Different Types of Cloths to Use on Your Car

Cleaning your car is about so much more than just the cleaning products themselves—you’ve got to pay special attention to the tools you use, as well. When it comes to the different types of car cleaning cloths (or towels), the sheer number of options can seem overwhelming. Don’t let it get to you. Here’s a breakdown of the best types of towels to use for different purposes so you can get the ultimate shine.

Microfiber is a must

When it comes to washing your car and keeping it protected, you can’t just opt for any old cotton detailing towels. To give your car the ultimate clean while still protecting it, microfiber is the way to go. Some manufacturers specifically make these towels to be gentle on a car’s surface, while lifting dirt or water. Even under the umbrella of microfiber cloth for cars, there are still many different types of towel to use while detailing, and each boasts its own unique benefits and properties.

Different types of microfiber towels

Detailing Towels

A high-quality detailing towel made for use on properly polished paint will generally have a weight of 350 to 500 grams per square meter and preferably edgeless but NOT laser cut. A laser cut edge can be hard and scratch the paint, as can some types of hemmed edges or borders.

Drying Towels

Drying towels range from a chamois to a waffle weave, twisted loop, and even some extremely thick high pile (1200gsm) towels. Chamois are not recommended… While they absorb liquid quickly, they do not have any room for error with a stray grain of sand. If a grain of sand or even some types of pollen get on the paint between a chamois and the paint, you can easily swirl (cause fine circular scratches) your cars paintwork in minutes. Waffle weave is probably the most well-known of the quality car drying cloths, while the twisted loop or the twisted loop hybrid has become the greatest performer in 2020.

Glass towels are similar to a waffle weave pattern but clean a bit better, are not quite as soft, and are even less likely to leave streaks.

For interior towels you can usually use a less costly towel except for on the instrument panel and soft plastics. For removing polishes, you can sometimes use a detailing towel mentioned above or in some cases you might seek out a tightly knit, lower nap towel made specifically for this task.

Microfiber Towel Characteristics

Some characteristics to note with regards to microfiber towels are the gram per square meter the blend (usually 70/30 or 80/20), and last but CERTAINLY not least the quality. A little-known fact is that the first two variables mentioned do not necessarily guarantee the third (quality).Microfiber is a synthetic blend, or a combination of fibers (usually polyester & polyamide). In general, high quality detailing towels are labeled as 80/20 or 70/30 which represents the ratio of polyester to polyamide. Polyester in towels helps with the overall strength and build of the towel, while the polyamide is what gives the towel absorbency and the ability to pick up debris. Usually 70/30 is experienced as a softer towel.

Microfiber Care:

When caring for car cleaning cloths there are some important rules to live by. Microfiber towels should only be washed with other microfiber towels.If you wash with other types of fabrics like cotton, etc., the microfiber will retain lint from those fabrics. Wash with a specialized detergent OR at the very least a “free & clear” liquid detergent. You should never use fabric softeners or dryer sheets. When drying, dry on a very low heat cycle or to be safe line dry.A dry microfiber that is heated to a certain point melts and becomes a danger to paint. You should never use a wheel towel on your paint and v/v.Mixing wax and sealant towels with glass and drying towels are a good way to cause streaking on your glass. Interior or door jamb towels will collect sand and particles you would never want in your paint buffing towels so keep those separate as well just to be safe.

There are many offerings out there that promise to give you the perfect towel and while some can be deceptive there are some truly high-quality towels on the market. Do your research and use quality products. Find a supplier that you can trust with honest answers and recommendations and you can't go wrong.When it comes to having a standout car, it’s all about protecting it from the inside out. From utilizing a metropolitan vacuum on the inside to detailing it to perfection with microfiber towels on the outside, each little step will make a big difference.

The main use of car wash cloths relates to the general cleaning of your car. This includes drying, dusting, and detailing the interior and exterior. Selecting the right towels also helps to keep your car free from spots, streaks, and drip lines. However, if you are finding it difficult to choose the best car wash cloths for the job, here are a few pointers from our professional team.

Types of Car Wash Cloth

Window Towels

Cotton towels are the best option to use for cleaning your windows. This material is absorbent and lint-free to avoid leaving any residue behind. However, avoid using the same towel on the exterior and windows. This could scratch the glass if any leftover debris lingers behind on the cloth.

Terry Cloth Towels

The main purpose of terry cloth towels is to clean the car’s exterior. However, a disadvantage to using this type of towel – lint might be left on the surface. A terry cloth towel works best for car waxing. Out of all the car wash cloths, this towel applies wax the easiest.

Washing Mitt

A washing mitt helps clean a car more efficiently. This type of material consists of cotton with a mixture of long, fine fibers to grip dirt and remove it from the car exterior. However, rinse the mitt as frequently as possible to avoid scratching the surface of the vehicle. If debris sticks to the mitt, it leaves behind fine scratch marks.

Microfiber Wash Cloth

A microfiber washcloth works with nearly any task when it comes to car detailing. The material possesses absorbent properties that gather and collect dirt to the fibers. Additionally, these can be used to dust the interior of your car when slightly damp.

Microfiber car wash cloths also come as a drying tool for your car. Most of the time, car owners use them to dry their windows. The material collects any leftover solution from the window cleaner and leaves behind a streak-free finish.

Polishing Towels

This is an excellent car wash cloth and is used to give a fine swirl-free finish to the paint. This towel is best used to leave behind a shiny finish.

Chamois Wash Cloth

This wash cloth is made up of chamois leather. The material is soft and absorbent but generally used for drying the vehicle once finished.

Car wash cloths work the best when they are chosen for the right task. Since each one works with a specific task, understanding what those are will help. However, a professional company utilizes all of these to properly detail your car. DetailXPerts, an eco-friendly, mobile auto detailing company performs each task with the correct towel.

Schedule an appointment today to save yourself the trouble!

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