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Prevent Scratching By Using The Best Microfiber Cloths

  1. Zwipes
  2. Meguiar's Water Magnet
  3. Mothers Yellow Applicator Pads
  4. Viking Auto Cloths
  5. 3M Microfiber Detail Cloth

One of the easiest ways to scratch up the paint or clear coat of your car is to use an unsuitable material for cleaning/drying. The rough textures of standard towels or old t-shirts leave minute scratches in the finish, leading to the characteristic ‘swirl’ marks found on many cars on the road.

Microfiber cleaning cloths prevent this phenomenon by utilizing a state-of-the-art texture which is soft to the touch and gentle on paint surfaces. The name ‘microfiber’ is derived from the cloth itself, which is a texture that extends into the microscopic realm and does wonders to pick up dirt and dust without roughing up the surface that it is used on. These cloths are often inexpensive, and should always be used when washing your car as opposed to throw-away clothing or towels.

We've chosen the best microfiber cloths in 2022 for washing your cars, thanks to their softness and durability. Each of our picks is suitable for absorbing water, applying products, or simply removing dust and dirt. We've also ensured the following selections are reasonably priced and readily available, making them easy to replace when necessary.

Microfiber Cleaning Cloths Reviewed in Detail

Zwipes - Best Microfiber Cloths Overall

The Zwipes 12x16-inch microfiber cloths are among the best value products when it comes to car detailing. These conveniently sized cloths are extremely soft, and will not scratch the finish on your car’s paint or clear coat. They’re also very versatile, and can be used to dry, wash, dust, or buff the paint on your car. The cloths measure 12 inches by 16 inches, and come color-coded in multi-pack rolls. If you’re into keeping your car looking pristine, these cloths should be in your assortment of car care equipment.

Meguiar's Water Magnet - Runner Up

It may seem strange to pick up a single microfiber cloth for the price of a multi-pack, but this product from car care giant Meguiar is worth it in many ways. The cloth itself is much larger, measuring 16 inches tall by 24 inches wide. The microfiber material used is of somewhat higher quality, and therefore can absorb more water for more effective drying.

As always, this cloth can be used for other purposes such as removing dust or applying wax, though it would be better to use a smaller cloth for the latter; these cloths are washable and re-usable, meaning you will not have to discard them after a single use.

Mothers Yellow Applicator Pads - Honorable Mention

Mothers is a well-known name when it comes to car care, with highly acclaimed waxes and polishing products used by enthusiasts. Despite the fancy name, the Ultra-Soft Polishing Cloth is a microfiber towel for general car care. The dimensions measure 16 inches tall by 16 inches wide, and it come with an edge-less design which reduces the chances of scratching your car.

The material is plush and soft to the touch, and is safe to use on just about every exterior and interior surface you will encounter when washing your car. This cloth can be used for drying, wax application, washing, and everyday dust removal without worrying about scratching the paint.

Viking Auto Cloths - Also Consider

The Viking brand stands for specialized car care, and it should come as no surprise that this company offers microfiber cleaning cloths to be used for cleaning your car. Available in packs of three, these versatile towels can be used for anything from washing your car to drying it, as well as wax application.

The microfiber texture prevents scratching on your car’s clear coat, though it is always prudent to ensure that there are no foreign objects embedded on the cloth. Viking’s microfiber cloths come in several different colors, and can be washed and re-used multiple times. They measure 12 inches by 16 inches, and are highly useful when detailing your car.

3M Microfiber Detail Cloth - Also Consider

3M offers products for seemingly everything, including car care. The 3M Microfiber Detail Cloth works extremely well as a car care microfiber cloth, but pales in comparison to its alternatives on several points. Firstly, the cloth measures 12 inches tall by 14 inches wide as opposed to the 12 inch by 16 inch dimensions more common elsewhere. Second, these cloths come as a single pack instead of the multi-packs that others offer. Still, the 3M microfiber cloths are reasonably priced and are versatile enough to be used for just about every step of car detailing.

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