Ultimate Guide To Microfiber Towels For Car Care

In the dynamic realm of automotive care, there’s been a transformative shift thanks to the advent of microfiber technology. This cutting-edge innovation is not just a trend but a mainstay, completely redefining how we maintain the pristine condition of our vehicles. For auto aficionados and professional detailers alike, microfiber towels have emerged as a beacon of efficiency, ensuring that our cars not only look their best but are also safeguarded against common detailing mishaps.

With competitive price and timely delivery, Jiuyuan sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.

What Exactly Are Microfiber or Detailing Towels?

Microfiber towels, far from ordinary, are crafted from a strategic blend of polyester and polyamide. They’re often found under various names like microfiber rags or car wash towels.

Far from ordinary, microfiber detailing towels are crafted from a strategic blend of polyester and polyamide. Their intrinsic design empowers them to dislodge dirt and debris from your car’s surface with an efficacy that’s unparalleled. How? When comparing to car wash cloths made of cotton, microfiber outshines them, boasting a surface area that’s quadruple that of standard cotton cloths.

But there’s more to microfiber than just its generous surface. These towels carry a positive charge, making them a debris magnet, ensuring that every wipe pulls contaminants away, rather than just displacing them. Yet, despite its powerful cleaning capabilities, microfiber remains gentle.

With fibers as fine as 1/100th the width of a human strand of hair, it promises a non-abrasive touch, preserving your car’s finish. Its prowess doesn’t end there – microfiber can absorb a staggering eight times its weight in liquid, and its quick-drying nature curtails bacterial proliferation.

If you’re curious, you can learn more about the unique properties of microfiber as a material from this helpful fact sheet by the University of San Francisco.

Learn More About Traffic School in California

Traffic school can help you keep a clean driving record, prevent insurance increases, and more!

Benefits of Using Microfiber Towels for Cars

To say that the rise of microfiber has been transformative for car care would be an understatement. This fabric, once an obscure innovation, has now become the gold standard for detailing. But what is it about microfiber towels that make them so indispensable for car enthusiasts and professionals alike? Let’s delve deeper into their myriad of benefits.

1. Efficiency in Cleaning and Drying:
   • Superior Dirt Capture: Increased surface area attracts and traps dirt, grease, and grime.
   • Unparalleled Absorbency: Can soak up to eight times their weight, ensuring streak-free and speedy drying.
2. Reduction in Scratches and Swirl Marks:
   • Protective Soft Touch: Plush fibers reduce friction, protecting the car’s finish.
   • Particle Locking: “Pocket” created by split fibers ensures dirt isn’t dragged across the surface.
3. Durability and Cost-effectiveness:
   • Long Lifespan: Resistant to wear and tear, outlasting traditional towels.
   • Economic Advantages: Reduces the need for excessive cleaning agents and requires fewer replacements over time.

Do Microfiber Towels Scratch Cars?

If you choose the right microfiber towels and maintain them correctly, they won’t scratch your car. But Canadian Gear Head writes that “using microfiber doesn’t grant you immunity from scratches. Anything you touch your paint with can scratch it – even microfiber towels.” Not only should you be choosing the right towels, but you also need to make sure that the detailing towel you’re using is suitable for the purpose you’re using it for.

Choosing the right microfiber towels

The first concern is choosing towels made up of the right material. Microfiber towels suitable for detailing your car will typically be made of a blend of about 70 percent polyester (which creates the scrubbing action of the towel) and 30 percent polyamide (which allows the towel to absorb liquids and remove dirt from surfaces). In addition, they will measure about 300 to 400 GSM (grams per square meter, a measurement for the weight of the fabric). For reference, compare this to the weight of most cotton clothes, which ranges from about 110 to 180 GSM.

To ensure you don’t accidentally purchase a product that scratches your car, Canadian Gear Head recommends that you “stick with well known brands like The Rag Company, Autofiber, and Microfiber Madness.” We’ll point you toward some of the highest-quality microfiber towels on the market at the end of this article, so be sure to keep reading.

Types of Microfiber Towels and Their Specific Uses

To ensure your car remains scratch-free and gleaming, it’s essential to match the right microfiber towel with the appropriate task. Here’s a breakdown of the different types of microfiber towels and their optimal uses:

1. For Paintwork

• Type: Soft, plush microfiber.
• Composition: Ideally, a blend of 70 percent polyester and 30 percent polyamide. This combination is gentlest on the paintwork, reducing the risk of scratches. For less delicate areas, an 80/20 mix can be cost-effective and is better suited for scrubbing.
• Usage: Perfect for drying the car’s paint, the most sensitive part.

2. For Quick Detailer Sprays

• Type: Fluffy, high-pile microfiber towels.
• Usage: High-pile towels provide the gentle touch required for detailer sprays, ensuring even application and efficient buffing.

3. For Removing Sealants, Coatings, and Waxes

• Type: Less fluffy, low-pile microfiber towels.
• Usage: The denser weave of low-pile towels is ideal for ensuring thorough removal of substances like sealants, coatings, and waxes, without leaving any residue.

4. For Glass

• Type: Short-pile, waffle-weave microfiber towels.
• Usage: Given that some microfiber types can leave minute fibers on glass, it’s recommended to use waffle-weave towels for windows and mirrors. They don’t just prevent fiber residue but are also exceptionally absorbent, ensuring streak-free clarity.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that each aspect of your car gets the care it deserves, minimizing damage and maximizing shine.

Maintaining Your Microfiber Towels

In the quest to maintain the pristine look of your car, microfiber towels have emerged as indispensable tools. However, their efficacy hinges on how well they’re maintained. Below, we’ve outlined the pivotal steps to ensure your microfiber towels serve you effectively for the longest time possible.

Pre-Use Preparations:

• Label Removal: Before their maiden use, rid the towels of any tags or labels. These seemingly harmless additions can cause scratches on your car’s surface.
• Initial Separation: Organize your towels based on the vehicle parts they’ll be tending to, ensuring there’s no cross-contamination of dirt or chemicals.
• Ground Rule: If a towel makes contact with the ground, reconsider its use. Its design makes it a magnet for dirt, which can harm your car’s finish if not cleaned properly.

How to Clean Your Microfiber Towels

A. Routine Wash

• Separation: Ensure plush towels are washed separately from heavily soiled ones to prevent cross-contamination.
• Detergent Choice: Opt for unscented liquid detergents or those specially crafted for microfiber, like the Micro-Restore Microfiber Detergent Concentrate.
• Washing Mode: Employ a warm wash cycle. It effectively tackles residues like waxes or polishes that the towels might have absorbed.
• No Softeners: Steer clear of fabric softeners. They diminish the efficacy of the towels over time.

B. Drying Techniques

• Safe Drying: Air drying is the safest route, preventing the melting of fibers. If using a machine, opt for low heat settings.
• Deep Cleaning Strategy: For excessively soiled towels, pre-soaking is crucial. As suggested by Adam’s Polishes, a solution mix with a product like Microfiber Revitalizer can be instrumental.

How Long Do Microfiber Towels Last?

Under optimal conditions, and with diligent maintenance, a high-quality microfiber towel can serve you well for about 1 to 2 years or even longer. They are resistant to wear and tear, outlasting traditional car rags and car wash rags. However, as with many tools, there’s a natural degradation cycle.

Start by using the towels on the paint – the most delicate surface on your car. As the towels begin to show signs of wear, repurpose them for less delicate tasks, like cleaning the interiors. Following this, they can be allocated for the wheels and, eventually, the engine bay. This systematic approach ensures that you’re using the most pristine towels on the most sensitive areas of your vehicle. Once they’re entirely worn out, or when they can no longer be cleaned efficiently, it’s time to dispose of them. It’s essential to recognize when a towel has reached the end of its functional life to prevent inadvertent damage to your car.

How to Store Your Microfiber Towels

Storing your microfiber towels correctly is equally pivotal to ensure their longevity and efficacy. After ensuring that each towel is cleaned and thoroughly dried, consider where and how you’re storing them. The unique construction of microfiber means it has a propensity to attract particles. To combat this, it’s wise to use airtight containers or sealed plastic bags. This sealed environment ensures that the towels remain uncontaminated, ready for their next use.

Moreover, categorizing your towels based on their usage is a practical approach. For instance, Adam’s Polishes recommends organizing them in a manner where the best towels are reserved for the most delicate tasks, like treating the paintwork. As the towels age and are relegated to less critical jobs, they should be stored separately.

Lastly, moisture can be detrimental. Even a hint of dampness can lead to mildew growth in storage. Therefore, always ensure your towels are bone dry before tucking them away, safeguarding both their structure and performance.

Want more information on Pet Microfiber Towel? Feel free to contact us.

Where to Buy Microfiber Towels and Car Cloths

When it comes to maintaining the pristine look of your car, the tools you choose can be just as important as the techniques you employ. Microfiber towels have proven their worth as the tool of choice for car enthusiasts and professionals alike. But where do you find the best ones?

The Best Microfiber Towels

1. The Rag Company Edgeless 300 Microfiber Detailing Towels

[lasso id=”″ link_id=”″ ref=”amzn-the-rag-company-edgeless-300-microfiber-detailing-towels-perfect-for-removing-polishes-sealants-and-glaze-great-for-interior-cleaning-and-dirty-jobs-300gsm-16in-x-16in-light-blue-10-pack”]

The Rag Company is a reliable source for high-quality microfiber detailing towels, having been one of the top producers of these products in the U.S. since . These square towels are made up of the expert-recommended blend of 70 percent polyester and 30 percent polyamide, and have a standard fabric weight of 300 GSM. They’re non-abrasive and safe for paint because they have an edgeless design, and you won’t have to worry about removing any tags because they’re conveniently tag-free. It’s no wonder they’re so well-reviewed, with more than 550 Amazon ratings averaging a perfect five-star score.

2. Autofiber Zeroedge Detailing Towels

[lasso id=”″ link_id=”″ ref=”amzn-dreadnought-microfiber-car-drying-towel-superior-absorbency-for-drying-cars-trucks-and-suvs-double-twist-pile-one-pass-vehicle-drying-towel-20×30-blue-gray-1-pack”]

Autofiber is another brand that comes highly recommended by experts, and these towels are some of their most popular. They are made up of a dual pile, 360 GSM fabric that’s a combination of 75 percent polyester and 25 percent polyamide. They are “ultrasonic cut” so they are another product with a scratch-free, edgeless design. Reviewers report that the price is very affordable for the quality and that these towels can be washed multiple times while remaining safe for use on paintwork.

3. Chemical Guys Professional Grade Premium Microfiber Towels

[lasso id=”″ link_id=”″ ref=”amzn-chemical-guys-mic_506_12-professional-grade-premium-microfiber-towels-gold-16-inch-x-16-inch-pack-of-12-safe-for-car-wash-home-cleaning-pet-drying-cloths”]

These are the best-selling product among Amazon microfiber auto detailing cloths, with more than 26,000 ratings adding up to an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars. A feature that sets these towels apart is that each side has a different pile: the high pile side is designed “to soak up wash water, detail sprays, and waterless wash solutions,” while the purpose of the low pile side is to “buff away dried wax, sealant, and polish.”

Where To Buy Microfiber Towels

Purchasing quality microfiber towels isn’t as challenging as it may seem. Here are the best places to buy them:

1. Online Retailers: Popular platforms like Amazon offer an array of choices for amazon microfiber towels tailored to car detailing. The convenience of customer reviews aids in making an informed decision.
2. Walmart: If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, walmart microfiber towels can be a suitable choice. They might not always be on par with specialized brands but can serve the purpose for occasional use or less critical tasks.
3. Specialized Brands’ Websites: Leading brands like Chemical Guys often have their online platforms where they feature their full range of products.
4. Auto Supply Stores: Your local auto supply store is not just a hub for car parts. They often stock a range of car care products, including microfiber cloth for car.
5. Local Stores: Simply searching for a “microfiber cloth near me” on your favorite search engine can lead you to local stores stocking these essential tools.

When selecting microfiber towels, remember to consider the fabric blend and GSM (grams per square meter), as these factors often dictate the towel’s quality, absorbency, and softness. A higher GSM typically indicates a thicker, more plush towel, while the fabric blend will tell you about its absorbency and durability.

Your Ultimate Guide To Microfiber Towels!

We stock a wide range of microfiber towels with different blends, GSM, weaves and edges. This blog looks at the key information that you need to know when it comes to selecting the correct towel(s) for each task.

Blends

Microfiber towels are made up of a Polyester and Polyamide construction, or blend. Polyester 'builds' the towel, Polyamide adds softness, absorbency and elasticity.

The Rag Company's towel blends are displayed as 70/30 or 80/20. The first number is the Polyester content (the base), the second number is the Polyamide content.

ℹ️ Other towels you may see for sale elsewhere, that appear to be good value, often feature a higher Polyester percentage, usually 90/10 or even 100% Polyester. These towels are the cheapest to produce. They are OK for the dirtiest of jobs, but should not be used on paintwork. The high Polyester content will create a 'rough' towel and will ultimately introduce damage to your paintwork and other delicate areas, such as gloss black trim. Always check the packaging and/or label before use.

The Rag Company towels are made up of two main blends.

• 70/30: 70% Polyester, 30% Polyamide. These are the softer, more absorbent towels, the most expensive to produce and are the gold standard. They can be used for drying and buffing wax, sealants and detailing sprays. Depending on the overall construction, these towels can also be used for many other detailing purposes.
• 80/20: 80% Polyester, 20% Polyamide. These towels are best for specific tasks, such as levelling ceramic coatings, glass cleaning and more.

GSM (Towel Weight)

GSM, or Grams per Square Meter, is the measure of how thick a towel is. A 245GSM towel is thinner than a 500GSM towel.

Everybody has their own preference of towel thickness. For example, you may prefer a 500GSM Eagle Edgeless towel for buffing, whereas the next person may prefer the same towel, but in 350GSM, depending on how your hand feels when using these towels. This is the bonus of having different GSM options throughout our range of towels; you're able to pick and choose depending on what works for you.

Weave

Each towel will be manufactured using a different weave.

• Terry Weave - This is the most common weave and the style that you may be familiar with when thinking about microfiber towels. The physical size, GSM (weight) and edge differentiates each kind of Terry towel depending on usage.
• Pearl Weave - These towels feature a tighter weave compared to a Terry towel, are lint-free and are one of the best choices for removing/levelling ceramic coatings. Customers also use these towels for glass and PPF. 
• Waffle Weave - These towels have a waffle-like appearance, feature 'thirst pockets' and are therefore one of the best kinds of towel for drying. They're also good for cleaning glass and wiping down Paint Protection Film (PPF).
• Diamond Weave - These towels will have a diamond-shaped finish, do not 'bunch up' and are lint-free. They glide over glass and other surfaces, so lend themselves perfectly to glass cleaning and PPF care.
• Herringbone Weave - A dedicated, silky weave for the Premium Blue Glass Towel. This towel glides over glass and PPF as it does not bunch together.
• Twisted Loop Weave - The microfiber strands are twisted to create a wide surface area. Twisted loop towels are perfect for drying as they have huge absorbency and are also great for removing paint coating prep sprays.
• Circular Weave - Constructed from microscopic circles, plush towels will be made from this manufacturing technique.
• Hybrid Loop Weave - This is made up of Waffle/Circular weaves, which makes the towel plush and absorbent, the best of both worlds! The Pluffle towel is a great example that uses Hybrid Loop, as it's a super soft drying towel perfect for softer paintwork or freshly coated vehicles.
• Twist Loop Weave - Primarily found in The Rag Company's drying towels, this is a soft, closed-loop style of manufacturing allowing super safe usage on freshly washed paintwork, glass and trim.
• Corale Fleece Weave - This makes for a very soft, plush and bouncy towel! Fantastic for waterless washes where absorbency is just as important as reducing the chance of fine scratches or swirls. Check out the Minx & Dryer Wolf towels.

Edges

There are four main edges that The Rag Company's towels are finished with.

• Overlock Stitched Edge: This is the standard edge used on the all-purpose towels, such as the Edged 365. Otherwise known as the 'one corner zip stitch', this finishes off each towel so there's less chance of towel failure after multiple uses, compared to cheaper towels.
• Knifecut Edgeless: These towels are physically cut with some of the sharpest blades. Cuts are made 'with the microfiber grain' so that there's no fraying and therefore almost zero lint is created. (Lint is the result of a poor final cut/trim) The Eagle Edgeless towels feature this edge.
• Ultrasonic Edgeless: This trimming technique creates an extremely accurate, super soft edge with zero lint. The Edgeless 245 All-Purpose towel features this edge.
• 70/30 Buffersoft Suede Edge: This is a super soft, absorbent, microsuede that is as workable as the towel itself. The Everest, Gauntlet, and FTW towels feature this edge.

Towel Usage (based on main menu)

• Glass: Our Herringbone-style weave towels are a firm favourite as the tightly-packed, 70/30 microfibers absorb your glass cleaner residue and contaminants with each wipe of the window. They can also be used for PPF wipe-downs. The Diamond weave towels feature a hybrid Herringbone and Waffle weave, has an 80/20 blend and so are ideal for scrub-action and will leave you with streak-free glass.
• Drying: Drying towels really come down to personal preference. You may prefer something like the Liquid8R towel; 70/30 blend, but it features closed-loop fibres for safety and can be used with a drying aid for the ultimate finish. The Liquid8R is recommended for those new to detailing. On the other hand, the Dry Me a River towel is a 70/30 Waffle weave towel and features the 'thirst pockets' we talked about earlier, so water is easily absorbed. The Buttersoft edges ensure each wipe is a soft as possible.
• Polishing: Depending on your preference, 80/20 and 70/30 blends both work, however a low-GSM is best for polish residue removal. This is because plush towels can become clogged very quickly. The Edgeless 245 (245GSM, 80/20) or 365 (365GSM, 70/30) covers both bases, and they're edgeless for safety. Final buffing can be done with your favourite 70/30, plush towel, such as the Eagle 350.
• Wax, Sealants & Detailing Sprays: Very similar to polishing, lower GSM towels are best for the initial wipe, such as the Edgeless 365 (365GSM, 70/30), followed by an Eagle 500 (500GSM, 70/30) to finish. If you'd prefer one towel, The Creature Edgeless, which has a 70/30, dual-pile blend, will remove any excess wax, sealant or spray on one side and, once flipped, can buff to a shine.
• Coating Removal: With levelling and general wipe-downs of ceramic coatings, you need to have as much control over the towel as possible. Similar to polishing, 80/20 Short Pile / lower-GSM towels, such as The Pearl, work best. Ceramic coatings are 'grabby' and so plush towels will struggle due to the longer fibres. For final buffing, longer-pile, higher-GSM towels, such as The Creature Edgeless or Eagle 350, will work due to their plush construction.
• Wheels/Tyres: Generally lower-GSM, all-purpose towels are fine for these areas, as you're dealing with brake dust and road grime. 70/30 blends will be safer for delicate wheel surfaces. For wheel coatings you simply treat them the same as normal ceramic coatings, see Coating Removal above.
• Dirty Jobs: Similar to wheels and tyres, dirty jobs can be attacked with all-purpose Terry towels. These tasks can also include cleaning jobs around the house. 80/20 or 70/30 blends with lower-GSM are absolutely fine, such as the Edgeless 245 towels (245GSM, 80/20). If you're dealing with delicate surfaces, you may wish to opt for a 70/30 towel, such as the The Blue Collar, as these are the softest option at 380GSM.
• Rinseless Wash: The towel you choose for your rinseless wash is crucial, as you need to absorb what's left of Absolute, and then buff to a shine. Our go-to towels for this currently are the Minx Royale and Dryer Wolf. Both are 70/30 blends and feature the Corale Fleece weave. They're soft, plush and act like a sponge. The Minx is 400GSM and the Wolfe is 550GSM. So, depending on your personal preference, you have two great options for drying waterless washes. Then you can opt for a buffing towel for final wipes, such as the Eagle 500.
• Detailing Sprays: For these, you'll need 70/30 super soft towels for buffing. The Eagle Edgeless 350 is a great starting point. There's also the 70/30, dual-pile, Creature Edgeless, which can remove any excess spray on one side, then flip the towel to buff.

Caring for your towels

• Wash before first use. This removes any minor factory contaminants, lint and loose fibres. We highly recommend Rags to Riches detergent, as this has been developed by The Rag Company.
• Ensure you wash each kind of towel together. For example, if you have a new pack of Eagle Edgeless 500 towels and a pack of FTW towels, wash these two packs separately. This is to avoid the two types of microfiber affecting each other (the velcro effect).
• Wash with like-colours. If you have different coloured towels, wash those separately to avoid potential colour transfer.
• ℹ️ Towels used to level and buff ceramic coatings: These should be treated as consumables. Dispose of them after use, as the coating residue itself will eventually solidify.

Conclusion

No matter which task you're tackling on your car, van, truck or in your house, we have every kind of towel with the correct blend, GSM, weave and edge available. We have you covered.

Whilst there is a lot to digest in this blog, it's worth understanding everything to ensure you're happy with what you're buying. If you do need help we're always here to assist, visit the Contact page to reach out.

The Rag Company UK Team.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Microfiber Glove And Sponge Pad And Mat Wholesale.