The humble sponge may be good for wiping down your kitchen counter but it can be disastrous for your paintwork if you use one for car cleaning – if you want to clean a car, this is where the best wash mitt neatly comes in.
Sponges may look soft and flexible but they trap bits of grit which when you move the sponge along your paintwork can cause scratches. A microfibre or wool wash mitt on the other hand has a much larger surface area and can effectively filter bits of grit away from your paintwork, limiting the chances of scratches from occurring.
Wash mitts are also designed to lather up car shampoos far better than a shampoo ever could, helping cleaning products work more effectively. This also promotes better lubrication from the shampoo, which will get your car cleaner and should mean you can use less shampoo per wash. It’s probably the simplest and cheapest car cleaning upgrade you can do. And the best part is that the results will be spectacular, so here are our favourite wash mitts.
The best wash mitts at a glance:
Editor’s pick: Gtechniq WM2 Microfibre Wash Mitt – Buy from Amazon.
Best budget wash mitt: Kent Car Care Microfibre Noodle Wash Mitt – Buy from Eurocarparts.
Best wash mitt for detailing: Meguiar’s Microfibre Car Wash Mitt – Buy from Amazon.
The best wash mitts:
Editor's pick
The Gtechniq's WM2 is also made from a super soft microfibre that's designed to lather up a shampoo more effectively and features an internal foam core to keep the mitt wetter and lubricated for longer, again reducing the risk of scratches. The cuffed wrist is nice and snug, even when the mitt was weighed down with water, but never restrictive or uncomfortable.
Pros
- Top quality microfibre
- Inner foam core to keep mitt lubricated for longer
Cons
- It'll be one of the heavier wash mitts when wet
Best chenille wash mitt
These noodles are also durable and absorbent which makes them perfect for any car cleaning task. We're big fans of this example from Chemical Guys for its bright green colour that'll show up dirt and overall quality.
Pros
- Perfect blend of softness and durability
- Bright green is useful for spotting dirt
Cons
- Not as soft as the Gtechniq example
Best budget wash mitt
The fit and finish is lower than others, it's lighter and won't hold as much water, but is really cheap. One handy feature it does have is a microfibre mesh to remove stubborn dirt.
Pros
- A super cheap car cleaning item
- Microfibre noodles will reduce paintwork scratches
Cons
- Budget feel
Best wash mitt set
Rrp: £12.99
Rrp: £12.99
The second 'detailing' mitt features a coral microfibre surface on one side for polishing or interior cleaning with a polymesh layer on the other side for lifting stubborn dirt. Both examples feature a very comfortable cuff for cleaning.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Offers cleaning versatility
Cons
- No foam inner core
Best wash mitt for detailing
The microfibres are exceptionally soft and will prove incredibly gentle on a car's paintwork while a soft inner lining will keep your hands comfortable, if a bit wet.
Pros
- Very soft microfibre
- Top quality
Cons
- Cuff isn't the tightest
Best wool wash mitt
Pros
- Premium construction
- Ergonomic thumb design
Cons
- Won't last long as microfibre
Best wash glove
The shorter microfibre noodles and lightweight will make it a fantastic duster either for a car's interior or for cleaning around the home. It even features a shorter microfibre weave side for buffing.
Pros
- Easy controlling
- Dual sides
Cons
- Smaller cleaning area
What you need to know about wash mitts:
Why should you care?
These scratches are tiny, it’s not like someone’s dragged a key along your paintwork, so what’s the point in switching out the trusty sponge? The main reason is that these scratches all add up over time and can contribute to dull, faded paintwork. This is especially noticeable with black cars as the scratches contrast most noticeably with the dark paintwork.
A wash mitt usually can cost less than a tenner and could easily make your car look better and even worth a bit more cash when it comes to selling time, so it’s well worth it. As well as a good cleaning cloth, it’s probably the cheapest but most effective car cleaning upgrade you can make.
How does a microfibre wash mitt clean better?
There are two kinds of cleaning, mechanical and chemical. Mechanical is the physical act of scrubbing a surface, whether it be by hand, pressurised water or a brush. Chemical cleaning is the work of detergents, surfactants and other sciencey things to lift mud. For car cleaning, you’ll ideally want a mixture of both.
Chemical cleaning is fairly harmless so long as you don’t buy incredibly harsh chemicals that can weaken clear coats or discolour trim pieces, a standard car shampoo will often be more than enough for dealing with grime. For a definitive list, you can read up on the best eco-friendly car shampoo products here.
It’s the mechanical cleaning that poses a scratch risk to a car’s paintwork. In running anything over the paintwork, any piece of grit you’ll come across needs to be safely lifted from the surface not pushed into the clear coat to leave lots of nasty scratches. This is where a wash mitt proves so useful, the huge surface area and soft surface offered by the microfibre strands will pull dirt away from the paintwork and massively reduce the chances of scratches occurring.
How do I care for wash mitts?
Quite often wash mitts can be washed in a washing machine once they’ve got a bit grubby. It’s best to wash them solely with other microfibre items to avoid piling from other fabrics getting caught up in the microfibre and also skip the conditioner and tumble dryer. Conditioners can clog the microfibre and excessive heat can melt them. If the microfibre is looking a little tired, some microfibre wash can be used but is by no means essential.
What else can I do to prevent scratches while car cleaning?
Scratches to your car are almost unavoidable in everyday life but there are more steps you can take when washing it to avoid smaller scratches.
For a start, look at buying a pressure washer and a form of pre-wash to dislodge these bits of grit and hopefully wash them away before you even touch your car with a wash mitt.
Also, think about installing a grit guard in your wash bucket. These will filter out dirt and debris in your water, minimising the chance of scratches.
Finally, switch your chamois for a microfibre towel. These are a lot better for your car’s paintwork.
Ryan Gilmore is the Deputy Autos and Tools Editor for Parkers, specialising in car cleaning and hand tools. A veteran car cleaner; if it details, waxes or washes he’ll be on hand to make sure it’s worth your money.
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