Thursday, March 5, 2009

White Vinegar Magic!

Some time ago, I started making small glass gem magnets using snippets of artwork I had drawn or photographed. At some point, I decided to order very large (2.5inch) glass pieces to make 'super-magnets', (actually, I use one as a paperweight for as-yet-unfiled-receipts.) When they arrived in the mail, they had a sort of frosty appearance, but I cleaned them off with glass cleaner, and they looked great. However, a day or two later, they'd return to this frosty look. [Huh?? Why?] And not only that, but it almost had a mysterious residue; I could wipe it with my finger and it gave the appearance of a greasy streak....only it wasn't greasy. [What the hey?]

Since then, I have tried every cleaner under the dingy-dang sun to no avail, until just last week. It was like an epiphany; almost spiritual. Yes, 'midst working on something unrelated, entirely, while watching a rerun of Lost, I was suddenly compelled to stand up, and go to the kitchen cupboard for some white vinegar. And that, my friends, worked. The glass has never gone cloudy since. Magic, I say!


UPDATE: for sale in my shop!

21 comments:

LiPeony said...

lolol dingy dang sun... that's a hoot! I'm glad you found the magic cleaner! Those magnets look uber cute! =D

sMacThoughts said...

hee hee!

Anonymous said...

oh sMac, will they be showing up in your Etsy shop? They are adorable. So ironic, as this is my project for art class next week. I swear! Kids are bringing in favorite photo's of their pets! heehee!!

sMacThoughts said...

I am not sure if I will put them in the shop... Oh the girls will just love this! Great idea!

Cathy Nichols Art said...

This is such a funny story. I love the way our minds work on the back burner and then suddenly yeild inspiration. The magnets look gorgeous!

The Little Cloth Rabbit said...

Isn't vinegar a great thing?! I use it loads for cleaning.
This is the first time I've visited your blog and I really enjoyed reading your post.

The magnets are lovely.

P.S I chew the insides of my cheeks too! Hee Hee

Tracy Nuskey Dodson said...

See! Watching Lost gets your brain working. Every time I watch it I feel like I need a little nap.

I use vinegar to clean the windows and french doors in my house. The kids always complain about the smell. "Suck it up" I tell them!

Have a nice weekend!!

sMacThoughts said...

Cathy ... Yes, I tell you, we humans are walking comedy scenes!

Little Brown Rabbit .... Thanks and welcome!

Tracy ... yes, it is not a pleasant smell, but I can think of worse. Plus, it disappears, so all-good in my book!

Sandy Mastroni said...

these magnets ..... 'ya-ya' !!!!!!

Lenae May said...

Adorable magnets! I LOVE little things under glass bubbles! It just look special. :)
Lenae

sMacThoughts said...

Even a buncha meanies, Lenae? Well, I suppose it's good I've contained the meanies under glass so they can't get out and wreak havoc.

James Parker said...

Wow, sMac, I stumbled here from Tara Ross' and love your blog. I looked for a follower button. Your photography is super, and I hope you will participate in Windows to the Words. And I stopped by to invite you to my 5 part "Blog Party" of March 8...guaranteed to bring some smiles and awes. Hope you will come. The door's open and the coffee's on

sMacThoughts said...

Welcome James...ok, confused, you are inviting me to your party from 5 days before you are posting here? Teach me to time travel, please! :)

Camilla Engman said...

thank you for the wonderful comment, made my day happier :)

sMacThoughts said...

You're so welcome, Camilla!

Anonymous said...

These are lovely! Newspaper is good for cleaning glass too.

sMacThoughts said...

OH yes, I even tried that, Jane...the white vinegar is the ONLY thing which has worked! :)

Danita said...

Oooooooh you just reveled some of the biggest mysteries!!! I've tried to clean them with everything too and nothing works... I need to buy some white vinegar!
tahnks for sharing

sMacThoughts said...

OH I am SOOO excited this helps someone else, Danita! It was such a big frustration for me. Glad to know I was not alone!

Brambor said...

White vinegar is also good for cleaning the floors. Just dilute it with water. And in case you have or were considering buying the Scooba robot and were worried about buying their proprietary cleaner...vinegar with water works perfect for that.

sMacThoughts said...

Hey, thanks for the valuable tip, Brambor!!