Saving Money on Window Cleaning
I was embarrassed by my lack of success. Was it an exercise program that I had failed? No, not that. I had failed, miserably, at removing the calcium build-up from our windows.
When God isn’t watering the flowers in front of our home, we do it ourselves, with the help of our sprinkler system. Unfortunately, the calcium-laden water also lands on our windows making for a very cloudy view of the world once the windows dry.
One part of me wanted to be environmentally friendly when cleaning them. The other part wanted the windows free of calcium build-up no matter what had to be used.
Water and vinegar mixed with a bit of dish soap did nothing. The big-name cleaners, whose smell could knock you over, had the same results.
As our oldest daughter’s high school graduation neared, I was determined to remove the thorn in my side. We were having guests over for Open House and I wanted those windows clean. It was going to happen one way or the other. On a whim, I decided to try washing them with vinegar, again. I put the vinegar in a spray bottle. This time, I decided to use the vinegar alone-no dilution and no added products.
I sprayed the first victim and went back inside the house to wait for a couple of minutes. Upon my return, I wiped the window with one of my microfiber cloths. I immediately noticed that the calcium was disappearing, but wasn’t entirely gone. Seeing that my first application worked a miracle, I decided to follow the same steps listed above for a second time. When wiping them again, the build-up disappeared completely. Let me be honest and say that lots of elbow grease was applied when wiping. I worked up a sweat. Did I care, though? No!! I had clean windows! Yippee!!
I continued with the same routine until all four windows were crystal clear.
The next part of my window-cleaning adventure was to begin. If anyone knows me, especially through The Coupon Junkie, they know that I like to save. Saving can consist of more than just money, though. We can save ourselves time. That time that can be spent with those we love or doing things that bring us joy.
Years ago, I’d heard of using Rain-X on windows and mirrors to keep water from beading up on them. Why not give it a try? If it worked as I hoped, the calcium-laden water would roll off the windows, thereby lessening their need for cleaning. I’d have more time to enjoy life and I’d be able to see out of the windows.
I followed the directions on the bottle and secretly anticipated the next time we would water the plants.
Embarrassment gave way to elation as the once-detested water droplets from our sprinkler rolled off our windows. The formerly cloudy view of our beautiful flowers was gone. In its place was clarity.
About the Author:
Bonnie Kline is a wife and SAHM who homeschools her three children. Her passion for saving (be it money or time) led her to share what she knows with others. You can read more of her tips at: The Coupon Junkie and the up-and-coming Bonnie’s Heart and Home which will cover home-management/money saving issues along with: matters of the heart, having elderly parents and coping with loved ones who have Alzheimer’s. Bonnie is also available on Twitter @Frugalbonnie
Posted by Sok on October 20, 2010 Tags: Deal
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