This site is an archive of ChiotsRun.com. For the latest information about Susy and her adventrures, visit the Cultivate Simple site.
Thank you for all your support over the years!

Making Boiled Linen Rags

November 12th, 2014

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.
boiled linen rags 1
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.
boiled linen rags 2
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?

9 Comments to “Making Boiled Linen Rags”
  1. Meg on November 12, 2014 at 8:53 am

    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?

    Reply to Meg's comment

    • Susy on November 12, 2014 at 10:00 am

      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.

      Reply to Susy's comment

  2. Nebraska Dave on November 12, 2014 at 9:47 am

    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.

    Reply to Nebraska Dave's comment

    • Amy hissa on November 12, 2014 at 1:42 pm

      I second the newspaper for windows, my great grandma always used it and I love it!

      Reply to Amy hissa's comment

  3. Jessie on November 12, 2014 at 11:19 am

    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.

    Reply to Jessie's comment

  4. Zerida Wornica on November 12, 2014 at 12:10 pm

    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.

    Reply to Zerida Wornica's comment

    • Susy on November 12, 2014 at 2:12 pm

      I love rags from old towels as well, they work so well!

      Reply to Susy's comment

  5. Brittany on November 12, 2014 at 2:44 pm

    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.

    Reply to Brittany's comment

  6. Jodiana on November 14, 2014 at 2:48 pm

    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!

    Reply to Jodiana's comment

About

This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.

Admin
Read previous post:
The Milk Monster

The Littles is fitting right in, she's a feisty little cat. She spends her days outside hunting moles and mice....

Close