Bed linen is an essential item for any normal person. Sets made from natural fabrics are considered to be the best, but they cost accordingly. However, there are other materials that can compete with natural materials without breaking the bank. One such material is microfiber, which combines high performance with affordability.
What kind of fabric is this? It consists of the finest fibers, only 0.06 microns in diameter, which is even thinner than a human hair. There can be up to 150 such fibers in one thread of fabric. The meticulous Japanese invented the material back in the 70s of the last century, but then there were no enterprising manufacturers and the invention could not be appreciated. But in the late 80s they remembered microfiber, and since then it has been triumphantly marching across all countries. Microfiber is also used as upholstery fabric.
Advantages and disadvantages
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Microfiber bedding is very popular. The undeniable advantages are favorable price and long service life. In terms of properties, the fabric is not only not inferior to natural materials, but even surpasses them.
pros
- the structure of artificial fiber does not allow microorganisms and dust to settle, so the fabric is good even for allergy sufferers,
- The fabric is soft to the touch and has a silky, smooth surface,
- the fabric hardly wrinkles, no need to waste time on ironing,
- cooling effect is an indispensable property in hot weather,
- dries quickly,
- the cost is lower than that of natural linen, making microfiber affordable.
Minuses
- the fabric cannot be washed in hot water and dried at high temperatures,
- the fiber structure not only helps retain moisture, but also accumulates fat, losing performance,
- the fabric “sparkles”, that is, it is very static,
- generally a short service life.
Claims made against microfiber bed linen should mainly be attributed to the dishonesty of a dishonest manufacturer.
If the underwear you just bought fades, stains your skin and has a persistent chemical smell, it is better to protect your precious health and get rid of the fake.
History and production
Microfiber production technology was developed in 1976 in Japan, although the finest fibers have been produced since 1950. The fabric is made from polymers, including polyester and polyamide. Synthetic threads are made so thin that the weight of hundreds of thousands of meters of fiber does not exceed 6 grams.
To create high quality thread, great precision and special equipment are required. They use extruders - machines for softening and shaping polymers and other materials.
Before making fabric, polyamide threads are shaped into a star - a double thread is obtained. The workpiece is dipped into polyester, which has been heat-treated and therefore melted, and then passed through filters. The thread is cooled and the polyester is separated from the warp, and then microfiber is produced. After all processing procedures, microscopic gaps are formed on the fibers, which allow them to absorb large amounts of moisture.
The result is a durable and reliable fabric that can be dyed in any color, washed, and used to create a variety of things - from wardrobe items to home textiles.
Recommendations for selection
When choosing microfiber bedding, you need to pay attention to the composition of the fabric: cotton, polyamide, 100% polyester.
Artificial fabric is cheaper and less durable than natural cotton. Over time, it can shed and cause allergies in very sensitive people.
Before purchasing, you must carefully study the packaging, find information about the manufacturer and the product.
Do not buy the product even at a very attractive price. If you do not find the manufacturer's contacts on the label, the composition of the material and the dimensions of the kit.
To get pleasure and satisfaction from quality microfiber bedding, choose sets from trusted manufacturers.
What kind of fabric is Microfiber?
Microfiber consists of very thin, polyester or polyamide polymer fibers. The fabric got its name because of the thickness of the threads - no more than 0.06 microns. The process of its production is high-tech and complex. Its essence is in softening materials, pushing the mass through a tool with a cross-section according to the configuration of the thread.
The method for producing microfiber is based on twisting a double thread, similar to a polyamide star and polyester along the outer contour. During the process, the double thread is cooled with water. This gives a separation into two parts with a high micro-gap area. Therefore, the fabric becomes moisture- and odor-absorbent.
The types of microfiber are different, but all types of this fabric share common qualities:
- “breathable” effect – they calmly allow sweat and unpleasant “odors” to pass through;
- Due to silver ions in its composition, the fabric is antiseptic.
- It has good hygroscopicity and breathability.
- The fabric is light, soft to the touch, durable, and comes in a variety of colors.
- noble appearance, velvet effect, often with a melange tint.
- simple rules for caring for her.
Proper care
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Microfiber bedding is easy to use.
It is washed at water temperatures up to 60 degrees , do not use bleaches and conditioners, since they are retained in the micropores of the fabric.
Microfiber dries very quickly , but if you use a hot iron or radiator for this purpose, the fabric quickly loses its consumer characteristics.
It is not recommended to use strong detergents or solvents to remove stains.
Characteristics of microfiber bed linen
Bedding sets made from this material can be considered a novelty and even slightly exotic. The fabric is very light, comfortable, dyes well - you can choose linen for almost any interior. Among the advantages of microfiber are:
- affordable price - completely synthetic fabric is much cheaper than natural options made of cotton and silk;
- dimensional stability - the material does not shrink after washing, does not stretch after prolonged use;
- hygroscopicity - due to the porous structure of the fibers, the fabric absorbs moisture and removes it from the body, and then evaporates the water;
- unpretentiousness - microfiber is very easy to care for, all dirt can be easily washed off, and the fabric dries instantly;
- safety - the synthetic composition of the fabric prevents the appearance of fungi, microorganisms and pests, so such bedding sets are suitable for use in the country, as well as in rooms with high humidity;
- the linen practically does not wrinkle and does not require additional smoothing;
- the fabric resists tearing, tightening, snagging, and does not form pellets on the surface;
- microfiber perfectly retains color, does not fade, does not fade in the sun and does not fade over time.
There are also several disadvantages:
- the material should be protected from exposure to high temperatures (heaters, boiling water, sources of open fire) so that the fibers do not deform;
- it is necessary to carefully consider the selection of temperature conditions during washing and ironing of products;
- Over time, fat accumulates in the micropores of the fabric, and microfiber wears out relatively quickly (lasts up to five years).
Where can I buy
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Surprisingly, microfiber is offered not only by foreign, but also by domestic manufacturers.
The main manufacturers of microfiber bed linen:
- Russian produces double sets at prices starting from $6,
- the cost of a double set from the Turkish company CASABEL starts from $27,
- Russian factory Linen Way – from $6 per set,
- the Chinese factory Valtery sells the kit at a price starting from $13,
- Dophia from Turkey sells its kits starting at $24.
Flaws
We talked about the positive qualities of microfiber, but what could they be compared to if there were no disadvantages. Of course they exist:
- the fabric is deformed and loses its attractive appearance when washed at a washing temperature above 30 o C, dried in direct sunlight or in close proximity to heating appliances;
- ironing can only be done at a minimum temperature, so as not to destroy the microfibers;
- Microfiber bedding accumulates oil molecules from human skin. This slowly breaks down the fabric structure and the kit will last less than five years.
Manufacturers of microfiber bed linen (Briefly, the main manufacturers)
Let's review the leading companies offering microfiber bed linen.
The Chinese company Valtery has been operating in the Russian market for more than 15 years. The product is produced in factories in compliance with standards under strict quality control. Walteri offers microfiber bed linen in all colors and various patterns. The sets are beautifully packaged, they are a pleasure to give and receive as a gift.
Inexpensive kits are produced by reliable Turkish companies Dophia, Casabel, Arya, TAC, LeVele, Clasy, Karna, Tivolyo. Please read the label carefully before purchasing this bedding. Not all elements of the set may be made of microfiber. There are those where the duvet covers have a cotton top (ranfors) and a microfiber bottom. The material of the pillowcases can also be cotton. Pillowcase fasteners are often “snug” (flap), while duvet covers have buttons or a zipper.
Domestic microfiber sleeping sets are not very widely represented. The most famous producers are Morpheus and Linen Way from Ivanovo. They are characterized by: inexpensive price, various colors, high quality tailoring and fashionable design. Lingerie sizes: full size range for adults, children's sets for different ages - toddlers and teenagers. Bright, original designs on domestically produced underwear are not inferior to leading foreign companies.
One of the premium brands of microfiber PCB is the Japanese company Sleep iX. The low price is due to the fact that the linen is produced directly in Russia. The kits use the new generation Microfresh microfiber.
How to choose a good sleeping set
After purchasing microfiber products, you may encounter a number of unpleasant “surprises”: the set has an unpleasant odor, stains the body, quickly becomes unusable, and fades after washing. But microfiber has nothing to do with it, the poor quality of the PBC is to blame. Study the recommendations for choosing a sleeping set, they will help you buy a quality item:
- Review the kit information on the label and packaging. It indicates the equipment, size, fabric composition, care instructions, contacts and address of the manufacturer, and recently a link to its website is provided. It is impossible to make a high-quality product using a handicraft method.
- The stitching should be smooth, without loops or protruding threads, the pattern should be carefully adjusted.
- The linen should not have a chemical smell of dyes, the fabric should be evenly dyed.
- The material is smooth, soft, light, without snags.
- If the sales assistant does not agree to open the package and show the underwear, then refuse to buy it.
- Buy products only from well-known brands in shopping centers or on trusted websites.
Follow these simple recommendations, and your microfiber sleeping set will delight you with beauty, comfort and quality.
Photo
Photo No. 1 Roses
Photo No. 2 Ornament
Photo No. 3 Roses Photo No. 4 Geometry
Photo No. 5 Aeronauts
Photo No. 6 Karla Photo No. 7 Calcutta
Photo #8 Amsterdam
Care of microfiber material
The unpretentiousness of the kits is one of the main advantages, but care recommendations should be followed to extend their service life.
- Wash in warm water up to 40°C.
- Regular detergents, but for colored laundry and without bleaching effect.
- You should not use rinse aids, as they remain in micropores.
- Dry outdoors or indoors, but away from heating devices.
- Usually ironing is not required, but if you really want to, only use a warm iron.
The laundry dries literally before our eyes, which is very convenient when there are problems with changing.
The link describes the Tex Plus bed.