So one fine day my wife asked me to take the garden hose and swish off the windows. Of course all of you know what happens. You get a terrible mess. So my wife thought she could do a better job and she tried the garden hose. No better results.
So my wife did some research and found that there were products available for window washing. Over the years she developed a rigid routine for window washing. We have the cleanest windows in town. First, she would take a dry cloth and wipe off the windows first and then the wood around the window. Second, she would wash the window with clear water and then the wood around the window. Last she would use windex with a wash and polish.
Now the last couple of years I have been allowed to wash the higher windows as she said , "I'm getting too short to reach the top." I had a little difficulty with the rigid routine. I almost had to write it down to remember to do things in the correct order.
 |
| The final polish. Notice the reflections in this super clean window. |
This year my wife said, "I'm seventy five and I'm not getting on step ladders anymore."
 |
| Ah finished! Again the vivid reflections. |
So after 42 years I am finally allowed to wash windows! What an awesome thrill!
such an honor to earn after all this time! ha ha!
ReplyDeleteReally happy about this!!!
DeleteI use vinegar and old newspapers. It's quick and easy.
ReplyDeleteInteresting the number of ways to wash windows.
DeleteThis reminds me of a funny incident in our family. My husband was always self-employed and so not as fully insured as we wage earners were - though he always had an insurance against accidental death. We and the kids used to joke that if Dad were to drop dead from any cause, they would come over and we'd heave him up onto the roof, then let him fall off - thus ensuring 'accidental' death coverage! It was always a joke, of course, until one day while cleaning the gutters, Allen actually did 'fall off the roof'. He wasn't really hurt, as he landed softly in a conveniently placed big bush and it was the lowest side of our single story house. But that evening when my daughter rang, I told her Dad had fallen off the roof. She cried out in surprise, as her first thought was that this was my way of saying Dad had dropped dead! But after we stopped laughing, we all agreed: Dad's days of getting up on the roof had ended. We now have someone who comes and cleans our gutters - just one of many services our government provides to help old people remain in their own home.
ReplyDeleteGreat story!
DeleteAssistance like this keeps people in their own homes which is much better and cheaper than the alternative.
We used to use Bon Ami, a pink polish that was hard too rub off after you let it dry when I was a kid.My apartment is second floor and I need to get mine done before winter, but my ladder is 3 hours away at my other house.Come on down!
ReplyDeleteAny time! Funny how product to make window washing easy and perfect was never developed.
DeleteI have to say I really enjoyed this blog. My windows need washing. Combine dust is everyplace.
ReplyDeleteI use Microfiber cloths with just water and they come out beautiful each time. I did at one time use a mix of baby shampoo, vinegar and water.
With all he dust from the large combines now windows get dusty in a hurry.
DeleteYou, my friend, have been had. Nobody should enjoy cleaning windows.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right. But it's like Tom Sawyer.. I have to talk myself into enjoying a task I have to do.
DeleteInteresting! Window cleaning from the outside.
ReplyDeleteWell you weren't up too high. I don't think life threatening if you fell, just a very sore bum! ha ha.
Can't say in all honesty that I agree with "Chartreuse" on what our government does to assist the aged. We have an ageing population as the younger ones who do marry and ARE WORKING don't get handouts. It is a hard situation for them. Is it produce, and that cuts one out of the workforce or endeavour to prosper? A hard position for the workers, the others, who refuse to work, and just produce get handouts from the government. The result of this is unmentionable - the kids have no hope.
Sad facts but true in Australia, Canada and the whole of the western so-called World. The other so-called "developing countries" it is deployable, the TV news shows it all. I feel so sorry for the kids. And giving money to charities for support to these governments for the kids generally ends up in Swiss Bank accounts of the rulers.
Now off my "high horse", your windows look great.
Would you like to come and clean my windows?
You will need a longer ladder - ha ha!
Cheers and great blog.
Colin (Brisbane.Australia)
Sadly when old guys like me fall we are likely to break something. My friend missed the last step on the ladder and went down and broke a hip.
DeleteMuch better cost wise and other ways to keep seniors in their own homes. The govt. knows what it is doing.
You are too funny! I know you have been waiting for years to be allowed the privilege of washing them...good job, Red!
ReplyDeleteMight as well make out that I enjoy it!
DeleteWhat a good job you did, Red! I can see my OWN reflection in there, it's so clean! :-)
ReplyDeletePretty good when you can see your own shadow all the way from Bellingham!!!
DeleteIt sure is nice that da wife gave you permission for this sweet chore. Yes, my Mom had everybody washing windows at home and it seems everyone carried on the tradition. Love those reflections Red - nice clean windows. What is a home with dirty windows? - my Mom used to say - that was your cue to step up to the twice yearly job.
ReplyDeleteYour Mom was a smart lady. She knew how to get people to do things.
DeleteIt's really funny that I do not remember Mom washing windows.
Washing windows...I have a bit of trouble getting to mine. I love a clean window, so I do try to keep my spotless. But it never fails the second I wash the windows a wind storm comes up with just a tad bit of moisture...then I have the same window as before.
ReplyDeleteSigh...
Out comes the cleaning stuff again.
And again
And again....
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
We have similar conditions here. It is dusty and there's dust on your widows. A few spots of rain on the window and you have a mess.
DeleteCongratulations on your promotion. I sincerely hope that it is a single storey house, you shouldn't be going up any long ladders.
ReplyDeleteYep, single story. But for us old guys you can fall off the bottom step and still get quite badly hurt.
DeleteYou are so funny! I have been loathe to wash windows with out drought. I only use vinegar. I guess, after the 111mm of rain in the last week, I ought to get going! I'm glad we're in a bungalow now. They aren't too high!
ReplyDeleteCheers from Cottage Country!
Since my wife has problems with her hands the windows get done when it's warm.
Delete111 mm of rain would flood us here.
Boy, I could sure put you to work on my filthy windows!!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I could get window jobs right now for the next 100 years. Nobody likes washing windows.
Deleteand a great job too! But please do be careful.
ReplyDeleteAloha from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
=^..^=
> < } } ( ° >
Thanks for visiting Hiawatha House.
DeleteWhen it comes to carefull don't have a lot of it.
Wow...very shiny! Your wife's routine seems to work great. I must admit we aren't very good about washing our windows.
ReplyDeleteYes I was surprised how the windows looked. No wonder the birds fly into them.
DeleteThey are quite shiny so I dare say you've done a good job! Hope your wife thought so.
ReplyDeleteI like clean ones to be able to take pictures of the backyard wildlife but I don't follow all those steps. Some Windex and paper towels and I'm good to go. :)
The job passed inspection. The reflection was just lucky as it was the time of day that had the perfect light.
DeleteBoy, this is the time of year when we got to wash windows, take off the screens and put on the storm windows when I was a kid. Reverse order in the spring.
ReplyDeleteWe have a two story house which means ladder work, I DO not like ladders, hence bedroom windows are not clean most of the time!
You're not a 100 years old so how did you get to do all this stuff? Yes we, had storm windows to go off and on too.
DeleteIf you ever find yourself out this way, I have a ladder with your name on it.. ;)
ReplyDeleteI really have to admire your spirit of enjoying window washing. I hope you passed inspection in flying colors!
ReplyDeleteWow, the windows are so clean, awesome job Red! And if you're in the city and find yourself bored... well common over, you can do my windows and I'll feed ya! lol Actually I don't mind doing windows, no step ladders though for me neither, I just take the windows out on the second floor, wash them and put them back in the order they came out.
ReplyDelete