Making Boiled Linen Rags
I had a deep dislike for microfiber rags, there’s just something about the way they feel on my hands. They leave a fine lint on everything and it drive me CRAZY. Somehow I ended up with a large quantity of these rags, I think Mr Chiots bought them for cleaning the car and somehow they migrated into the house. I finally got sick of them and the lint they produce and decided to make a few boiled linen rags for cleaning.
They’re really quite simple to make, I’m not sure why I haven’t made them before. This linen was purchased on sale a few months ago for only a few dollars a yard. I cut two squares, hemmed them, and boiled them for 15 minutes with a little vinegar in the water.
Then I dried them and used them on the windows – WOW – perfectly clean and not a scrap of lint to be seen. I’ll definitely be making more of these and moving all my microfibers out into the garage for Mr Chiots to use out there.
Do you have any great tips for lint free cleaning?
Filed under Around the House | Comments (9)
This sounds interesting to me but I don’t understand the boiling step. Does boiling shrink and tighten the fabric and therefore no lint? Or does the vinegar boil remove any fabric finish to make it streak free? Linen is hard for me to find…where did you get yours?
to Meg's comment
Yes, the boiling is supposed to tighten the fibers to reduce risk of lint. I used the vinegar to remove any residues that might cause streaking. I got my linen at a local fabric shop, it’s fairly easily to find on-line.
to Susy's comment
Susy, for cleaning windows I’ve always used newspaper. It leaves streak free windows. I know you are a clean window person. As for me, not so much. I can’t remember the last time my windows were cleaned. They really should go on the list of things to do. Do you use your linen rags for dusting as well? Dusting is another thing that’s on the not so much list for me. :-)
Have a great boiled linen house cleaning rag day.
to Nebraska Dave's comment
I second the newspaper for windows, my great grandma always used it and I love it!
to Amy hissa's comment
My house rags tend to be culled from cotton t-shirts that are too far gone to be worn for gardening or other outdoor projects. I’ll keep an eye out for some cheap linen to try this out… the fabric store I pop into every now and again has a remnants bin that’s always worth a look.
to Jessie's comment
I to dislike those microfiber rags, they cling to your hands and feel funny. I will have to try the boiled linen rags.. I like old worn out cloth diapers, they are great for dusting. Hard to find unless you buy new which will work. I also like rags from old worn towels.
to Zerida Wornica's comment
I love rags from old towels as well, they work so well!
to Susy's comment
I am not too picky. I usually cut up old towels and t-shirts and use them. I do have a microfiber mitt that i use to dust odd shapes with, it has little nubby fingers on it and a lining so i don’t feel the microfiber.
to Brittany's comment
I generally use old socks. Any worn or holy sock is turned inside out and there after a rag. My family makes sure that all their socks are right side out when they hit the laundry bin……or they will never be seen again!
to Jodiana's comment