Car Care Myth: All 100% Cotton Towels are 100% Cotton

Tue, Jul 28, 2009 | Posted by: Derek

In the last installment of our Car Care Myths series, I cleared up the differences between polish and wax. Are you ready for some more myth busting? Okay… save the bath towels for your morning shower, step away from the old t-shirt, and for the love of all that is sacred in car care, leave the diapers on your babies. It’s time to dispel the myth that all cotton towels are created equal.

A detailer’s definition of 100% cotton should be much different than how he or she defines 100% cotton for bathrooms, bed sheets, and babies’ butts. The main difference you will find between the two is that 100% in household terms does not include the stitching. Those diapers and beach towels you’ve been using to buff actually have polyester stitching that is scratching your paint!

Make sure the towels you use are not only 100% cotton cloth but also stitched together with cotton. To be sure, put your so-called “100% cotton” towels to the flame test! Polyester melts, cotton does not. The towel is the last thing to touch the car. So don’t skimp!