Jejje
It's easy to think a cloth is a cloth, but the wrong type of microfibre on the wrong surface is one of the most common causes of scratches and streaks. Here's which cloths you actually need and what they're made for.
Why does cloth type matter?
Microfibre cloths differ in pile length, weave density and material - and these differences determine whether the cloth is gentle enough for glossy paint, absorbent enough to dry a whole car, or streak-free enough for glass. Using the wrong cloth on the wrong surface gives worse results regardless of how good the product you're using is.
Glass cloth
A glass cloth typically has short, dense pile and a weave structure optimised not to leave streaks or lint on glossy glass. It ideally shouldn't contain any silicone (which some all-round weaves do), since silicone can make glass streaky. Always keep at least one cloth used exclusively for glass and wash it separately from other cloths to avoid it being contaminated by wax residue.
Drying towel
A drying towel has a thick, absorbent weave structure - waffle weave being popular - that soaks up large amounts of water in one pass. It's used to dry the car immediately after rinsing, before water has a chance to dry in and cause spots. A good drying towel can draw off water from an entire bodywork in significantly less time than a regular microfibre cloth. You don't want to buy the very cheapest option you can find - they tend to leave some lint and aren't ideal for the car. But you don't need the most expensive either; you'll definitely notice the difference, and a large drying towel makes drying the car very easy.
Buffing cloth
Buffing cloths have long, soft pile and are used to polish off product residue after wax, sealant or polish. The long pile picks up excess product efficiently without rubbing it back into the paint, giving a more even and glossier finish compared with a short-pile cloth. It's worth having a few extra of these so you don't mix in lots of different products.
All-round cloth
An all-round cloth is intended for more general tasks - wiping plastic, interior surfaces or light degreasing. It's rarely as gentle as a dedicated paint cloth or as streak-free as a glass cloth, but works excellently for less critical surfaces where the demands for a perfect result are lower.
How to keep track of which cloth is which
- Wash cloths separately from each other - especially paint cloths from all-round cloths that may contain more grime or chemicals.
- Avoid fabric softener when washing microfibre - it clogs up the fibres and makes the cloth worse at absorbing and releasing dirt.
- Replace cloths that start to feel stiff or have visible tears - they risk scratching instead of protecting the surface.
- Keep at least one cloth completely dedicated to glass that is never used for anything else.
- Use a proper drying towel to quickly remove water and avoid water spots.
- Colour-coding your cloths so you don't accidentally mix them up can be smart.
- Wash microfibre without fabric softener to preserve its absorbency.
Summary
Four types of microfibre cloths cover most needs: a glass cloth for streak-free glass, a drying towel for fast and gentle drying, a buffing cloth for polishing off product residue and an all-round cloth for less critical surfaces. Keep them separate and clean, and they'll last longer and give better results every time.
For us, a good glass microfibre and a good drying towel are a worthwhile investment - those two will take you a very long way!
