Drying towels

Drying is the final step in washing a car, and the stage when the paint is easiest to scratch—any remaining dirt gets rubbed into the paint under the pressure of the towel. Choosing the right type of towel is therefore just as important as the drying technique itself.

Twisted-pile towels

The twisted fibers create pockets between them that trap tiny particles of dirt away from the paint surface. That’s why twisted-piletowels are among the safest on the market—an ideal choice if you want to minimize the risk of micro-scratches, even if drying takes a little longer. This category also includes the HyperDryerfrom our own NOX brand, also available as the smaller HyperDryer MINIfor wheels or smaller cars.

Plush towels

The dense, thick pile absorbs significantly more water in a single pass, so you can dry large areas faster with fewer passes. They’re best suited to cars that have been carefully washed or have a ceramic coating, where the risk of dragging dirt across the paint is lower.

How to use a drying towel correctly

Lay the towel on the surface and gently pull it in straight strokes rather than rubbing or pressing down. Shake it out or fold it to a clean side as you go, so you don’t drag the same dirty area back over the paint.

Drying towel vs. chamois

For a detailed comparison of microfiber and chamois, including why chamois falls short of twisted-pile and plush towels when it comes to drying safely, see our article How to dry your car properly after washing: microfiber vs. chamois.

Caring for your drying towel

To keep your towel absorbing just as well over time, wash it separately at max. 40°C, without fabric softener—it clogs the fibers, reducing the towel’s absorbency and ability to trap dirt. Use a special microfiber detergent or a regular laundry gel without softeners, and select a syntheticscycle. Avoid the tumble dryer and high temperatures: microfiber is heat-sensitive and could be damaged.