Dear FlyLady,

You so busted me when you called out the FlyBabies who won’t use their purple rags so they won’t get messed up!

Oh yeah, mine are only 3 weeks old and I want to keep them nice. After 2 or 3 more emails where you called me out again, I finally started using them, but only to clean up the “cleanest” messes. You know, water drips on the counter top. Wipe out the clean sink. I didn’t want permanent stains and spots on these babies. I was also afraid that once I tackled a dirty job, that rag would be “used up” until it went through the wash. How was I going to make it with only 3 rags in a day? Isn’t one supposed to stay dry all the time to polish off whatever the wet one just did?

My counter was getting cluttered with my hierarchy of various rags and dishtowels: new purple, bleached white terry, waffle weave, embroidered dish towel, and plain dish towels. Every caste had its own job and designated territory.

Then another FlyBaby said she used purple rags to clean her grill. I’m thinking “You haven’t seen my grill and I’m not messing up my pretty rags,” but I’ve been using them on dirtier and dirtier projects. Wow, they rinse out great, ready for the next task all day long.

Yesterday I tackled the roasted-on gummy grease inside the microwave door. As advertised, they did an amazing job with just water and a better job with Windex. The gummy stuff rinsed off the rag in soapy water, but there were still a few dark spots staining the purple.