I never use a sponge, I use mitts, currently Meguiars lambswool. 2 buckets, one with shampoo and second a rinse bucket for mitt.
Spray car first with pressure washer keeping a decent distance, this softens dirt.
Shampoo as above.
Rinse with pressure washer.
Dry with towel and air blower in beading area,nooks and crannies.
Polish and wax when needed.
Autofinesse Triple between waxes.
A sponge can collect bits of grit and drag them over the paintwork, a lambswool mitt tends to pick them up and "absorb" them for rinsing out.
This minimises "swirl marks" but not completely.
Bugs, tar removed before shampooing.
Bird poo washed off gently asap, preferably before it bakes on! No hard rubbing as it can be gritty.....
