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.
• Good absorption so the mitt carries plenty of car wash shampoo
• Strong internal stitching or liner so the mitt holds it 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.