There are 3 commercially available dust cloths appropriate for use in libraries and archives. They don't leave a residue behind, are lint free, and yet the cloths attract and hold dust.

1. One Wipe Dust Cloth by Guardsman (the furniture polish makers) is a yellow flannel chemically treated cloth. It can be hand washed in cold water and a small amount of mild detergent (such as LUX) up to 10 times. By then it will have lost its enhanced dust-holding properties. The manufacturer claims 20 washes but I've not found that to be the case in over 20 years of use. Cost about $3.50 each. These cloths can be purchased in most hardware stores and food markets as well as most of the library and archival catalogues.
2. Stretch 'n Dust by Johnson & Johnson Advanced Materials, New Brunswick, N.J., is a disposable chemically treated cloth, yellow with light orange dots. The cloth was developed by Chicopee Products which was recently purchased by J&J. To increase the dust-holding capacity, one gently stretches the cloth prior to use. It comes in packages of 20 cloths, 23"x24", #0414, 20 packages to the case, $126/case. This works out to around $.32 each. I suggest calling 1-800-835-2442 for the nearest distributor.
3. There is a third cloth recently available--Dust Bunny, a Tyvek and nylon cloth that has a slight electrostatic charge with no chemical treatment. They are about 16" square and white. They can be washed in a washing machine with a mild detergent and seem to last forever. However they currently cost about $5 each. Dust Bunny is available from Light Impressions, University Products and Gaylord.

   Both One Wipe and Stretch 'n Dust have been okayed for use in libraries and archives by L.C. and the National Archives. Neither leave a residue on books, boxes or shelves. However after prolonged use the user's hands feel sticky since some of the chemical comes off on one's hands and then dust adheres to the fingers.

   Stretch 'n Dust is more economical for large scale dusting projects. And since they are disposable they would be a better choice for use in environments where mold might be present. However I like to use Dust Bunny in our book repair shop and in the archives because they are softer and one's hands stay cleaner.

   Michaelle Biddle, Wesleyan University Library, Middletown, CT

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   Date: 4 Nov 96
   From: Michaelle Biddle
   Subject: Dust cloths

   My references were to tests during the 80's. The LC and NARA info was picked up at conferences. In print there is the following: Perhaps the DistList readership would be interested:

   from American Archivist, v.46, #4, p. 473:

   Dust Cloths Tested. Michele V. Cloonan has recently been involved in the testing to two dust cloths: Chicopee's Stretch 'N Dust and Guardsman Chemicals' One-Wipe. Informal testing was begun during the cleaning of the Newberry Library's collections in 1982. Laboratory testing of these cloths, however, was not possible until Winter of 1983. These tests, carried out by Walter C. McCrone Associates, were designed to demonstrate whether or not the two dust cloths left harmful residues on leather, paper, or book cloth that would contribute to the early deterioration of library materials. Similar tests had been executed by McCrone on other cleaning products for the Library Technology Program of the American Library Association in the late 1960s. The most recent test made use of microscopic examination, phloroglucinol tests, pH determination, color change, the Elmendorf tear test, and the M.I.T. folding endurance test.

   The test results indicated that there was no significant difference between the samples treated with a dust cloth and those that were not treated with any cloth. Therefore, both Stretch 'N Dust and One-Wipe can be safely recommended to librarians who need to clean their collections.

   The Newberry Library provided the leather and paper samples, and Bill Minter the cloth Samples. A more detailed analysis of the testing will appear in an upcoming issue of "The Abbey Newsletter: Bookbinding and Conservation."

   Other citations:

   College and Research Libraries News 44:7 (July/August 1983, p. 251). CAN #15 (October 1983, p.13).

   Date: 4 Nov 96
   From: Hilary A. Kaplan
   Subject: Dust cloths

   Thank you Sue Lee Bechtold for responding with NARA's findings on dust cloths. Not only was your response important to clarify test findings, but also because it demonstrates that there are real people doing actual testing of materials, and such testing must be interpreted in context. Many individuals are lured into a false sense of security when they are told that a well known institution has said a particular product is O.K. Surely no product that dirties one's hands is appropriate for use on original materials.

   Hilary A. Kaplan
   Conservator
   Georgia Department of Archives and History
   330 Capitol Avenue
   Atlanta, GA 30334
   404-656-3554
   Fax: 404-651-8471

   Date: 3 Nov 96
   From: Melanie Martin
   Subject: Dust cloths

   In my experience Stretch 'n Dust Cloths leave a very considerable residue of oil behind. I would strongly discourage their use directly on books or on shelving for books--we use them on the floor only.