Cleaning Cloths for Clean Windows

As I continue my transition to a lower waste lifestyle, I find myself looking at what I already have that I can use in a new way.  Over the weekend, I was counting birds for the National Bird Counting Day, https://www.audubon.org/conservation/about-great-backyard-bird-count

and I realized that the windows were all grimy from dog nose and kid fingers. Possibly good for the birds, but that’s an aside. 

Looking through my DIY cleaning cabinet, I found some glass cleaner that I had made but not actually used. Okay, I tested it on the bathroom mirror and was happy with it, but I didn’t actually get much window cleaning done 😂

Can you blame me?

Anyway, so I had some cleaner made, but I wanted to challenge myself to use something other than paper towels. After some rummaging around in my closet, I came across an old night dress that I never wore because it was too long.

It is pictured in its new, shorter version. 

I was able to cut 4 nice-sized cloths from the bottom section. I set to work on the windows and in a fairly short amount of time, found them gleaming back at me. 

Here is the recipe I used. It is a nice streak-free blend, although I did also have to use a kitchen towel to finish the job because of the cornstarch, I think. I found this recipe online so I’m not sure exactly why it’s in there.  Maybe I’ll do some research on the subject and get back with an update at some point. But I’m happy with the results. 

I guess I should get around to doing all the windows (don’t look too closely).

 

Less Plastic is Fantastic

I have been working toward a low waste lifestyle for awhile now. First switching to reusable shopping bags, cooking with more whole foods, making snacks instead of buying them, etc. But I kept using plastic in my kitchen. Not plastic food storage containers, I switched to glass. They have plastic lids, but they are safer. I’m working toward eliminating the lids in time. 

Today I went through my kitchen and gathered up all the plastic that has been in use, to varying degrees. I stopped buying plastic on purpose years ago, but I always end up with it somehow. From the school, or from a race, or at the fair. Occasionally I’ll find something fun or cute at a yard sale, so I’ll pick it up second hand. But as I’ve been researching ways to live low waste and to reduce the potential for harmful chemicals being leached into my family’s food and drinks, I’ve decided to do a little experiment. I’m putting all of our plastic in the basement. In all honesty, we will all notice this change. I’m not going to throw anything away, or even send it to the thrift store, because then I’m just making it somebody else’s problem down the line. 

My perspective has recently shifted. Now I see every single thing I own as my responsibility. Everything I throw away now becomes an indicator for a habit or behavior that I need to modify. Our culture makes it nearly impossible to achieve a perfect version of waste free living, but practicing and remaining conscious of my impact feels like a great option for creating a more sustainable future. 

While I was taking photos for this post, I realized that I wasn’t ready to give up some of my plastic, like lids for jars, colinder, smoothie maker containers, food processor, etc. But I’m practicing changing my habits, and that feels right for me. 

Plus now I have more room for cat storage!