Zen Window Cleaning
On a bright Spring day, Bruce used to say he was going to take a day ‘off’ to do some Zen window cleaning. Just a tool belt, spray bottle and a simple squeegee (plus loads of experience) would let him soak up some rays, shine some windows and transport him to North Carolina heaven. During the construction heydays prior to 2008, we calculated that we and our teams had cleaned well over 10,000 windows in a single year. Of course, some of that cleaning was done standing ankle-deep in icy water trying to complete a project before the end of year. Along with Bruce, we prefer the Zen-like conditions.
Feel-Good Cleaning
I was not as sanguine about my job of cleaning the bathrooms for our clients, but I always felt great satisfaction in surveying the yards of sparkling tile and mirrors, the spotless commodes, sinks and counters as I completed each house. We are always looking for employees who thrill to that same satisfied feeling. We’ve added a “jobs” page to our website to make it easier for them to let us know they’re interested in working for Town & Country Cleaning Services.
Cleanliness is next to Godliness
I don’t know for sure that that old expression rings true for everyone, But for me, I know that work done ‘heartily, as to the Lord and not unto men’ (Col. 3:23) goes better, faster and just feels right when it’s done. I once read a devotional comparing window-washing to the cleansing of our souls, an analogy to confession. It may be a reach, but in choosing products that are only as harsh as the job requires, substituting de-ionized water for many or most of the old chemicals, cleaning with steam instead of chemicals at the extreme ends of the pH scale, all represent our decision to ‘do no harm’ as we attempt to be good stewards of our planet’s resources as well as of our clients’ and employees’ health. Whether I’m clearing away years of neglected cobwebs, dust and debris or just last week’s light coating of dust, I feel good about getting back to ‘ground zero’ – where surfaces now reflect light brightly where they had been cloudy with dust or opaque film. I also like the fact that we aren’t adding smells from VOC’s, perfumes and other additives. Our hospital-grade microfibers help us not just clean, but sanitize. Their proven rate of removal of bio-contaminants with just plain water demonstrates the cleaning power of a disinfectant, at least in laboratory studies! Cleaning away pollen, sweeping out cobwebs, making windows and floors shine – all those tasks require hard work, skill and discipline. Cleaning is one way for our inner need for order to manifest its outward expression. Divine – or not – it’s what we do. If you enjoy the results but not the effort, please give us a call. Our goal is to start a new two-person team in September. The waiting list starts now!
The presence of God in anything that is clean and clear is certain: clean heart, clear soul, clean thought and clean home. I think this is the way it goes with cleanliness that God resides and rather blesses the spirituality with clean things. Thanks for sharing a beautiful thought, Loved it 🙂
Dear Jacqueline,
What a lovely comment, an added blessing from the other side of the country. Sweet! – thank you.