Something for those among us with arthritis and who can't afford a maid.

[Skidmore]

I have arthritis in my knees and it has become very painful to kneel on the floor to scrub the bathtub. I finally nailed down a system to help me accomplish this task.

Tools:

a Swiffer mop
rags cut from old sweats
a mixture of vinegar and Dawn dish soap and water in a spray bottle (about a capful of Dawn to a 1:1 mixture of water and vinegar in a larger sized spray bottle)
handheld shower spray head

I had some old heavy sweats that were ready to toss and was thinking what a shame it was to lose them because they had a really good thick nap inside. I decided to cut them into cleaning cloths. Sweats cloth does not ravel. I cut them into oblong pieces the size of the width (long side) of the swiffer mop head and double the length (narrow side).

To use the rags on the swiffer mop head, I first wet the rag and fold the edges on the long side in a bit and poke the corners into the little retainer holes on the mop head. The rag should be nap side out.

I spray tile surround and the tub with water and the mist a good coating of the cleaning solution on all and let it sit for about 15-20 minutes to allow the cleaning solution to start breaking up any soap or hard water residues. Then I use the mop to scrub all surfaces. When done scrubbing, I rinse the enclosure and the tub with clear water using the shower spray. This system really cleans well and spares me a good deal of physical pain and climbing since the top of the enclosure was difficult for me to reach too. Oh, I toss the cleaning rags into the washing machine once a week and it looks like those rags may last as long as the clothing they were cut from.

[obietiger]

1. Thanks for the hint

I will be trying it this week.

[Curmudgeoness]

2. Someone after my own heart----rags from old clothing!

This sounds like a great idea, and I am sure that anyone with problems working on their knees will really appreciate this and any other suggestions to clean without kneeling. Thanks.

[JimDandy]

3. Great tip even if knees are working good! n/t

[IrishAyes]

4. I admire your creativity and thrift. Sounds like a grand idea, and thanks for sharing.

Since I live in sweats during winter, I always have plenty around, in all conditions. Sometimes I use them to make dog clothes, too. In a pinch the sleeves or legs of extra large sizes can even be pressed into service as a nightcap! I'm fortunate to live where a church-sponsored used clothing store sells everything for 10 cents, so if I need something, it's always easy to find.

Old sweaters are great for repurposed clothing too, though they wouldn't be so good for cleaning. I even make pillows with them, occasionally a casual quilt or throw or a big blanket, sewing the pieces together with a simple embroidery overcast hand stitch. No end to what you can make with sweaters and sweats. Sometimes at the clothing thrift store they have really beautiful things with the sales tickets still on, never worn! Once I found a beautiful sweatshirt (too big to wear) with gorgeous embroidered roses on the front. I took it home and made a really cute beret.

[Skidmore]

5. Just wanted to add the text of a thread I did some time ago on vinegar solutions for cleaning.

I use vinegar mixtures quite abit. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and its acidic qualities break down deposits. Used in combination with a very small amount of Dawn you add the working of a degreaser to the mix.

Cheap cleaning solutions.

http://www.sistersshoppingonashoestring.com/cleaning-dream-team-vinegar-and-dawn

I have been using this combination in different combinations for some time now. It is well worth the time it takes to mix. I keep a spray bottle to use on counters and sinks.

I mixed a weaker solution of 1 part heated vinegar to 4 parts hot water and added about 6 drops of Dawn for floors. I purchased a Libman Freedom spray mop and use it to spray a mist of this solution on the floors. The pad can be washed over and over again. This solution dries without residue. I mix the floor solution by the gallon. I keep a recycled milk jug full at all times.

http://www.ruralking.com/libman-freedom-spray-mop-7794.html?utm_medium=google&utm_source=cse&CAWELAID=1624248228&catargetid=1708823525&cagpspn=pla&gclid=CP7fuqPF47cCFYhAMgod_UUAYw

I made a paste of Bon Ami and equal parts Dawn and vinegar to scrub the gas grill. We coated all the surfaces with the exception of the burner jets with the paste and let it sit for about an hour and then use a little elbow grease with a Doobie pad to scrub it off. It did a really good job and rinses off quickly.

[Sherman A1]

6. Good ideas!

Thanks for posting and the links.

[adirondacker]

7. I love vinegar as a cleaning solution! I add about a 1/4 cup to the dishwasher and the glasses come

out spotless!