What are microfiber rags used for?

As a culinary chef with years in the kitchen, I’ve worked with countless uniforms, towels, and cleaning cloths—many made from microfiber. While it’s praised for absorbency, I’ve found microfiber’s downsides hard to ignore. It holds onto grease and odors, making it tough to sanitize properly. More concerning, washing microfiber cloths releases microplastics into our water systems—something that contradicts the sustainable kitchen practices I strive for. Unlike natural fabrics, it lacks breathability, leading to discomfort during long shifts. From both a performance and environmental standpoint, microfiber often falls short in a professional culinary setting.