Testing & Performance:
ABRASION RESISTANCE: Wyzenbeek - 21,000 Double Rubs / General Contract Upholstery
LIGHFASTNESS: Class 3.0 – 40 Hours
BREAKING STRENGTH: Warp – 155 / Fill - 301
TRAP / TEAR STRENGTH: Warp – 35.02 / Fill – 53.68
CROCKING: Wet – Class 4.0 / Dry – Class 4.5
PILLING: Class 5
STATE OF CALIFORNIA BULLETIN #117: Pass

Seating Pre-Approval:
Contact us directly for past approvals.

Cleaning Code:
Dry Clean Only – Non Water Solvent

Special Notes:

Performance with beauty describes the potential of micro fibers. They are very fine fibers compared to more conventional forms, which gives them unique and desirable properties. To provide a measure for comparison, micro fibers are half the diameter of a fine silk fiber, one-third the diameter of cotton, one-quarter the diameter of fine wool, and one hundred times finer than human hair.
"Denier" is the term used to define the diameter or fineness of a continuous or filament fiber such as silk or man-made fibers. Denier is the weight in grams of a 9000-meter length of fiber or yarn. The higher the number, the thicker the fiber. In order to be called a "micro fiber," the fiber must be less than one denier. Fine silk, for example, is approximately 1.25 denier. A micro fiber would need to be 0.9 denier or finer. Many micro fibers are 0.5 to 0.6 denier. For another comparison, very fine nylon stockings are knit from 10 to 15 denier yarns consisting of 3 to 4 filaments. A 15 denier yarn made of micro fiber would have as many as 30 filaments.

So what is so special about very fine or micro fibers? The many fine fibers packed together create a depth and a body to fabrics from which they are made. Fabrics have luxurious drape. Although fine and lightweight, they don't exhibit a flimsy quality. The many tiny filaments or fibers can slide back and forth and maneuver around within the yarns in a fabric allowing the fabric to flow and drape freely, yet still possess body. Consider a very thick rope. If you bend it, it will be stiff and form a rounded arc. If you take many finer threads or yarns together until they form the same diameter as the thick rope and bend them, they will form a sharper bend or curve. Each of the individual strands can move independently to create more flexibility or pliability. This effect occurs with micro fibers. Each of the many very fine fibers moves independently to create lovely drape, yet the fine fibers can be packed together tightly for body in a fabric.

Micro fibers are not necessarily new, but they are being used in different ways today. The first fabric made from micro fiber was Ultrasuede™ in which short polyester micro fibers were imbedded into a urethane base. Today, micro fibers are being used in both long continuous lengths as well as short or staple lengths. Micro fiber fabrics are generally lightweight, resilient or resist wrinkling, have a luxurious drape and body, retain shape, and resist pilling. Also, they are relatively strong and durable in relation to other fabrics of similar weight.

Because micro fibers are so fine, many fibers can be packed together very tightly. The denseness results in other desirable properties. With many more fine fibers required to form a yarn, greater fiber surface area results making deeper, richer and brighter colors possible.

Also, since fine yarns can be packed tightly together, micro fibers work well in garments requiring wind resistance and water repellency. Yet, the spaces between the yarns are porous enough to breathe and wick body moisture away from the body. When comparing two similar fabrics, one made from a conventional fiber and one from a micro fiber, generally the micro fiber fabric will be more breathable and more comfortable to wear. Micro fibers seem to be less "clammy" in warm weather than conventional synthetics.

Forcing a liquid through tiny holes in a device called a spinneret forms man-made fibers. With micro fibers, the holes are finer than with conventional fibers. Potentially, any man-made fiber could be made into a micro fiber. Micro fibers are most commonly found in polyester and nylon. Some rayon and acrylic micros are in production and available to consumers. Micros can be used alone or blended with conventional denier man-made fibers as well as with natural fibers such as cotton, wool, and silk.
Garments made from micro fibers are usually labeled to identify their presence, for example: "100% polyester micro fiber." Many fiber companies use trade names to identify their micro fiber products.
Micro fibers are used in a variety of fabrics, but most commonly in dress and blouse weight garments. Suit jackets and bottom weights are becoming available. Look for micros in lingerie, rainwear, outdoor fleece and wind-resistant sportswear, as well as tents, sleeping bags, track and jogging suits. The strength of micro fibers make them particularly adaptable to sueded or sandwashed finishes because of their extensive fiber surface area and the use of strong fibers like polyester and nylon. As a result, many micro fibers simulate the appearance of sandwashed silk.

CARING FOR MICRO FIBERS
Micro fibers can generally be cared for in a manner similar to that of conventional fibers made from the same fiber type. For example, fabrics made from polyester and nylon micro fibers can probably be machine-washed and tumble-dried similar to fabrics made from regular polyester and nylon fibers. Polynosic or high wet modulus rayons are machine washable while viscose rayons perform best when drycleaned. Rayon micro fiber should be cared for depending on whether it is a polynosic or viscose-type rayon. The fiber properties, not the fineness of the fiber, usually dictate recommended care. Always follow care labels on garments.

A few cautions should be noted regarding micro fibers. Because they are very fine or small diameter, heat penetrates the fibers more quickly than thicker fibers. As a result, glazing, melting or scorching can occur quickly. This is a particular concern with heat sensitive fibers such as polyester or nylon. Use a cool iron, if pressing is necessary, and do not leave the iron on the fabric too long. Also, avoid using too much pressure as shine and ridges may develop on the surface.

Static may develop in fabrics from synthetic micro fibers, especially during dry winter months when heating systems are turned on and the humidity is low. Fabric softeners in the rinse cycle of the washing machine may lessen the problem. Paper dryer sheets can be used; however, temporary spots from excessive heat in the dryer may form on the micro fiber. The delicate finish of micro fiber fabrics and the amount of fiber surface make the spots noticeable if they develop.

As with all fine garments, avoid jewelry that is rough or jagged. It can cause pulls, snags or general abrasion to garments. Although micro fibers in a yarn are strong, the individual fibers are extremely fine and could abrade easily.

Enjoy micro fiber garments in your wardrobe. They have a luxurious silk-like hand. Generally, micro fibers are durable and should provide good wear if used appropriately and cared for properly.