31/8/08

I have a new query. We are planning a celebration service soon and
would like to 'Spring Clean' the church but are unsure how to remove
cobwebs from the ceiling. We can go so far with a step ladder, feather
duster and vacuum cleaner but we need to do more with NO funds. Help
please.
Eve, St Luke's

REPLIES

Alan Sabey - 4/9/08

Why not get a long bamboo cane from the Garden centre? The sort you use to make a wigwam for Runner Beans and tie your feather duster to the end of it.
I have a similar thing with a wire coat-hanger (bent into a circle) and a net bag fixed to it for reaching fruit high up in the tree.
Hope this helps.
Alan Sabey

Fr. David Maudlin - 4/9/08

4 fairly rigid canes, six feet each in length taped together with duck tape and with a mop or dusters fixed to the top end, ought to enable you to get the worst of the muck down.
They will be a bit wobbly (like the theology of the Church of England) but a bit of practice will soon make you proficient in using the device.
Mind the chandeliers!!
Fr. David Maudlin SSC

Nigel Makepeace - 5/9/08

Many years ago, I attended a church with similar problems, resolved by a member of the congregation who was a keen fisherman. He joined together several of his rods, attached a feather dust on the end and the job was soon done.
Nigel K Makepeace

Sue - 5/9/08

Why not see if any one in the Parish / friends etc has an extendable long handled window cleaner (used to clean conservatory roofs , upper windows etc,) used in conjunction with a duster / sponge taped to it should give you the extra height you need (To purchase one would not break the bank).
Sue
BVM Telford

16/4/09

Hi Eve, sorry this is rather after the event, but as a different method it may be of interest.

Our churchwarden recently tried a tip from Kim & Aggie, of "How clean is your house?" fame, for this. Get a helium balloon and attach a long but light piece of thread, eg sewing cotton. Let it up the the ceiling and pulling on the thread, knock down the cobwebs.

It was partially rather than totally successful, but if your ceiling height makes using a long stick too tricky, this is probably worth a try.

You can get helium balloons from greetings cards shops.