The wash mitt or sponge is the very first contact between your hand and the paint, so the choice matters immediately. Microfibre wash mitts have long, soft fibres that lift dirt away from the paint instead of grinding it in. Lambswool mitts work on the same principle and are exceptionally gentle on protected paintwork.

Sponges are fine for rinsing or for hard, smooth surfaces like plastic bumpers, but on painted panels a mitt is always the better choice. Always use a grit guard in your bucket so dirt sinks to the bottom and does not transfer back into the mitt.