Chamois vs. Microfiber Towel – Which One Is Better?

When it comes to drying your car, truck or vehicle, you have a couple of options. You can use blowers, chamois (shammies) or microfiber towels. For all you car-lovers out there, you’ve probably heard of the chamois vs. microfiber debate. It’s a hot topic for those who want to take care of their vehicles in the best way possible while saving money and resources. Let’s look at the pros and cons of each type of towel and tips for choosing the right towel for your vehicle. 

Microfiber Towels

Microfiber towels are denoted as such because of what they’re made of, microfiber. Microfiber is any fiber that is smaller than the diameter of a silk thread and is usually made of a polyester/nylon blend. Before using a microfiber car drying towel to dry your vehicle (this goes for chamois, too), make sure you’ve cleared all the debris and dirt from the surface. Sliding a towel over even a speck of dust or gravel will be a sure way to leave a scratch.

Another critical difference between a microfiber drying towel and a chamois is its density. The denser a microfiber towel, the more moisture it can absorb, and the more expensive it will be. The density of a microfiber cloth is denoted in grams per square meter (GSM). Microfibers are two times thinner than silk, three times thinner than wool, eight times thinner than cotton and 100 times finer than hair!

The pros of using a microfiber towel include:

• Lower costs: Less expensive than chamois and other kinds of towels designed for your vehicle.
• Variety: They come in a multitude of shapes and sizes. You can buy a large microfiber towel for drying large vehicles or for cars with a smaller surface area.
• Versatility: These towels serve various functions, with some made for interiors or exterior use only.
• High absorbency: In fact, microfiber towels have become the number one choice for auto detailing due to their absorbency. Quality microfiber towels can absorb up to seven times their weight in moisture. So, if you’re wondering “Are microfiber towels absorbent?”, the answer is a confident yes.
• Capable of dry-washing your vehicle: You can use microfiber towels in waterless car washes because of their soft and nonabrasive texture.
• Safe on paint: You can use these towels to clean dust without scratching your vehicle’s body. The fine fibers are especially gentle on the exterior paint.

Cons of choosing a microfiber towel over a chamois for drying car purposes:

• Streaks left on your car or truck when damp.
• The cheaper towels of this type may leave behind cotton particles.
• You may need more than one for drying your vehicle, which can be costly depending on how many you need to get the job done.

If you already have a microfiber towel at home or for your car wash, we suggest following the steps below to ensure its longevity and effectiveness:

• Refrain from using bleach or fabric softener on your microfiber drying towels.
• If possible, air-dry your microfiber towels on a cold setting or allow them to dry naturally.
• Never dry them in high temperatures.

Chamois

You may have noticed drivers in the Olympics using a chamois car towel. “Chamois” refers to the weaved material of the towel and comes in a soft, felt-like finish. They are an absorbent synthetic rubber type and are ideal for larger vehicles. As for what is chamois made of, traditionally it’s made from the hide of a chamois animal, but today it is typically made from synthetic materials like polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or microfiber.

Keep in mind that chamois can become stiff when dry. To get the best chamois towel, look for one that stays flexible after drying and has a smooth, lint-free surface.

The pros of using a chamois drying towel include:

• Efficient at absorbing water and dries quickly with fewer pauses to ring out.
• Great for large car surfaces or the exterior of a boat.
• Reliable usage, so you’ll only need one to dry your entire vehicle.
• Durable enough for wash sessions of multiple vehicles.

On the other hand, you may want to look out for some of the cons of using a chamois drying towel:

• Dries hard, which can make it inconvenient to store.
• Can scratch the vehicle if used incorrectly.
• Requires water to work effectively and is not ideal for waterless, eco-friendly sprays.

To properly take care of a chamois, be sure to:

• Clean your chamois after every use with clean, soapy water with only soaps explicitly made for automobiles. Avoid using fabric softener or bleach.
• Use only chemical-free water to clean your chamois.
• Chamois are best washed by hand and need to be left to dry naturally. Do not dry using high temperatures, tumble dry or dry-clean your chamois.

What Is the Difference Between a Shammy and Chamois?

As you’re considering whether you want to buy a microfiber towel or a car-drying chamois, you’re bound to come across a third term, “shammy.” Don’t let it throw you for too much of a loop. A car shammy isn’t a totally different kind of fabric that’s been thrown into the mix.

In fact, the word “shammy” is a nickname that actually comes from the word “chamois.” However, that doesn’t mean that a shammy and a chamois cloth are exactly the same thing. A shammy tends to be made from a specific type of chamois leather. The leather is excellent for polishing and shining up everything from the surface of a vehicle to fine jewelry. For this reason, a true shammy can be an excellent addition to your car care kit.

Should You Use a Shammy to Dry Your Vehicle or a Chamois?

Here’s the real question, though, will a shammy dry a vehicle as well as a chamois will? The answer depends upon the brand and type of shammy that you purchase. Because all shammies are manufactured and branded independently, you’ll want to make sure that you choose the one that’s right for the project you have on hand. In other words, read the “best use” guidelines and look at the customer reviews before you buy a shammy.

At the end of the day, you’ll be happy that you did your homework on chamois versus car shammy products, as well as chamois and shammies versus microfiber towels. The more knowledge you have, the better you can decide which type of towel to select.

Should You Choose Microfiber Towels or Chamois?

In the end, we suggest using microfiber cleaning cloths for luxury car surfaces or if you’re first getting started.

Our reasoning is that your high-quality microfiber towels are durable and gentle on the surface of your vehicles, unlike chamois or cheaper towels that can leave scratches. Quality, premium-grade microfiber towels include the kind with a waffle weave texture (for windows or glass), a drying microfiber towel (for anytime you make contact with the paint), a microfiber wash mitt (for applying soap) and a microfiber dash duster (for hard-to-reach places).

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a towel that soaks up water quickly, chamois towels may be the best choice, as they work like a water magnet. Try using synthetic chamois instead of leather chamois because the synthetic kind tends to absorb more water.

Order Car Cleaning Towels From Towel Super Center

If you are ready to stock your car wash or garage with the best towels for your car, check out our car wash towels or microfiber car cleaning towels. Or, if you have questions or concerns about which towel to choose for your vehicle, contact us or call us toll-free at 1-866-449-3999, and a qualified member of our staff will be happy to talk to you about your towel needs.

FAQs on Chamois vs. Microfiber Towel

Is chamois better than microfiber?

It depends on what you want. If you need a towel that sucks up water fast and lets you dry a big car with just one towel, chamois is a good choice. But if you want something softer on your car’s paint, works for lots of jobs, and can be used without water, microfiber is better. For fancy or delicate paint, most people say go with high-quality microfiber because it’s harder to scratch the car.

Is chamois the same as microfiber?

Nope, they’re totally different. Chamois used to be made from animal skin, but now it’s usually made from fake materials like PVA. Microfiber is a blend of polyester and nylon with super tiny fibers, way thinner than silk. A “shammy” is just another name for chamois. It’s not the same as microfiber.

Is a chamois or microfiber towel better for drying cars?

Microfiber is usually better for most car owners. It’s safer on paint, soaks up a ton of water (up to seven times its own weight), and works great for waterless washes. Chamois is better if you want one towel to dry a whole big car fast without stopping to wring it out. But watch out: chamois needs water to work well and can scratch your car if you don’t use it right.

What are the disadvantages of using a shammy towel?

A shammy (chamois) can dry hard and stiff, which makes it a pain to store. It can scratch your car’s paint if any dirt is left on the car or if you use it dry. It also needs water to work, so it’s not good for waterless, eco-friendly sprays. And if you don’t clean it the right way after each use (using clean water and no fabric softener) it won’t work as well.