I keep a ShamWow! (TM) in the center console of my car, for no special reason except to wipe the inside of the windshield now and again. Its dirty enough that I would hesitate to use it to stop bleeding, although in a pinch anything will do. And I hike with a hiking towel in my daypack and backpack (and BOB), they are absorbent and are can dry an entire body after a dip in a freezing mountain lake. Any of the versions listed at rei.com work just fine - http://www.rei.com/search?query=hiking+towel. I think its cotton, about the size of a bandana.