I used to use the absorber too with great results. But if you have any dust that has blown onto the car b4 using the absorber, you are dragging that dust across the finish. With the waffle weave microfiber drying towel these microscopic particles get trapped in the fibers and reduce the number of swirl marks you will get.
Washing microfiber: I use warm water, some people there use hot or cold. Most impt use liquid detergent--woolite works well--take some oxyclean and dissolve it in hot water b4 putting it in with the detergent. Run the rinse cycle twice to get out any soap residue (I also use a downy ball w/distilled vinegar in the final rinse to get out as much residue as possible). Then dry on low heat without a softening agent---ie/bounce--this will leave a waxy substance on your microfiber and will cause streaking the next time you use it. Just the way I do it, you can do a search over there for this too---search away! Have fun!
Since my baby is in the shop and I just learned this method, I haven't tried it but you can bet I will be doing the 2 bucket wash method. One bucket with clean water, one bucket with water and carwash soap. Dip your mitt in soap, soap down a panel, rinse mitt in clean water b4 more soap. This will cut down on grit in your wash bucket. You could also put a "grid" about 1 inch above the bottom of both buckets that will trap the grit below the "grid" so it isn't floating around in there.
Just some suggestions, I am in no way shape or form an expert on these things, but Autopia has taught me some methods for an even SHINIER Z!