Quality vs. GSM/Blend/Density: What Really Matters in Microfiber Towels

There's a lot of confusion (and misinformation) about the quality of microfiber towels. What makes a microfiber "quality" or "premium"?

• What is the GSM (grammage)?
• Is the blend (70/30, 80/20, 100% polyester)?
• Is it density or softness?

Many retailers and detailing product suppliers confuse GSM (weight), blend (composition), and/or density (handfeel) with towel quality. While all of these factors play a role in overall product quality, none of them exactly equate to towel "quality."

High numbers do not always mean better quality

It's easy to think that higher-numbered specs indicate higher quality, but that's not the case:

• A higher GSM does not always mean higher quality.
• A higher proportion of polyamide to polyester does not always mean higher quality.
• Higher density (and/or softness to the touch) does not always mean higher quality.

The secret is in the quality of the thread

There's something more fundamental than all these specifications: the quality and fineness of the thread. There are different grades of microfiber thread. When the manufacturer designs a product, they can choose a thread specification that will produce a specific result.

For example, products like Mr. Everything and Korean Plush (by Autofiber ) have been developed with a special ultra-fine, low-denier (extra thin) yarn that won't scratch even the most delicate surfaces. The yarn used in glass towels is different from that used in drying towels.

Design and construction: key quality factors

Other factors in a towel's " quality ," aside from yarn quality, include design and construction. The first step in creating a new towel is design, and the last step is construction (the cutting and sewing of the final product).

The design of most towels, beyond choosing the yarn and the type of machine on which the material is woven, is simple. Determining factors for the design of a microfiber towel are size, weight, color, and edging type.

But wait! GSM, mix, and density DO matter.

GSM does matter

Towels with a higher GSM absorb more and, all else being equal, are thicker. They use more microfiber and tend to be more expensive. But they may be made with low-quality yarn and poorly constructed.

The mix does matter

All else being equal, a higher proportion of polyamide is "higher quality." Polyamide is more expensive than polyester and more absorbent. But beware, 70/30 pads aren't always safe for paint. They may be made with low-quality yarn, poor construction, and are often mislabeled by the factory or distributor.

Density does matter

Higher-density towels feel more impressive to the touch, but that doesn't mean they're always the right towel for the job. High-density towels can create more friction when cleaning wet surfaces and are more likely to shed lint (especially on glass). We make some lower-density towels (Mr. Everything and F-Lint) that are made with premium, ultra-fine yarn.

The conclusion

There's more to a towel than just the common specifications they're marked with. You can't tell the quality of a towel just by touching it. The quality of a towel should be judged by its usefulness for the task at hand.

The next time you're shopping for microfiber towels for car detailing, remember that high specifications don't tell the whole story. Consider what you'll be using the towel for and look for products made with quality yarns and good construction suitable for that specific task.