NewsRecord Weekly Publication

Tita Len-len's Wais Tips

By Len-len Pataytay

Windows and doors

What better way to make use of students' free summer time than to teach them how to properly clean around the house? 

There are two very important parts of the house: the windows and the doors. These two are the entry and exit points of our house and according to a famous adage, when the door of opportunity closes, open the window! The Chinese even believe that these areas are auspicious entry points of either luck or disaster depending on their position and the accessories you put on them. 

Forget Feng Sui, though and let's concentrate on what we can practically do to our windows and doors, right now, right here. 

There are several solutions that will make cleaning glass windows and jalousies easier and more effective. One part of rubbing alcohol and two parts of water placed in a spray bottle, for example, is effective for removing grimes and spreading a fresh, clean scent as air enters through. Another fresh scent cleaner is the mix of one tablespoon of ammonia and one quart of water. 

Baking soda, on the other hand, figures again as the power cleaner that will surely leave a squeaky feel and shine to glass panels. Add two teaspoons of baking soda to one quart of water and wipe the dirt and grime away. 

Now, if you want to get a super-duper shiny window, do not use cotton but old nylon stocking in cleaning it. The stocking's texture loosens the grime and polishes the glass at the same time. Another trick is to use blackboard eraser but make sure the one you'll use has not been used for the board yet otherwise you'll get not a shiny window but a snowy one!

Corners often hide the culprits and over years, when dust accumulates they look anything but pretty. Make sure to use old soft toothbrush or a cotton swab. 

So how about the door? Want to give your door a make-over? No sweat! Simply take all the knobs of all the doors in your house as well as those of your closets. Place the knob on the inside on the outside this time. The inside knob does not get so much wear and tear as it is used less than the one outside. Just switching the knobs will already give your door a new look without really spending for the upgrade. 

Doors should be treated to a repainting job once in a while, right? While kids below 12 cannot be expected to do a great painting job teens can. So, give them these wise tricks. Put petroleum jelly on knobs, hinges and all parts of a door that you don't intend to paint. If these areas end up painted, just rub off the paint with the jelly.