Works very well at absorbing water. So much so, that I'm constantly ringing the water out of it while drying the car. Practical though, because you don't have to waste a bunch of regular towels - just squeeze it and reuse. Has the texture of a thin piece of leather. Doesn't scratch the paint, unless you get some dirt caught in it. And if you clean the car thoroughly first, that won't happen. It does need to be put away damp though. If you don't it'll dry out very stiff. It claims not to grow mold/mildew, even when stored wet, though I haven't tested that out long-term. Short-term (two weeks) it seemed fine.