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

 

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.

 

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?

 

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>

 

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.

 

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?

 

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!)

 

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

 

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.