Microfiber towels come in many styles, each designed for a specific detailing step. Choosing the right towel is crucial as it ensures maximum absorption or polishing without scratching the paint. Different weaves, pile heights and edgings suit specific tasks, from polishing paint to cleaning leather. In Australia, detailers typically stock buffing towels for polishing, high-GSM towels for drying, wax and sealant work, and short-pile towels or mitts for interior surfaces. Below we break down the main types and uses of microfibre towels, with Aussie-friendly examples and product links from The Detail Store Australia.

Drying Towels

In Australia’s harsh sun, fast drying is key. Waffle-weave or twisted-loop towels absorb lots of water without marring paint. For drying, use a high-GSM twisted-loop towel to wipe away water quickly. These towels have thick, closed-loop piles that swiftly absorb while gliding across surfaces. For example, The Rag Company The Liquid8r Twist Loop Microfibre Drying Towel (1100 GSM) offers massive absorbency and the floppy heft detailers love. Waffle-weave towels, such as The Rag Company Dry Me a River Waffle Weave Towel also excels at drying and streak-free results. Alternatively, the Apex Customs MOFO Microfibre Drying Towel is a twisted-loop towel that holds over a litre of water and drapes easily over panels.

Buffing & Polishing

High-density, edgeless towels (often 300–500 GSM) are ideal for polishing and buffing paintwork, chrome, wheels and glass without scratching. For example, the Apex Customs Ultra Soft 500 GSM Edgeless Detailing Microfibre Towel is perfect for buffing and finishing applications. Its plush pile holds polish and wax while delivering a flawless final buff. This Korean-made, edge‑cut towel is durable yet plush, making it excellent for final polish removal.

Wax & Sealant Application

Thicker, plusher towels (often 600+ GSM) are used to apply or remove waxes, sealants and coatings. A versatile option is the Gyeon Q²M Polish Wipe, an edgeless, laser-cut cloth with dual pile lengths. One side has long fibres for final levelling and buffing, while the other has shorter fibres to remove polish residues, making it great for smear-free wax or coating wipe-off.

Another favourite is The Rag Company Edgeless All-Purpose Terry Microfiber (300 GSM), which is essentially an all-purpose workhorse. It’s specifically recommended for removal of polish, glaze, sealant. Use it to evenly apply wax or sealant, then flip or switch to a fresh towel to buff the surface clean.

Interior Cleaning

For dashboards, vents and tight spots, use a small, low-GSM microfiber. These are thin and flexible, perfect for picking up dust without bulk. For example, the CleanSkin Edgeless 300 Pearl Weave Microfibre Towel is label-free and non-abrasive. It’s recommended for all interior surfaces such as leather, vinyl, plastic, carpet, metal, wood, and more. It can also remove polish or sealant if needed. Likewise, Apex Customs Grey Microfibre Interior Mitt is perfect for dashboards and panels, and The Rag Company makes dedicated Interior Towels that won’t scratch delicate surfaces.

The Rag Company Eagle Edgeless 600 Polishing Towel

Glass Cleaning

When it comes to glass, the key is a lint-free, flat or twist-loop weave towel that delivers a streak-free finish. The Rag Company’s Premium FTW Twist Loop Glass Towel is designed precisely for this purpose. Made with a 70/30 blend and a unique twist-loop weave, it absorbs glass cleaner residue efficiently and leaves windows, mirrors, and screens crystal clear, without lint or haze. With its high density woven microfibre, the Apex Customs Streak-Free Glass Towel is another favourite. This minimises streaks on surfaces and guarantees optimal cleaning.

Apex Customs Streak-Free Glass Microfibre Towel 

All-Purpose Detailing Towels

Finally, have some general-purpose low-pile towels on hand for miscellaneous tasks. A ~300 GSM edgeless towel is a true workhorse. The Rag Company All Purpose Microfiber Towel  has endless uses – It is ideal for cleaning, scrubbing, dusting, mopping, drying, detailing, wiping, and more. Other high quality all-purpose microfibre towels are GTECHNIQ MF1 Zeror Microfibre Buff Cloth, and the Apex Customs Ceramic Wipe Edgeless Microfibre Towel, which offer multiple uses other than buffing. 

Each of these towels is readily available at The Detail Store  and is made to withstand repeated washing. By matching towel type to task (buffing, waxing or interior cleaning) you’ll achieve a streak-free, scratch-free finish every time.

Summary

If you’re unsure which towel to use for which job, here’s a quick guide to help you match each type of microfibre towel with its ideal use. 

In summary, match your towel to the job: thick twist-loop towels for rapid drying, ultra-plush towels for buffing, low-pile terry for waxing, and specialised weaves for coatings or glass. Using the right towel not only speeds up the job but also keeps your paint safe and flawless. Whether you’re drying paintwork, buffing a freshly polished surface, or cleaning your interior, these top picks from The Detail Store have you covered.