While the last Homesteading article was about cleaning rugs in the snow, did you know there are other things you can clean in the white stuff? Take brooms for example, especially those made of natural bristles. Sweeping fresh snow from your steps or walkways actually clean the bristles of dust and debris. Sweep your heart out and allow the floor dust bunny chaser to drip dry, bristles down, in a cool spot. Remember to suspend the handle in a clamp or other such hanging divide so that the bristles are not sitting on the floor for best results. Also, place a hefty piece of newspaper beneath it to catch the melting snow and dirt.
What else can you clean by using snow? Well, if you're like some, you may have a cloth lined plastic cover on your kitchen table. Spread out an old blanket on a flat floor surface, one that is larger than the tablecloth. Bring in a bucket of clean snow and immediately rub the white stuff into the plastic covering, rubbing in a circular motion as you go (wear a pair of gloves to protect your hands). Pull up the tablecloth by four sides and shake it outside to rid the surface of the now dirty snow. Repeat the process if the table covering is heavily soiled. Wipe it dry with a clean towel and put it back on your table. Only the very edges of the cloth lining should be wet and it will dry quickly right on the table. Please note that while this process won't remove most stains, it will get out greasy spots and imbedded dirt.
Deep snow is great for cleaning gardening tools, too, especially shovels, hoes and bow rakes. Find a bank of snow and plunge the digging end into the snow repeatedly to loosen stuck on dirt. Make sure to wipe it dry before storing the thing, though, to prevent rusting. Better yet, wipe an oil dunked cloth over all of the metal parts prior to putting it back.
Lastly, did you know you can make food with snow? Not just by melting it, either. What about Snow Ice Cream? Please visit http://www.astray.com/recipes/?show=SNOW... for a great recipe. And then there's maple snow at http://www.astray.com/recipes/?show=MAPL... or for substituting snow in bread recipes, try http://www.astray.com/recipes/?show=Subs...
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