Basic, Better, Best – Cleaning Mitts

It may seem like an innocuous enough bit of kit but we’ve come a long way since the humble sponge and if you truly care about your classic and strive to keep it in the best condition possible then you need to think about what you are using to wash it. Along with the two bucket method (one for cleaning, one for rinsing) a good wash mitt is a must if you want your pride and joy looking its best. Now we’re not going to delve into the ins and outs of detailing etiquette here, that’s a whole article in itself, and a long one at that, we are simply going to be looking at three different options for wash mitts.

So with our stall set out what do we mean by wash mitt and why does it even matter? Well, generally speaking, a car’s paint is rather delicate, not only that but the quality can vary greatly from vehicle to vehicle. If you get up close and personal with your car’s paint in bright sunlight (or with a torch at night) you’ll no doubt see a whole host of tiny scratches and swirl marks in the finish (unless you’re a pro detailer or have recently treated your car to some fresh paint correction) and most of these will have been caused by washing. Yes, it’s always a good idea to keep your car clean but you could be causing more damage than you realise if you’re not utilising the proper gear.

We mentioned sponges above but they should never be used to wash your car. A sponge is far too abrasive and they are really quite effective at trapping dirt in all those tiny little holes and between the face of the sponge and your car’s precious paint. As you wash the panels you’re essentially dragging these dirt particles around which creates the scratches and swirls we mentioned just now. A good wash mitt is a far better solution to your dirty car woes because although they absorb water like a sponge they also trap any dirt at their base, leaving the face of the mitt (the part that comes in to contact with your car) clean and therefore are much kinder to your paintwork. Just don’t forget to rinse.

There are myriad options out there from lambswool to micro fibre but they essentially all have the same basic design: a flat surface made up of long, fibrous material that fits over your hand like a glove with an elasticated wrist to prevent it from dropping onto the floor. So let’s take a look at three different versions of this car care essential.

Basic

Kicking things off, and a bargain at less than a fiver, this ArmorAll microfibre noodle wash mitt is a great option for the budget conscious but that doesn’t mean that it’s not effective and it is still infinitely better than using a sponge. It features two different microfibre surfaces, one with the “noodles” for general washing and one with a non-scratch mesh for heavier cleaning and dead bug removal. It’s a great mitt for the price and will safely and effectively wash your car and has everything you need from a good wash mitt.

Better

For those who prefer lambswool then the Meguiar’s A7301 mitt is worth a look. One of the industry big boys Meguiar’s know a thing or two when it comes to car care. Like the ArmorAll, this mitt has two differing surfaces; one soft, luxurious lambswool and the other a mesh for more stubborn areas. With a deep pile it will keep your car scratch-free but be sure to maintain it correctly between washes as lambswool mitts can be prone to faster deterioration than their microfibre counterparts due to improper care.

Best

Our best crown goes to the lightweight but durable Gtechniq WM2 Microfibre Wash Mitt. With great water absorption properties thanks to its foam inner core the WM2 can go longer between visits to the bucket. Its varied length polyester strands allow for an ultra low friction wash too, protecting your paintwork from any scratches and swirls marks. The heavier duty elastic wristband keeps the thing on your hand where it should be and not on the floor picking up a whole host of contaminants.

Whichever mitt you decide to go with there are a few things to remember when caring for them in between washes. Wash microfibre products separately from other items so as to prevent any lint contamination, do not use fabric conditioner as this will compromise their effectiveness and leave them to air dry. With regards to lambswool mitts you’re better off hand washing these as they are more delicate and can start to break apart if machine washed. The basic premise is the same for both though, look after your wash mitt and it will, in turn, look after your classic car.