How To Choose The Best Microfiber Towel For Detailing a Car?

Article updated 03-05-2025

If you're remotely serious about detailing, you already know that microfiber towels are the only choice for the job. They’re soft, absorbent, and designed to lift dirt without damaging your paint. But there's a catch—not all microfiber towels are created equal.

Using the wrong microfiber towel can scratch your paint, leave behind streaks, or make simple tasks like drying and glass cleaning much harder than they need to be. A high-quality drying towel will make quick work of water removal, while a cheap towel will just push it around. The same goes for interior and glass cleaning—if you’re using the wrong towel, you’re making things more difficult for yourself.

At HyperCLEAN, we’ve spent years testing microfiber towels to create a system that takes the guesswork out of choosing the right one. Instead of grabbing whatever towel is lying around, you should have a dedicated towel for every task—because every part of your car requires a different approach.

Here’s everything you need to know about picking the right microfiber towel for each step in your detailing process.

The Right Microfiber Towel for Every Job

Don't be fooled, there is no such thing as a “one-size-fits-all” microfiber towel for detailing. You wouldn’t use the same towel to dry your car as you would to wipe down your windows, right? 

What’s the Best Microfiber Drying Towel?

Drying your car safely is one of the most important steps in the detailing process. Using a low-quality towel, or worse—a bath towel—can leave behind lint, streaks, and micro-scratches. That’s why professional detailers only use twist-loop microfiber drying towels.

Twist-loop towels hold more water than traditional microfiber, dry streak-free, and glide over your paint with minimal friction. The Orange Krush and Big Chug drying towels are built for maximum absorption and efficiency, meaning fewer passes over the paint and reduced chances of scratching.

If you want to level up your drying process, pair your microfiber towel with HyperCLEAN SLIQ. A light mist of SLIQ adds lubrication, reduces friction, and helps prevent water spots—giving your car an even slicker finish.

Do Microfiber Towels Scratch Paint?

Yes, they absolutely can—if you’re using the wrong ones. Cheap microfiber towels, especially bulk packs from big-box stores, are often made with low-quality fibers that can scratch delicate surfaces. You can do better than that.

The key to avoiding scratches is choosing high-quality towels with the right blend of fibers.

• Proper GSM (grams per square meter): Higher GSM towels are best for delicate surfaces, while lower GSM towels are ideal for cleaning interiors and glass.

• Laser-Cut or Edgeless Designs: Towels with stitched edges can cause scratches over time.

• High-Quality Microfiber Blend: Look for a 70/30 blend of polyester and polyamide for the best softness and absorbency.

If you’re working on painted surfaces, use a high-pile towel like Versatowel to avoid marring your finish.

What’s the Best Microfiber Towel for Interiors?

Your car’s interior is a mix of delicate materials—soft plastics, leather, piano black trim, and screens. Using the wrong towel can leave behind swirl marks, lint, and streaks that are frustrating to remove.

For interior detailing, a low-pile, ultra-soft microfiber towel is your best option. The Workaholic microfiber towel is specifically designed for delicate interior surfaces, offering a lint-free, streak-free finish.

If you need a more versatile option, Versatowel works well on leather, dashboards, and even touchscreens when paired with HyperCLEAN REVIVE Interior Detailer.

What’s the Best Microfiber Towel for Cleaning Glass?

Glass cleaning is one of the biggest headaches in detailing. Streaks, lint, and haze can ruin an otherwise perfect job. The problem? Most people use the wrong towels.

The secret to crystal-clear glass is using a dedicated glass towel. Our Perfect Glass Towel is engineered to work with HyperCLEAN Glass Cleaner, eliminating lint and streaking for an effortless, streak-free finish.

Unlike standard microfiber towels, glass towels have a tighter weave that removes contaminants without leaving residue behind. Pairing the right towel with the right cleaner makes glass cleaning easier, faster, and frustration-free.

How to Wash and Maintain Your Microfiber Towels

Your microfiber towels will only last if you take care of them properly. The biggest mistake people make is washing them with regular detergent and fabric softener—both of which ruin the fibers and reduce their effectiveness.

Follow these steps to keep your towels performing like new:

• Sort by Use – Keep drying towels, glass towels, and interior towels separate to prevent cross-contamination.

• Use a Microfiber-Safe Detergent – Avoid scented detergents and fabric softeners. A dye-free, fragrance-free detergent is best.

• Add White Vinegar to the Wash – White vinegar helps break down trapped chemicals and restores softness.

• Wash on Warm (Not Hot) and Use a Gentle Cycle – High heat can melt microfiber fibers, reducing their absorbency.

• Dry on Low Heat or Air Dry – Too much heat can damage the fibers and shorten the lifespan of your towels.

A well-maintained microfiber towel will last for hundreds of washes, saving you money in the long run.

The Microfiber Towels You Choose Make a Difference

Your detailing results are only as good as the tools you use. The wrong towel can leave scratches, streaks, and lint, making your job harder and frustrating.

At HyperCLEAN, we’ve spent years perfecting our microfiber towel system to take the guesswork out of detailing. Whether you’re drying your paint, cleaning your interior, or getting streak-free glass, using the right towel will make your job easier, protect your car, and give you the best possible results.

Want to take your detailing game to the next level? Upgrade your microfiber setup today with HyperCLEAN’s professional-grade microfiber towels.