Car Wash Aids

Which of these eight car wash aids deserves a big hand? We scrub up to put them to the test

Auto Express Car Reviews

November 2006

You've got to hand it to wash mitts - they are much better than they used to be. Due to the microfibre revolution they now suck up grime and shampoo like never before, and they're much easier to use than sponges when keeping your car clean through the winter.

Modern microscopic fibres penetrate deep into the bodywork, so removing those hard-to-shift marks is a breeze and requires little pressure. In addition, they absorb much more water than their natural fibre predecessors, which needed frequent dips into the wash bucket. Finally, makers have improved the designs, so the mitt is less likely than before to slip off the hand.

So which are the best for keeping the winter grime off your car? We pitched hi-tech microfibre mitts against the traditional sheepskin and cotton versions to separate the soap stars from the real washouts.

We assessed our samples both dry and wet on a car that had been in storage for several years. Our test rated grime removal and the effort needed, and we took into consideration any damage to the paintwork.

Stains such as tar, bird lime and brake dust were tackled. The mitts were also weighed wet and dry to rate water absorbency. Marks were added for comfort, grip, whether the mitt is machine washable, and value.

Verdict

The Best Buy for Kent's 2in1 is well deserved. The mitt is highly absorbent, its microfibres simply love dirt and grime, and there's even a gauze scrub pad on the rear - a brilliant package for less than four quid.

A close second is Metro's microfibre offering, which is equally easy on the wallet. It's a better fit, but no scrub pad was included, and there wasn't as much absorbency.

Love or hate the colour, Kent's Ladies' Mitt works as well as our winner, and is a smaller option.