Apparatus (2) for dispensing a chemical, which apparatus (2) comprises an aerosol container (10) which contains the chemical, electromagnetic means (12), and control means (14), the electromagnetic means (12) being operable between a first state in which the chemical is not dispensed from the aerosol container (10) and a second state in which the chemical is dispensed from the aerosol container (10), and the control means (14) being such as to control the operation of the electromagnetic means (12) such that the electromagnetic means (12) is in the second state for predeterminable periods, and the apparatus being characterised in that the electromagnetic means (12) extends around the aerosol container (10), and magnetically attractable material is provided for the aerosol container (10) such that the aerosol container (10) is able to be moved by the electromagnetic means (12) for the purpose of dispensing the chemical from the aerosol container (10).