Window cleaning and Pimms

Summer time and everyone in East London is through their windows into their gardens and balconies, and planning their Pimm's parties.

Yes, folks, it's time to clean your windows.

Now there are many schools of thought in relations to cleaning windows. You can buy special window cleaning products, invest heavily in mops, microfiber cloths and squeegees, or even get in a specialist window cleaning company.  However, there is a cheap and easy alternative. Do it yourself with simple household ingredients. Me? I use newspaper, a microfiber cloth and plain warm water with vinegar.  

Want a trade secret? The real key to clean windows is when you clean them. Always clean them on a cloudy day. Never clean them in full sun because the sun will dry the window too quickly and it will leave unsightly streaks on the glass.  

Everyone wants a gleaming surface and that is where the newspaper comes in. A crumpled-up newspaper won't lint like other types of paper so you can buff your window surface to your heart's content. Your windows will sparkle and then you can toast your achievements with a  glass of Pimms. Lovely.  

Kettles and cleaning tips from East London

I always like finding out how people clean, and what they clean. Some people are very particular about skirting boards while others are fussy about benchtops and hops. Me? I love a clean kettle! 

I can't leave a kitchen without making sure I have wiped down the handle and cleaned the outside. A  shiny kettle makes a kitchen feels fresh and inviting. 

Anyone who lives in London will know about limescale. My East London clients have an array of solutions to managing it.  Some people see limescale as a natural part of the water and they simply live with it while others use vinegar and good soak or boil.  One or two clients use shop bought kettle cleaning products.  

Whatever your approach, can I suggest you clean your kettle? It's one small but really wonderful way to helping you feel good in your kitchen.

And feeling good is what cleaning is all about, isn't it? 

Chinese New Year 2017: Rooster

January 28th marked the Chinese New Year and it's now the year of the Rooster! Famous roosters are said to include Dawn French, Britney Spears, Yoko Ono and Bob Marley. 

I've been reading about Chinese New Year celebrations over the last week and discovered that getting your hair cut in the first month of the new year is apparently regarded as courting bad luck.  

However, you'll be pleased to know that house cleaning is fine as long as it takes place before the 28th. Decluttering and scrubbing is a symbolic way to say goodbye to the last year and welcome the new.  On a cautionary note, DON'T clean for the first few days of the new year in case you sweep away your good fortune. 

Here is another tradition I read about: It is very lucky to shop in the new year! 

Happy to new to all my customers across East London who celebrate this tradition. I'd love to hear about your special day.   

I wish you good health and prosperity. 

Justyna