Car wash soapCar wash soap’s job is to lift and lubricate: encapsulate dirt particles so the mitt carries them away without dragging them across the paint. Chenille microfiber mitts work differently: the long, finger-like fibers trap and pull grit up into the pile, away from the paint surface. DryingLetting a car air-dry leaves water spots in the form of mineral deposits left behind as water evaporates. Let the wax haze over the course of 5 to 10 minutes, then buff off with a clean microfiber towel. How to build a cleaning routineYou don’t need to run through all of this every time you wash the car.