SPRAY AND STICK

Electrostatic spray technology is not new. For decades, automobile and motorcycle manufacturers have used electrostatic spray to “paint” frame members and body parts. Farmers and the ag industry use electrostatic spray tools to more efficiently apply chemicals to crops at a large scale. Now the same technology can be applied around the home using handheld tools.

Ryobi delivers the effectiveness to homeowners with handheld electrostatic sprayers in three sizes.

Here’s how it works: A unit positively charges liquids in its container. It then disperses the liquids through a nozzle that you can set to one of three spray patterns–different micron sizes for distance of dispersal. The charged droplets repel other droplets and are attracted to the surface you’re spraying. For cleaning uses, this means the sanitizing liquid gets all over the surface you’re cleaning, including chair backs and table edges. For garden uses, this means it gets on the backs of leaves where pests like to hide from predators.

The midsize model, No. P2890 ($200), has a half-gallon container and is powered by the company’s 18V Lithium ONE+ battery (the same battery may juice up your Ryobi lawn trimmer or air nailer). And the entire sprayer unit is about the size of a high-end TV camera (or the one that uses a VHS tape and is buried in your closet).

The sprayers do have limits. You can’t use bleach, chlorine or alcohol-based chemicals, or liquids made from dissolved tablets or powder mixes. Check with Ryobi or a retailer for a full list of unsuitable chemicals. For many cleaning needs, though, these electrostatic sprayers are right on the money, and the dirt.