The Absorber

[Ridge Man]

No shortage of keep it clean products and the rhetoric that comes with them. I gave this product a shot and have to say very impressive got to say it live's up to their rhetoric. Good bye chamois.(Welcome the Absorber) At Walmart.
https://www.cleantools.net/WebSite/i...ductspage.aspx

[corey0212]

The Absorber rules. I've been using them at home and at work (on boats) for years. My only tip: let it dry out. As much as they say it won't get moldy if you leave it in the tube, I promise, it will. The only downside to letting it dry out completely is that it takes a minute or so to re-soak it. The downside to leaving it wet inside that tube all the time: bleechhh!!

[arteegee]

Yep, great product.

[nole1972]

Been using them for years and they work great. As Corey mentioned, they are susceptible to mold and mildew if you don't let them dry out before storing. I made the mistake of storing one damp in the tube as recommended in the directions - never again. I've got one that is over a year old and it still works great.

[louisiana ridgeline]

I also use the absorber and love it.

[scottIN]

One caution on the Absorber: make sure your car is perfectly clean before using it. Because of the spongy (is that a word?) nature, if dirt is trapped under them, it pushes it back down into the paint, causing marring. I'll use one on windows, but never on paint. A good Microfiber Waffle Weave will do just as good (if not better) job of drying than an Absorber and any dirt gets trapped up in the weave, away from the paint.
*I started using an Absorber about 25 years ago when I swam competitively. They were sold as swimmer's towels by Speedo. Think they get funky from drying a car and leaving them wet? Try wiping down your body and storing one in a locker.

[MoosePond]

I had one of the variants that Brookstone used to offer for years and it worked like a champ. Like with a natural chamois you had to be careful to only use it on a clean vehicle but, as I recall, it did absorb much more water than the "natural" product.

[RTLSULLY]

I've used the Absorber for five or six years now and i think it does a great job. I was hoping Santa put a new one in my stocking but apparently my hints went unnoticed. I'll get a new one before the spring. Sully

[Pug]

Originally Posted by nole1972

Been using them for years and they work great. As Corey mentioned, they are susceptible to mold and mildew if you don't let them dry out before storing. I made the mistake of storing one damp in the tube as recommended in the directions - never again. I've got one that is over a year old and it still works great.

Still using the similar one I got three years ago. It's the 3 Sq.Ft. "Drying Mate" by Mirage. It says on the tube "Resistant to bacteria", and I've machine-washed it about five times, leaving it wet in the tube afterwards, for quick use when I need it after a stop at the spray'n'wash.

I just checked it after spotting this thread, and it's still wet in the tightly-capped tube, and there's no smell or mildew. I haven't used it for over a month.
I don't know what kind of antibacterials this one has, but after 5 washings, I'd have thought they'd be gone by now.

Maybe it's the impregnated type that are incorporated into the resin when it's made, like some of the better bathmats you can buy, or maybe just the act of washing it before I store it in the tube helps. I dunno... but I wouldn't be without one.

IIRC, it was already moist in the sealed tube when I bought it at the local Advance Automotive. < $10.

[BigFoote]

Can't wait till the store opens so I can get mine.