All about Electrostatic Cleaning (cloths)

December 5, 2005 5:02 PM

Should I buy a bulk pack of Swiffer electrostatic cleaning cloths, the 3M version, or a washable electrostatic cloth? Or is there a DIY route to charge cloth or other materials?

I imagine there is little difference between the Swiffer cloths and 3M products, but wonder if the washable type is really as effective. I can't pretend to understand the principles behind electrostatic dust catching, but it seems like I should be able to charge my own cloths, or even mount a sheet of metal on the wall and wipe it down every so often.

Thoughts, DIY craziness?

posted by Jack Karaoke to home & garden (7 comments total)

My brother helped to invent the Swiffer cloth. No lie.

(That being said, I couldn't tell you whether or not they're superior to the 3m.)
posted by grabbingsand at 6:55 PM on December 5, 2005

How about just using a damp paper towel or rag?
posted by platinum at 6:57 PM on December 5, 2005

DIY. just make sure you don't buy anti-static felt.

far less effective: vigorously rub a balloon on your head, then roll it on the floor. same principle, but far less area in contact with the floor.
posted by neda at 7:00 PM on December 5, 2005

Still, the balloon would work better than my technique, which was to rub my head directly on the floor. Picked up static and dust and all that, no problem, but did it ever put a kink in my neck!
posted by five fresh fish at 7:09 PM on December 5, 2005

platinum: I had reservations about Swiffer type cloths, but I mopped the floor, and then Swiffed(?) it, and came up with another lump of dust. They really are suitable for some situations. It's also a LOT more convenient for walls, ceilings, and under furniture.
posted by Jack Karaoke at 9:36 PM on December 5, 2005

Good point Jack. Hmm, I wonder if you could rub the felt on a balloon to make it even more clingy?
posted by platinum at 11:59 PM on December 5, 2005

Silk might work well too, but think the ballon is going to pick up the charge in that case, and I'd rather it be the fabric that ends up being attractive.
posted by Jack Karaoke at 11:08 AM on December 6, 2005