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Cleaning Up:  Cleaning Windows...  |
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Carrie W
Farmgirl Legend/Chapter Guru
437 Posts
Saratoga Springs
New York
USA
437 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 01 2008 : 12:38:07 PM
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Does anyone have a recipe for homemade glass cleaner??
I'm looking to replace all my store bought products with homemade recipes. I'll gladly take any that you can share!
Crrie M
www.totallykadeshfarm.blogspot.com
Farmgirl Sisterhood #147
Tis better to weep at joy than to joy at weeping--Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Apr 01 2008 : 12:39:20 PM
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I simply use white distilled vinegar and water....whatever I feel like...sometimes I squeeze lemon into it so my husband won't complain about the vinegar smell (he HATES vinegar, I LOVE vinegar :)) Put it into a spray bottle and go!
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
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Carrie W
Farmgirl Legend/Chapter Guru
437 Posts
Saratoga Springs
New York
USA
437 Posts |
Posted - Apr 01 2008 : 12:40:31 PM
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I had been told about a recipe with ammonia in it. Do you ever add that, and why do you think it might be in there?
Does the vinegar and water leave streaks??
Carrie
www.totallykadeshfarm.blogspot.com
Farmgirl Sisterhood #147
Tis better to weep at joy than to joy at weeping--Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Apr 01 2008 : 12:42:40 PM
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I'm personally not a fan of ammonia but my mother uses it...I MUCH prefer the vinegar and water...and nope, not a streak on my window. In fact, it cleans better than any windex product you could find.
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
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Carrie W
Farmgirl Legend/Chapter Guru
437 Posts
Saratoga Springs
New York
USA
437 Posts |
Posted - Apr 01 2008 : 12:44:03 PM
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Thanks so much! With spring coming I'm actually IN THE MOOD to clean windows...is that sick, or what???
I'll go give it try!
Carrie
www.totallykadeshfarm.blogspot.com
Farmgirl Sisterhood #147
Tis better to weep at joy than to joy at weeping--Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Apr 01 2008 : 1:15:38 PM
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Carrie- If you have been using Windex you will probably need to add a drop or two of dish detergent in with your vinegar and water mix. Windex actually has a wax in it to help make the glass shine more so over time it can make dirt stick to your windows worse! The drop or two of detergent will strip that nasty wax off and will not streak. Then you won't have to add the soap to the vinegar anymore.
I used to clean houses for a living and I would always use vinegar and water. It works great and is super cheap! I get into a mood to wash windows too!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Apr 01 2008 : 5:55:33 PM
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Did it this weekend, both inside and out (those cool windows that tilt!) and I love how I can actually "see" now!!!!
Let us know how you like it!
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
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kydeere40744
True Blue Farmgirl
1132 Posts
Jessica
Kentucky
USA
1132 Posts |
Posted - Apr 01 2008 : 10:14:04 PM
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I was getting ready to ask about a good cleaning windows tip and ya'll are on the same brainwave as me. This spring weather has gotten me in the mood to wash the windows. Thanks for the tips!
~Jessica in Kentucky & Farmgirl Sisterhood #137~
Be sure to visit my blog & Crafty Clipart for some of my photographs:
http://bluegrassprincess.blogspot.com/
http://www.craftyclipart.com |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Apr 01 2008 : 10:18:37 PM
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You can also use crumpled newspaper instead of a rag to wash with. The soy ink gives an extra shine.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Apr 01 2008 : 10:22:31 PM
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www.care2.com/greenliving/ask-annie/10030.html+cleaning+windows+with+vinegar+and+water&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us" target="_blank">http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:tmj-YR5X0wcJ:www.care2.com/greenliving/ask-annie/10030.html+cleaning+windows+with+vinegar+and+water&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us
Pat B., NY, writes:
I can't seem to clean windows with vinegar without leaving streaks. Any suggestions?
Oddly enough, it was the task of cleaning windows that turned a huge number of well-intentioned, environmentally friendly consumers away from nontoxic cleaning using the simple ingredients that can be found in most kitchen cupboards. Around Earth Day 1990, every newspaper in the country (or so it seemed), offered tips for cleaning in ways that didn't harm the planet, and the recommendation for windows was almost always to clean them with nothing but vinegar and water. People by the thousands tried this, and many swore off cleaning with homemade products for good because the formula left streaks on their windows. (I wish I had $1 for every time someone has said to me, "Well, I tried nontoxic cleaning and it didn't work. I used vinegar to clean the windows... .")
The problem was that the commercial window cleaner used before the switch to vinegar left a very fine wax residue. The vinegar alone wasn't enough to remove it, and the result was streaky windows. If instead, everyone had added a dab of liquid dish soap to the vinegar and water, the wax would easily have been removed and the windows would have been cleaned perfectly! My favorite recipe is to combine 2 cups of water, 1/4 cup of white distilled vinegar, and up to 1/2 teaspoon of liquid soap or detergent in a spray bottle. That's all there is to it. (Make sure to label the bottle and keep it out of the reach of children.)
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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farmgirl blessings
True Blue Farmgirl
777 Posts
Lea
TN
777 Posts |
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Carrie W
Farmgirl Legend/Chapter Guru
437 Posts
Saratoga Springs
New York
USA
437 Posts |
Posted - Apr 05 2008 : 07:35:28 AM
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Thanks, Alee--I did have some streaking problems and will try some soap. It is cold here again so I will wait until it warms up a bit. I also try to use newspaper when I have it (we aren't paper readers) because it is free and works really well.
By the way, what is your vinegar/water ration that usually use??
Carrie
www.totallykadeshfarm.blogspot.com
Farmgirl Sisterhood #147
Tis better to weep at joy than to joy at weeping--Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing |
Edited by - Carrie W on Apr 05 2008 07:36:03 AM |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Apr 05 2008 : 08:23:06 AM
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I like a strong mix because it is a moist enough climate for mold here- so i do 50/50. Vinegar can kill mold and other nasties- but you could do a 1:4 or 1:5 ratio too.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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Carrie W
Farmgirl Legend/Chapter Guru
437 Posts
Saratoga Springs
New York
USA
437 Posts |
Posted - Apr 08 2008 : 4:38:50 PM
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I think that I will go with the 50/50 mix as well because I think it will get them cleaner and dry quicker that way. I love to clean with vinegar-especially cider vinegar because it seems to do so well. I haven't had a chance to mix it up yet but tomorrow's forcast is good so I will get on it and get those windows clean.
I do housekeeping on the side and your comment about adding some soap is right on. One lady I clean for made up a batch of home recipe and I got awful streaks, but it was because I'd always used the windex prior to that. I will give her windows a cleaning here soon, too, and can't wait to see how good they look once I get that wax coating off there!!
carrie
www.totallykadeshfarm.blogspot.com
Farmgirl Sisterhood #147
Tis better to weep at joy than to joy at weeping--Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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Jana
True Blue Farmgirl
482 Posts
Jana
Eau Claire
Wisconsin
USA
482 Posts |
Posted - Apr 08 2008 : 5:03:43 PM
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I'm not really happy with how just the 50/50 vinegar/water solution does my outside windows. It just doesn't seem to cut the dirt. I was watching that British show, "How Clean is Your House" and they mixed flour in with it to make it stick better and it wiped right off. They actually did mirrors and it turned out great. I think I might actually use hot soapy water first, then the vinegar solution.
Jana |
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simplypaige
Farmgirl in Training
15 Posts
Paige
IN
USA
15 Posts |
Posted - Apr 08 2008 : 5:05:03 PM
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Thanks to you all, my windows are sparkling. I used the 1 gal. of water with about a cup of distilled vinegar and a couple of drops of dish soap. It worked absoulutely wonderful. I also mixed it up in a bucket and used rags to wash them down then dried them with newspaper. They look so great. My only problem was I should have used gloves to keep my hands clean. Here's to streak free windows!! Thanks again.
Paige |
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Carrie W
Farmgirl Legend/Chapter Guru
437 Posts
Saratoga Springs
New York
USA
437 Posts |
Posted - Apr 09 2008 : 1:24:38 PM
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I just used my vinegar/water cleaner to do my windows and they look awesome! And I didn't mind so much that the spray misted around on other things (furniture, me...) because it was only vinegar! I hate cleaning with Windex because I end up getting the mist in my face and it bothers me. Anyway, my windows look great and when I went to one of my cleaning jobs I mixed up a batch there and did her windows, too.
Thanks for the recipe and advice!
cARrie M
www.totallykadeshfarm.blogspot.com
Farmgirl Sisterhood #147
Tis better to weep at joy than to joy at weeping--Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Apr 09 2008 : 9:22:17 PM
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Isn't it great? And I love being able to pass on all the cleaning chemicals when I go to the store!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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Carrie W
Farmgirl Legend/Chapter Guru
437 Posts
Saratoga Springs
New York
USA
437 Posts |
Posted - Apr 10 2008 : 11:35:17 AM
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Yes, it is great, especially saving the money and knowing that I'm not adding to the whole "trash the earth" thing that is happening these days. I can reuse my container, avoid chemicals, have a great looking house, and it all smells wonderful, too. I just finished my porch windows and opened them all up. They look so crystal clean...and we're having our 4th day in a row of awesome spring weather. I love it!
Carrie
www.totallykadeshfarm.blogspot.com
Farmgirl Sisterhood #147
Tis better to weep at joy than to joy at weeping--Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Apr 10 2008 : 11:43:52 AM
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To cut costs when I worked cleaning houses, I used vinegar all over, that an baking soda mixed with a favorite scent was used as carpet deodorizer. (I used lavendar for most jobs, but let the homeowner choose. They pay you more that "special" touch)and it smells a lot better than anything off the store cleaning shelf.
Cheers,
Heather
FARMGIRL #90 |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Apr 10 2008 : 11:44:05 AM
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Have you noticed that once the vinegar smell fades it actually leaves a sweet smell behind? I love that! The "good" smell from conventional cleaners never lasts long and usually gives me a headache to boot.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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Cleaning Up: Cleaning Windows... |
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Cleaning Windows...
