Car Wash Mitts

A quality wash mitt should safely lift dirt away from the paint rather than drag it across the surface. The fibres should be soft enough to glide across paint but dense enough to trap contamination within the mitt. When choosing a car wash mitt, look for:

• Plush or high pile fibres that can absorb the dirt and hold it away from the paint.
• Quality of the fibre, which is the difference most people don't see. A better grade of microfibre holds its pile through dozens of washes instead of matting down after a few, and a mitt that keeps its pile keeps lifting dirt properly. It's not just about how long the mitt lasts, it's how well it works every time you use it.
• Good absorption so the mitt carries plenty of car wash shampoo.
• Strong internal stitching or liner so the mitt holds its shape well whilst in use.
• Safe materials such as microfibre or wool that reduce friction on paint.

A well designed microfibre car wash mitt will glide easily across the surface while keeping contamination trapped in the fibres until it is rinsed out.

Yes, and it's the easiest thing you can do to keep swirls out of your paint.

Wheels collect brake dust, road grime and metal particles, all of it far more abrasive than anything on the upper panels. Use the same mitt on both and you're carrying that straight onto your paintwork on the next pass.

So one car wash mitt for paint, and a separate mitt or wheel brush for wheels, arches and the lower panels below the door line. Keep them physically different if you can, a different colour or a smaller mitt like the FingerPrint, so there's no chance of grabbing the wrong one on a busy Saturday. Wash them separately too, and use a dedicated wheel cleaner rather than your paint shampoo on the wheel side.

Keeping these separate reduces the risk of scratching and helps maintain a safer washing process overall.

Give a new mitt a shake out before its first wash. They carry a few loose fibres out of the packet, and a shake is usually enough. If there are a lot of them, run it through the wash first.

After that, looking after your wash mitt properly helps it stay soft, absorbent and safe for paint.

After each wash:

• Rinse the mitt thoroughly to remove trapped dirt and shampoo.
• Machine wash with warm water and a mild liquid detergent, or a dedicated microfibre wash like CARPRO MFX.
• Avoid fabric softener or bleach, which can clog or damage fibres.
• Air dry or tumble dry on low heat.

It is also a good idea to inspect the mitt regularly. If the fibres become matted, stiff or heavily contaminated, it may be time to replace it, or keep it for the wheels, door jambs and engine bay where a bit of wear doesn't matter.

Both wool and microfibre wash mitts are designed to lift dirt safely during washing, but they behave slightly differently.

Wool wash mitts
Natural wool fibres are extremely soft and hold a large amount of wash solution. They glide easily across paint and are popular for very gentle washing. The trade is upkeep, wool needs more care in the wash and doesn't take the same punishment.

Microfibre wash mitts
A microfibre wash mitt uses synthetic fibres designed to trap dirt within the pile. They tend to be more durable, easier to maintain and resistant to shrinking compared to wool.

Many detailers prefer a microfibre car wash mitt for regular washing because it balances softness, durability and ease of care, and that's why our range is microfibre across the board. A good microfibre mitt is as safe on paint as wool and holds up to a lot more washing.