The Best Microfiber Towels for Car Detailing

Microfiber is the best material to use on your car! Choosing which one to use can be confusing. Here is a quick tutorial to help you find the right one for the task.  

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Microfiber is a fine synthetic fiber that is the most effective material for cleaning and absorbing moisture. It can absorb up to 7 times its weight in liquid, making it the most efficient material for use in automotive detailing! 

Korean blend microfiber is the highest quality microfiber. This blend has a longer thread and is the softest microfiber available. Other fabrics we assume are safe, like cotton, move the contaminates on the surface without collecting them into the towel, often creating micro scratches. 

Quality microfiber towels are more expensive and completely worth it! Big box stores sell inexpensive microfiber that is comprised primarily of polyester. These towels will scratch your paint and destroy your investment in the polishes and spray detailers that make your car shine! 

Blend Ratio and GSM

The microfiber blend ratio recorded on the package is either 70/30, 75/25, 80/20, or 90/10. This ratio describes how much of the fiber is polyester and how much is polyamide. The first number in this ratio refers to the percentage of polyester. The second number pertains to the percentage of polyamide. Polyester is the scrubbing and cleaning component of the material; Polyamide is the absorbency component. Therefore, a blend ratio of 70/30 is 70 percent polyester and 30 percent polyamide. This ratio of microfiber is softer and more absorbent, paint-safe, and leaves no micro-marks or scratches. An 80/20 microfiber towel has more propensity to scratch. This blend is best for interior cleaning, under the hood, and other areas where there’s no concern for scratches. 

The other number noted on a package of microfiber towels is GSM. GSM stands for Grams per Square Meter and communicates the weight or density of the towel. The higher the number of GSM, the thicker, more plush, and absorbent the towel will be. A towel with a GSM of 350 or less is generally lower in weight, has a shorter pile, is more aggressive, and leaves less lint. These towels are used for ceramic removal or cleaning applications.  A towel with a GSM of 350 or greater is heavier weight, more durable, thicker, and will absorb more. Choose a high GSM for polish removal, spray sealant application, or spray detailers.

Types of Fibers

The next thing to look at is the type of fiber or weave, and it’s purpose. The types of fibers include twisted, split, hooked, waffle weave, and feathered The types of weaves include two-pile, plush, waffle, diamond, terry, suede, and more.   

A split microfiber creates microscopic hooks that capture and remove contaminates holding them high into the fiber and away from the surface. This type of towel is extremely soft and gentle making them highly effective for cleaning while preventing scratching and swirls. A two-pile and a plush are two types of towels that incorporate split fibers. The two-pile towel has a low pile on one side and a high pile on the other. These towels are very versatile and efficient. The high pile side can be used for Quick Detail Spray, Spray Wax, Compound, and Polish removal, while the low pile side is good for cleaning glass and removing compound or polish residue. Plush towels have a high pile on both sides and are very soft. They are ideal for rinseless wash, polish removal, or the final wipe of spray detailers. Waffle weave towels have no pile. Instead, they are woven in a cross-hatched pattern of low areas and high areas. This combination of low and high areas helps to reduce contact with the surface allowing it to glide over the surface with less friction and absorb more liquid at a faster rate. Waffle weave towels are great for drying and glass cleaning. A twisted loop fiber will glide over the surface more easily and absorb liquid at a higher rate. The twist of the fiber creates more absorbency and less friction with the surface and greatly increases the amount of surface area it will dry. This type of towel is excellent for drying. The diamond weave has no pile and is woven in a diamond pattern to reduce drag on the surface. This weave is best used to scrub surfaces like glass, metal, and chrome. 

A Quick Look

Cleaning your Microfiber

Now that you’ve decided (rightly so!) to invest in quality microfiber towels, learn to clean them properly to preserve their longevity.

Always wash microfiber cloths separately from all other types of fabrics. Choose a detergent specifically designed for microfiber. Rags to Riches or Q2M Towel Wash are free from additives and contain no perfumes, dyes, or softeners. Use only a tiny amount as indicated on the bottle and adjust according to the load size. Never use bleach or fabric softener!

Microfiber traps and holds contaminates that will need to be soaked and agitated. Set the washing machine to a long cycle with cold or warm water and, if available, add an extra rinse cycle!  

The ideal method of drying microfiber is to hang dry in an area with good air circulation. If necessary, place in a dryer on low heat and remove as soon as the cycle ends. Never use dryer sheets as they coat and clog the fibers, rendering them ineffective. 

I hope that answers all of your questions about microfiber!