I picked up a gallon of the Blackfire Microfiber wash and have done three loads.
It does seem to be much cleaner rinsing than Microrestore. You end up using a bit more if you use the product directions so not as cost effective.
As for cleaning ability, it does not appear to be that much better to me yet on grungy spots but I guess that can be compensated by using more soap. I may try a more direct side by side test since cleaning is obviously dependent on the type soil, etc so the jury is still out for me.
It also does leave the towels feeling nice with two rinses and not using vinegar so it has several pluses over Microrestore. Since a gallon will last a long time, the cost really is not that much of an issue.
Given I use towels in rotation (lastest cleans ones go on the bottom of the stack = OCD) I will have to use the BF cleaned ones to check actual performance (ability to absorb water).
I had some really grudging spots on one towel, (well a gold rag its used for exhaust cleaning), and I used 2 ounces on a small load and it took it right out.
I had to run them through the wash twice to get the soap out though.
I haven't had any issue with the towels absorbing water either.