Microfibre Cloths

Choose a twisted-loop weave for drying. This construction absorbs more water than any other weave type and works well on both flat panels and intricate areas. A dual-sided twisted-loop towel is ideal: use the looped side for bulk water removal and the shorter micro-twist side for badges and emblems, where large loops can snag on raised lettering.

No. Standard household detergents such as Ariel, Persil, and Surf contain softeners that coat microfibre loops with a waxy film, progressively reducing absorbency. A drying towel washed in household detergent will move water around the panel instead of lifting it. Use a dedicated microfibre wash liquid only. Never use fabric softener or powder detergent.

Wash at 30 degrees C on the longest available cycle for routine maintenance. Heat above 40 degrees permanently curls and fuses microfibre loops, leaving the cloth rough and ineffective. For cloths that have been washed in standard detergent and are repelling product, a one-off 60 degree wash with a dedicated microfibre detergent such as Malco Microfibre Refresh can restore performance over a few cycles.

Keep three to four colours and assign each a zone: red for wheels, blue for bodywork, green for door shuts, purple for everything else including interior and tools. Cross-contamination between zones is one of the easiest ways to introduce swirls into paint. Any cloth used outside its designated zone should not return to paintwork, even after laundering, because hard particles embed deep in the fibres.

Use a foam-lined glass cloth with a tight, low-pile weave. Standard microfibre cloths lint onto glass and leave smears. A dedicated glass cloth produces a streak-free finish on windscreens and windows. The Rag Company FTW is a named example: a twist-loop, lint-free format that absorbs glass cleaner well without shedding fibres onto the surface.