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Every car owner has once wished their car was still as glossy and scratch-free as the day they first got it, especially when it comes time to sell it. Although such thoughts might seem like mere wishes or regrets, they can become a reality with a good car wash mitt.
Although a wash mitt cannot revert any already done damages, it’s not too late to prevent further harm. So, read on to uncover the best car wash mitts to retain your car’s market value!
Why Buy a Car Wash Mitt?
Here are some reasons you should consider adding a car wash mitt to your detailing arsenal:
Protects Your Paint
Unlike regular sponges that drag dirt around when washing, leaving marks on your car’s surface, a good car wash mitt will collect and trap dirt, preventing them from causing any scratches to your car’s exterior. So, invest in a high-quality mitt to preserve your paint job.
Simplifies Cleaning
A proper car wash mitt will make your work easier. Rather than struggling with an old, ineffective sponge, you can use a present-day wash mitt that seamlessly and smoothly swipes the outer finish of your car.
Is Cheaper Than a Car Wash
When you stock up on supplies, including wash mitts, you will save yourself the extra cost of giving your car a commercial wash for several months, probably even years.
Effective
With the right wash mitt, a good cleaning soap, and a little effort, you can do a better job of cleaning your car than an automatic one.
Choosing the Right Car Wash Mitt
When purchasing a car wash mitt, you should bear a few things 0in mind if you want to make the right choice. Here are some of them:
1. Size
When selecting a car wash mitt, one of the critical factors you should consider is the size. It’s crucial to ensure that the mitt you purchase fits your hand well. If you get one too large, it will slip off during washing, making it difficult to get the work done.
On the other hand, if it’s too small, it will feel very uncomfortable, and you will struggle to wash your car properly.
2. Material/Durability
Getting a mitt that doesn’t fray or fall apart after a few uses is highly important, especially if you wash your vehicle regularly. Car wash mitts are meant to be long-term companions. Therefore, you should look out for the ones made of high-quality materials such as chenille microfiber. Lambswool is also a great option.
3. Fiber Length
Fiber length is another critical factor when selecting a car wash mitt. Longer fibers like wool are generally more efficient at picking up dirt and grime from the surface of your car. Other mitts tend to have shorter fibers which are not quite as effective but still do a great job cleaning your car.
4. Elastic Cuffs
When washing, your wash mitt must be adequately secured around your wrist to prevent you from accidentally dropping it. For this reason, you should ensure that the wash mitt of your choice has a tight, non-slip elastic cuff.
With that out of the way, let’s go through our selections for the best car wash mitts!
Best Car Wash Mitt Overall: Adam’s Microfiber Car Wash Mitt
There are many wash mitts of great quality, but Adam’s microfiber car wash mitt outplaces them. This product is a result of the company’s constant improvements. When it comes to holding water, this mitt does it almost too well.
Its plush and absorbent body allows you to take fewer trips to your wash bucket when cleaning your car. It also possesses an internal seam that guides your fingers into tight areas of your vehicle’s bodywork.
The best thing about this mitt is that it not only promises top-tier washing prowess but also assures you of a long-lasting, scratch-free cleaning of your vehicle’s finish, and this is due to its blend of synthetic microfibers.
You can also wash it in your laundry after use, quickly getting it ready for your next car wash. The final astounding feature of this mitt is its size. Its intelligently designed proportions guarantee a good fit for your hand regardless of the size. Most users affirm this.
Adam’s Microfiber Car Wash Mitt
A plush and absorbent wash mitt that holds a lot of water, allowing you to take fewer trips to your wash bucket. It also possesses an internal seam, so you can wear it like a glove and reach into tight areas of your vehicle’s bodywork.
- Provides excellent precision when washing
- Well-sized for a variety of hands
- Durable
- None
Best Car Wash Mitt Runner-up: AmazonBasics Deluxe Microfiber Car Wash Mitt
Our next pick for the best microfiber car wash mitt is the Amazonbasics deluxe microfiber car wash mitt. This double-sided mitt features microfiber noodles all over its body, absorbing water well and dispersing dirt effectively.
It also has a handy elasticated cuff to prevent you from wetting your hand. This mitt is also durable, withstanding harsh washing conditions and laundry like no other.
The best aspect of this mitt is probably its price. It is very cheap and well-constructed. It also comes in a pack of two in case you need extra hands to get your washing done faster.
The only drawback to this car wash mitt is its size which is a little larger than the average hand. The manufacturer’s instructions are also slightly lacking, but it works well.
AmazonBasics Deluxe Microfiber Car Wash Mitt
A double-sided mitt that features microfiber noodles all over its body, and absorbs water like no other. It also comes in a pack of two in case you need extra hands to get your washing done faster.
- Very affordable
- Durable
- Comes as a dual pack
- Too large
Best Car Wash Mitt for Large Vehicles: Anngrowy Microfiber Car Wash Brush Mop Kit
Washing your vehicle can be a tad bit tedious, especially if it’s an SUV or a van. That’s where the Anngrowy Microfiber Brush mop kit comes into play. It helps you scrub harder-to-reach places with its 62-inch extendable handle, eliminating the need to ever use a stool to reach the roof of your vehicle.
This long handle also detaches from the mitt, becoming a perfect tool for cleaning your windshield and other parts of your car without leaving scratches or swirl marks.
Unlike other car mitts, this mitt can also be used for household cleaning tasks such as dusting ceiling fans, kids’ slides, and other outdoor structures. Although this mitt does not absorb soap and water as much as other products on this list, it is still a great washing tool, especially for larger vehicles.
Anngrowy Microfiber Car Wash Brush Mop Kit
A microfiber wash brush with a 62-inch handle that helps you reach high parts of your large vehicle. It can also be detached from the handle and used as a perfect tool for other parts of your car, as well as for household cleaning tasks.
- Well suited for huge vehicles
- Adapted for other cleaning tasks as well
- Not as absorbent as other products on this list
Best Wheel Wash Mitt: Chemical Guys Bear Claw
As the name suggests, Chemical guys bear claw is the meanest wash tool on dirt and grime but ultra-soft on your car’s finish. Unlike most products on this list, this mitt is made of synthetic wool fur, which is probably the best at holding water and suds, holding up to five times its weight.
It is also well-sized for large hands, and the elastic cuffs hold up pretty well.
When this mitt is used on windows and bodywork, it may leave fine lint behind or get caught on the edges of badges and other trim pieces. Although this is a slight drawback, it’s still an excellent choice for washing wheels, where lint will be less noticeable, and there are no sharp corners for it to get caught on.
Chemical Guys Bear Claw
An ultra-soft wool mitt that absorbs humongous amounts of water, and does a perfect job of wiping dirt off your wheel's finish. It is also well sized for large hands, and the elastic cuffs hold up pretty well.
- Holds mountains of foaming suds
- Generous size is suitable for large hands
- Offers top-tier dirt-trapping capacity
- Leaves visible lint on the bodywork
- Can get caught on corners and sharp edges
Best Versatile Car Wash Mitt: GreatCool 3-in-1 Car Wash Mitt
GreatCool has done a remarkable job coming up with the GreatCool 3-in-1 Car Wash Mitt. It is perhaps the most versatile product on our list of the best car wash mitts. This wash mitt combines three different materials, promising effective cleaning of every exterior surface of your vehicle.
One face of the mitt has thick chenille caterpillars you can use for soaping and washing your vehicle. On the opposite face is a velvet material, which is well-suited for more detail-oriented cleaning of painted surfaces. Lastly, the sides of this mitt are made of mesh which you can use in cleaning glass and paintwork.
This mitt can also be used dry to dust and wipe down hard surfaces in your vehicle’s interior. The exciting part is that this mitt not only fits well but is also very cheap. So cheap that you could buy it in multiples and dedicate each one to a different task.
The only setback to this mitt is that although it performs numerous tasks well, it isn’t as great as other products specifically designed for such tasks. After all, a jack of all trades is usually a master of none.
GreatCool 3-in-1 Car Wash Mitt
A wash mitt with a combination of three different materials, all adapted to different cleaning tasks for effectively cleaning every exterior surface of your car. It can also be used dry to dust and wipe down hard surfaces in your vehicle's interior.
- Very versatile car wash tool
- Unbelievably low price
- Fits well
- Suitable for most types of cleaning but not tailored to any
FAQs
What Is the Difference Between a Yellow Sponge and a Car Wash Mitt?
Car wash mitts are different from yellow sponges for a few reasons. For starters, mitts are not flat-faced. And the plush body traps and absorbs dirt/grit into its deeper surface area. This prevents scratches and swirl marks from dirt being dragged along the surface of your car, unlike a yellow sponge.
How Do I Wash a Car Mitt After Using It?
Before washing a car mitt, it is best to read the manufacturer’s directions. This is because mitts are made differently and can withstand different washing conditions. For machine washable mitts, you should use the gentle cycle, and depending on the instructions in the user manual, you can place it in a dryer or dip-dry it afterward.
When Should You Use a Wheel Mitt?
You should use a wheel mitt to clean wheels with delicate paint finishes. They’re usually made with soft natural wool that facilitates the lifting of dirt and grime from the wheel surface with minimal chances of scratches.
However, a wheel mitt will find it difficult to reach the inner barrel of alloys and perhaps struggle with intricate designs. For this reason, it’s best to team it up with a soft wheel brush to reach every nook and cranny.
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