From the Ravs Desk: Latest articles and Q&A [Thursday 24th Iyar 5785]

May I brush off dust and clean my furniture on Shabbos?

Yes. One may brush off dust and the like using a broom or standard brush. However, one should not clean furniture using a brush or cloth that has been manufactured specifically for this purpose. Likewise, some Poskim rule that one should not shine the furniture on Shabbos.

Sources: SSH”K 23:9 footnote 18; Orchos Shabbos 13:12-14; Minchas Yitzchak 5:39; Piskeiy Teshuvos 323:13

May I clean a dirty window on Shabbos using cleaning spray?

Yes, so long as no squeezing of liquids will transpire as a result. Nevertheless, there are Poskim who forbid intending to shine the window on Shabbos, and only permit the cleaning from dirt. However, according to Admur and other Poskim even this is allowed.

Sources: See SSH”K 12:24-25; 23:3; Piskeiy Teshuvos 323:13; Yalkut Yosef 323:12; Mutar: See Admur 323:11 regarding polishing silver that it is only a problem if it inevitably will remove a layer of the silver, hence implying that plain polishing is not forbidden; See M”A 323:15 in name of Maharil [Admur completely omitted this ruling of the Mahril hence implying it is allowed].; Other Opinions: Maharil brought in M”A 323:15; P”M 323 A”A 25; Chayeh Adam 44:21; M”B 323:38; Tehila Ledavid 323:17; Toras Shabbos 323:9; Nishmas Shabbos 4:363; Chelek Levi 104; Background: The Mahril rules it is forbidden to polish glass dishes using oats. The M”A 323:15 questions as to why this should be forbidden and suggests that perhaps only washing dishes from dirt did the Sages allow, however to polish is forbidden. He concludes with a Tzaruch Iyun. Admur completely omitted this ruling of the Mahril hence implying it is allowed. SSH”K 12:24 in name of Rav SZ”A rules it is allowed, as even according to Mahril it was only prohibited to polish using oats. Tehila Ledavid 323:17 however explains it is forbidden to polish the vessels due to Tikkun Keli; Toras Shabbos 323:9