Are Cheap Microfiber Towels Worth It? Pros and Cons

Are Cheap Microfiber Towels Worth It? Pros and Cons

Are Cheap Microfiber Towels Worth It? Pros and Cons

Cheap microfiber towels like Grant’s, Walmart packs, Amazon Basics, and Costco yellow towels are tempting because they’re affordable and easy to replace. But are they actually safe for your car’s paint? In this guide, we compare the TRUE pros and cons of cheap microfiber towels, including long-term durability, marring risk, linting, GSM, softness, and real-world detailing performance.

Estimated Reading Time: 14 minutes

Quick Summary: Are Cheap Microfiber Towels Worth It?

  • Yes for interiors, wheels, dirty jobs.
  • No for paint — especially black paint.
  • Cheap towels lint, mar, and degrade quickly.
  • Premium microfiber is dramatically softer and safer for paint.
  • Cheap towels are great for one-time use or disposable tasks.

Best Paint-Safe Upgrade: Everyday Microfiber Towels

Key Takeaways

  • Cheap microfiber towels vary widely in quality — most are not paint safe.
  • The biggest issues: linting, stiffness, low GSM, and scratch risk.
  • Premium towels last years; cheap towels often degrade within weeks.
  • Cheap towels are perfect for interiors, jambs, wheels, and greasy tasks.
  • Premium towels are mandatory for coatings, drying, black paint, and finishing work.

People Also Ask

  • Are cheap microfiber towels safe for cars?
  • Will cheap microfiber scratch paint?
  • How long do cheap microfiber towels last?
  • Are expensive microfiber towels worth it?
  • What GSM is safe for car paint?

Introduction: The Truth About Cheap Microfiber Towels

Walk into any big-box store and you’ll see value packs of microfiber towels — 12 towels for $5, 24 towels for $12, and so on. These towels are popular because they’re affordable and disposable. But in detailing, cheap doesn't always mean safe.

The real question isn’t “Are cheap towels bad?” — it’s “What tasks are they good for?”

Cheap microfiber towels come in many forms:

  • Grant’s 12-packs (Harbor Freight)
  • Amazon Basics microfiber bundles
  • Walmart Mainstays towels
  • Costco yellow microfiber towels
  • AutoZone/Advance Auto budget towels
  • Generic terry microfiber bulk packs

This post breaks down their strengths, weaknesses, and when you should — and absolutely should NOT — use them.

1. Pros of Cheap Microfiber Towels

1.1. They’re Affordable

Cheap packs are perfect for:

  • Dirty jobs
  • One-time use tasks
  • Greasy surfaces
  • Drying wheels or door jambs
  • Engine bays

1.2. You Won’t Feel Bad Throwing Them Away

If you use a towel on something filthy — tar, grease, brake dust — you won’t feel guilty tossing it.

1.3. Easy to Find Everywhere

Harbor Freight, Walmart, and Amazon always have cheap towels available.

2. Cons of Cheap Microfiber Towels

2.1. They’re Usually Not Safe for Paint

Cheap towels often have:

  • Low GSM (200–250 GSM)
  • Short, rough fiber loops
  • Stitched edges (high scratch risk)
  • Low polyamide content (less softness)
Warning → Cheap towels + black paint = instant micro-marring.

2.2. They Lint Quickly

Towels from Grant’s, Walmart, and Amazon Basics tend to lint heavily on glass and dark surfaces.

2.3. They Get Stiff After a Few Washes

Budget towels lose softness fast because the fibers collapse and harden after washing.

2.4. They Don’t Absorb Much Water

Cheap towels can’t match the absorption of premium microfiber. They tend to push water rather than absorb it.

3. Cheap Microfiber Towel Testing (Grant's + Budget Category)

We tested cheap towels from:

  • Grant’s (Harbor Freight)
  • Amazon Basics
  • Walmart Mainstays
  • Costco yellow towels
  • Generic terry microfiber packs

We tested them on:

  • Soft black paint
  • Gloss panels
  • Glass
  • Interior plastics
  • Ceramic-coated cars

Scoring Categories:

  • Softness
  • GSM (thickness)
  • Linting
  • Marring risk
  • Durability
  • Absorbency
Category Grant’s Towels Amazon Basics Walmart / Costco Generic Terry
Softness Low Moderate Moderate Very Low
Marring Risk High Medium Medium Very High
Linting High Moderate High Very High
Durability (10 Washes) Low Low Moderate Very Low
Absorbency Low Moderate Moderate Low

Conclusion: No cheap towel tested as paint-safe.

4. Cheap vs Premium Microfiber Towels: Side-by-Side Comparison

Category Cheap Towels Jimbo’s Microfiber Towels
GSM 200–250 390–550+
Softness Low–Medium Very High
Marring Risk Moderate–High Very Low
Durability Low High (years)
Absorbency Low–Moderate High

Premium towels = better results, safer paint, and longer lifespan.

5. What Cheap Towels Are Best Used For

Use Cheap Towels For:

  • Interior plastics and vinyl
  • Leather cleaning
  • Door jambs
  • Dirty wheels and tires
  • Exhaust tips
  • Engine bay work
  • Greasy or messy tasks

Do NOT Use Cheap Towels For:

  • Black paint
  • Ceramic coatings
  • Final wipe-downs
  • Drying paint
  • Polish removal
  • Glass cleaning (linting)

6. When Cheap Towels Become a Problem (Safety Breakdown)

1. Fiber Length

Short, stiff fibers = more friction.

2. Edge Stitching

Most cheap towels have hard stitched edges that scratch paint.

3. Low GSM

Thin towels don’t trap dirt — they drag it.

4. Poor Polyamide Content

Cheap towels are mostly polyester — the scratchier fiber.

Pro Tip → For paint or coatings, always choose edgeless, high-GSM Korean-style microfiber.

7. Durability Test: What Happens After 10 Washes?

Cheap Towels (Grant’s, Amazon Basics, Costco):

  • Fibers clump
  • Edges curl
  • Softness drops drastically
  • Lint increases
  • Water absorption drops
  • Become dangerously scratchy

Jimbo’s Towels (Everyday + Softer Than Soft):

  • Softness fully retained
  • No linting
  • No fiber collapse
  • Still safe for coatings and black paint
  • Absorbency remains strong
  • Edges stay flat

8. Should You Ever Use Cheap Towels on Paint?

Only in VERY specific situations:

  • Old, neglected paint where marring doesn’t matter
  • Wiping off dirty residue during deep decontamination
  • Disposable use where you don’t want to ruin a premium towel

But for ANY scratch-sensitive paint — absolutely not.

Want Towels That Won’t Scratch Your Paint?

Upgrade to premium, paint-safe microfiber designed for swirl-free detailing.

Alternatives

  • Everyday Microfiber Towels — Best all-around premium towel
  • Softer Than Soft Towels — Best for coatings & black paint
  • Massive Drying Towel — Streak-free drying
  • Scrub Buddy Pad — Interior cleaning only

Suggested Next Reads

FAQs

Are cheap microfiber towels safe for paint?

No — cheap towels typically have low GSM, stitched edges, and rough fibers that cause micro-marring.

Can I use cheap towels on interiors?

Yes — they’re perfect for dashboards, door panels, jambs, leather, and dirty tasks.

Do cheap microfiber towels lint?

Yes — most cheap towels lint heavily on glass and dark paint.

How long do cheap microfiber towels last?

Most degrade within 5–10 wash cycles.

Are expensive microfiber towels worth it?

Absolutely — they protect paint, last years, and give professional results.

 

Final Thoughts

Cheap microfiber towels absolutely have their place in detailing — but not on your vehicle’s paint. They are fantastic for interiors, wheels, greasy jobs, and disposable use. But when it comes to swirl-free washing, drying, coating removal, or black-paint maintenance, premium microfiber towels are the only safe choice.

Cheap towels save money upfront. Premium towels save your paint.

Upgrade to Paint-Safe Microfiber Towels
https://jimbosdetailing.com/products/everyday-microfiber