There’s nothing worse than spending hours detailing your car, working deep into every nook and cranny, only to step back and see streaking or water spots. You’re back to square one.
There are two things that can cause this frustrating issue:
- Not drying your car quickly enough
- Using the wrong drying techniques
Today, we’ll focus on how you can avoid the second of these two culprits since the first is as simple as drying faster. There are two ways you can go about drying your vehicle off post-wash: the standard car drying towel vs chamois. Each has its pros and cons, but which is better?
The chamois offers exceptional absorption without the need to wring it out, helping you dry faster and avoid those frustrating water spots or streaks. On the other hand, the right car drying towel is gentler on paint and minimises the risk of swirl marks, all while reducing drying time.
While there’s so much hype surrounding the chamois, we have had more success drying our cars the old-fashioned way. A quality car drying towel from Jennychem can hold up to 8x its weight in water and you don’t have to worry about reintroducing dirt like you would with a chamois because they’re machine washable.
That being said, we also have seen what doesn’t work with a chamois, and have developed our own car chamois product - so whichever path you take, Jennychem has you covered. Learn more about the differences below and set yourself up for successful car drying!
How You Dry Your Car Can Make or Break the End Result!
We know what you’re thinking…it can’t possibly be THAT important what I dry my car with, can it? The wrong drying technique isn’t just responsible for those water spots and streaks left behind. It can also put fine scratches into your vehicle’s paint job that dull its finish over time.
It’s easy to grab an old bath towel, a t-shirt, or even let the car air dry - but each of these methods causes more harm than good. Water left behind on the car surface will eventually evaporate, but it leaves behind mineral deposits, and in turn, those stubborn water spots.
Think about how hard you work to wash your car as you scrub every crevice, and take into consideration the costs associated with detailing your car. Quality car cleaning products aren’t cheap, after all. It’s worth putting a bit more thought and money into the drying side of things.
Now, you can’t go wrong choosing between a car drying towel vs chamois - each of these is a far better choice than the other methods we mentioned above. But only one is right for your detailing regimen.
Overview of Car Drying Towels
When most people think of how to dry car after washing, this is what comes to mind. The trusty old towel has worked for centuries, and you know what they say - if it’s not broken, don’t fix it!
These tend to be made from microfibre, as the ultra-fine synthetic fibres are incredibly absorbent. Some of these are capable of holding up to 8 times their weight in water, as we said earlier, which means you can dry your entire car with just a few high-quality towels.
You’ll find two common types of microfibre car drying towels: waffle weave and plush pile. The textured surface of waffle weave towels increases surface area for absorption so they dry even faster.
On the other hand, plush pile towels have thicker, softer fibres that gently pull moisture away from the paint while minimising the risk of swirl marks or scratches.
Either way, these microfibre cloths are a far better alternative to cotton towels since they’re lint-free and won’t leave behind any unwanted fibres on your car’s surface. They’re also really durable and easy to wash without worrying about them losing absorbency over time.
Look at what most professional detailers use - you’ll find they still stick to microfibre towels over chamois. There’s a reason for that. But before we compare and contrast the two, let’s look at the other half of the car drying towel vs chamois comparison.
Overview of the Chamois
Sometimes referred to simply as a shammy, these are a bit newer to the car drying game - they’re just a few decades old. They were made from natural sheepskin at first but today, they’re crafted from both natural leather and synthetic materials.
The chamois is known for its smooth, suede-like texture that pulls water off a vehicle’s surface while leaving behind a streak-free finish. They’re designed to be wrung out throughout the drying process so in theory, you could use just one chamois for your entire vehicle.
They work best on flat surfaces like car hoods, roofs, and windows. The biggest benefit of chamois is its longevity, though. With proper care a single chamois can provide reliable drying help for years!
The only problem is they’re less forgiving than microfibre. Dirt and debris can become trapped and you could inadvertently drag these contaminants across the surface of your vehicle and in turn, could cause fine scratches.
That being said, is it really worth the risk to streamline your drying process a bit and not have to soil multiple towels? That’s something you’ll have to decide for yourself. Let’s take a closer look at the car drying towel vs chamois differences below to help you make the right choice.
Car Drying Towel vs Chamois: Which is Better?
What matters most is you’re using a quality drying solution for your vehicle and taking care to avoid causing more harm than good - and you can technically do this using either a traditional car drying towel or chamois.
Most people will find that the car drying towel best suits their needs, though. It’s simpler, gentler, and more versatile. But which holds more water? Which is the better value purchase? Is one easier to maintain than the other? Let’s see how they stack up below.
Absorption Capacity
The way in which a car drying towel and chamois absorb water off your vehicle’s paint or glass surfaces differs dramatically.
Microfibre drying towels feature thousands of tiny fibres that trap and hold moisture, absorbing up to 8 times the towel’s weight. This means it takes fewer passes to dry the car completely.
On the other hand, a chamois pulls water off the surface and thus needs to be wrung frequently to keep working well. It cannot hold nearly as much water at once, so it’s less convenient for drying large vehicles quickly.
Ease of Use
It doesn’t get any easier than drying a car with a microfibre towel. Simply spread it over a panel, gently drag it, or pat dry. No need to deal with unnecessary wringing - just have 2-3 towels on hand and you can effortlessly dry your car.
In contrast, chamois do need to be wrung frequently throughout the drying process. This can slow things down and increase the risk of leaving behind streaks or water spots.
It’s also important to note that chamois can dry out and won’t work as well - they need to be re-wetted if they become stiff. They’re a bit more fickle than a typical towel.
They also have a more specific technique. They need to be laid flat against the surface and pulled along the vehicle. It can take some time to get the hang of drying a car with a chamois.
Paint Safety
The last thing you want is to cause more harm than good on your vehicle’s paintwork. Any dirt or debris trapped in a drying cloth can scratch the surface, which is why car drying towels have a clear edge in this regard as well.
The soft, plush texture naturally reduces the risk of scratches. But more importantly, these can be washed after each use so you’re always drying with a clean towel.
A chamois has a smooth texture, though, so it won’t trap dirt nearly as well. Even a tiny piece left behind can be dragged along the surface and lead to fine scratches or swirl marks. These don’t wash as easily, either. Speaking of which…
Maintenance and Longevity
Microfibre towels are super easy to care for. They do need to be washed separately from cotton fabrics, and it’s best to invest in a microfibre detergent. You should avoid fabric softeners as these can clog the fibres. With proper care these can last hundreds of washes.
Chamois are a bit more complicated to care for. Natural chamois materials need to be kept in a slightly damp container because once it becomes dry, stiff, and brittle, it’s never really the same. These need to be cleaned thoroughly after each use, typically by hand.
Synthetic chamois tend to be more forgiving and easier to care for, but they don’t last nearly as long as their natural counterparts. At any rate, microfibre towels are the better choice across the board.
Cost Considerations
Be clear, you should never cut corners and make decisions based on cost when it comes to your vehicle. Still, which is the more affordable option between a car drying towel vs chamois?
There’s no comparison - car drying towels are far more cost-effective, sometimes as cheap as £7.00 for a really high-quality solution! A natural chamois can easily cost 2-4x that, while a synthetic chamois is still going to be more expensive.
So, Should I Use a Car Drying Towel or Chamois?
The choice between the two should be fairly clear. While the chamois sounds great in theory, it ultimately creates more headaches and brings more risk of scratches to the drying process.
A simple microfibre car drying towel is safer, more effective, easier to care for, and more affordable. What more could you ask for? There’s no need to overcomplicate things. Just get the best car drying towel UK detailers have access to at Jennychem.
Find All the Car Drying and Cleaning Essentials at Jennychem
Jennychem is your one-stop shop for all the car cleaning and drying supplies you need, with more than 35 years of experience serving UK professionals and car owners. We have a few different premium car drying towels for you to choose from:
- Thick Dark Blue Microfibre Towel: This 60 x 90 cm ultra-plush towel absorbs ten times its weight in water for a lint-free, streak-free finish, while its soft microfibre edges prevent scratches.
- Grey Twisted Loop Towel: The double-faced design is as versatile as it gets. Rapidly absorb water with its twisted pile side while the short pile reverse brings out a streak-free finish.
- AQUA Buffing Buddy: Made with coral-fleeced microfibre, this 50 x 80 cm towel absorbs eight times its weight in water. Its low-lint, scratch-proof design is perfect for delicate finishes.
We also have all the other professional car cleaning products you need to round out your detailing regimen, ranging from the basics like car shampoo to snow foam, car microfibre cloths, and more.
Whether you're a car enthusiast or a professional detailer, Jennychem has what you need. Shop today and upgrade your drying process for a flawless, showroom-quality finish.
Bringing Our Chamois vs Drying Towel Comparison to a Close
Choosing between a chamois and a microfibre drying towel is actually a lot easier than you might have initially thought. Chamois might sound like a great alternative to the traditional car drying towel, but they fall short in just about every way.
A quality microfibre towel is easier to use, more efficient, and longer lasting. Most importantly, though, it does a better job of protecting your paint from scratches. The verdict is clear in comparing a car drying towel vs chamois.
Our blog has more tips on cleaning car windows or advice on how to polish car by hand if you’re looking to round out your detailing regimen. Otherwise, it’s time to invest in better drying results and paint longevity at Jennychem. Discover ultra-absorbent, scratch-free drying towels today!
There’s nothing worse than spending hours detailing your car, working deep into every nook and cranny, only to step back and see streaking or water spots. You’re back to square one.
There are two things that can cause this frustrating issue:
- Not drying your car quickly enough
- Using the wrong drying techniques
Today, we’ll focus on how you can avoid the second of these two culprits since the first is as simple as drying faster. There are two ways you can go about drying your vehicle off post-wash: the standard car drying towel vs chamois. Each has its pros and cons, but which is better?
The chamois offers exceptional absorption without the need to wring it out, helping you dry faster and avoid those frustrating water spots or streaks. On the other hand, the right car drying towel is gentler on paint and minimises the risk of swirl marks, all while reducing drying time.
While there’s so much hype surrounding the chamois, we have had more success drying our cars the old-fashioned way. A quality car drying towel from Jennychem can hold up to 8x its weight in water and you don’t have to worry about reintroducing dirt like you would with a chamois because they’re machine washable.
That being said, we also have seen what doesn’t work with a chamois, and have developed our own car chamois product - so whichever path you take, Jennychem has you covered. Learn more about the differences below and set yourself up for successful car drying!
How You Dry Your Car Can Make or Break the End Result!
We know what you’re thinking…it can’t possibly be THAT important what I dry my car with, can it? The wrong drying technique isn’t just responsible for those water spots and streaks left behind. It can also put fine scratches into your vehicle’s paint job that dull its finish over time.
It’s easy to grab an old bath towel, a t-shirt, or even let the car air dry - but each of these methods causes more harm than good. Water left behind on the car surface will eventually evaporate, but it leaves behind mineral deposits, and in turn, those stubborn water spots.
Think about how hard you work to wash your car as you scrub every crevice, and take into consideration the costs associated with detailing your car. Quality car cleaning products aren’t cheap, after all. It’s worth putting a bit more thought and money into the drying side of things.
Now, you can’t go wrong choosing between a car drying towel vs chamois - each of these is a far better choice than the other methods we mentioned above. But only one is right for your detailing regimen.
Overview of Car Drying Towels
When most people think of how to dry car after washing, this is what comes to mind. The trusty old towel has worked for centuries, and you know what they say - if it’s not broken, don’t fix it!
These tend to be made from microfibre, as the ultra-fine synthetic fibres are incredibly absorbent. Some of these are capable of holding up to 8 times their weight in water, as we said earlier, which means you can dry your entire car with just a few high-quality towels.
You’ll find two common types of microfibre car drying towels: waffle weave and plush pile. The textured surface of waffle weave towels increases surface area for absorption so they dry even faster.
On the other hand, plush pile towels have thicker, softer fibres that gently pull moisture away from the paint while minimising the risk of swirl marks or scratches.
Either way, these microfibre cloths are a far better alternative to cotton towels since they’re lint-free and won’t leave behind any unwanted fibres on your car’s surface. They’re also really durable and easy to wash without worrying about them losing absorbency over time.
Look at what most professional detailers use - you’ll find they still stick to microfibre towels over chamois. There’s a reason for that. But before we compare and contrast the two, let’s look at the other half of the car drying towel vs chamois comparison.
Overview of the Chamois
Sometimes referred to simply as a shammy, these are a bit newer to the car drying game - they’re just a few decades old. They were made from natural sheepskin at first but today, they’re crafted from both natural leather and synthetic materials.
The chamois is known for its smooth, suede-like texture that pulls water off a vehicle’s surface while leaving behind a streak-free finish. They’re designed to be wrung out throughout the drying process so in theory, you could use just one chamois for your entire vehicle.
They work best on flat surfaces like car hoods, roofs, and windows. The biggest benefit of chamois is its longevity, though. With proper care a single chamois can provide reliable drying help for years!
The only problem is they’re less forgiving than microfibre. Dirt and debris can become trapped and you could inadvertently drag these contaminants across the surface of your vehicle and in turn, could cause fine scratches.
That being said, is it really worth the risk to streamline your drying process a bit and not have to soil multiple towels? That’s something you’ll have to decide for yourself. Let’s take a closer look at the car drying towel vs chamois differences below to help you make the right choice.
Car Drying Towel vs Chamois: Which is Better?
What matters most is you’re using a quality drying solution for your vehicle and taking care to avoid causing more harm than good - and you can technically do this using either a traditional car drying towel or chamois.
Most people will find that the car drying towel best suits their needs, though. It’s simpler, gentler, and more versatile. But which holds more water? Which is the better value purchase? Is one easier to maintain than the other? Let’s see how they stack up below.
Absorption Capacity
The way in which a car drying towel and chamois absorb water off your vehicle’s paint or glass surfaces differs dramatically.
Microfibre drying towels feature thousands of tiny fibres that trap and hold moisture, absorbing up to 8 times the towel’s weight. This means it takes fewer passes to dry the car completely.
On the other hand, a chamois pulls water off the surface and thus needs to be wrung frequently to keep working well. It cannot hold nearly as much water at once, so it’s less convenient for drying large vehicles quickly.
Ease of Use
It doesn’t get any easier than drying a car with a microfibre towel. Simply spread it over a panel, gently drag it, or pat dry. No need to deal with unnecessary wringing - just have 2-3 towels on hand and you can effortlessly dry your car.
In contrast, chamois do need to be wrung frequently throughout the drying process. This can slow things down and increase the risk of leaving behind streaks or water spots.
It’s also important to note that chamois can dry out and won’t work as well - they need to be re-wetted if they become stiff. They’re a bit more fickle than a typical towel.
They also have a more specific technique. They need to be laid flat against the surface and pulled along the vehicle. It can take some time to get the hang of drying a car with a chamois.
Paint Safety
The last thing you want is to cause more harm than good on your vehicle’s paintwork. Any dirt or debris trapped in a drying cloth can scratch the surface, which is why car drying towels have a clear edge in this regard as well.
The soft, plush texture naturally reduces the risk of scratches. But more importantly, these can be washed after each use so you’re always drying with a clean towel.
A chamois has a smooth texture, though, so it won’t trap dirt nearly as well. Even a tiny piece left behind can be dragged along the surface and lead to fine scratches or swirl marks. These don’t wash as easily, either. Speaking of which…
Maintenance and Longevity
Microfibre towels are super easy to care for. They do need to be washed separately from cotton fabrics, and it’s best to invest in a microfibre detergent. You should avoid fabric softeners as these can clog the fibres. With proper care these can last hundreds of washes.
Chamois are a bit more complicated to care for. Natural chamois materials need to be kept in a slightly damp container because once it becomes dry, stiff, and brittle, it’s never really the same. These need to be cleaned thoroughly after each use, typically by hand.
Synthetic chamois tend to be more forgiving and easier to care for, but they don’t last nearly as long as their natural counterparts. At any rate, microfibre towels are the better choice across the board.
Cost Considerations
Be clear, you should never cut corners and make decisions based on cost when it comes to your vehicle. Still, which is the more affordable option between a car drying towel vs chamois?
There’s no comparison - car drying towels are far more cost-effective, sometimes as cheap as £7.00 for a really high-quality solution! A natural chamois can easily cost 2-4x that, while a synthetic chamois is still going to be more expensive.
So, Should I Use a Car Drying Towel or Chamois?
The choice between the two should be fairly clear. While the chamois sounds great in theory, it ultimately creates more headaches and brings more risk of scratches to the drying process.
A simple microfibre car drying towel is safer, more effective, easier to care for, and more affordable. What more could you ask for? There’s no need to overcomplicate things. Just get the best car drying towel UK detailers have access to at Jennychem.
Find All the Car Drying and Cleaning Essentials at Jennychem
Jennychem is your one-stop shop for all the car cleaning and drying supplies you need, with more than 35 years of experience serving UK professionals and car owners. We have a few different premium car drying towels for you to choose from:
- Thick Dark Blue Microfibre Towel: This 60 x 90 cm ultra-plush towel absorbs ten times its weight in water for a lint-free, streak-free finish, while its soft microfibre edges prevent scratches.
- Grey Twisted Loop Towel: The double-faced design is as versatile as it gets. Rapidly absorb water with its twisted pile side while the short pile reverse brings out a streak-free finish.
- AQUA Buffing Buddy: Made with coral-fleeced microfibre, this 50 x 80 cm towel absorbs eight times its weight in water. Its low-lint, scratch-proof design is perfect for delicate finishes.
We also have all the other professional car cleaning products you need to round out your detailing regimen, ranging from the basics like car shampoo to snow foam, car microfibre cloths, and more.
Whether you're a car enthusiast or a professional detailer, Jennychem has what you need. Shop today and upgrade your drying process for a flawless, showroom-quality finish.
Bringing Our Chamois vs Drying Towel Comparison to a Close
Choosing between a chamois and a microfibre drying towel is actually a lot easier than you might have initially thought. Chamois might sound like a great alternative to the traditional car drying towel, but they fall short in just about every way.
A quality microfibre towel is easier to use, more efficient, and longer lasting. Most importantly, though, it does a better job of protecting your paint from scratches. The verdict is clear in comparing a car drying towel vs chamois.
Our blog has more tips on cleaning car windows or advice on how to polish car by hand if you’re looking to round out your detailing regimen. Otherwise, it’s time to invest in better drying results and paint longevity at Jennychem. Discover ultra-absorbent, scratch-free drying towels today!