Microfiber mops are excellent for daily use on all sorts of hard floors. I have the ACT Natural microfiber mop which comes with a heavy duty, ergonomic telescoping handle/mop holder, two microfiber mop heads - one for dry, one for wet cleaning. I've had mine for over 5 years and it's still going strong!
The Mop handle is highly adjustable. Unlike the cheap disposable dusting mops, this one will last for years and you won't have to bend over and give yourself a backache or press hard (risking bending or breaking it) to use it. It bends and swivels to get into corners and under furniture. And, you don't have to buy expensive disposable cleaning cloths that are environmentally unfriendly and that smell of noxious chemicals.
The dry microfiber mop head is used to dust mop the floor or "sweep" it. The microfiber is super absorbent and draws dust to it like a magnet. It can be washed up to a thousand times and reused, making it an economical and environmentally responsible choice.
The wet microfiber mop pad is used for damp mopping hard floors. My floors look great after using it with only water. If they're really dirty, I might pretreat with a tiny spray of non toxic cleaner.
Microfiber mops work well on any hard flooring surface: tile, laminate, hardwood, linoleum, vinyl, marble, etc. They make mopping so easy since all you have to do is wring out the mop head in hot water, affix it to the holder (it has velcro on the back) and mop. No rinsing needed. You don't even have to use soap or a cleaning product if you don't want to, which is a huge plus if you have kids or someone in the house with allergies or chemical sensitivities. No mop bucket or dirty water to lug around either. Microfiber mops are so easy to use, even my kids can push them around their floors.
Amazingly, microfiber is even antimicrobial since it absorbs so much. Studies have shown that a surface is 99% free of germs after cleaning with microfiber.
My microfiber mop has saved me lots of money over the years.
Interestingly, the Queen of Clean, Linda Cobb recommends these products. That's where I first heard of them. You can buy microfiber mops on Amazon.com
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
How To Choose The Best Vacuum Cleaner
How To Choose The Best Vacuum Cleaner
Choosing the right vacuum cleaner for your home can make all the difference in the beauty and the life of your carpet. Vacuuming thoroughly once a week (daily if you have pets or kids!) does much to keep your carpet looking good and lasting longer. Of course, this blog is all about hard flooring. Keep in mind that a vacuum cleaner with a beater bar shouldn't be used on hardwood floors, as it can cause scratching. For laminates it's usually fine, but do check the manufacturer's recommendations.
Here are five of the top rated vacuum cleaners so that you can compare and contrast the various types to ascertain the best one for you.
For best value, many users claim the Eureka 4870 is the best. This is an upright vacuum cleaner which claims to be a better cleaner, especially on carpets than its more expensive counterparts. With attachments and a sealed filter, this 21 pound unit tends to be more difficult to push than others. Bag changes are needed, but for the price of $150.00, it’s affordable.
Touted as the best self-propelled upright vacuum, Kenmore’s Progressive comes in at $280.00. Due to the brush roll which propels the vacuum across the floor, there is less difficulty pushing it than other vacuum cleaners. Also weighing around 20 pounds, this upright also has a bagless feature, and works well on stairs and upholstery.
The Hoover EmPower is a budget bagless vacuum cleaner. Priced at $100.00, it collects dust in a removable bin which saves you from having to buy replacement dust bags. This well known company has had outstanding vacuum cleaners for years and years, and this one is no exception. With five settings, a fold down handle, and a pet hair cleaning tool, this durable cleaner, although not as noise free as other vacuums, still receives high marks.
Much has been made of the Dyson Animal vacuum cleaner. This is a high end product and costs approximately $500.00. The Dyson is a well constructed, high tech vacuum which now comes in four versions. Although the Animal is getting the best reviews, there seems to be a question as to its durability. The Dyson doesn't do so well in Consumer Reports reviews, however.
Finally, if you are in the mood to buy something whimsical, for $150.00 you can purchase the iRobot Roomba. While it is not as good as a traditional vacuum cleaner, reviewers have claimed it does do the job. Because it can fit into places most conventional vacuums cannot, most owners enjoy this fun item for light vacuum cleaning. While paying $200.00 for a gadget that moves around your home on its own may be fun to watch, it may be a good idea to wait until the price comes down – way down, before you invest in this type of vacuum cleaner. Or you could get a remanufactured one and save a few dollars: Remanufactured iRobot Roomba Vacuum Cleaning Robot with Scheduler
Choosing the right vacuum cleaner for your home can make all the difference in the beauty and the life of your carpet. Vacuuming thoroughly once a week (daily if you have pets or kids!) does much to keep your carpet looking good and lasting longer. Of course, this blog is all about hard flooring. Keep in mind that a vacuum cleaner with a beater bar shouldn't be used on hardwood floors, as it can cause scratching. For laminates it's usually fine, but do check the manufacturer's recommendations.
Here are five of the top rated vacuum cleaners so that you can compare and contrast the various types to ascertain the best one for you.
For best value, many users claim the Eureka 4870 is the best. This is an upright vacuum cleaner which claims to be a better cleaner, especially on carpets than its more expensive counterparts. With attachments and a sealed filter, this 21 pound unit tends to be more difficult to push than others. Bag changes are needed, but for the price of $150.00, it’s affordable.
Touted as the best self-propelled upright vacuum, Kenmore’s Progressive comes in at $280.00. Due to the brush roll which propels the vacuum across the floor, there is less difficulty pushing it than other vacuum cleaners. Also weighing around 20 pounds, this upright also has a bagless feature, and works well on stairs and upholstery.
The Hoover EmPower is a budget bagless vacuum cleaner. Priced at $100.00, it collects dust in a removable bin which saves you from having to buy replacement dust bags. This well known company has had outstanding vacuum cleaners for years and years, and this one is no exception. With five settings, a fold down handle, and a pet hair cleaning tool, this durable cleaner, although not as noise free as other vacuums, still receives high marks.
Much has been made of the Dyson Animal vacuum cleaner. This is a high end product and costs approximately $500.00. The Dyson is a well constructed, high tech vacuum which now comes in four versions. Although the Animal is getting the best reviews, there seems to be a question as to its durability. The Dyson doesn't do so well in Consumer Reports reviews, however.
Finally, if you are in the mood to buy something whimsical, for $150.00 you can purchase the iRobot Roomba. While it is not as good as a traditional vacuum cleaner, reviewers have claimed it does do the job. Because it can fit into places most conventional vacuums cannot, most owners enjoy this fun item for light vacuum cleaning. While paying $200.00 for a gadget that moves around your home on its own may be fun to watch, it may be a good idea to wait until the price comes down – way down, before you invest in this type of vacuum cleaner. Or you could get a remanufactured one and save a few dollars: Remanufactured iRobot Roomba Vacuum Cleaning Robot with Scheduler
Best Way to Clean a Ceramic Tile Floor
Best Way to Clean a Ceramic Tile Floor
Cleaning my ceramic tile floor is definitely not on my list of favorite things to do! But, it needs to be done periodically in order for my kitchen to look its best. Here are some tips on the best way to go about it.
The area that is really tough to clean is the grout. It seems to attract the most oil, dirt and grime in your bathroom or kitchen. Okay then, put on a pair of rubber gloves and let’s get to it!
If you have a small bathroom, you may want to turn on the overhead fan; keep the doors open and wear a mask if you have to. It tends to get quite hot in there when cleaning.
Spray a cleaning solution on the grout and wait a couple of minutes. With a scrubbing brush and hot water, start cleaning it. This will require some kneeling and scrubbing, so ensure you place a rolled up towel under your knees or they'll be sore.
Stop and take a look. Does the grout look clean? If not, you may have to resort to more desperate measures. Do not use chlorine bleach! It is not safe to breathe in and you can become sensitized to it and become allergic. It can cause breathing problems, and the fumes can be hazardous to your pets as well.
There is one excellent cleaning product for ceramic tile that is non-toxic, and is perfect for grout cleaning, it’s called oxygen bleach. Bi-O-Kleen Oxygen Bleach is quite effective and safe. It comes in powder form and when mixed with water it removes all of the stains to produce a clean and undamaged grout. Moreover, there are no fumes or toxins to contend with. Simply apply the bleach and let it sit for thirty to sixty minutes. Then scrub the grout lightly and Voila!
If you have ceramic tile in your kitchen or counter top, you can use the oxygen bleach there as well. Users have raved about this product, so make it easy; chemical free; and pain free during spring cleaning and utilize these tips for cleaning ceramic tile.
Cleaning my ceramic tile floor is definitely not on my list of favorite things to do! But, it needs to be done periodically in order for my kitchen to look its best. Here are some tips on the best way to go about it.
The area that is really tough to clean is the grout. It seems to attract the most oil, dirt and grime in your bathroom or kitchen. Okay then, put on a pair of rubber gloves and let’s get to it!
If you have a small bathroom, you may want to turn on the overhead fan; keep the doors open and wear a mask if you have to. It tends to get quite hot in there when cleaning.
Spray a cleaning solution on the grout and wait a couple of minutes. With a scrubbing brush and hot water, start cleaning it. This will require some kneeling and scrubbing, so ensure you place a rolled up towel under your knees or they'll be sore.
Stop and take a look. Does the grout look clean? If not, you may have to resort to more desperate measures. Do not use chlorine bleach! It is not safe to breathe in and you can become sensitized to it and become allergic. It can cause breathing problems, and the fumes can be hazardous to your pets as well.
There is one excellent cleaning product for ceramic tile that is non-toxic, and is perfect for grout cleaning, it’s called oxygen bleach. Bi-O-Kleen Oxygen Bleach is quite effective and safe. It comes in powder form and when mixed with water it removes all of the stains to produce a clean and undamaged grout. Moreover, there are no fumes or toxins to contend with. Simply apply the bleach and let it sit for thirty to sixty minutes. Then scrub the grout lightly and Voila!
If you have ceramic tile in your kitchen or counter top, you can use the oxygen bleach there as well. Users have raved about this product, so make it easy; chemical free; and pain free during spring cleaning and utilize these tips for cleaning ceramic tile.
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Earth Friendly Floor Kleener for Hardwood and Laminate
Earth Friendly Products Floor Kleener is the first naturally derived product that can be used on wooden floors and wood floor laminates. Floor Kleener has been formulated to clean and protect the sealants in your flooring system. It will not strip your floors of their wax or seals. It is an effective way to clean daily spills or it can be used to clean the entire floor area. It is free rinsing which means you do not have to use water to rinse the product off when finished.
Customers are raving about this and all products from this customer. Here are a few comments: “I've never used the Earth Friendly products before and was not familiar with them. But I was very impressed with the Eco Breeze, Floor Kleener, and the Window Kleener - that's all I've used so far. It left my house smelling fresh and clean instead of clean yet chemically. Looking at the ingredients also gave me peace of mind because I could use the cleaners on the kitchen countertop we use for food preparation without worrying about chemical residues.”
Another user wrote: “I bought your Parsley Cleaner, Shower Cleaner, Wave Dishwasher Detergent., Almond Dishmate, Fruit Veggie Wash, Furniture Polish, Uni-Fresh Lavender Air Freshener, and Pear Hand Soap. I will never again buy those chemical products I used to use ever again! The Parsley Cleaner cleans my kitchen better then any 409 ever did and doesn’t make me sick like harsh chemicals did. The Shower Cleaner on its own made my tub look ultra white, instead of drab white. My plates, glasses and utensils have no spots anymore, and plus my food doesn’t bear any distinct taste like my old dish detergents left thanks to your Wave Dishwash. I love the furniture polish, it smells good; it’s not nauseating like some other stuff on the market and the polish lasts for days on end. The pear hand soap smelled so good and my hands still feel soft and smell great all day long. My biggest rave is the Uni-Fresh lavender spray. It gets the nasty smell of anything out right away. I will continue to buy your products for the rest of my time on earth. I have told everyone about them!”
Finally, another consumer commented: “I recently purchased a container of your Oxo-Brite non-chlorine bleach, and I couldn't be happier! It removed stains from clothing that I had given up on! Thank you, I will certainly continue to use your product.”
This is one site that you should be book marking as a favorite. Prices are quite affordable, but the lasting benefits are invaluable! If you have pets, you may also want to check out their pet products. In addition to their kitchen, bathroom, laundry and pet products, they also have personal products which are a must see. You can buy these at Amazon.com: Earth Friendly Products Floor Kleener, Laminate and Hardwood Floor Cleaner, 22 Ounces (Pack of 12)
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