CLEANING TIPS

Since 1966, Canadians have been using J Cloths for all their cleaning needs. Some of them are even inspired to share their cleaning tips with us so we wanted to pass along some great ideas.

Not only are there fabulous tips for different ways to use J Cloths for cleaning but there are also a number of other uses. Its great to see, especially in a world that is increasingly concerned with the environment, the many ways that Canadians are re-using and recycling J Cloths around the house. Not only can they be used as an alternative to paper towels, they can also be used with non-toxic cleaners like vinegar, toothpaste and lemon juice. And you’ll never believe all the other uses out there.

If you have any special personal tips you’d like to share with others, e-mail us and if appropriate, we’ll add your tip to the list.

Household Cleaning

• Use as a dishcloth to wash dishes.
• General kitchen cleanup (countertops, cupboards, sink, table, stove, refrigerator, small appliances, floor).
• Bathroom cleanup (sink, tub, tiles, polishing chrome faucets).
• Great for dusting my computer (t.v., stereo system)- no lint!
• Polishing mirrors (furniture, shoes).
• Cleaning ceiling fans.
  (C.R., Langley, BC)
• Use as a heating vent dust filter.
  (G.F., Ajax, ON)
• As a "replacement for [electromagnetic dust] cloths".
  (A.W., Calgary, AB)
• "Put over vacuum nozzle to dust delicate knickknacks."
  (J.M., Stirling, ON)
• "Cleaning blinds- especially vertical!"
  (M.G., Montreal, QC)

Environmentally Friendly Uses

• "Windows (cheaper and eco-friendlier than paper towels)."
  (L.W., Haliburton, ON)
• Use as a polishing cloth with toothpaste to polish silverware.
  (A.G., Bedford, NS)
• "Wet J-Cloth with fabric softener and use as a dryer sheet."
  (S.M., Dundurn, SK)
• "I've recycled the cloths and cut them in rounds to put between my stored good plates so they don't chip."
  (D.H., Edmonton, AB)
• "I keep my recycled cloths in a bucket in my workshop at home and at the cottage for "throw away" uses - like wrapping moth balls in a cloth to stuff in certain areas to discourage mice from entering the cottage - and it protects my younger grandchildren from picking up loose moth balls!"
  (F.S., Chicoutimi, QC)
• "During the gardening season, I recycle my cloths and cut in strips to tie budding plants to stakes."
  ( M.W., Brandon, MB)
• "My kids recycle my old cloths to use as flags for their sand castles or to make "sun" canopies for their toy boats."
  (W.P., Grand Bend, ON)
• "A neighbour gave my child a hamster. The animal came home in a shoe box lined by torn strips of a recycled J-Cloth."
  (N.C., Summerside, PEI)

Other Uses Around the House

• We use J-Cloth as an emergency coffee filter.
  (K.H., Georgetown, ON)
• "We used our Regular cloth [instead of cheesecloth] as a strainer for making yogurt and homemade cottage cheese."
  (C.H., Yellowknife, NWT)
• Use as "a strainer when making crab apple jelly."
  (T.S., Dauphin,MB)
• Use as a "sieve for bath salts".
  (H.M., Toronto, ON)
• Makes a great "spice bag for pickling [instead of cheesecloth]."
  (C.L., Gatineau, QC)
• I use J-Cloths "as a filter when making homemade wine."
  (C.H., Saskatoon, SK)
• "Spice bouquets (wrap spices in J-Cloth and let simmer in soups, stews, etc.)"
  (A.M., Stoney Creek, ON)
• "Straining mint leaves for jelly."
  (Z.S., Barrie, ON)
• I use them when making Christmas cake [soak J-Cloth in rum or brandy, wrap around cake, store in air-tight container, let "ripen"].
  (L.M., Sherwood Park, AB)
• "I put in the bottom of my crisper to soak up moisture."
  (E.A., Oakville, ON)
• "Dampening a shirt before ironing."
  (F.Y., Dartmouth, NS)
• "Use as backing when cutting fine materials [sewing]."
  (D.L., Toronto, ON)
• "Use to cover pizza dough while rising."
  (H.R., Montreal, QC)
• "Wrapping heirloom Christmas ornaments."
  (M.J., Lunenburg, NS)
• Wrap butter in J-Cloth then use to butter corn-on-the-cob.
  (M.T., Hamilton, ON)
• "Spray with air freshener and put in heating vents."
  (B.A., London, ON)

Outdoors

• "We use the cloths for camping. They're not only for clean up but the Heavy Duty sometimes doubles as additional "rope" to keep up an old tent."
  (A.S., Sudbury, ON)
• "For car vacations, we put a wet Regular and wet Heavy Duty cloth in a baggie and use the Regular to wipe out our picnic dishes and the Heavy Duty to wipe off park tables."
  (J.K., St. John, NB)
• Great for wiping down patio furniture between uses or just after a rain.
  (T.H., Burlington, ON)

Kids

• "Every week I give my child a well rinsed cloth in a baggy to wipe up juice spills and other dirt in her school locker."
  (A.M., Flin Flon, MB)
• Sew into loot bags.
  (J.J., Kingston, ON)
• "Wrapping my daughter's hair overnight for her to have curls in the morning."
  (J.M., Courtice, ON)
• Sew into doll clothes.
  (L.D., Toronto, ON)
• My daughter uses my old J-Cloths as a blanket for her dolls.
  (H.C., Chapeau, QC)
• "Makes a fast baby bib."
  (T.E., Paspebiac,QC)
• Use to wipe down stroller, to eliminate moisture, dirt or slush prior to packing back in our van.
  (B.J., Hamilton, ON)

Pets

• "As the cloths are different colours, I have one green and one blue at both the front and back doors - one colour to wipe the dog's feet and the other to wipe the cat's feet!"
  (L.B., Richmond, BC)
• Use to strain pebbles when cleaning out fish tank.
  (J.R., Scarborough,ON)

Sports & Recreation

• Keep a cloth in your sports bag to wipe your racquet or club handle dry during and after a tense or sweat-making game.
• Put a cloth in your sports locker to clean up everything from food or juice spills to sports equipment.
  (J.M., Markham, ON)
• When involved in water or ice sports, the cloth absorbs well when wiping water off surf or snow boards and off water or snow skis or anything that might rust such as blades on skis or skates.
  (T.I., Brampton, ON)
• A J-Cloth is a great sports companion to stick into your sports jacket whether it's for wiping or cleaning bowling or hockey equipment.
• One fan writes that she always has wet cloths in baggies for exhibition shows. She shows dogs, so from cleaning their kennels to cleaning hands as her family is eating on the run, they say they're a necessity.
• "I'm constantly working on my antique boat so I use both strengths of cloths to clean everything form engine parts to washing it down. They're also great to wipe the seats dry as the cloths are absorbent."
  (D.W., Quebec City, QC)
• Great uses on the fishing boat- from wiping morning dew off seats to cleaning hands after baiting hook.
  (L.R., Winnipeg,MB)
• I use J-Cloths when "cleaning tack [horseback riding equipment]".
  (A.B., Ste. Anne de Bellevue, QC)

Hobbies & Leisure

• "When working with clay, I often use a wet cloth to keep the clay moist. And, I do the same when my daughter joins me and she plays with her playdough...otherwise it hardens too quickly. Then, at the end of creative time, the cloth is there and ready for the clean up when we're finished."
  (M.R., London, ON)
• "I use a J-Cloth as a provider of texture when using soft-ground in fine-art etchings. Also, as it's a highly absorbent cleaning cloth, Heavy Duty is helpful for cleaning up the art-room floor after you've dropped your etching metal (inked side down)!"
  (H.G., Kamloops, BC)
• "It's great for using in applying a stain to furniture where it is important to get an even colour - and you don't want as much stain as you might have on a brush. I like it for dusting my wood furniture too as it's lint free and buffs up the wood to a nice shine."
  (J.G., Dartmouth, NS)
• "Use as a "strainer" for cleaning wax for candle making."
  (C.D., Paradise, NFLD)

Automotive

• "I use a J-Cloth as a strainer to check whether my fluids, such as anti-freeze or brake fluid, are dirty. But I always have two of the Heavy Duty cloths around - one for greasy jobs that I can throw away and another to wipe my hands free of grease and dirt as I'm working."
  (G.D., Timmins, ON)
• "The Heavy Duty cloth is great for cleaning auto parts with the variety of solvents I use. I also use to clean the mirrors on the car as there's no lint residue...I'm fussy."
  (M.S., Moncton, NB)
• "My husband is a fanatic when it comes to keeping his car clean so there is always a package of cloths in the garage for everything from cleaning the upholstery to washing the car."
  (T.M., Moose Jaw, SK)
• "When working on the engine, I stuff the carburettor with J-Cloths so I don't drop any parts into the engine."
  (K.M., Mississauga, ON)

J Cloth to the Rescue!

• "We always have the Heavy Duty cloths around the airport hangar, but luckily I had one in the plane (traffic reporter) as I needed to jam one in the window to keep it closed until we landed!"
  (S.K., Markham, ON)
• "The lifesaver was when we used a Regular one to wrap around my arm to stop a wound bleeding until we could get some first aid."
  (A.S., Sudbury, ON)
• "Recently we had an unusual use for the cloth. He [my husband ] keeps one in the glove compartment for cleaning emergencies, but this time it got used as a spare "air filter" until we arrived at a service station."
  (T.M., Moose Jaw, SK)
• "Makes a great ice pack!"
  (J.S., Washago, ON)