Instructions on both the OXO and California Dusters indicate they can be washed in cold water. Anybody tried this?? Is the duster "as good as new" after this, or is it's performance compromised? Any input will help...I'm thinking of giving this a try. I have a new MINI on the way and my duster is three years old...the fabric dust head looks dirty!! Thanks.

 

A friend had a Dodge Duster once. He never washed it, so I don't know.

 

I've washed mine 3 times, so far. Yep, good as new ! I wash in cold with mild detergent and let it air dry. Little hard to get back on the handle, but good to go !

 

The instructions on mine say not to wash it; it's supposed to work better when dirty. Well, that's what it said!

 

I too have washed (rinsed) my duster and had no problems. I would just recommend letting it dry for a few days before using just to make sure there is not any moisture in it.

 

Yeah, I read that, too...but apparently there comes a point where, after extensive use, washing is allowable/necessary. I think mine is at that point. I checked on the OXO and California Duster web sites and the instructions are the same. Just wanted to check w/ some folks who may have had some actual experience and had seen the results. Thanks...into the drink it goes!!!

 

Supposedly washing the duster without soap works well. Since part of what makes the duster do it's magic is the paraffin soaked into the fabric (essentially kerosene), washing it with detergent will remove the paraffin and reduce the 'cling' that holds the dust.

I clean my dusters with compressed air. This seems to get the loose dirt and threads out pressty well, and 'fluffs up' the duster. Mind you, the dusters I have (one 'regular' large style and another meant for interiors and dashboards, which I highly recommend) are not super dirty yet, so I have not needed to wash them.

 

dont wash the cal dusters. it will not return to how it was.

i tried it once and will never do it again. i used cold water per their
instructions and air dried.

 

^ Maybe I've had good luck washing my Cali Duster because on second look, I don't have a CALI duster. I have a Griot's Duster.

And it says right on the website that it can be washed:

http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?&SKU=11236

 

^ i heard that thing doesn't work. does it work?

 

^ YOU, the Griot's fan is questioning their duster ?!

Let me ask you this... ever seen a picture of my MINI where it was dirty ?

There you go.

 

^ wait, but you're using Prima products. that's simply CHEATING!

im an avid fan of griot's, but i don't agree to everything they sell.
some of their products are literally junk, like their adjustable oil filter
wrench that slips at the pivot (had to mod mine to make it work properly),
their 12v air compressor... simply a pos.

but they will accept returns and pay freight...which makes it okay to do?

But i have to say their new LeatherCare Spray is awesome! they
have many things that are great.

 

oh, not to forget their MF towels with those damn wash tags.

had to yank mine off of each one before scuffing up the paint. wat a hassle.
oh, and their cotton towels for QD and removing wax/polish. NEVER use that
on your paint! i converted mine into shop towels. lol

 

but dont forget their cool carts and SpeedShine, SprayOn wax,
and so many great things.

ok, i'll shut up now.

 

Their little micrifiber towels... white ones, about a foot square in size...Once I got the fluffy microfibers from DP, those Griots towels were relegated to rags for me, too.

I used those about three times on the paint... maybe they were the cause of my swirls (pre-PC buffer). And here I was blaming the dealership. :impatient

 

That new MINI deserves a new duster! Just a thought.

 

yah, i definitely like DP's Platinum MF towels...i use it for bascially
everything from QD to spray wax, polish removal, wax removal; im not
a huge fan of monster fluffy to tell you the truth as it's too thick and
i can't get the feel of the curves of the panels (just a preference thing).
it's like im removing wax with a pillow. hehehe it's a very well made
towel no doubt, really just a preference thing.

 

actually used and broken in dusters work better.

 

mine is holding up great..it IS starting to get noticably dirty tho. maybe ill used the compressed air idea. blow em all away. oh and kenchan i bought the interior one just like you said. works GREAT! dunno why i never bought these products before. heh

 

I really love the interior one. Solves the problem of how to get into those tight spaces.

 

Yeah, I hear that...so what did I do??? I washed the OXO set of dusters and bought a new set of California dusters!! Best of both worlds???:impatient I think the OXO dusters survived the wash okay (in good working order) based on early observations. Who knows...if they're okay I can leave them w/ the '03 IB/W Cooper. For the new R56 OB/W Cooper I think I'll use the new. We'll see. All these dusters claim they can be washed but ya never know, do ya?...claims vs reality. It is interesting as they also says they can last for years...but how many years?? No one knows for sure. They also work better when broken in....yet they can be washed, so there is theoretically a point at which "used" becomes "nasty." Seems a small point except that many of us rely on this tool as a first line of defense in our detailing regimen and we use it w/o a lubricant...directly on our paint!!! Best to ere on the side of caution, I think.

 

Minjae- yah, that interior one is nice too, huh? 95% of the time I just use that duster-only and get great results.

My exterior one is pretty old...it's from 1998 and still works great. The mop is pretty black vs my new "winter-only" one which is still very clean.

I separated it cause the winter one has road salt dust.