Getting a bit confused. I've been cleaning cars for decades and have always used a sponge!. Am I risking the paint work then or not in your opinions? What I tend to do is this; Using my jet washer I soak the entire car with water and remove loose dirt with the lance. Then I use a snow foam all over the vehicle. Rinse off, followed by going over the whole car with a sponge using the two bucket method ~ one with soap/warm water & the other to clean the sponge. Then I use a chamois clothe to dry the whole car. Opinions please, thanks.
Some people think sponges cause swirls. The reality is any poor technique will... the preferred sponge type to closed cell sponge, like a grout sponge, as the dirt doesn't get trapped in it.
My comment re the sheep skin mitt (e.g. wolly mammoth et al) is that they need brushing and drying properly otherwise the get hard and harbour bits of dirt which cause swirls.
I've now settled on a Microfibre Madness Incredimitt, which I think is the best bit of kit now. Mitt convenience, but machine washable and non of the downsides of real wool