Dear FlyLady,

Hello my beautiful friend.  I think I appreciate you a little more each day.

So. I’m assuming part of perfectionism is not wanting to get my tools dirty? I’m the paper towel/disposable disinfectant wipe QUEEN over here. We buy them in bulk, and I burn through a lot of them, but I’m trying to break that habit.

I bought your purple “rags” (awful pretty for rags, I must say) and I use them for my swish & swipe, but had only used them to clean the mirrors & polish the faucets. I was afraid of using them to swipe my counters or ::cringe:: my toilet lid for fear of getting them dirty.

Well, I stretched out of my comfort zone 2 days ago when I decided to improve the view from my kitchen window, since I spend so much time washing dishes at that sink. I cleaned off the little ledge outside the window, dusted off some cute pots I’d bought years ago, and planted flowers in each one. I set them on my little shelf, but the kitchen window was so filthy it was hard to see through. So I grabbed a damp purple rag and scrubbed the inside of the window. It shined right up, but the outside was so dirty it had to be next, so I dared to take my nice purple rag outside and tackle that REALLY dirty glass.

It gets dusty and dry here (we’re in a huge drought) and combined with the wind, my kitchen window gets a good sandblasting almost daily. So I used the rag (wet & wrung out) and scrubbed away, and the whole window, inside and now even outside, looks great. All that old dirt buildup came right off, and I was left with clean, streak-free glass.  I used to hate window cleaners, because I blamed them for the streaks that were always left behind. But after using your purple rags I feel that it’s the cloth that gives you a streak free window, not the cleaner you choose.

Anyhoo, moving on to a yuckier job; the microwave. I don’t know how it gets so greasy in there, but ew! I noticed I’ve put off cleaning it because in the past I just couldn’t get it clean. All my toiling with paper towels and antiseptic wipes just didn’t cut it. I looked at it tonight (gross) and remembered the countless testimonials I’ve read about how your purple rags can handle these jobs, so I went for it.

I wet a purple rag with warm water & buffed up the outside; it looked pretty and clean with very little effort. Then, I hit the inside. First, I wiped out all the crumbs and then rinsed the rag. Then, wiped down the inside. When the rag got greasy, I just rinsed it out with hot water and went back to it. Well, it got all the grime out, left it shiny and clean, and it was actually an easy job! I did the stove next, and now it’s shiny and clean, too.

So I think I’ve learned that it’s okay to dirty up my pretty purple rags. They do a great job, and these tough chores that I tend to avoid because they just don’t seem doable, are just not that bad with the right tools and a little willingness on my part.

I want to thank you so very much, for the great tools and the loving motivation. I thank my God on every remembrance of you, and I remember you daily. xoxooo

Love & hugs to you from a FlyBaby with a much improved view.