The pad that comes with the PC should not be used on the car. I used mine with some metal polish to bring stainless kitchen sinks back to near new look. I wash the pads from both the PC and Cyclo in the washer after a bucket soak. In the bucket I put a scoop or two of Oxyclean, add water, and forget about them for a few hours. Once most of the crud comes out of them in the washer they go. I've done this for years and not lost one single pad to damage.
Obviously if there's only one or two pads hand washing makes more sense.
Obviously if there's only one or two pads hand washing makes more sense.