Downtown Sidewalks Are So FILTHY!
I really did not realize how bad it was- heck, every morning all the sidewalks around my place are power-washed, and it seems like a nice effort.
But now with my white polished concrete floors, I am seeing the evidence of what my feet are dragging in from my 3 dog walks a day. Honestly I can see a trail of where I generally walk in my place- from computer to kitchen sink- like a damn “snail trail”. Just from the soles of my tennis shoes.
I bought a Swifter Wet Jet to try to do frequent “maintenance” w/o having to get out bucket and mop, but that really just pushes dirt about after the first few strokes totally waste the disposable pad. And of course, the pads cost way more than initial purchase- I think it was Gillette that came up with that marketing ploy of selling a razor for $8 (or sending free sample) but the blades cost $10 - $20. I have to figure out one of those schemes…
I really think only way to get floor clean is with tons of rags and some 409 or Fabuloso- But this will have to be very frequent to really do it right. And I thought concrete floors would be so much easier- at least Higgins had kind of terra cota color glaze, but now I can’t believe how much dirt that color conceals.
No one said living downtown was going to be clean… at least i have not stepped in dog crap yet 
I’m amazed how dirty downtown LA is - it doesn’t matter how much power washing takes place, there always seems to be dirt mixed in with urine and everything else on the streets.
One thing I would suggest is getting some non-alcohol baby wipes for Isis. We wipe down Carter’s feet really quickly each time he comes in.
On more than one occasion he has stepped in something and started licking and eventually gotten a little sick. We also find that it helps his allergies a little.
September 21st, 2009 at 12:09 pmHey B- the baby wipes sound great- as I was reading your comment I thought you meant for my shoes- but yes, Isis loves to scratch in the dirt like a cat covering the “mess” (there is is NO grass where we mostly walk- City Hall is missed).
I almays have baby wipes anyways- beats TP for sure. I heard Howard Stern reccomend this years ago and it is now on my shopping list- I KNOW, TOO MUCH INFORMATION!!!
I hope all is well with H and Carter too. I’ve been walking to Ralph’s a lot and keep looking for you folks around there… take care!
September 21st, 2009 at 12:25 pmYou might want to have a little rug (2′ by 3′) by the door and stop and clean your dogs feet and take off your shoes when you come home. It will take a bit of training for you and the dog but this will help I assure you. I had a cat that would track in snow and shake it off inside back in NY, and I got him used to the routine.
I was driving back from Marukai on 2nd and think I saw you crossing the street with your dog–thought about shouting but thought that would be weird since we’d never met.
Congrats on the new digs.
September 21st, 2009 at 1:51 pmwe keep some ikea shoe holder things by the door and take our shoes off every time we come in the door.. yes the entry is cluttered with shoes sometimes but I like to think it helps keep tracking to a minimum.. that wipe idea sounds cool too. =)
September 21st, 2009 at 2:45 pmJonathan - the rug is great idea! I’m so stupic- I don’t really like area rugs but a simple door-mat thing might be worth every penny. Thanks!
That probably was me as I walked up Spring to 2nd and used ATM with Isis- now I know “Jonathan on Bunker Hill”, please yell anytime- and thanks for stopping by.
Eric
September 21st, 2009 at 2:48 pmHey Pamela-
that is a good idea too as I hate wearing shoes inside and they all end up at foot of bed. But my floor plan sucks really for show rack and rug really as its just a big room.
You have a hallway don’t you (we used to take off shoes/boots in Indiana before I could go in house- it’s just again, there was an enrty way for “kids” where boots, etc were all over the place. I guess it does not matter as its not like I’m hosting social events- I’ll just take off shoes at door.
But any suggestions on cleaning would be cool- Swifter really isn’t it unless I want to spend 25 a month on cleaning pads and then having to wipe up all the crap it pushes into a corner. What do you use- a sponse mop?
September 21st, 2009 at 4:46 pmA janitor’s mop, the real deal with the big bucket on wheels. It’s bulky so I’m not sure if you want something that big cluttering your loft, but it’s the best thing for really deep cleaning cement floors.
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:09 pmLi- I actually have one of thoee mops- and big gucket- but its a mess! I think with new contract I’ll get my housecleaner back if I can
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:52 pm