Best Microfiber Towel for Cars - Our Expert Review!

By Bryce Gruber

Updated on Nov. 28, 2023

The internet is obsessed with these reusable car cleaning towels, so we tried them. Spoiler alert: They're worth every penny.

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We’re obsessed with easy car cleaning tips and tricks, which is why Amazon’s bestselling Chemical Guys microfiber towels caught our eye. With more than 21,000 Amazon reviews and a 4.8-star rating, we had to see if these machine washable cloths worked wonders on cleaning cars and trucks of all types as promised.

Our Home Editor gave them a whirl and found impressive results on her family car and work pickup truck.

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Bryce Gruber for Family Handyman

A set of brightly-hued Chemical Guys microfiber towels is easily one of the best car accessories for anyone who likes to keep a clean, shiny car. They’re long-lasting microfiber cleaning tools that offer scratch-free, lint-free and swirl-free cleaning.

They work on a variety of surfaces, from a car’s delicate exterior to the vinyl and rubber interiors that often take a beating from long-haul commutes and daily wear and tear.

These cloths are one of the best car cleaning products for those who pay attention to every detail and don’t want to spend a small fortune on disposable interior car wipes or weekly visits to the car wash. They’re also soft, easy to handle and last for ages thanks to sturdy long-lasting microfiber construction.

Specs:

As a mom of five, there’s no shortage of minivan messes to clean up in my household. Between spilled snacks and sticky fingers, my vehicle has put up with lots of abuse. It could use a proper cleaning that’s also easy and quick enough for a mom on the go.

I put the Chemical Guys microfiber towels through rigorous tests cleaning my Toyota minivan’s stickiest surfaces, even with a bunch of toddlers with lollipops in-hand “helping” with the task. I also tested them against the car’s pollen-dusted exterior and all over the vinyl and rubber accents of a GMC pickup truck.

With a few dabs of Leather Honey, one of the best car leather cleaners, I tried them on the minivan’s leather seats to clean, polish and protect.

The supple cloths worked perfectly on every surface, leaving behind absolutely no lint, scratches or damage — a major upgrade from abrasive paper towels or ordinary cotton terrycloth. We also tried the towels without cleaning fluid and found they worked better than any other dusting product we’ve tried. They effectively clean the tiny particles that tend to build up on dashboards and around rearview mirrors.

That was enough to sell me on the merits of these cheap cleaning helpers, but it wasn’t until I threw them in the washing machine that I was fully impressed. I’ve used the towels, washed them, and reused them eight times so far, and they’re still just as good as new. Just make sure you don’t put microfiber cloths in the dryer.

Aside from being incredibly affordable at less than $4 per cloth, these scratch-free wonders offer lint-free cleaning and washing. They can be used on their own or paired with car-cleaning putty and the best car vacuum cleaners for a certified, swirl-free finish. They’ll impress even the most discerning cleaning fanatics.

BRYCE GRUBER FOR FAMILY HANDYMAN

Can Chemical Guys microfiber towels be used on interior and exterior surfaces?

Yes. They’re ideal for cleaning a car’s exterior including paint finishes and glass, as well as all types of interior surfaces including vinyl, rubber and leather.

Can I use these towels with car wax?

If you’re using a soft or sprayable wax finish product, the Chemical Guys microfiber towels work especially well. With a solid or semi-solid wax, go with a higher-powered electronic buffer machine.

How long do Chemical Guys microfiber towels last?

That depends on use. Several Amazon reviewers claim they last for “over two years” and “daily for several months” without worry. Our own tests revealed the quality virtually unchanged after eight aggressive uses and machine washes.

“I thought people were losing their minds when I was reading the level of detail and microfiber towel expertise in these product reviews,” writes Haleigh, a verified Amazon purchaser. “But now I think I get it. Most of the reviewers use this on their cars, but I was just looking for something for everyday household use.

“We don’t use paper towels, so I wanted something good quality that we can use and reuse for a while. I have two messy children under two years old and these clean up EVERYTHING. Just a little bit of water and I can wipe down every kitchen surface, sticky hand and food-covered face.”

Fussy New Yorker, another verified Amazon purchaser writes, “These towels are great. My father trusted them with his brand-new truck and stole them from me. He stuffed them in his garage and pretended it was an accident and he ‘must’ve misplaced them.’ Pfft! He STOLE them and he’s never stolen anything. I was furious! Now I have to buy more!”

“I love these towels!” writes Chicken Keeper, another five-star reviewer and verified Amazon purchaser. “If you’re going to spend all that money on a vehicle why not give the paint the love it deserves? These towels will not scratch your paint the way a cotton towel would. I highly recommend microfiber towels. They are good for cleaning, polishing, buffing and interiors.”

The Chemical Guys microfiber towels are a must-buy for anyone who loves their vehicle. They’re so affordable, easy to use and practical that they’re an essential investment. They more than pay for themselves in the amount of disposable cloths and cleaning products you save. The scratch-free soft shine they leave behind also provides valuable peace of mind.

The best place to find Chemical Guys microfiber towels is Amazon, where a pack of three long-lasting towels costs just $11. You can also purchase packs of 12 or 24 towels that further reduce the price to just a couple of bucks each. But don’t delay. Some Amazon reviewers say three-packs tend to sell out quickly once the weather warms up and car-washing season begins.

$14.99 at Amazon