i use 2 microfibers to take off the top part of wax, and 2 more to finish buffing the wax, and use just 1 large microfiber sponge to wash wish, and make sure to keep all sediment out of the bucket or in a filter on the bottom of it
For washing, I use multiple mitts...none of my sheepskin or MF mitts rinse out 100% (unlike a BHB ) so I won't run the risk of using a contaminated one; once I've cleaned an especially dirty area I get out a clean mitt.
Drying just takes as many as it takes, which can vary a lot.
Buffing off LSP usually doesn't take all that many as I apply my LSPs very thin. One set of MF bonnets and one or two MF towels is enough for most anything smaller than the Denali XL.