Using rags for cleaning? Do you do that? What's your favorite rag(s) for that?
By writersedge
@writersedge (22563)
United States
September 9, 2010 9:45am CST
I think I need to buy some more underwear, I just tore up a bunch because they had holes and I needed rags for cleaning. The stove top now looks clean as a whistle (never understood that saying, I would think whistles would have lots of spit in them, but maybe they mean train whistle or something). Also a pair of slacks I had wore out in the seat and I used most of it for cleaning. My bathtub is only 1/2 clean because I ran out of rags. My husband bought a wonderful sheet, but it has a hole in it. I'm waiting for him to come home so I can ask him if I can tear it up to finish the job. If not, I'll find something else. But my favorite cleaning rags are towels unless it's for tv or my glasses, then I like underwear.
Your turn.So you save money by using rags for cleaning? If you don't use rags, do you use reusable/washable clothes? If not, do you use paper towels? How much $ would you save if you used rags instead of paper towels or how much do you figure you save because you use rags instead of paper towels?I figure 20-40 dollars a year. It used to be more, but the dollar store does have some things for cheap that didn't used to be as cheap.
1 person likes this
5 responses
@abitosunshine (765)
• United States
10 Sep 10
Like you, I use old clothes as cleaning rags. Towels my favorite for rough jobs, tee-shirts for soft work. I use old socks for dusting. I don't buy paper towels and napkins, cloth works for me. I used cloth diapers on my son, too. I've been this way for years and years. I imagine I've saved quite a bit of money for sure. But I do it hoping I'm using up less trees, too..:-)
I've always heard "clean as a whistle" said as meaning not doing anything illegal. But recently heard a gal use it in a writing to mean the sound of a knight's sword cutting through the air. So who knows?
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
10 Sep 10
Interesting, baby diapers and underwear were my Mom's favorite dust clothes. Han't thought about socks or clean as a whistle in any of the ways you described. You're right, who knows?
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
11 Sep 10
That sounds like a really cool idea. Han't thought of that concerning the socks.
1 person likes this
@abitosunshine (765)
• United States
10 Sep 10
With the old socks, I soak them in a lemon oil, then slip them on to dust all the wood surfaces, it works great! And for non-wood surfaces, I use a vinegar/water solution, kind of a good for all surfaces cleaner.
@pinksplotch (268)
• Quezon City, Philippines
12 Sep 10
i usually take the sleeves of old cotton t-shirts and turn them to rags, especially for cleaning the stove or wiping the counters. nice to use coz they're absorbent.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
12 Sep 10
Sounds like a good idea and it sound absorbent. Thanks for the info and take care.
@peavey (16936)
• United States
9 Sep 10
I have never bought paper towels to clean with. They're an inferior product when compared to rags! I wash and reuse rags until they can't be used any more, but I do have a few that I put back for really gross things that I just throw away. I don't need them often, so there's a pretty good stash. Some rags are really good, like towels or soft cotton and I go so far as to hem them so they'll last longer.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
9 Sep 10
I've never hemmed my rags, maybe some day, when I retire. That would make them last longer. Thanks and take care.
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
11 Sep 10
I use a pair of old, soft sweatpants I wore many years ago. They are great for dusting or even cleaning the bathrooms. I also kept some old, cloth diapers from when our kids were small. Actually, the diapers are the best. I might use paper towels to clean the television screens and glass tabletops but that's about it. I bought wipes with clorox for the kitchen counters and table.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
11 Sep 10
So far, the people who like diapers, like them the best. I was on another discussion about tv sets, you dust the class and they're dusty again in 10 minutes. Someone said it was because of the static electricity and to use those dryer softener towels (which I can't because I'm allergic) and the tv set will stay dust free much longer. I know that you were buying/making your own, so you might want to use them for the tv after you've used them for clothes in the dryer. Take care and thanks for the response.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
12 Sep 10
You're welcome, makes me almost wish I wasn't allergic to the dang things.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
9 Sep 10
Thsy should be pretty absorbant, too. Thanks and take care.
