Fabric can be effectively enhanced through fiber structure innovation, post-treatment technology, and reasonable use. It not only rivals or even surpasses the performance of natural fibers such as cotton in the cleaning field, but also has advantages such as wear resistance, fast drying, durability, and resistance to bacterial growth. Therefore, it is widely used in high-end cleaning products, home textiles, and industrial wiping fields.