How to Wash Your Windows the Non-Allergenic Way

B'SD

28 Adar, 5775

Whew! I've trimmed overgrowth in the garden, pulled weeds (those 5 weeks away from home were evidently good for them!) and house-broken a friend's puppy this week. Yes, paper-training can be fun when you are consistent with it.

That gave me energy to wash the sliding glass doors and windows today. Now I'm enjoying gorgeous sunshine indoors, instead of looking at several week's worth of dirt when I look outside.

Here's the non-allergenic low-down on how to wash windows painlessly:

The OUTSIDE

Grab a broom, that clampy sponja stick I described the other day, some fresh smartut cloths (torn towels will do) and a container of soapy water (I use dish soap). If you use a sponge-mop instead of the sponja stuff, that's fine. Set them near the sliding glass doors. I'm going to teach you how to wash windows the way you wash floors: Within easy reach.

Put on a disposable face mask and disposable gloves

that you can buy from local grocers or pharmacies.

Slide the glass doors together, exposing the screen. Be sure that the wind is blowing AWAY from the house before you do the next thing: Sweep the screen gently from top to bottom and side-to-side. 

You'll see billows of dirty dust (with teensy tinsy dust mites too small to see) flying away. Your mask will protect your mouth and nose from inhaling the sneezy wheezy mess.

Now clamp your fabric to the sponja stick or grab your sponge-top floor mop. Soak them with the soapy water, then wipe the glass top down and side-to-side. Scrub stubborn spots as necessary. If metal grates are in the way, insert your cleaning tool between the bars, then wash the glass with a limited range of motion. Move on to to other spaces until the job is done.

Rinse the fabrics or toss them aside. Squeeze out the sponge if that's what you're using.

Rest a bit. When you're feeling ready, soak fresh fabric or the sponge mop in clear water, then rinse off the soapy residue.

Voila, the sunshine and fresh air will dry the outside of the windows for you.

The INSIDE

You can do the same thing indoors, but be very careful not to splash water or soap. How? Skip the buckets. I recommend saving two spray bottles from some household product - or buy them. 

Fill one bottle with soapy water. Fill the other with plain water and use them sensibly to clean, then to rinse the glass.

• The trick is that the long sponja or sponge-mop sticks allow you to reach high and far areas of glass surfaces. 

• The controlled amount of water and soap prevent excessive drips and a need to repeat what you've already done. 

• The face mask plus gloves prevent sneezing from dust, and they protect your skin from the soapy water.

I hope that you'll let me know if my non-allergenic house-cleaning hints helped you or someone you know.







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Cleaning Up, Cleaning Out and Shining Fresh!

B'SD

19 Adar, 5775

I'm a bit sad after ending my lovely time off to nurture myself. But I have happy memories to cherish. I spent quality time with friends, spiritual and cultural pursuits.

The Jewish world has cleaned up from all the Purim goodies and ready to take on Pesakh preparation. As we remove every crumb and speck of hametz/khametz (remnants of leavened foods), we focus on improving our characters by removing blocks to better behavior.

I like to keep life simple (a time-tested way to stay in a good mood), so I'm launching a series of posts about EZ Shmeezy household cleaning methods that are safe for people with allergies and skin sensitivities.

​Part 1:

I recommend buying natural (NOT synthetic) vinegar and Kalinda powder (Bon Ami is fine) to ease your Pesakh cleaning. Soak stubborn floor stains in vinegar, then scrub them off with stiff brushes half an hour later. 

Kalinda or Bon Ami powder makes an effective non-scratching  scrub all over the home. Astonish creme (jar or upright squeeze bottle) gets stove tops, ovens, and white granite sinks clean with a simple flourish and wipe-down. Pella sponges do, too (wear protective gloves).

Wash the windows with a mixture of water & yellow vinegar, using plain old newspaper. Works wonders. If newsprint irritates your skin, use white cotton cloths (cloth diapers will suffice).

Stubborn laundry stains? Soak them in liquid laundry detergent, Or, douse them with hydrogen peroxide. Wait half an hour, then launder. Works well on proteins such as grass, foods and evidence of boo-boos. 

Mitpakhot (head scarves) or casual wear hats driving you nutz with perspiration stains? Soak them in a clean bucket filled with a large shot of cheap-o baby shampoo and water. Wait a day, agitate the headgear in the shampooey water by hand, then rinse, and hang the clean, fresh scarves and hats to dry.

This message has been brought to you because a Beersheva friend impressed with my non-allergenic household skills and chemicals asked me to share my secrets with the wider world.

Wait'll I tell you what baking soda can do! Um, don't tell the kids that I also know how make a volcano with it. Let's wait until after chag (the holiday). You have enough cleaning to do before seder night. I'm sure it's called seder night because after a month of turning our homes and lives upside down to get rid of chometz, we need a lotta seder...

And remember: Dirt is not chametz. Spring cleaning is a whole 'nuther topic.

Buy the E-book or print edition of EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge.  

   

Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity. Face Your Future with Optimism.

Figure out what works for you.