Duster Basics

As you look at a duster can, whether on a store shelf or on your desktop, it is not likely that you’ll recognize the difference between products. Of course, some cans are tall and some are short, but to the untrained user it is all the same.

Unfortunately, that is not the case!

In fact, these products feature a bit more complexity than one would think; and understanding that complexity will help you make the right choice.

It is NOT Air in a Can

First and foremost, it is imperative to note that a computer cleaning duster is NOT “canned-air”. This misperception, can lead consumers to use the product in a manner that can be harmful to themselves or to the equipment they are cleaning.

Computer-cleaning dusters actually contain a liquefied gas, which functions as the products propellant (similar to any other aerosol product on the market). The only difference is in other aerosol products the propellant is used to propel a product (hair spray, cooking spray, insecticide, etc) through the nozzle. However, in a duster propellant is used to propel its own vapors through the nozzle.

It is important to clarify this for two reasons:

1. Understanding that these products are not just air in a can will hopefully give you a better appreciation for some of the information to follow, and help facilitate the need for proper usage, storage, etc.
2. Most dusters today contain one of two types of compressed-gas, and understanding that there is a difference will help you select the right product for the job at hand.
3. The Dust-Off® line of compressed-gas cleaning dusters includes products classified as General Usage dusters and Special Application dusters.
4. General Usage Dusters contain a safe propellant identified as difluoroethane or 152a. Cleaning dusters containing this compressed-gas are the most commonly used cleaning dusters on the market today. They are ideal for cleaning computers, electronic equipment, cleaning car interiors, craft preparation and cleaning, safe cleaning of collectibles, general household dusting and more.
5. However, General Usage dusters should not be used near potential ignition sources, such as open flames, hot surfaces, or spark producing equipment (such as paper shedders). With your new found understanding of the product contents, common sense will serve as an accurate guide to appropriate applications.

Special Application Dusters contain a safe propellant identified as tetrafluoroethane or 134a.

Cleaning dusters containing this compressed-gas are most commonly used in environments where flammability is a concern.

Note: Both products are NOT defined as flammable according to the standards established by the Consumer Products Safety Commission. In fact Dust-Off® Dusters are more stable products than many of today’s common household cleaners. For more information on product flammability click here to review a demonstration of a product flame extension test.

At Falcon Safety Products, we have two priority objectives:

1. To make sure that our consumers have the necessary information to ensure that they have selected the appropriate product for their intended application, which will assist them in the safe and efficient use of our products.
2. To provide our consumers with quality, innovative products to help them meet their preventive maintenance and cleaning needs.

In an effort to meet these objectives, we realize that there are many other subtle nuances to one of the worlds most versatile cleaning tools. That’s why we have provided additional educational information in the form of a video. If you would like to expand your product knowledge beyond differences in gas propellants and flammability, click on one of the video links below.

What’s in the Can?

As you can see, Falcon Safety Products and Dust-Off express a genuine interest in you the consumer. While there are a great many beneficial applications for our product, we also want to make sure that you, the consumer, understand the serious implications of product misuse.