House Cleaning

Angie’s List: Getting Rid Of Mold In Your Home « CBS Philly

2013-06-18T14:54:00.001-07:00

Angie’s List: Getting Rid Of Mold In Your Home « CBS Philly

Simple Window Cleaning

2013-04-30T20:15:00.000-07:00

Step 1

For the cleaning solution, fish out of the garbage or recycle bin an empty spray bottle from any type of cleaner. If you can’t find one, you can by an inexpensive spray bottle at any discount store. But I’m cheap and I recycle, so a discarded one is perfect. Clean the bottle thoroughly.

Step 2

Into the bottle, add three ounces of common household ammonia. Then add 12 ounces of tap water. This will yield 15 ounces of cleaner, which most spray bottles will easily hold. You can make more or less, just keep the ratio of ammonia to water at 1 to 4. Put spray top on the bottle. Label your solution so that it is used only for the intended purpose.

Step 3

Lightly crumple one full sheet of newspaper into a ball. That’s right…common newspaper with print. Any type will do, but avoid the slick finished ads that you typically find in the Sunday editions. The print on the newspaper can be black or color, as long as it is porous in finish.

Step 4

Spray the glass to be cleaned with the solution. Wipe the window with the crumpled paper, turning the paper occasionally. The print ink may come off on your hand, but not on the glass. You can use a disposable latex or plastic glove if you desire.

Step 5

When finished, flatten the paper out to some extent. It can then be recycled along with your other papers.

Dirty Sink?

2013-02-27T18:39:00.000-08:00

Light stains can be cleaned with a fresh cut lemon while dark stains such as rest can be taken care of with a little borax and lemon juice. After the stains are removed, follow up with some vinegar on a cloth for a sparkling sink.

Out of your favorite window and glass cleaner? Try using a little rubbing alcohol on a ball of cotton. Alcohol also works well to clean the caulking around bathtubs.

Ammonia diluted with three parts water makes for a good all-purpose cleaner for countertops, appliances and windows.

Your copper bottomed pots and any brass items you might have can be easily cleaned with a half cup vinegar mixed with one teaspoon of salt.

Everyone dreads cleaning, but a little organization can go a long way towards making the job easier and more pleasant. One of the most important things you can do to make cleaning easier is to approach it with a schedule in mind. Many people find that by assigning major areas of their home to a certain day of the week, they are able to get more accomplished. Such a schedule might go as follows: Monday-laundry; Tuesday-kitchen, Wednesday-home office; Friday-deep cleaning for all rooms.

When you begin cleaning, keep in mind that the way in which you approach the matter can make a tremendous difference in how efficiently and easily you clean. You should always start from the top and work your way down. For example, if you need to clean the ceiling fans, tops of curtains, high shelves or anything else that is located up high; begin there before you do anything else. Similar, all flat surfaces should be dusted before you attempt to do the floors.

By investing in a bucket that can hold your basic cleaning supplies, you can save time and avoid going back and forth from one room to the next to retrieve the items that you need. Stock your bucket with the basics, such as dust cloths, glass cleaner, furniture polish, all-purpose cleaner, duster, etc,; then take it with you as you move from one room to the next.

While it's a good idea to give your home a thorough deep cleaning once a week, every week; cleaning as you go can make that task much easier to manage and handle as well as actually reduce time spent on cleaning. One way you can do this is by keeping cleaning supplies in all bathrooms; such as a sponge and all-purpose cleaner. After you're done with your shower, give the room a quick once over. Since the dirt is already loosened from the steam, the job will be easier to tackle.

Make a point to keep extra cleaning supplies especially in the guest bathroom. In the event that you have guests drop by unexpectedly, you can quickly give the room a once over without having to search for the cleaning supplies and waste valuable time.

One of the best things you can do to immediately make your home look cleaner and neater is to simply de-clutter. One day every week, make it a point to trash papers that are not important. File those papers that need to be retained.

If it seems like cleaning duties are overwhelming you, do take the time to make out a schedule and priority list to keep you on target and organized. While not every single surface of your home needs to be sparkling clean at all times, there are a few musts that can go a long way toward making the whole house seem as though it's clean. Take a look at these priorities:

In the kitchen, wipe down your cabinets and countertops; wash and mop floors. Put away clean dishes and load dirty dishes in the dishwasher.

In the bathroom, clean the toilet; wipe out the sink, take out the trash and fluff the rugs. Don't forget to pick up laundry and lay out fresh towels.

In the living room, vacuum floors, replenish air freshener, polish furniture.

In bedrooms, make the bed and pick up clutter/laundry.

About The Author:

Jason Petrina is the Editor and Publisher of Article Click. For more FREE articles for your ezine and websites visit - www.articleclick.com

3 Homemade Natural Cleaning Products

2012-11-14T19:25:00.000-08:00

One of my earliest memories is of my mother cleaning with what looked to me like cooking ingredients. She would be listening to the radio as she poured baking soda, lemon, and vinegar combinations on the surfaces of our home. Magically these natural cleaning products kept our home clean and smelling fresh, without stretching an already thin household budget. Here are a few basic household ingredients and items you can use to clean your home.

Vinegar

Uses:

Vinegar naturally cleans like an all-purpose cleaner. Mix a solution of 1 part water to 1 part vinegar in a new store bought spray bottle and you have a solution that will clean most areas of your home. Vinegar is a great natural cleaning product as well as a disinfectant and deodorizer. Always test on an inconspicuous area. It is safe to use on most surfaces and has the added bonus of being incredibly cheap. Improperly diluted vinegar is acidic and can eat away at tile grout. Never use vinegar on marble surfaces. Don't worry about your home smelling like vinegar. The smell disappears when it dries. Here are some uses for vinegar in the rooms of your house. Use it in the…

Bathroom - Clean the bathtub, toilet, sink, and countertops. Use pure vinegar in the toilet bowl to get rid of rings. Flush the toilet to allow the water level to go down. Pour the undiluted vinegar around the inside of the rim. Scrub down the bowl. Mop the floor in the bathroom with a vinegar/water solution. The substance will also eat away the soap scum and hard water stains on your fixtures and tile. Make sure it is safe to use with your tile.
Kitchen- Clean the stovetop, appliances, countertops, and floor.
Laundry Room- Use vinegar as a natural fabric softener. This can be especially helpful for families who have sensitive skin. Add ½ cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle in place of store bought fabric softener. Vinegar has the added benefit of breaking down laundry detergent more effectively. (A plus when you have a family member whose skin detects every trace of detergent.)

Lemon Juice

Uses:

Lemon juice is another natural substance that can be used to clean your home. Lemon juice can be used to dissolve soap scum and hard water deposits. Lemon is a great substance to clean and shine brass and copper. Lemon juice can be mixed with vinegar and or baking soda to make cleaning pastes. Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle baking soda on the cut section. Use the lemon to scrub dishes, surfaces, and stains. Mix 1 cup olive oil with ½ cup lemon juice and you have a furniture polish for your hardwood furniture.

My favorite use for the fruit is to put a whole lemon peel through the garbage disposal. It freshens the drain and the kitchen. Orange peels can be used with the same results.

Baking Soda

Uses:

Baking soda can be used to scrub surfaces in much the same way as commercial abrasive cleansers. Baking soda is great as a deodorizer. Place a box in the refrigerator and freezer to absorb odors. Put it anywhere you need deodorizing action. Try these three kitchen ingredients as natural cleaning products in your home.

By Sarah Aguirre, About.com

Care of Silk Flowers

2012-10-16T19:28:00.000-07:00

Silk flowers are a good choice for adding color and beauty to your home. They are available in a wide variety of flower types, and they're easy to care for. Silk flowers don't need to be watered or fed--all they need is an occasional cleaning to remove accumulated dust.

Step 1

Clean a light buildup of dust from silk flowers by using a handheld blow dryer. Set the dryer to a low or medium cool setting. Hold it close enough to do the job, but not too close. Wave the dryer back and forth across the flowers.

Step 2

Clean silk flowers quickly (like when you're expecting company) by swishing across them lightly with a feather duster. However, this method will put the dust in the air. Better yet, take the silk flowers outside. Hold them firmly and turn them upside down. Gently shake the dust off the flowers to clean them.

Step 3

Use a damp cloth to gently wipe the dust from silk flowers. When the cloth gets dirty, rinse it out in cool water and wring it out until it's nearly dry. Use moist cotton swabs to clean the dust from hard to reach areas. When you're finished, allow the silk flowers to air dry.

Step 4

Use dryer sheets to clean the dust from silk flowers. Gently wipe the petals and other parts off until they look clean and bright again. Besides cleaning the flowers, the dryer sheets will give them an attractive, fresh smell.
Contributor
By K Sprang
eHow Contributing Writer

Vacuum Cleaner Buyer Guide

2010-01-02T16:56:00.000-08:00

Deep cleaning vacuums

The typical features with these types of vacuums

include rotating brushes that agitate the carpet

pile and loosen the dirt for better clean. There

are some models that offer a handy automatic tool

conversion button or switch that you can push or

flip as you move from carpet to hardwood floor.

Hand held vacuums

Hand held vacuums are light weight, can be corded

or cordless, and you can even mount most of them

on the wall if you prefer. The performance of the

cordless models will depend on the charge of the

battery, as the battery power drops, so will the

suction power.

The two types of hand held vacuums include straight

suction and suction with a power brush. If you

are considering a hand held vacuum cleaner, you

should consider its primary purpose, if you plan

to use it on a regular basis or occasionally on

smaller jobs.

Broom vacuums

Stick or broom vacuums are great for smaller type

apartments, quick clean ups in the kitchen, or

a family room. The benefit of a broom vacuum is

the light weight. If you have trouble pushing

your heavier upright around, the broom vacuum

may come as a relief. You'll also have the option

of getting your vacuum corded or cordless.

They usually weight 2 - 7 lbs. and allow you to

easily store them in the closet, as they take up a

minimum amount of space. For quick disposal of

the dirt and debris, most models are also bagless

as well.

Wet or Dry vacuums

The wet/dry vacuum combination may very well be the

most versatile vacuum cleaner on the market today,

with numerous attachments and functions it is a

very handy machine to have around your home. The

canister types can vary from the smaller 6 gallon

sizes to the larger 22 gallon sizes.

The HP ranges as well, from 2 to 10 HP. You should

always try to match the size of the unit to the

size of the job and frequency of use.

Upright vacuums

One of the most popular features of an upright

vacuum cleaner is the bagless system. In addition

to the increased performance, there is no need

to purchase any bags. Emptying the canister can

be a little dusty, although it's still better than

messing with bags.

Most upright models come with a standard set of

attachments that may even include an upholstery

tool, a crevice tool, and even an extension wand.

A retractable cord and manual or automatic pile

adjustments are other common features. A HEPA

filter is another common and popular feature found

with most upright vacuums.

Canister vacuums

Canister vacuum cleaners normally include retractable

cords. Considering the fact that most cords are

around 25 foot in length, this feature will prevent

you from having to drag the cord around and

possibly damage furniture. A push of a button or

a slight tug on the cord will retract it into the

canister of the vacuum.

The nozzle can be one of two types, nozzle or

power nozzle. To get your carpet as clean as

possible, it is recommended that you use the power

nozzle, which will agitate the carpet and loosen

up the dirt for deeper cleaning.

Another feature worth looking for is a suction

control switch, as this allows you to adjust the

flow of air for cleaning delicate material such

as upholstery and drapery.

When choosing your vacuum cleaner, you should always

choose the one you like best. The best vacuum for

the job is the one you should choose, as things

will work out much better that way.

Best Advice On How To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs

2009-11-27T08:04:00.000-08:00

It is rather annoying and unpleasant to have to deal with bed bugs, so that is why you need to have some knowledge on how to get rid of them. We will show right away what is the best advice on how to get rid of bed bugs.

The first thing you need to know is that it is not enough to do some cleaning. Even maintaining your house and bed spotless won't hurt the bed bugs, so you still have to deal with a problem. Either way, you still need to get rid of the itches that mess with your sleep at night. That is why we intend to teach you how to get rid of bed bugs.

The best method that is out there in order to get rid of bed bugs is to expose all the affected areas to extreme heat. The reason why this works so well is that the bugs cannot survive to such temperatures which are above 113 degrees Fahrenheit. That is why they cannot live for too long in desert area, where the normal temperature is high. Going further with the explanations, what you need to do is called steam cleaning. If you do not want to get involved in this, you may call a professional to do the job for you. As all the house is full with bed bugs and not just your bed, you need to take all the things out of the house, in order to expose the creepers, as they try to hide in dark places and in the crevices from the walls. After the house is emptied, the procedure may begin. You need to remove all the light plates, to empty all the caulking, to take down the cushions from all the couches and the mattresses. In the end, there should be no place to hide for the bed bugs, as they relentlessly will search for even the smallest place to hide.

The steam cleaning method will leave no bed bugs alive. Now, you need to know how to keep them away from that moment on. A good measure of precaution is to search for bed bugs marks on the sheets in the places that you need to travel to and spend the night. If you notice something suspicious, do yourself a favor and ask for another room. Also, your luggage must be kept as far away as possible from the furniture, so the bed bugs do not jump from there into your suitcase, ready for you to take them home.

A place does not need to be dirty in order to be infested with bed bugs. They may appear even in the cleanest places, so it is not a reason to be ashamed if they appear in your house. You just need to know how to get rid of bed bugs, and then, how to prevent them from coming back.

About The Author:

Balva Rudick is the Editor and Publisher of Article Click. For more FREE articles for your ezine and websites visit - www.articleclick.com

2009-11-07T06:57:00.000-08:00

Houseplants that Clean the Air

By e-Rambler

House plant

Buildings especially of that designed for energy efficiency, are often tightly sealed to avoid energy loss. The pollutants trapped inside result in what is called the "Sick Building Syndrome". One of the easiest ways to clean indoor air is using plants.

Things You'll Need:

Plants that clean indoor air (see sample list in Step 7)
Soft natural or artificial light
Water
Space
Commercial fertilizer, organic compost (optional)
A little time and love to care for the plants

Step1

A study recommends using a variety of at least fifteen plants for every 2,000sq/ft to help improve air quality. Following are some plants best for indoor air cleaning.
Step2

Draceana - - It likes medium-low light. Best to let them dry out between waterings. Has dark green leaves and grows to about one foot tall.
Step3

Arrowhead vine - - A plant with lovely green and yellow leaves. The arrowhead vine likes high humidity, medium light, and soilwith lots of organic material.
Step4

English ivy

Bamboo palm - - A large sized indoor plant. It can grow up to 10 - 14 feet in height. They do best high humidity and in medium light.
Step5

Golden pothos

Boston fern - - These have been used as houseplants since the Victorian era and remains popular today. They don't like high heat and low humidity. But don't let their pot soak in excess water.
Step6

English ivy: It is better more popular for use in outdoor landscaping but also works very good as an indoor plant. The plant does fine in any indirect light. It will grow well under artificial light conditions also.
Step7

Some other plants to consider are: Areca palm, Lady palm, Rubber plant, Corn plant, Golden pothos, Weeping fig, Schlefflera, Spathiphyllum, Snake plant, Spider plant, Chinese evergreen, Cornstalk dracaena, Peace lily, Janet Craig dracaena and Elephant ear philodendron. These can be found easily in nurseries and gardening centers.
Step8

Rubber plant

Experiments by NASA show that many houseplants are excellent at purifying indoor air and at neutralizing pollutants and chemicals from the air. Scientists have proven the plants so effective and they may even be used aboard space stations in the future, as a part of life support systems.
Step9

Periodically wipe clean the leaves with paper towel or cloth. Dust that land on the leaves hamper breathing of the plant.

Duct Cleaning - Proper Principles and Practices

2009-11-01T08:50:00.001-08:00

As a qualified duct cleaning contractor I have discovered that most homeowners feel that they are very uninformed when it come to the principals and practices of proper air duct cleaning hygiene.

Let me begin by saying that the EPA as well as the National air duct cleaners association have stated that residential duct cleaning should take no less than between 4 and 8 hours to complete, anything short of that and you are probably not getting a thorough job.

Consumers are cautioned against duct cleaning companies that claim to be able to clean your entire air duct system in a very short period of time and for an unrealistic low price, in this industry that kind of service is completely unacceptable and is known as the blo-n-go style of duct cleaning.

Remember...anything short of between 4 and 8 hours and you are probably not getting what you're paying for.

Many homeowners are also under the impression that the main ducts and primary vents are the only components that require cleaning, However this is not the case, a thorough duct cleaning must include any internal surface in which the air moves across, this not only includes the main ducts and vents but must also include the conveyance compartment of the furnace/AC, heat exchanger, AC coils, drain pan, blower, filter housing and any air cleaning equipment that might be installed.

The only acceptable method of proper air duct cleaning is to put the entire system under negative air (vacuum) by means of a powerful vacuum system that produces no less than 2000 cubic feet per minute of air flow (cfm), each individual vent shaft should be cleaned using a combination of high pressure air snakes, rotating brushes and whips which must be driven by a compressor that will deliver no less than 175 psi @ 12-16 cfm.

In conclusion, when choosing a qualified air duct cleaning company be sure to ask if they their technicians and equipment meet the above criteria and always get a few references, it is also recommended that you contact your local better business bureau or chamber of commerce.

Duct Cleaning Could be the Healthiest Home Improvement You Will Ever Make!

About the author:

Pat Johnson is the president and an experienced technician of Enviro-Pure Air Care Duct Cleaning, located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Best Way To Tackle Cleaning

2009-10-31T20:21:00.001-07:00

Do you have one of those really big, filthy, completely disorganized cleaning jobs to get after? It it that one client you really dislike? Worse yet, is it your house?

Either way, you can tackle it quickly and efficiently is you are organized and know "how" to approach cleaning a big job, room by room and through each room. Here's how!

First, make a checklist. Put on there everything you need to do. If it looks to long just keep adding items. Take it with you in your pocket to every room and a pencil, too. The idea is to cross off everything you finish so you get a great sense of accomplishement as you move through the house. It also reminds you of things you might forget so you never have to go backwards.

Always start at one end of the house and work your way to the other. If its multiple stories start at the top and work your way down. If its one level, start in the bedrooms and work you way to the kitchen.

In each room, always clean top to bottom. Start at the ceilings with cobwebs and spider webs and work your way down the walls, windows and to the floors.

Wash walls, windows and then vacuum. After vacuuming dust. When you dust, start at the top and work down.

Be mobile and prepared. Take all your cleaning tools with you into each room. Avoid unnecessary trips back and forth.

Unplug the phone and turn off the T.V.

Eliminate clutter as you go, too. An uncluttered home looks better than one that is dust-free but strewn with odds and ends.

A house that smells fresh will give the impression of cleanliness. Leave baking soda on carpeting for the night to absorb musty odors, vacuum in the morning. Place natural soy candles scented with oils around the house. Lightly scented but not overpowereing cleaners will give your house that special "nose sparkle" clean, fresh scent.

Keep a big mat on both front and back porches to cut down on tracked in dirt.

Keep a basket in the kitchen for the mail, newspaper, car keys to help with clutter.

Keep a hamper in every bathroom and in each child's room.

Check your checklist off at this point and your finished!!

About the author:
Joyce Jackson writes, and publishes fresh, real and easy house cleaning tips so you can clean faster, clean better. More comprehensive and simple tips are found on her website:

Bagged Versus Bagless

2009-10-24T20:49:00.001-07:00

As with most things in life, there is really nothing
free. The two most claimed advantages to bagless
vacuum cleaners were lower operating costs and
better performance. As far as the cost issues go,
all vacuums must filter the exhausting air they use
to carry the dirt into the collection area, as they
would otherwise simply pick the dirt up from the
floor and spit it right back out.

Whether you have a bagless HEPA filter, a pre-filter,
or disposable bags, they all need to be changed at
some point. With the average life of a vacuum
cleaner, you can expect to spend the same on either
collection system for filters, but if you value your
time, you can expect to spend quite a bit more on
a bagless system.

To keep your bagless vacuum cleaner operating at
peak levels, you'll need to empty the dirt container
when it is full and perform regular maintenance on
the filter. The type of filter the vacuum uses will
determine just how much service will be required,
although most use a pleated HEPA filter.

Cleaning
Even though the claim of better airflow performance
with bagless vacuums is true in a sense, over the
life of the vacuum you'll get the same, or maybe
even better performance from a bagged vacuum cleaner
system.

With bagged vacuum cleaners, the performance will
start at 100% with each new bag then slowly drop
as the bag starts to fill. Just how quickly the
performance drops depends on how well the bag is
constructed. With the average vacuum and the average
bag, you may replace the bag every 3 - 4 weeks
with 90% of performance the first week, 70% in
weeks 2 and 3, then 50% of less in the fourth week.

The short cycle will insure that you get a 100%
peak cleaning every 3 or 4 weeks from the vacuum
cleaner. The filtered cyclonic machines have
filters that are designed to last 6 months, 12
months, and even up to 18 months before they need
to be replaced.

Pets
If you have dogs or cats, whether you see it or
not, almost all domestic animals shed their fur
on a regular basis throughout their lives. Pet
owners often wonder as well, which vacuum is the
best to remove pet hair.

For pretty much the same reasons that fur sticks
to the carpet, it will also stick to your bagless
vacuum's pleated filter cartridge. The fur will
reduce the performance of airflow, and is also a
pain in the neck to clean off the filter.

Over time, the fiber that makes up the filter can
retain odor from pets, even if you clean the
filter well. If your filter requires replacing
only once a year, you could end up with a vacuum
that spits odors that will stink up your house
pretty bad.

Bagged up
Those vacuums that use bags will often provide
for neat disposal of a full bag. There are some
brands such as BOSCH that actually engineer bag
disposal into the system. With BOSCH canister
vacuums, the replacement of bags is a single
dust free step. The new mega filt bags have a
built in closure system that upon removal,
will slide shut and trap the dirt and debris
inside of the bag, making removal quick and easy.

Still, there are many people out there who love
bagless machines. Bagless vacuums will continue
at a slow place to gain market share, and people
will continue to buy them. For many, a bagless
vacuum can be the right vacuum to have.

Bags are the technology of the past, while bagless
is the technology of the future. There are many
reasons as to why you should go bagless. For
the vacuums of tomorrow, cylinder and bagless
is the key.

Get Out More Dirt

2009-10-11T15:06:00.000-07:00

The most important part of carpet maintenance is
removing and disposing of accumulated dry soil. The
removal of dry soil will improve the air quality
indoors, extend carpet life, and help to maintain
the carpet. Keeping regular maintenance on your
carpet is one thing, although being sure you have
the right equipment on the job is another.

The Green Label
For vacuum cleaners, the CRI (Carpet and Rug Institute)
has developed a Green Label testing program. The
CRI developed the performance protocol with the
goal of protecting indoor quality, keeping all
surfaces as clean as possible, and all without
putting dust back into the air.

The Green Label program helps to identify vacuum
cleaners that meet three different types of criteria:
1. Removing soil.
2. Keeping dust out of the air by
containing it within the filtration bag and the
machine itself.
3. It doesn't damage the carpet and helps
to keep the appearance looking good.

The tests for determining the certification of a
vacuum cleaner were developed by carpet and vacuum
experts and reviewed by scientists with experience
in maintenance and the quality of indoor air.

Soil removal
The soil removal protocol will require that the
vacuum cleaner remove a specified quantity of soil
from the test carpet in four passes.

Dust containment
The protocol for dust containment will dictate the
total amount of dust particles that are released
into the surrounding air by the action of the
brush rolls, through the filtration bag, and any
leaks that come from the vacuum system. with this
test, the vacuum cleaner can't release more than
100 micrograms of dust particles per cubic meter
of air.

Carpet retention
The testing protocol for appearance retention will
require that the vacuum cleaner not adversely
affect the appearance of the carpet, based on
a year of normal usage.

If a vacuum cleaner meets all three of the above
requirements, the manufacturer may then display
the official CRI Green Label on it's brand of
vacuum cleaner. The CRI tests canister and upright
vacuums, wide area vacuums, and even walk behind
types as well.

Matching machines
Looking for that important Green Label is the first
step to providing longer carpet life and cleaner
air for your home or office. The next step is
selecting the proper vacuum cleaner for a specific
area. You can think of vacuum cleaners like
screwdrivers, as you wouldn't want to use a Phillips
head screwdriver to remove a flathead screw.

In the bigger, more open areas, a wide are vacuum
cleaner or sweeper can produce excellent results,
as well as an increase in productivity. The
average 14 inch upright vacuum can clean at a rate
of 3,000 square feet per hour, while the average
walk behind can clean at a rate of 40,000 square
feet per hour, and also lift the pile of carpet in
high traffic areas where the carpet fibers are
subject to crushing and matting.

The two motor upright vacuum cleaner is an excellent
choice in areas such as executive offices, lobbies,
conference rooms, and break areas. A two motor
upright can provide grooming of the fibers in the
carpet and removal of the dry soil. Most uprights
with two motor setups will also have a removable
hose and on board accessories for cleaning other
areas as well, such as vents and chairs.

Along with the type of area, you should also give
some thought to the needs of the operator. If
you are a manager, you should look for vacuums
with ergonomic features, especially if the vacuum
will be used for long periods of time.

If it isn't ergonomically designed, it could result
in injury to the operator. At the very least, the
cleaning operator might want to avoid using
vacuum cleaners that could result in injury.

Cleaning Aluminum: Make The Aluminum Parts Shine

2009-10-11T15:04:00.001-07:00

Used in various house hold appliances, aluminum is a metal with a nice silver shine look that is extremely light. While raw aluminum is easy to bend and it can oxidize with ease, adding metals to its composition makes it more hard or gives it more protection to corrosion and oxidation. Uncovered aluminum surfaces in contact with the air, will oxidize and form a dark gray aluminum oxide coating. Industry have found ways to use this coating by painting it or keeping it natural. The professional cookware made from aluminum have this dark gray aluminum oxide enhanced and thicken to increase its resistance to heat, corrosion and washing chemicals.

Depending of the use of the aluminum product, you can wax it or cover it with lacquer or use different chemicals. The products that are not used in kitchen can be covered with a thin layer of wax or lacquer. For kitchen tools you can use common kitchen cleaners, or a mix made from boiling two tablespoons of vinegar or cream of tartar in one liter of water.

You can heat the mix inside the pot himself, as this is a great way to dissolve the grease during heating. Apply the cleaning products gently without scratching the surface of the tool and avoid powerful abrasive cleaning powders or sharp brushes. Remove the mineral deposits using a mix from one part vinegar and one water boiled together. Rinse with plenty of water afterwards.

Grease or burnt food covered pens can be clean by filling them with water and let them to rest for at least a hour. Scrape the dirt using a blunt tool and complete the cleaning using a steel wool pad covered in soap. You can use hot water and detergent instead of regular water if needed. Do not use baking soda or alkaline solution as they will discolor the aluminum. Make sure before use that the cleaning solution is well suited for use on aluminum products.

Use abrasive powders, polishes or steel wool with extreme care when cleaning aluminum. Be sure not to scratch the surface and tear off the painting or aluminum oxide coating. Do not clean the aluminum when its surface is too hot or too cold.

For outdoor aluminum surfaces, first remove any hard dirt, then use special solvents to remove any tar deposits. Test the solvent to make sure not to dissolve the paint, before applying them on the surface. Use these chemicals with caution, read the labels and make sure to stay away from fire; keep an open, ventilated working area.

About The Author:
Visit www.articleclick.com for additional article contributions by Pearle Tsuji.

3 Important Functions Of Vacuum Cleaner Filters

2009-10-11T07:50:00.000-07:00

Vacuum cleaners are widely used all over the world in order to individuals to achieve a more complete look and feel of a dirt and dust free home. These machines are used in order to suction off these dirt and sometimes microscopic particles, leaving the room free of that which might make it appear dirty and visually unappealing. However, there are many pieces and parts that go into making a vacuum cleaner run properly and work effectively. Many people do not understand how complex a vacuum cleaner is and why it is so important to be aware of what pieces of the vacuum perform which functions. In the end, knowing this type of information can save a person a lot of money if and when their vacuum cleaner breaks. If they already know the symptoms of the error in the vacuum cleaner, they may be able to find the proper corrective piece themselves rather the spend money to have a person disassemble the vacuum looking for the problem. One of the most important pieces that work within the vacuum cleaner is the vacuum cleaner filters. Different models use different filters for their vacuum cleaners, but they perform the same basic and inherent functions when implemented into a vacuum cleaner. Some of these functions include:

1 - Vacuum cleaner filters are used in order to make sure that the air that leaves the vacuum cleaner is as pure as it can be. As a vacuum cleaner sucks up dirt particles, it must eventually release the exhaust air. This helps to make sure that the air in your home is very clean and that your vacuum cleaner does not hinder the environment of your home by expelling air which is not filtered.

2 - The filters help to catch and trap any microscopic dirt particles which were not able to be kept inside of the canister of the vacuum cleaner or within the vacuum cleaner bag of the vacuum. This helps to make sure that your home is as clean as possible, but trapping and keeping control of as many different dirt and microscopic particles as possible, increasing the look of your home down to a microscopic level.

3 - Vacuum cleaner filters are used in order to keep the inside of the vacuum cleaner free from dirt that might be within the exhaust air. If dirt were to build up inside the vacuum cleaner, it would hurt the parts and pieces inside of the vacuum cleaner, making is virtually obsolete. The filter helps to keep the inside of the vacuum clean as well as the environment in which it is being used, and to keep the vacuum fully functional.

Having the correct vacuum cleaner filter will help to make a person's vacuum cleaner function properly, effectively and without error. When something goes wrong with your vacuum, it is important to make sure that the filter is still working properly because of the important functions that it provides for the vacuum cleaner. Depending on whether or not you have a vacuum with a bag or a canister, filters need to be cleaned or replaced every so often depending on the difficulty and frequency with which the vacuum is used, and it is important to keep this in mind so that the vacuum can continue to work as well as a person needs it to.

Flashy Vacuum Cleaners

2009-10-03T08:50:00.003-07:00

With most people, a vacuum cleaner isn't really an
inspiring machine. If you don't care about how it
works, then you probably don't want to vacuum to start
with. At the same time, no one wants to live in a
pig sty or dirty home even.

These days however, things have began to change for
the better, and people's attitudes are changing as
well. Vacuum cleaners are becoming interesting and
it's all thanks to James Dyson, the inventor of the
Dyson vacuum cleaner.

All thanks to Dyson, vacuum cleaners have taken on
a personality and life of their own. These very
same tactics are even employed by the likes of
Apple to successfully ploy their iMacs and iPods to
the masses have now been used with tremendous
results with vacuum cleaners.

Now, let's take a look at the decision that faces
you when buying a flashy vacuum cleaner. First of
all, you have the choice between the upright or
canister versions. The upright style of vacuum
cleaners will require you to use them in the
traditional push and pull fashion, although the
latest vacuum from Tyson, the DC15, has even turned
this technology on its head with "Ball Technology"
that will let you glide around your home with the
greatest of ease - in any direction you please.

Canister vacuum cleaners on the other hand come
with a hose attachment for great control and
flexibility, as you can quickly and easily get
to all of the hard to reach places. There isn't
really a lot of difference between the two, and
it's mainly down to your personal preference,
even though the upright vacuum is best suited to
larger carpets.

You should also consider the power of the motor
and efficiency of the filtration system as well.
Those that suffer from allergies will want to
pay close attention to the filtration. Dyson for
one has been very successful by marketing the
benefits of its patented "Cyclone" technology,
which doesn't use a bag nor does it ever get
clogged up.

If you feeling really daring and adventurous and
want to stay ahead of the curve, you could go
for one of the very popular robotic vacuum cleaners
such as the ZA01 from Electrolux or the cheaper
iRobot from Roomba. While you amuse yourself or
do other things, the robot will move around your
home on it's own will, vacuuming your entire
home until it is spotless. The robot even has
the technology and intelligence to return to the
base when it is running low on battery power and
recharge itself.

If you want to be different and unique, a flashy
vacuum cleaner is the way to go. There are many
different models and types to choose from, from
cheap vacuums to those that cost hundreds of
dollars. All you have to do is meet your creative
side halfway and let the fun begin!

Essential Parts For Your Vacuum

2009-10-03T08:50:00.001-07:00

There are many places that you can use to find parts
for a vacuum cleaner that is broken, providing you
have someone around that is handy enough with tools
to take a swing at fixing it. The part that breaks
the most on most less expensive vacuum cleaners
is the drive belt. It's the rubberized belt that
is around 6 inches long, that when stretched out
turns the brushes on the bottom of the vacuum.

When you take the vacuum over objects that don't
belong in the vacuum cleaner, such as pieces of
rope or a cat's tail and the unit comes to a screeching
halt, the burning smell that will soon fill up the
air is your drive belt slowly melting away.

Luckily, the drive belt is available at several
locations, so many in fact that your local drug
store may even carry them! They are cheap to buy
and a snap to replace with a screwdriver and a bit
of common sense. For other types of problems that
you may encounter, there are a lot of resources at
your disposal just in case you decide to tackle
the problem on your own.

You should never forget that when you buy parts for
your vacuum cleaner, most of the parts you'll need
are going to be specifically made for your particular
brand name and model. With the exception of basic
items such as drive belts and most bags, most parts
aren't interchangeable between brands and between
different models of the same brand.

The first thing to try when you need a part for
your vacuum cleaner is the local Yellow Pages
book. Inside of the Yellow Pages, you'll find
many listings for appliance parts and suppliers.
You'll have to call each one of the individually
to find out if they carry parts for your model
and brand. In the rare event that they don't
carry what you need, they can normally order it
for you quickly and easily. If that fails, you
can always call the company direct that manufactured
your model of vacuum cleaner and order the part
that way.

Most of the time, you won't have any problem
getting your hands on a part for your vacuum
cleaner, unless it is a more intricate part that
isn't readily available. Parts such as the intake
or exhaust port are very tricky to replace, and
you will probably want to have a professional
fix these types of problems.

Drive belts, vacuum bags, and little problems such
as these are a snap to replace. With the older
style of vacuum cleaners, you don't have to be
an expert to fix a majority of the problems. The
newer models however, require quite a bit of
skill and technique.

One of the most common problems that will happen
is clogging. If your vacuum stops picking up
dirt and dust, chances are it has become clogged,
which is normally not a parts problem. All you
need to do to fix it is take the front assembly
off, then manually clean out the agitators and
the housing where the dirt makes its way upwards
through the vacuum cleaner. This is very easy
to do, and won't take you but a couple of minutes.

Anytime you encounter a parts problem with your
vacuum cleaner, you should always take things one
step at a time and don't rush. You can almost
always get a hold of a part. If the part is more
expensive than you anticipated, you can always
scrap the vacuum cleaner and buy yourself a
better one - which will save you a lot of time
and headache in the long run.

Dyson D15

2009-10-03T08:49:00.001-07:00

Unlike the use of wheels that most vacuums have, the
Dyson DC15 upright vacuum has a large yellow ball
that will allow the vacuum to pivot and roll with
the greatest of ease. With the DC15, you simply
turn your wrist and the entire vacuum cleaner will
change direction. The ability to maneuver this
easily is something that is commonly associated with
canister style vacuum cleaners.

In addition to the unique yet innovative ball design,
the Dyson DC15 also offers quite an interesting
filtration system. No matter what you may think
or hear, Dyson vacuums don't use filters in the
way that most vacuum cleaners do.

With the Dyson DC15, the air and dirt are sucked
into the container where the outer cyclone removes
large particles such as food, hair, and even
fibers. The air will then move into the shroud
and inner cyclone where it is rotated with a higher
velocity to drop fine particles of dust out of
the air.

From the inner cyclone, the air will move about
through a washable inner foam pre filter where
a majority of the particles will remain trapped.
This feature helps the DC15 to keep dirt and debris
trapped inside and out of the motor.

The last step in the system after moving through
the motor is the trip through the final HEPA
filter. The DC15 has a very strict filter system,
which will prevent 99.9% of bacteria and mold
from getting to your home. The vacuum will suck
it up and keep it inside of the vacuum where it
belongs.

Even though they aren't very well known, Dyson
has been around for many years. They aren't as
popular or as well known as the bigger companies
such as Hoover, although they offer you great
quality and performance with their vacuum
cleaners. Unlike Hoover, Dyson works to improve
on their own products as well as the competition
with each product they release.

The Dyson DC15 is truly a great vacuum to hit
the market, as it is the first and only vacuum
cleaner to feature the very unique ball. Even
though robotic vacuum cleaners are becoming the
most popular types of vacuum cleaners, the DC15
is ideal for housewives who want a traditional
vacuum cleaner with a twist.

The Dyson DC15 is also known for its suction
power and attachments as well. With the ball
assembly, using attachments are a breeze. The
only problem you may have, is getting the hang
of things.

The attachment wand is stored inside of the
handle of the vacuum and is always attached.
To use it, you lock the handle in the upright
position then push a button on the front of
the handle that will allow you to telescope
the wand for use.

Choosing Canister Vacuum Cleaner

2009-09-27T12:22:00.001-07:00

The major criteria involved with choosing a canister
vacuum cleaner is what floor surfaces you plan to
clean versus the power of the vacuum. Almost all
canister vacuum cleaners offer 3 choices of tools
for the surfaces of floors:
1. A bare floor hard plastic brush that's
about 10" - 12" wide with soft bristles.
2. Turbo brush that features a spinning
drum roller with harder bristles.
3. A power head brush that is similar to
the turbo brush although it is powered by a seperate
motor.

Both the turbo brush and power head brush vacuums
have a spinning drum roller with bristles that
resemble that of an upright vacuum cleaner. While
the brushes look and perform pretty much the same,
the power head brush vacuum has a smaller seperate
motor that turns the brush on the bottom of it,
therefore making it more powerful and much more
aggressive than the turbo type brush that is
turned by the flow of air being pulled past it.

These types of brushes will snap the fibers of
the carpet and allow the air to get beneath the
dirt particles. If you can't get air to go under
these particles, then you won't be able to suck
them out, regardless of how much suction power you
are able to apply with a vacuum cleaner.

When you purchase a turbo or power head vacuum
cleaner to be used primarily on carpet surfaces,
you'll also receive a brush for bare floors as
well that is perfect for areas without carpet.

The rule of thumb as to which model of vacuum
cleaner you should choose is:
1. The bare floor model of canister
vacuum cleaners are perfect for smooth surfaces
with no expectation of having rugs or carpeting.
The best choices for bare floor vacuum cleaners
include Eureka Oxygen 6992 and the Miele Solaris
Canister.
2. Turbo types of canister vacuum cleaners
are best for scatter rugs and low pile wall to
wall type carpeting. The best picks here are the
EIO family vacuum cleaner, the Miele Solaris, and
the Sebo Turbo canister vacuum cleaner.
3. The power head brush types of vacuum
cleaners are great for wall to wall carpeting and
very important if you deal with pet hair. The best
picks here include the Sebo Canister 3.1, the
Miele Silver Moon, and the Eureka Oxygen 6996.

Some of the other important features for canister
vacuum cleaners include reliability, purchase price,
HEPA filter and sealed unit, the cost of replacement
filters and bags, weight, storage and quality of
tools, control locations, noise, adjustable wand,
retractable cord, ease of changing attachments,
bag change indicator, filter change indicator, swivel
hose, and other extra features such as dirt alerts.

Almost all canister vacuums are similar in size,
offer similar radiuses of cleaning, and come with
the same tool attachments.

Carpet Cleaning Machines

2009-09-27T12:21:00.001-07:00

With the creation of the carpet, the invention of the
carpet cleaning machine wasn't far away. The very
first hand held carpet cleaner was designed and
tested in Chicago in 1860, while the first power
operated vacuum cleaner was invented in the 1900s
by Cecil Booth.

Around the same time Cecil Booth finished his
invention, a man by the name of James Spangler came
up with his own invention - a vacuum cleaner that
he later sold to his cousin Hoover. As everyone
knows, Hoover has since became one of the most
dominant names in the world of vacuum cleaners and
is certainly one of the most popular household
names in the world.

For many housewives, the vacuum cleaner was deemed
a blessing, as it helped to keep the house clean
in a fraction of the time. From the beginning,
vacuum cleaners were only able to suck up dust and
dirt, although with modern technology these days,
inventors are able to design wet cleanes that can
steam carpets and kill germs at the same time.

Carpet is capable of covering the floor of a
house, flat, or bungalow and keeping people's feet
warm in the winter. Years ago, people needed to
sweep their floors or carpets, but with the
invention of the vacuum cleaner, people could
easily detract the dust and dirt from their
carpets with less effort. It was also determined
that businesses, corporations, and apartments
would need someone to clean their carpets as
well, so the invention of the commercial carpet
cleaner wasn't far away.

Vacuum cleaners operate by using a pump system.
The pumping system will suck up the air from a
hose, which will in turn suck up the dirt and
dust from anything that stands in front of the
house opening. On the inside, the vacuum cleaner
is a filtering system that will collect the dust
and dirt that can later be placed outside in the
garbage.

Right now, there are seven main types of vacuum
cleaners - the upright, canister, back pack style,
built in, robotic, hand held, and the wet/dry
vacuum cleaners. These different types of vacuum
cleaners are available in a variety of different
styles, sizes, and offer various voltage and
power sizes as well.

One of the most significant developments in
vacuums has been the invention of the very popular
cyclone carpet cleaner. Unlike the previous
vacuum cleaners, the cyclone collects dirt and
dust in a large cylinder. The cyclone operates
using a central air force and number of filters.
The filter will filter the dust and dirt into
stages, so that the air being sucked up into the
cylinder can be cleaned then released back into
the air through a central outlet.

Belts And Performance

2009-09-27T12:20:00.001-07:00

The belts for vacuum cleaners can come in many styles
and hundreds of different sizes. Normally, vacuums
use a belt to drive an agitation device, which
is also known as a brush roller. With very few
exceptions, most vacuums will use either a flat
belt, round belt, or a geared style belt.

The type of belt that your vacuum uses is very
important, not only for durability, but performance
as well. The condition and type of belt your
vacuum uses will have a lot of impact on the systems
ability to clean carpet. The proper use of
agitation is almost 70% of the cleaning ability of
a vacuum cleaner.

Suction is also very important. The suction is
what pulls the dirt that is removed from the carpet
into the collection area of the vacuum. The
suction, or airflow, is the key when cleaning
hard surfaces or when using attachments. Without
suction, a vacuum cleaner could only bring more
dirt to the surface of carpet. Even though both
agitation and suction are important with vacuuming,
the agitation is what actually cleans them.

Almost all manufacturers use brush rollers that
are made of wood, metal, or even plastic that
is driven by a suction or brush motor through
the use of three different kinds of belts - round,
geared, or flat.

The round belts are the earliest type as they
were easy to produce and easy to engineer. The
round style, unfortunately, is normally run in
the same space as vacuumed dirt. What this means,
is that almost all of the dirt, staples, and
hair you vacuum up will pass around the belt;
cutting, nicking, or even scratching it along the
way.

Vacuum cleaner belts have to stretch quite a long
way, placing even more stress on the roller and
the motor bearings. The round belt is still
common, and used even today.

The flat style of belts are most often run in a
circular fashion as well, unlike the twisted
route the round belt takes to deliver the
performance in the proper direction.

The style allow manufacturers to run the belt off
of one side of the brush roller, instead of the
center where all of the dirt is. This is truly a
great innovation, as you can eliminate premature
failure due to the soil and dirt in the belt path.

The latest belt design is considered to be the
best in the industry. Even though there are many
variations out there, the geared belt is the
most efficient means to drive a brush. The
geared belt is also known as a positive brush system
because the energy of the brush motor is
transmitted directly to the brush.

Both the brush and the motor are locked by
fixed teeth to each other through a cogged belt
without tension. The resulting direct connection
results in higher cleaning efficiency because
the brush can be driven at a faster speed
regardless of the age of the belt.

The flat style can stretch as they become warm,
which will cause them to lose tension. When
you use your vacuum, the belt is always going to
stretch. Believe it or not, it will lose it's
tension the moment you put it up to rest in the
closet.

There is however, one real drawback to geared
belts - the cost of the vacuum. Geared belts
are normally used on two motor vacuums. Not
only does this require a separate suction and
brush motor, but it also requires electronic
sensory systems to tell you when something is
wrong with the brush.