Vax expert says:

So you’re using your machine in the way that you always have (or perhaps it is the first time you have used it!) and you find that you cannot push it with out a lot of effort. What has happened? Well, there are 4 possible reasons why your machine might be difficult to push. These are:

 1. Your brushbar is not turning:

Many upright machines use the turning of the brushbar to help the machine move across the carpet. If the belt breaks, or the drive fails, then clearly this assistance will be lost. The brushbar can be driven in many ways, for example by belt or by a separate motor, and the safest way to check this is to review the user guide that came with the machine. This will give you the instructions for your particular machine - in general this will involve removing some screws and a cover. 

IMPORTANT - brushbars spin very quickly and can cause injury if care is not taken! 

2. The height adjust control is not set correctly: 

The height adjust control, if fitted to your machine, sets the height at which the brushbar spins against the flooring that is being vacuumed. If this is set too high then the brushbar will not help the machine move, but if it is too low then the machine will be fighting against the pile of the carpet and so holds the machine back. The brushbar should just skim the top of the carpet, it should not be thrashing it!

In most cases the easiest way to set the height is to start at the highest setting and then work down until the brushbar is just skimming the carpet and, of course, cleaning it.

3. Your flooring is not fitted correctly: 

This is apparent when you find the machine is hard to push only on certain areas of the flooring. The areas that are not held down are difficult to push over because the flooring is pulled up to the machine. Where it is secure, by the edges for example, the machine is easy to push over as the flooring is not pulled up. This is something that I cannot help you with – my floor-laying skills are limited, to say the least!

4. The brushbar is worn: 

If the bristles on your brushbar are worn, or missing, then they will not be helping to move the machine forward. Again, most user guides advise on how to check this, but basically you need to turn the machine over and then lay a straight edge across the brushbar soleplate and see if the bristles hit it as you spin the brushbar by hand, as illustrated here:

Vax expert says:

By its nature, a vacuum cleaner needs suction to work but what can you do if that suction disappears? The first thing to do is to review the user guide that came with your machine. If you don’t have the user guide at hand then try searching online for an electronic version or you could call the manufacturer’s helpline to see if they can help. Some manufacturers have user guides on their website (e.g. if you have a Vax cleaner you’ll find yours located here)

If you have checked the guide but there is still no improvement then here are a few simple things you can do to get your machine up and running again quickly.

Cylinder vacuum cleaners

The first thing to check is where the suction actually ends – is it at the end of the hose or at the machine itself? The best place to start is at the machine, as this is where the suction is generated. Remove the hose from the machine and then plug the machine in and switch it on. Place your hand over the hole that is left by removing the hose –  is there suction or not?

1. If there is no suction

In this case we know that the problem is either between the hose connecting point and the dirt bin (or bag), within the dirt bin (or bag) or the machine itself. To help narrow down which it is, turn the machine on again and listen to the sound of the motor. Next remove the dirt bin and then switch the machine on for a moment and listen to motor, has the sound become quieter than earlier?

If the noise level remained the same then you will need to contact your machine’s manufacturer to see if they can help you further as this could be a blockage in the tube between the dirt bin and the hose connecting point or a motor fault.

If the motor noise reduced, then this helps to show that there is either a problem within the dirt bin or the tube between the hose connecting point and the dirt bin. The increase in noise level is because the machine’s motor had to work harder to “pull” the air through the system.

Let’s assume that the noise level reduced and so it is possibly that it is the dirt bin (or bag) that is causing the loss of suction, what can we do? It is highly likely that it is the filters that need to be cleaned (or the bag needs replacing). There are many types of filters so you should check your user guide to see how to clean these. Filters need to be cleaned regularly (some also need to be replaced after a time – again, see your user guide for recommendations).

Why do we need filters? Filters took the place of bags to allow for ‘bagless’ machines - without the filter the machine would fail very quickly as the motor would become clogged!

Once you have followed the recommendations in your user guide relating to filters, put the machine back together and try it again, your suction should have returned.

2. If there is suction

This shows that there is a problem in either the hose, the telescopic/extension tube or the tool at the end:

• Check the hose        

  Remove the handgrip from the steel/plastic extension tube Find a large coin and drop it down the hose to see if it falls straight through (don’t drop a pen or similar down the hose as it will more than likely become stuck). If the coin does not fall through then you have a blockage in your hose. To clear this use a mop or broom handle to push the blockage carefully out of the hose, it is easier to push from the machine connection end towards the handgrip. What about the “curved” handgrip I hear you say? To clear this use an old type wire coat hanger or “bendy” stick to clear this area. If the coin falls through the hose then you need to check the extension tube.

• Check the extension tube        

  You can check the extension tube simply by looking through it - easy! If there is a blockage then use a broom or mop handle to carefully push this out If the extension tube is clear then there is only the tool left.

• Check the tool        

  Check this closely as items can get caught in the “neck”, the part that attaches to the extension tube, and the part that sits on the floor If there is a blockage then carefully clear this with the end of a mop, broom handle or screwdriver Once you have carried out the above re-assemble the hose etc and try the machine again, your suction should have returned.

Upright Vacuum Cleaners

The first thing to check on an upright machine is if the brushbar is spinning because if this isn’t spinning then there will be very little debris picked up by the machine, which will give the impression that there is no suction.

Again, there are many types of brushbar systems being used ranging from belts to direct links. The best way to ensure you check the brushbar safely is to follow your user guide.

IMPORTANT - brushbars spin very quickly and can cause injury if care is not taken!

If you find that the brushbar is spinning then the next thing to check is the actual suction on the hose. The obvious way to do this is pull the hose out, as if you are going to attach a tool, turn on the machine and then feel the suction at the handgrip. If there is no suction then the main reasons usually are:

• The filters need cleaning (or the bag needs changing)
• The main filter inside the dirt bin is missing
  
• A part within the dirt bin is missing (some dirt bins have plastic air deflectors in them which if lost can cause a loss of suction)
• The hose is blocked.

Again, the best way to see if any of the above are relevant to your machine is to check your user guide. If you have followed the above advice but your machine still does not have any suction then the best option is to contact the manufacturer’s helpline to see if they can help you further.

 To feed 2 hungry people you will need 4 large courgettes, a couple of cloves of garlic, a good dollop of olive oil, plenty of grated parmesan and enough pasta to suit the appetite. 

1. Slice the courgettes thinly (the more transparent they are the quicker they will cook).
2. Add the courgettes to a large frying pan with a good dollop of olive oil and cook over a low heat, stirring occasionally to break up the slices.
3. Once the courgette slices have begun to soften (6-8 mins), add a clove or two of crushed garlic – continue to cook slowly as you don’t want the veg or garlic to get too brown (especially the garlic which tastes bitter when it is overcooked). Essentially you want to achieve a soft courgette mush so depending on how thinly you sliced the courgettes this should take around 25 minutes.
4. While the courgettes are cooking, grate parmesan to taste. If you aren’t watching your waistline grate a good 2 inch block – your taste-buds will thank you for it.
5. Bring a pan of salted water to the boil and cook your chosen pasta to packet instructions – I think penne works particularly well with this recipe.
6. Once the courgettes have reached the mush stage, add a little of the pasta water to loosen the mixture a little and stir in half the parmesan cheese. At this point you can add any fresh herbs that you like. On warm evenings try a little mint – it works surprisingly well.
7. Stir into the cooked pasta and sprinkle with the remaining parmesan.
8. Pour a huge glass of Sauvignon Blanc, sit back and enjoy!

1. Don’t dry clean the same item of clothing too many times. The high temperatures and chemical solvents using during the dry cleaning process will eventually take a toll on the fabric. So to maximize the lifespan of your favourite suit, try to avoid dry cleaning it more than two or three times a year.
2. If your suit starts to look creased between dry cleans, use a steam cleaner to get the wrinkles out. Any small stains can be spot treated with a mild detergent solution or a specialist stain remover.
3. Always check the label to make sure the item of clothing is suitable for dry cleaning. Many types of wool, such as angora and lambswool, can’t be dry cleaned because it tends to cause shrinkage. Other items may not be colourfast and the chemicals used in dry cleaning could cause the colours to run.
4. Always dry clean sets of clothes, such as suits, all at the same time, as this will ensure that any slight colour changes over time are consistent across the suit and so won’t notice.
5. Go through all the pockets and take out anything you find, as it’s liable to be lost during the cleaning process. Some things, like a pen or a sweet, could even ruin the clothes if left inside. While most dry cleaners will check the pockets before cleaning, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
6.  If you know there’s a stain on the item that you’re taking to be cleaned, show the dry cleaner exactly where it is and tell them what it is, if you know. Many people assume that dry cleaning automatically removes stains, but that’s simply not the case. It will usually remove odours and grime, but stains will need special treatment, so make sure you point out any stains and say you’d like them to be removed.
7. Check the item of clothing to make sure there’s no loose buttons, shoulder pads, beading, trimming or sequins, as these could come off during the dry cleaning process. Either secure them properly before cleaning or remove them, if they are particularly precious.
8. If your garment has especially ornate buttons that might be easily damaged, you can ask the dry cleaner to protect them by wrapping them up before cleaning.
9. Check your clothes have been cleaned to your satisfaction before leaving the dry cleaning shop, especially if you’ve asked them to remove a particular stain. It’s much easier to complain while you’re still on the premises and before you’ve paid them.
10. Your clothes should not smell strongly of chemicals after dry cleaning, so if they do you should complain to the dry cleaner and ask them to do it again.

Some famous ‘oranges’ are Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler. But what colour is your personality and which celebrities are you most like? Find out with this FREE fun quiz!!

As an added bonus, everyone who takes the quiz gets automatically entered into the Vax Scent of Summer prize draw. There’s up to £1500 worth of prizes to be won and the winners can take their pick from a selection of great prizes from Vax’s limited edition Scent of Summer range.

The five first prize winners have the choice of either a Rapide Ultra carpet washer, or a limited edition Power 6 upright, or a limited edition Power 2 cylinder vacuum cleaner from the Scent of Summer collection. They all come with either a pack of orange scented tabs or  pack of Ultra+ orange cleaning solution, to release a burst of citrus freshness into your home as you clean.

The twenty runners up can choose from either a limited edition pack of Scent o f Summer orange tabs for their vacuum cleaner or Ultra+ orange carpet cleaning solution for their washer.

Go take the quiz now!! http://welovecolour.espsurvey.co.uk/

1.       Do the washing up straight away – dried on and hardened food takes much longer to remove and you don’t want to prolong the misery!

2.       Wear gloves – the hotter the water the better it will be at cutting through grease (and you won’t wreck your hands and nails).

3.       Don’t add too much washing up liquid – you will just have to spend more time rinsing off those bubbles.

4.       If anything has been baked onto pots and pans fill these with hot water and washing up liquid and leave to soak while you wash the rest of the dishes first.

5.       Wash glasses first – before you wash anything greasy that will smear on the glass.

6.       Next wash your cutlery – while the water is clean and hot – as these utensils go into your mouth.

7.       Then crockery (wipe plates into the bin first with paper towel so you don’t introduce too much gunk into the water). 

8.       Lastly wash any pots and pans – leaving the greasiest and those that have been left soaking till last.

9.       Rinse each item in clean water as you go. If you have 2 sinks it can be helpful to fill the second with clean water and simply dip your clean dishes in and give them a quick swirl before putting on the draining board.

10.   If you’ve used very hot water, china and glass should dry by themselves pretty quickly. However, cutlery will look better if you dry it off with a linen tea towel – you will find a trusty sidekick will come in handy for this!

After a hard week at work there’s nothing better than having a night in with friends to relax and unwind. At a friend’s party I was introduced to the next big thing to hit the Wii – Just Dance. Rather than subjecting me to their usual poorly-coordinated and embarrassing routines, I found myself surrounded by wannabe Jennifer Bealses and Ashley Banjos busting some interesting moves to MC Hammer and New Kids on the Block.

In preparation there are two main things to consider; firstly, before your other half feels the need to escape the house, make them feel useful by asking them nicely to rearrange the furniture in the living room so that you have an open space to throw your best shapes about. All you then need to worry about is losing to your Gran rather than breaking everything in sight as your arms flail around trying to master the routine to Fame!

Secondly, be ready to look completely ridiculous! Retaining your dignity is not an option as you try hard to look sexier than Kylie in THOSE hot pants, when the reality is more like a hot and sweaty Mr Bean wiggling to  ‘Can’t Get You Out of My Head’.  The rest of the night is spent begging your giggling friends to not put the video on YouTube…. Please?

Shy? A couple of glasses of wine usually aid the slightly more conservative in the group and before you know it people will be demanding that they get their turn to show what they’ve got… And you desperately try to find the video camera they’ve hidden somewhere while they mis-time all of Britney’s moves and result to using their favoured Cha Cha Slide moves instead. And this isn’t just for the girls. There’s a reason the boys have stuck around and haven’t complained about not having the chance to play Pro Evo or Call of Duty; they tell you they want to take each other on at ‘Eye of the Tiger’, when secretly it’s all about ‘Wannabe’!

There are three modes: in Classic mode players pick any song and attempt to copy the dancer on screen; Last One Standing means players are booted out of the game if they don’t score enough points or make too many mistakes, and Strike a Pose which is more like musical statues as you start and stop dancing, depending on what’s on the screen.  

The game has had some poor reviews; it doesn’t work with Motion Plus so the sensor isn’t particularly reactive to your moves, and, unlike Guitar Hero, you can’t unlock new songs as you progress through Career Mode. However, the positives do outweigh the negatives. There’s room to exhibit a few of your home-grown moves! A few of my friends’ favourite freestyle routines include an intriguing mash-up of Big Fish, Little Fish, the Macarena, the Robot, and various rubbish attempts at the Moonwalk! And as long as you have enough Wii remotes (and enough space!), up to four players can join in with all the songs you need to get the party started! Let’s face it, judging by the moves I’ve seen pulled off on a Saturday night, it’s a good thing that all the songs are unlocked!

Just Dance 2 is alleged to hit Europe in Q3 of 2010… and I can’t wait!

Special thanks to our guest blogger Blitz It who created this post.

The biggest mistake I’ve made and learnt from is never to see the sun in the sky and think you need to water your plants or else they’ll suffer. They’ll suffer to their death if you scorch them by pouring water all over them in the heat of the day. The same rule applies to grass. Instead, wait until dusk when the air is cooler and the sun has gone down before giving everything in your garden a well needed drink. This will ensure they drink through the night and their soil is kept moist throughout the next day. Lawns and plants dug into your garden tend to be hardier than those in hanging baskets or pots. You may be able to leave the former for a few days in between or even let nature do the work in terms of rain and water held in the soil. The same is not the case for baskets and pots. Especially if they are newly planted, these need watering every day in the height of the summer season. Also be sure to remove any fallen plant debris or dead leaves from these so that they are not shaded from the sun and get the best possible environment to help them grow.

 With colourful flowers and green grass, you’ll soon be the envy of your neighbours and can even invite them round for that barbeque…

Pimms and lemonade

The best thing about Pimms and lemonade is definitely all the fruit. I like to add generous quantities of fruit, then keep on topping up the jug with more Pimms and lemonade. The fruit steadily gets more alcoholic and is much nicer to nibble on than a plain old fruit salad.

If you run out of Pimms, this recipe is just as good if you use vodka instead.

Ingredients:
Pimms
lemonade
A couple of springs of mint
5 strawberries
1 orange
1 lemon
1 apple
Half a cucumber
Ice

Cut the strawberries into quarters after removing the green stems. Cut a couple of slices from the orange and cut the slices into quarters, then do the same with the lemon. Cut the apple in quarters, cut out the core from one of the quarters and cut it into thin slices. Slice off a few slices of cucumber and cut them in half. Gently crush some mint leaves to release the oil. Put all the fruit and the mint into a large glass pitcher and add about a glassful of crushed ice. Finally add the Pimms and lemonade in the quantities of 1 part Pimms to 3 parts of a good brand of lemonade.

For a low calorie version use diet lemonade  – Schweppes is my favourite.

Mojito

I’m not a huge fan of rum in general but for some reason I can’t get enough of mojitos. I like the fact that the sourness of the lime juice means they aren’t as sweet as a lot of cocktails, which means you can drink more of them without feeling sick!

Ingredients:

3 limes
A couple of sprigs of mint
6 teaspoons of brown sugar
Bacardi
Soda water
Ice

Start by juicing the limes. Then put the sugar and the mint leaves into a large glass pitcher and mash together using a cocktail muddler, if you have one. If you don’t have one to hand you can use a pestle or the back of a spoon instead. I’ve found that adding a bit of the lime juice to the sugar and mint at this stage makes mashing it a bit easier. Then add the rest of the lime juice, a glassful of crushed ice and then the rum and soda water in the quantities 1 part rum to 2 parts soda water. Delicious!

1. Keep your iron clean! A clogged iron doesn’t steam well and has the nasty habit of suddenly unclogging and depositing limescale all over your clean, dry clothes. In my experience this always happens on a black garment – where it has the most impact!
2. Even if your manufacturer’s instructions say you can use tap water I would always use water that has been boiled and cooled as this helps eliminate limescale.
3. If you do get limescale, fill the iron with white vinegar turn on to the steam setting for 10 mins and this will loosen it. Once the iron is cooled empty out any residue vinegar and rinse. Then repeat with boiled water to remove any residue.
4. You can use a damp cloth dipped in baking soda to clean the iron plate of a slightly warm iron – but always rinse thoroughly and remove any residue from the vents with a cotton bud.
   Alternatively, try cleaning the plate of your iron by passing it over a sheet of fine sandpaper or a piece of paper sprinkled with salt (but don’t do this if your iron plate has a plastic coating).
5. To save time, use a reflective ironing board cover – this reflects heat so you’ll be ironing both sides at once. Putting a piece of kitchen foil under the ironing board cover also does the trick.
6. While the iron is heating up, sort your clothes into three piles – those that require a low temperature iron, and those that require medium and high. Progress from clothes needing the lowest temperature towards medium and do the high temperatures last.
7. To save time I always do the ironing in my bedroom – this gives me the bed to sort the laundry and there are hangers and wardrobes close at hand!
8. Iron double thickness fabric on the inside first, then on the outside – this will stop shirt collars and cuffs from puckering.
9. To remove wrinkles without imprinting the fabric behind it on the front slip a piece of cardboard inside your garment.
10. And lastly, if in doubt iron inside out! This will ensure you won’t get that unsightly fabric shine that you often see on black garments.