It comes over me suddenly, an inability to tolerate dirty windows. For reasons unknown our rental contract states we are not allowed to hire window washers to clean the windows on the outside. Our windows do ‘tip in’ however and if you can make the contortions to reach the bottom of the top window, you can indeed DIY. I sat down at my desk early morn and with the sun on the rise looked right. Today was the day! I couldn’t stand that I was looking through the grime to the world beyond. It isn’t an easy job, as you will see by the accompanying photos. and it also means switching out the curtains from winter black/white to summer green/white; ironing is involved. But now it is done. It takes about 3 hours from start to finish. For the time being it is as if there is nothing between me and the outside world. I have even hung the curtains on the back of the chairs so I can look out. Tonight I will hang them at the windows to keep the world from looking in.
To clean them, I have this swear-by-glass-cleaner from Walgreens. As I picked up the spray bottle, it felt too light for 6 windows. Looked among the spices and hiding in the back was a bottle of Chinatown brewed rice vinegar. Don’t remember when last I used it. I added it to the spray bottle plus a bit of water and voila. The best ever. Most likely this is old hat to all of you, but the rice vinegar did an amazing job. I will buy more of that rather than the swear-by-window cleaner.