Best Towels for Contact Washing – Safe Picks for Swirl-Free Results
Your towel is either protecting your paint—or scratching it. Here's how to pick the right one for contact washing.
Why Your Towel Choice Matters
The contact wash step is where most swirls happen. Even with a great soap and pre-rinse, the towel you use can either glide safely or grind in leftover dirt. That’s why choosing the right microfiber towel is critical.
What to Look For in a Contact Wash Towel
- High pile microfiber (350+ GSM)
- Edgeless or hidden edge design
- Soft, plush fibers with no exposed stitching
- Large enough to fold into clean sections
Our Top Recommendation: Orange Wash Microfiber Towel
The Orange Wash Microfiber Towel is specifically designed for safe contact washing. It features:
- 390 GSM high-pile microfiber
- 16x16 size for easy folding
- Ultra-soft, paint-safe finish
- No tags, edges, or linting
It pairs perfectly with The Super Soaper in foam cannon or pump sprayer washes.
What Towels to Avoid
- Old cotton rags or bath towels
- Sponges or chamois (they trap grit)
- Cheap bulk microfiber with stiff edges
If it feels scratchy, toss it. If it has a stitched edge, skip it for paintwork.
How to Use Towels Properly
- Fold into quarters to get 8 clean surfaces per towel
- Use a fresh towel for lower sections of the car
- Rinse or swap towels when dirty—don’t reuse grit-covered sides
Final Thoughts
You can have the best soap, best foam, and best technique—but if your towel is rough or dirty, you're still scratching your car. Investing in proper contact wash towels protects your paint and makes the entire wash process more enjoyable and efficient.
Shop the Orange Wash Microfiber Towel
