Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Dog slobber on windows

When I work past 5:00, which is often, I usually run into Kerry, the gentleman who cleans our basement after we leave. This evening, I asked him how he had gotten the glass blocks by our outer door to sparkle so nicely. "Murphy's Oil Soap," he said. "I used it on everything."

"I love that stuff," I told him. "It doesn't hurt your hands and it smells good."

I would never in fifty years have thought of using oil soap on windows. "Do you think it would get the dog slobber off my windows," I asked. "Windex is worthless on it."

"Sure."

So, I went home and tried it. Sure enough, the dog slobber wiped off and the windows actually sparkled. I decided to Google Murphy's Oil Soap to see what else it could be used for, since Kerry had said he used it everywhere.

What I found surprised me. Google actually points one to diatribes against tried and true MOS. Hardwood floor manufacturers claim it leaves a nasty oily residue and should never be used. Blogs proclaim that it dulls wood.

Is this a conspiracy? An urban legend? If MOS can clean glass without leaving residue, how could it be so awful for floors?

By the way, I also used it, while I was in the groove, to clean my white kitchen cabinets. It wiped away coffee drips and various other stains pretty nicely, and I was thankful to Kerry for reminding me of this helpful environmetally friendly cleaner.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the "Murphy" tip! We have a dog and every window, and mirror that he can reach has slobber all over, and it's a pain to get off. One question before I tackle my chores today, do you dilute it or use it full strength?

By the way, we have wood floors throughout our house and were advised NOT to use it after we had them redone. I just use water but it just doesn't seem like they are clean to me.

Vic said...

I have three labs and lots of Windows on my wrap-around porch. I usually use a glass cleaner from Sam's that is a great product for general cleaning. However, it has little effect on dog "window tagging". I cleaned my staircase yesterday with MOS. Saw this tip last night and tried cold, leftover solution with surprising results. I am sold!