Wash California duster

[domc]

Has anybody (or can you) was the California duster? If so, would Dawn soap work?

[G. P. Burdell]

I washed mine per the instructions. I think I dunked it in a Woolite solution. The water turned a yellowish black as the duster released all kinds of pollen and other crud.

After washing, the duster didn't work as effectively as it did when it was new. I think the washing removed too much of the paraffin treatment. I bought a new one shortly thereafter.

[OKeefe]

Originally Posted by domc

Has anybody (or can you) was the California duster? If so, would Dawn soap work?

http://www.californiacardusters.com/...carduster.html

from their page and packaging:

Special baked-on paraffin wax-treated 100% cotton strands easily 'lift' dust, without scratching.

The 'Dirtier' they get... the better they work!


Washing it would remove the wax wouldn't it?

[domc]

I suppose I should just go and buy a new one. This one is about 5 years old.
I think I can pick one up locally for about 10 bucks. I should also paint my floor and walls in my garage but that would be an extra few bucks (to keep the dust down). <grin>

[agranger]

I would imagine that washing with Dawn would be very bad for the Calif. car duster... as someone mentioned above, there is a light parafin wax in the yarn that helps to lift the dust. Dawn is a strong grease cutter.

I've never heard of washing them, but Woolite seems like a fairly decent choice. Like domc mentionied, if it doesn't work you can always get a fresh one at Target / Sprawl-mart.

[gokartride]

I retired an old Cali-duster to household duty, but confess I wonder about my present Oxo duster. The thing is built for removal of the duster from the handle portion. I wonder if a good vacuuming w/ a shopvac might be in order?

[kenchan]

i think the last thing i would use to wash the duster is dish soap as it
will most-likely break-down much of the paffarin (sp?) wax on the mop.

i would either just leave it alone, or wash with luke-warm water only to
rid the dust bunnies (if you have that much dust from doing your house!)

[agranger]

I can't see why a good hard vaccuming wouldn't help stretch out the duster life... good idea!

[BradB]

Yes, washing them tends to reduce their effectivness and sometimes ruins them outright. Vacuuming is the best remedy. Mine is 5+ years old and is used regularly on 4 cars.