Keep It Clean

House Hold Hazardous Waste Disposal

2012-03-07T11:38:00.002-05:00

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection 2012 Hazardous Waster Removal Schedule.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events

Sponsor	Time	Location	Contact
Allegheny County	May 5, 2012	North Park Swimming Pool Parking Lot	Pa Resource Council - Zero Waste Pittsburgh - Mike Stepaniak 412-488-7452
Beaver County	Oct. 13, 2012	Beaver County Recycling Center Brady's Run Park New Brighton, PA	Pa Resource Council - Zero Waste Pittsburgh - Mike Stepaniak 412-488-7452
Bedford County	Sept. 29, 2012	Bedford County Fairgrounds	Lou Ann Shontz 814-643-8150
Berks County	Apr. 21, 2012	Exeter Twp. Municipal Bldg. 4975 DeMoss Rd. in Reading	HHW Brochure Berks County Solid Waste Authority 610-478-6362
Berks County	Oct. 20, 2012	First Energy Stadium in Reading	HHW Brochure Berks County Solid Waste Authority 610-478-6362
Blair County	June 14, 2012	Peoples Natural Gas Field, Altoona	Beth Strittmatter (814) 696-8702
Bradford, Sullivan and Tioga Counties	June 29-30, 2012	Northern Tier Solid Waste Authority -Burlington Landfill	Leigh Twoe (570) 297-4177 ntswa@epix.net
Bucks County	May 7 - Aug. 27, 2012	2012 Drop-off Sites and Dates	2012 Program Brochure orBucks HHW Information
Butler County	March 17 thru Oct. 20, 2012	Environmental Coordination Services and Recycling 129 Ash Stop Road Evans City, PA	Hazardous Waste and Electronics Collections Sheryl Kelly at 724-284-5305
Cambria County	May 19, 2012	CTC ETF Facility (Johnstown)	Pa Resource Council - Zero Waste Pittsburgh - Mike Stepaniak 412-488-7452
Centre County	Apr. 27-28, 2012	Centre County Solid Waste Authority,	Household Hazardous Waste Event Details David Immel at 814-238-7005
Chester County	April 14 - Oct. 13 2012	2012 Drop-off Sites and Dates	Chester County Solid Waste Authority 610-273-3771
Delaware County	March - October 2012	2012 Drop-off Sites and Dates	Delaware County
Elk County	TBD	Stackpole Complex in St. Marys	Bekki Titchner 814-776-5373
Erie County	March 3 - Oct. 27, 2012	Erie County Recycling Convenience Center, 1624 Fillmore Avenue, Millcreek	Call 866-815-0016 for more information
Fulton County	Sept. 29, 2012	Penn Village Shopping Center	Lou Ann Shontz 814-643-8150
Huntingdon County	Sept. 29, 2012	Huntingdon County Fairgrounds	Lou Ann Shontz 814-643-8150
Lawrence County	April - Oct., 2012	Environmental Coordination Services and Recycling 129 Ash Stop Road Evans City, PA	HHW Collections Lawrence-Mercer Counties Jerry Zona 724-658-6925
Montgomery County	April - Oct., 2012	2012 Drop-off Sites and Dates	Montgomery County 610-278-3618 9:00am-3:00pm
Northampton County	TBD	Northampton Community College Main Campus	Thomas Dittmar (610) 559-3200
Philadelphia County	April-November 2012	2012 Drop-off Sites and Dates	Philadelphia HHW Information
Bradford, Sullivan and Tioga Counties	June 29-30, 2012	Northern Tier Solid Waste Authority -Burlington Landfill	Leigh Twoe (570) 297-4177 ntswa@epix.net
Somerset County	May 19, 2012	CTC ETF Facility (Johnstown)	Pa Resource Council - Zero Waste Pittsburgh - Mike Stepaniak 412-488-7452
Union County	TBD	Silver Moon Flea Market	James McCormick 412-488-7452
Washington County	July 14, 2012	Washington Mall, Washington	Pa Resource Council - Zero Waste Pittsburgh - Mike Stepaniak 412-488-7452
Westmoreland County	June 18, 2012	Alcoa Technical Center, Alcoa Center	Don Ferrante 724-337-2143
Westmoreland County	Oct. 6, 2012	Westmoreland County Community College, Youngwood	Westmoreland Cleanways - Ellen Keefe 724-836-4129
York County	May 5, 2012	York County Solid Waste Authority's Management Center parking lot	Lauren Washburn 717-845-1066

Household Hazardous Wastes (HHW) are those wastes produced in our households* that are hazardous in nature, but are not regulated as hazardous waste, under federal and state laws. Each person in Pennsylvania produces an average of four pounds of HHW each year or about 25,000 tons/yr. statewide. Included are such items as old paints and paint related products, pesticides, pool chemicals, drain cleaners, and degreasers and other car care products. Such consumer waste products, if carelessly managed can, and frequently do, create environmental and public health hazards.

*(The term "households" includes multiple residences, hotels, motels, bunkhouses, ranger stations, crew quarters, campgrounds, picnic grounds, and day-use recreation areas.)

Household Hazardous Waste: How Should It Be Managed?

The best method of managing Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) is to prevent its generation in the first place. This involves selecting the least toxic item "to do the job" and buying only the minimum amounts necessary. Buying in large quantities is not a bargain if half of it has to be discarded.
If the material is still useable (i.e. has not been damaged/shelf life expired, etc.) check with friends and neighbors to see if they might be able to use it. Check with community groups such as Little League, Habitat for Humanity, etc. to see if they can use the product.
If the material is not useable and/or if such "outlets" are not available, it should be taken to your community's HHW Collection Program. Such programs will ensure that your HHW is recycled or, otherwise, managed, in an environmentally preferable way, under the hazardous waste provisions of the law.
- If you have used oil, take it to a used oil collection site.
- Spent lead acid batteries can be returned to sellers. In Pennsylvania, dealers are required to take old batteries when new ones are purchased. Spent lead acid batteries may not be discarded in landfills.
- Note - Used oil and intact lead acid batteries from households are not considered to be hazardous wastes in Pennsylvania. However, they are frequently generated in households and are thus often grouped in the household hazardous waste category. They are also frequently included in HHW collection programs.
If your community does not have a collection program or you must discard the materials prior to the next scheduled event, you may legally discard them in your regular trash pick up, provided:
1. You have read the label and complied with any disposal directions.
2. Liquids have either been allowed to evaporate (if water based) or absorbed (if non-water based) on some material such as vermiculite, cat litter, or sawdust, so that there are no freestanding liquids).
3. The remaining residue has been packaged to prevent leakage while the material is being transported to the disposal facility
4. The material is placed out in small quantities, over several collection periods.
Pharmaceutical Disposal

Pharmaceutical Collections

Non-Controlled Substances Only Registered Onsite Pharmaceutical Collections (xls)
DEA National Drug Take-Back Initiative April 28, 2012
Procedures for conducting muncipal pharmaceutical collections in PA (pdf)
Notification for Registration of Onsite Pharmaceutical Drug Collection Program 2520-FM-BWM0010 (eLibrary) - To be used only by pharmacies for onsite pharmaceutical collections

Instructions for homeowner to dispose of unwanted medication if there is no pharmaceutical collection in your area

Federal Guidelines for Proper Disposal of Prescription Drugs - U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy
Disposal by Flushing of Certain Unused Medicines: What You Should Know - U.S. Food and Drug Administration

How to Manage Old Propane Cylinders and Tanks

For questions on specific disposal issues, contact a waste management chemist in yourDEP Regional Offices. You can get additional information by contacting the PA HHW hotline at 1-800-346-4242

Using Ozone to Clean

2012-02-23T12:10:00.000-05:00

Ozone is a naturally occurring substance in nature that we cannot live without. Ozone is an activated form of oxygen with three atoms where regular oxygen has two. Ozone in the upper atmosphere filters out harmful rays from the sun without which all life on earth would cease to exist. Closer to home ozone is produced by lightning in thunderstorms. I'm sure you have experienced the freshness in the air after a storm. Ozone is very unstable and has an average half life of 20 minutes, which is why ozone must be produced at the point of use and cannot be stored in a container for later use.

Ozone will cast off it's third atom onto any other organic element thereby oxidizing it or converting it into another substance. In the case of odors it will convert a foul-smelling substance into a non-odorous substance naturally, with no unhealthy chemicals to buy, store, or use. Once ozone has done it's job it converts back to oxygen. Ozone will also deactivate and destroy molds, bacteria, virus, fungus, and mildew.

Ozone is "active oxygen", nature's special element.(Each ozone molecule consists of three oxygen atoms.)

· Ozone is a natural purifier.

· Ozone is created in nature by the combination of oxygen in air andthe ultraviolet rays of the sun or by the corona discharge that occurs during alightning storm.

· Ozone has the clean, fresh scent noticed after a rainstorm.

· Ozone is the most powerful oxidizer safely used.

· Ozone is the alternative water purifier to traditional chemicalssuch as chlorine and bromine.

· Ozone destroys bacteria, viruses, mold, and mildew.

· Ozone eliminates spores, cysts, yeast, and fungus.

· Ozone oxidizes iron, sulfur, manganese and hydrogen sulfate.

· Ozone eliminates oils and other contaminants in water.

· Ozone eliminates odors in air, such as smoke.

· Ozone keeps water clean and sparkling clear.

· Ozone keeps food and water fresh

· Ozone leaves no chemical by-products in water.

· Ozone leaves no chemical taste or smell.

· Ozone will not burn eyes or make them red or irritated.

· Ozone will not irritate or dry out skin, nose, or ears.

· Ozone will not leave a chemical film on material or skin.

· Ozone will not discolor or damage hair or clothing.

· Ozone rids water and air of unhealthy microorganisms.

· Ozone is NOT a carcinogen.

· Ozone is not flammable and will not explode.

· Ozone is not a fire hazard.

· Ozone will not damage electrical wiring, plumbing fittings orpipes.

· In 1906, Nice,France built the first water purification plant to use ozone.

· Los Angeles, California has the largest ozone drinking watertreatment plant in the world.

· Most bottled water is purified by ozone.

· Ozone is used to clean water and toxic waste.

· Ozone purifies water in well and home drinking water systems.

· Ozone systems have brought life back to "dead"contaminated lakes and pools.

· Ozone is used to purify air in hotel rooms, boats, RVs, cars, andsmoke/fire damaged structures.

· Ozone is used in thousands of residential and commercial pools andspas all over the world.

· Ozone does not have to be purchased or stored.

· Ozone is generated "on site" and is introduced into thewater or air automatically.

· Ozone does not affect the pH balance of water, thus minimizing pHadjustments.

· Ozone helps reduce total dissolved solids in water so that thewater does not have to be changed as often.

· Ozone eliminates much of the routine maintenance because it doessuch an effective job keeping the water clean.

Mold Fact Sheet

2012-02-23T12:02:00.000-05:00

Mold Fact Sheet – Referenced directly from the EPA and CDC

There is always some mold everywhere - in the air and on many surfaces. Molds have been on the Earth for millions of years. Mold grows where there is moisture.

Mold and Your Health

Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects, or none at all. Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, molds can cause nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, or, in some cases, skin irritation. People with mold allergies may have more severe reactions. Immune-compromised people and people with chronic lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may get serious infections in their lungs when they are exposed to mold. These people should stay away from areas that are likely to have mold, such as compost piles, cut grass, and wooded areas.

A link between other adverse health effects, such as acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage among infants, memory loss, or lethargy, and molds, including the moldStachybotrys chartarum (Stachybotrys atra), has not been proven. Further studies are needed to find out what causes acute idiopathic hemorrhage and other adverse health effects.

Mold and Your Home

Mold is found both indoors and outdoors. Mold can enter your home through open doorways, windows, vents, and heating and air conditioning systems. Mold in the air outside can also attach itself to clothing, shoes, bags, and pets and can be carried indoors.

Mold will grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been flooding. Mold grows well on paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood products. Mold can also grow in dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery.

You Can Control Mold

Inside your home you can control mold growth by:

Keeping humidity levels between 40% and 60%;

Promptly fixing leaky roofs, windows, and pipes;

Thoroughly cleaning and drying after flooding;

Ventilating shower, laundry, and cooking areas.

If mold is growing in your home, you need to clean up the mold and fix the moisture problem. Mold growth can be removed from hard surfaces with commercial products, soap and water, or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water.

Mold growth, which often looks like spots, can be many different colors, and can smell musty. If you can see or smell mold, a health risk may be present. You do not need to know the type of mold growing in your home, and CDC does not recommend or perform routine sampling for molds. No matter what type of mold is present, you should remove it. Since the effect of mold on people can vary greatly, either because of the amount or type of mold, you can not rely on sampling and culturing to know your health risk. The best practice is to remove the mold and work to prevent future growth.

If you choose to use bleach to clean up mold:

Never mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners. Mixing bleach with ammonia or other cleaning products will produce dangerous, toxic fumes.

Open windows and doors to provide fresh air.

Wear non-porous gloves and protective eye wear.

If the area to be cleaned is more than 10 square feet, consult the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guide titled Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings. Although focused on schools and commercial buildings, this document also applies to other building types. You can get it free by calling the EPA Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse at (800) 438-4318, or by going to the EPA web site at http://www.epa.gov/mold/mold_remediation.html.

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using bleach or any other cleaning product.

MOLD PREVENTION TIPS

Keep the humidity level in your home between 40% and 60%. Use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier during humid months and in damp spaces, like basements.

Be sure your home has enough ventilation. Use exhaust fans which vent outside your home in the kitchen and bathroom. Make sure your clothes dryer vents outside your home.

Fix any leaks in your home’s roof, walls, or plumbing so mold does not have moisture to grow.

Clean up and dry out your home thoroughly and quickly (within 24–48 hours) after flooding.

Add mold inhibitors to paints before painting.

Clean bathrooms with mold-killing products.

Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have been soaked and cannot be dried promptly. Consider not using carpet in rooms or areas like bathrooms or basements that may have a lot of moisture.

To learn more about preventing mold in your home, see the Environmental Protection Agency's publication A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home athttp://www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/moldguide.html

Everything You Need to Know about Vaccines

2012-02-17T10:51:00.001-05:00

Everything You Need to Know about Vaccines

Keeping up with vaccines is not always easy, particularly if you live in a household with family members of different ages. Vaccination needs can also change quickly if there’s an outburst of a disease.

These days, however, figuring out who needs to get vaccinated, when and where is as easy as visiting Vaccines.gov, the federal government’s centralized portal for everything related to vaccines. The portal recently launched a Spanish-language version of the site.

“Vaccinations protect you but also protect family members and the community, and this website will help everybody get answers to some of the most basic questions about vaccines,” said Guillermo Avilés-Mendoza, a Public Health Advisor to the National Vaccine Program Office at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Useful Information about Vaccines

The site offers information about vaccines from a practical and useful perspective. You’ll find, for example, vaccination calendars, explanations on how vaccines work and resources on which vaccines you need to take before going abroad.

In addition, you can:

Read about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines.
Learn which diseases are preventable through vaccines.
Become familiar with the many acronyms and abbreviations surrounding vaccinations.

“It’s a place where you can find practical and useful tools,” said Guillermo Avilés-Mendoza.

Who Needs to Get Vaccinated and When

It’s a myth that vaccinations are only for children, pregnant women and senior citizens. In fact, every year thousands of adults get vaccinated against flu. There are different factors that determine if you need to get vaccinated, including your age, lifestyle, medical conditions and the places you visit. You might also want to get vaccinated if there’s an outburst of a particular disease, like whooping cough.

Dozens of people died during an outbreak in 2010, most of them children under the age of one who couldn’t get vaccinated because they were too young. That’s why the federal government recommends that 11 or 12 year-olds get a booster of whooping cough vaccine, and that all adults get vaccinated against the whooping cough and get a booster every 10 years.

“The vaccine protects the person who took it, but also those who can’t get vaccinated, such as small children and people with weak immune systems,” said Avilés-Mendoza.

Find out who needs to get vaccinated and when.

Where to Get Vaccinated

Vaccinations are available in many places, from your doctor’s office and hospitals to pharmacies, churches and even schools and colleges. And many insurance companies cover the cost of vaccines. But what if you don’t have insurance?

You can always get vaccinated at the many community clinics funded by the federal government across the country. These clinics offer low cost vaccinations, so you pay what you are able to afford. Vaccinations.gov has a community clinic locator. Just type in your ZIP code.

“These clinics are great because they also offer other types of services such as prenatal care, dental and mental health services,” said Avilés-Mendoza.

Dust Mites - An Unwanted House Guest

2012-02-13T15:10:00.000-05:00

Living With Dust Mites

If you haveallergies or asthma, a tiny creature living in your home could be making bigproblems for you. Although you can't see them, dust mites do live in your home!

Dust mitesare microscopic and are found in most high humidity environments. Inhomes with dust mites, a recent survey determined that dust mite populations arehighest in the following areas:

Beds –Over 60% of the dust mite population loves your bed as much as you do. Dust mitesare living in your mattress, pillow and covers.

Upholstery– Over 30% of the dust mite populous enjoy lounging of your sofas, chairs, andother fabric furniture.

Carpets– 10% of dust mites set up shop in your carpet. Most commonly in your bedroomcarpet.

AirDucts – 0%. This is because there is no food source in your air ducts, althoughmany other nasty allergens and thrive in air ducts.

Thismakes sense sense because dust mites feed on shed skin scales from humans,animals, birds, moths, and butterflies; also on pollen, fungi and bacteria - which explains their highconcentration in mattresses, upholstery and carpet where abundant skin scalesprovide a plentiful food source.

Dust mites no ability to biteand their food must be moistened so the protein can be absorbed.

Dustmites need moist conditions to survive. Dust mites thrive in humidity levels above 55%.

DustMites live 2 to 2 1/2 months, but cannot survive more than 7 to 10 days inareas with humidity less than 50%.

The mosteffective way to evict dust mites is to:

Reduce indoor humidity levels

Vacuum regularlywith a HEPA filter

Wash beddingweekly in hot water

Purchasea new pillow every 6 months

Encaseyour bedding

Cleanyou mattress, upholstery and carpets twice a year.

Vacuum Cleaner Reviews

2012-02-09T12:02:00.000-05:00

Choose The Right Vacuum

Carpets top the list ofcritical cleaning chores, an area where upright models have traditionallyexcelled. But you may prefer a canister or a central vacuum for other cleaning.Within types, powerful unit, one that performedwell on carpets, bare floors, and in our airflow tests. Here's what else to goby when shopping:
Consumer Reports

Types

Before you buy a new vacuum, learn about the different types of vacuums on the market. While one type might have features that appeal to you, it might not fit your budget or your lifestyle.

Upright vacuums

This traditional design is still the most popular. Uprights tend to cost less than canister vacuums.

Pros: Uprights generally provide a wider cleaning swath than canisters, and they tend to be better at deep-cleaning carpets. Most are also easier to store.

Cons: You must drag the entire machine back and forth for most floor and carpet cleaning. Some top performers weigh 20 pounds or more, although many competent machines are much lighter. Uprights also tend to be noisier than canisters overall.

Canister vacuums

The best ones clean carpets just about as well as uprights. (Pet owners note: The uprights and canisters that did best at regular cleaning also tended to excel at picking up pet hair.)

Pros: Canisters tend to be better than uprights for cleaning bare floors, drapes, upholstery, and under furniture, and they're easier to handle on stairs. Most are quieter, and you mostly need to move only the hose and powerhead, not the entire machine.

Cons: The entire vacuum tends to be heavier and bulkier than an upright, and the hose and wand make a canister harder to store.

Central vacuums

Although they're convenient, central vacuums are pricey, and they typically require professional installation.

Pros: They're even easier to use than a canister. You carry only the hose and powerhead, and there's no vacuum body to pull along. Central vacuums tend to be relatively quiet, and they don't need to be emptied frequently.

Cons: Their 30-foot hose can be cumbersome and takes up storage space. And there's no place to store cleaning tools while you work.

Small vacuums

These miniature electric models come with or without a power cord.

Pros: They're handy for light, quick surface cleaning on short-pile carpets and bare floors.

Cons: They lack the power and capacity of full-sized models.

Robotic vacuums

Think of these more as expensive novelties than practical appliances.

Pros: Do the grunge work while you relax. In uncluttered rooms, a robotic vacuum can fill in between regular vacuuming sessions.

Cons: They can be time-consuming to set up and run, and they tended to miss edges and corners in our tests. Some also tended to close doors behind them, locking themselves in a room.

Stick vacuums

Stick vacuums generally provide smaller capacities than upright models but they do weigh less. Like uprights, they have long bodies and handles, and foot nozzles. Many are battery powered. They are mainly for picking up surface litter and not a replacement for a good performing deep cleaning conventional vacuum.

Pros: They're convenient when you need to quickly clean up a mess. Plus, they eliminate your having to bend to clean up a dirty floor.

Cons: Most don't perform as well on carpet as handheld vacuums, the capacity of their dirt bin is typically small, and most are fairly noisy.

Some vacuum cleaner features improve performance or take some of the drudgery out of cleaning. But don't be dazzled by gadgets. Here are the vacuum features to consider.

Add-on cleaning tools

Think twice about splurging on extra cleaning tools. Most vacuums come with a narrow tool for crevices, a small upholstery brush, and a round brush for dusting. On canister vacuums, a power nozzle cleans carpets more thoroughly than a simple suction nozzle. These basic tools should suffice for most cleaning jobs. Others may include: tools that combine features of two tools, such as upholstery tools and dusting brushes; bare-floor tools and wall brushes to clean hard surfaces; and wands and stretch hoses to extend the reach of attachments.

Attachment reach

This is the manufacturer's estimate of the combined length of the suction hose and all the hose-extension attachments provided with the machine.

Bags vs. bagless

Some upright vacuums and canisters use bags, some collect dirt in a bin. Bag-type vacuums tend to hold more dirt, and emptying them releases less dust into the air. An indicator that tells you when the bag or bin is full reminds you to empty the dirt before it impairs cleaning. With bagless vacuums you can save money by not having to buy bags, but they still use filters (such as HEPA filters) that need to be periodically cleaned or replaced. Replacement filters tend to be significantly more expensive than bags. Another caveat: Emptying the dustbin and cleaning a filter can be messy, and handling it can expose you to dust and other allergens.

Bare-floor options

These include equipment and features that can help when cleaning hardwood, vinyl, and other uncarpeted floor surfaces. Most common are an on/off switch for the vacuum's brush (see below); Other options include a bare-floor setting, which is usually a very low-height setting for uncovered floors.

Brush agitator

Also known as the roller brush, it is found underneath the machine. This roller has bristles attached to it and spans the width of the base. It spins when the machine is on and dislodges dirt, dust, and grit from the carpet so that the airflow can pick it up easily. Some models have a switch to turn the brush agitator off when cleaning bare floors; a rotating brush on a bare floor can move dirt and debris around before it can be sucked up. The switch also makes it less likely that throw rugs, bedspreads, and the like will inadvertently become tangled in the roller brush. And it eliminates any hazard should the vacuum tip over while you have the hose extended.

Carpet-height adjustment

This feature adjusts the height of the machine to a carpet's pile height to allow for easy movement and thorough cleaning. Adjustments are automatic on some models, but we prefer manual control.

Dirt sensor

Found on only a few models, this feature can detect when the vacuum is no longer picking up dirt. However, as our tests have demonstrated, that doesn't necessarily mean there's no dirt or debris left to be picked up.

Easy on/off

A switch that is located on the handle or where your foot can activate it is more convenient than one on the body of the vacuum.

Filter

A growing number of vacuums are claimed to do a better-than-standard job of filtering out fine particles that may pass through the machine and escape into the air through the exhaust, either through the bag or a separate filter. Micron filters can provide a higher level of filtration than standard models, but possibly not as high as high-efficiency particulate-air (HEPA) filtration. HEPA filtration might benefit someone with asthma. It provides the highest level of vacuum-cleaner filtration. In our tests, models with a HEPA filter have been very effective at reducing emissions. However, some models that don't have HEPA filters have performed just as well in our tests, and such vacuums may cost less than HEPA models.

Edge cleaner

Models with this feature (including most uprights and some canisters) can pick up debris under the entire area of the cleaning head. That's useful when cleaning wall-to-wall carpeting--the vacuum can clean right up to where the carpet meets the wall.

Full-container indicator

Some models have a feature that alerts the user when the dust bag or container is full, which impairs the vacuum's ability to clean. Some bagless models simply have a clear bin, letting you see when the vacuum is full. Other models have an electronic or mechanical indicator.

Headlight

A headlight (or headlamp) improves visibility under furniture or in rooms without direct light. It's all but standard on most upright models and is positioned on the power head on some canister vacuums.

Motor protection system

This serves to protect a vacuum's blower motor from overheating or electrically overloading, particularly when jammed.

Retractable cord

A feature more common in canisters, it lets you rewind the cord with a slight tug or the push of a button. Most machines have an electrical cord of at least 20 feet; some cords are longer than 30 feet, which we think is a plus. A cord-release clip, found mostly on upright models allows the entire cord to be released at once, rather than one wrap at a time.

Self-propelled

This feature typically uses a transmission and drive system to assist the pushing and pulling of the vacuum, thereby requiring little effort by the user. However, it typically adds weight that can make some vacuums very heavy and difficult to carry or use on stairs.

Suction control

Lets you reduce the flow of air through the hose, which can be helpful when cleaning upholstery and curtains.

Sometimes you might decide to buy a vacuum based on brand as opposed to a specific model. Here is information that will help you compare vacuums by brand.

Bissell

Bissell positions its upright vacuums to meet specific consumer preferences and needs. Healthy Home models target consumers who want to “breathe easy” by reducing allergens; the Pet Hair Eraser is meant to appeal to dog and cat owners. Bissell products are available at a wide variety of discount stores and mass merchants, including Wal-Mart, Target, and Kmart. Upright models range in price from $40 to $270. Bissell also makes hand and stick vacuums, canisters, compact hand extractors, upright deep cleaners, and bare-floor cleaners, and makes carpet-care products under the Woolite brand.

Bissell focuses less on canisters and has just two models, priced at $50 and $230. Bissell canisters are sold through the same retail stores as their other vacuum products.

Dirt Devil

Dirt Devil is positioned for the when-I-can-get-to-it consumer who can accept surface cleaning. Marketing efforts focus on ease of use and convenience to make cleaning quick and effortless. Dirt Devil is available at a wide variety of discount stores and mass merchants, including Wal-Mart, Target, and Kmart. Upright models range in price from $40 to $250. Dirt Devil also makes hand and stick vacuums, canister models, deep cleaners, and central vacuums. Dirt Devil has been focusing on design lately, teaming up with designer Karim Rashid to produce elegant, stylish cordless hand and stick vacuums.

Dirt Devil has just two entry-level compact canister models, priced at $80 and $150. They are sold through the same retail stores as their other vacuum products.

Dyson

Dyson is a relatively new brand in the U.S. market. With a very effective advertising campaign featuring its namesake owner and designer, Dyson entered the U.S. with a bang, quickly garnering a competitive share of sales. Ranging in price from $300 to $600, Dyson vacuums single-handedly increased the average price paid for uprights and created a new top-pricing tier in the mass market. Dyson focuses on innovation, technology, and design, and has connected with status-seeking consumers, making it the “It” brand of vacuums. Originally producing only uprights, Dyson has recently introduced a canister and a hand vacuum. The brand is available nationwide through major mass merchants such as Target, Best Buy, and Sears.

Eureka

Eureka takes a situational approach to making vacuums and sells a wide variety of models. Uprights range in price from $50 to $200. Eureka is a national brand available in a wide variety of discount stores and mass merchants, including Wal-Mart, Target, and Kmart. It also makes hand and stick vacuums, canister models, deep cleaners, and central vacuums.

Eureka has about a half dozen canister models, ranging in price from $60 to $260, available through a more targeted selection of retailers, such as Bed Bath & Beyond and Lowe's.

Hoover

Hoover is positioned for the consumer who vacuums regularly and appreciates a deep clean. It introduced its first vacuum in 1907 and has established itself as one of the most recognizable brands in this country. More recently, Hoover was bought by TTI Floor Care, the owners of Dirt Devil, from Whirlpool. Hoover sells a wide variety of uprights in mass-market retailers, with models ranging in price from $50 to $300. It also makes hand and stick vacuums, canister models, deep cleaners, central vacuums, bare-floor cleaners, and an outdoor sweeper.

Hoover has a more established presence in canister vacuums and makes about a dozen models, priced from $80 to $300.

Kenmore

Kenmore is a trusted brand in appliances, including vacuums. Once exclusive to Sears, Kenmore uprights are now available in Kmart stores as a result of a merger of the retailers. Kenmore uprights range in price from $80 to $300. Kenmore also offers canister models, hard-surface cleaners, and a carpet shampooer.

Kenmore is the brand leader in canister models and sells a wide range of models from $50 to $600 at Sears as well as Kmart. The best-selling canisters are priced between $250 and $500.

Keep It Clean: Natural Carpet Cleaning - Hydrogen Peroxide

2012-01-31T11:25:00.000-05:00

Keep It Clean: Natural Carpet Cleaning - Hydrogen Peroxide: Most carpet cleaners rely on traditional butyl-based chemicals. While effective, these carpet pretreatment products could also damage ...

Natural Carpet Cleaning - Hydrogen Peroxide

2012-01-31T11:23:00.000-05:00

Most carpet cleaners rely on traditionalbutyl-based chemicals. While effective, these carpet pretreatment productscould also damage carpet fibers, cause premature stain master wear, and bedetrimental to occupant and worker health. Also known as butyl glycol, Dowanol, and ethylene glycol monobutyl ether(EGBE), which has made it on to the list of California’s toxic air substances,and some animal studies indicate that it produces reproductive problems, suchas testicular damage, reduced fertility, death of embryos and birth defects. Inhumans, it can irritate mucous membranes and cause liver and kidney damage. Butylcello solve is also a neurotoxin that can depress the nervous system and causea variety of associated problems. Sounds like something we should be usingaround our house, no?" I've had customers call to have us re-clean theircarpet (after the last carpet cleaning company) because they were coughing and hacking. Natural and Green carpet cleaners use alternative cleaners such asoxygen-based products to provide a safer environment.

This is whereoxygen based carpet cleaners come into play. One type of oxygen cleaner is oxygen-basedbleach cleaner that uses sodium per carbonate as its main ingredient. However,the superior oxygen cleaners in today’s market and the one we use are hydrogenperoxide-based.
Hydrogen peroxidemolecules are comprised of two atoms of hydrogen and two atoms of oxygen. Orangeoil is added to the hydrogen peroxide to help it penetrate the surface andreach the embedded soil. When the cleaner comes into contact with the soil, thehydrogen peroxide releases oxygen to boost the cleaning. The only by-productsof the reaction between the cleaner and the stain are oxygen and water. Followedup with purified stream rinse the result is no chemical residue, which can leadto re-soiling, and adverse health effects.

Hydrogen-peroxidecleaners are designed to remove proteins and other stains and soil of organicnature. They work well on dried tannin stains, such as coffee, red wine andcola. The cleaners are effective on both porous and non-porous surfacesincluding marble, stone, wood laminate, white boards, desktops, tile, grout,glass, carpet, leather and porcelain.
Oxygen cleanersdeodorize the surface in addition to cleaning it because the hydrogen peroxideactually destroys the organic source of odors.

How To Clean Laminate Floors

2012-01-31T10:52:00.002-05:00

WARNING - do not use any aftermarket cleaners or sprays that state it leaves the floor shiny or sparkly, or contain any glossing agents, these will leave you without any warrantee on your flooring, the manufacturers of the flooring clearly state that no artificial glossing agents, polishes or shining agents such as waxes are to be use on melamine laminate flooring. There are several leading high street brands offering such products, they even say that they are suitable for laminate flooring on the label, this is there opinion, not the manufacturers of the flooring however, so beware. These companies do not take into account the requirements of many leading laminate floor manufacturers such as Pergo, Quickstep, Krono Original, Egger, Balterio, Berry Floor etc, and use of these products can often lead to problems and loss of warrantee offered.

You should also avoid any laminate floor cleaners that state they are made from soap, as soap need to be rinsed away and most laminate floors these days cannot be rinsed or wet mopped due to the click system or 'v' groove technology used. The instructions on many soap based cleaners are not compatible with the newer styles of laminate floors, and often lead to damage of the flooring over time. Any concentrate cleaner used that states you mix it in a bucket and soak the mop cloths should only be branded manufacturers laminate cleaners only,.many aftermarket cleaners can have chemicals in that can lead to problems over time with certain laminates. Follow the instructions on the bottles closely, never over wet the flooring.

Laminate floors are fade, stain, dent, burn and scratch resistant. However, it is still possible that you may end up with a scratch, chip or dent that will require repair. Laminate flooring is very tough, but it is not 'bullet proof'.

There are a range of flooring laminate putty's which can help mask any small chips in your flooring however, they will not cover or hide scratches. Scratches will fade a little with use of the flooring depending on how deep, with proper advice and cleaning equipment, you can reduce the risks of damaging your flooring and keeping it looking new.

While laminates are meant to stand up to wear, they keep a new look if you follow this simple advice.

Vacuum or sweep the flooring to remove loose dirt or grit
(*** Caution - do not use any vacuum's with a rotating beater bar - hard floor attachments only).
Whilst many laminate flooring manufacturers actually say you can use vacuum's with hard floor attachments, we recommend you only use a soft brush to clean the surface grit and dirt away prior to mopping. We have found that if your flooring is suffering from a lot of grit particles on the floor you do risk the chance of some of this grit getting onto the wheels of the vacuum, and whilst dragging or pushing the vacuum around the floor, it is possible that a piece of grit can stop some of the smaller wheels found on today's vacuums from going around, this will result in a scratch on your laminate floor.
Flat mop, using a laminate manufacturers cleaning solution. Spray the cleaning solution onto a dry flat mop with a microfibre cloth, do not saturate or over wet the mop. The mop should not leave moisture behind the mopped area cleaned, this should be almost dry. If your laminate flooring has a wood grain type finish, the flooring should be mopped in the same direction as the grain. (Most good quality laminates have an impressed grain affect in the wear layers on wood type finishes) cleaning in the length of these grains helps bring back the luster of the flooring, only microfibre cloths can get into these impressed grains, cleaning across the grain is not as affective. Once mopped with the cleaner spray on the flat microfibre mop cloth, the floor should then be buffed with a dry clean version of the flat microfibre mop cloth, this will help remove any residue from the cleaning procedure.
Never use polish, varnish or wax. Most laminate flooring have a pre-finished wear layer, this never needs further treatment, only correct cleaning. There are many after market (generic) laminate floor cleaners on sale today, many of these cleaners can actually lead to more damage to your laminate flooring over a long period of time. Many of these after market cleaning products have glossing agents in them, designed to offer your flooring a glossy clean sparkly finish or have soap included in there make up. Glossing agents will actually make your laminate flooring appear patchy, as you use the flooring the worn areas fade as the glossing agent wears off quickly, then your have to constantly keep glossing your floor to keep it looking good, this is classed as a polish and the manufacturers can and will invalidate your warrantee as a result if these products are used. The glossing agents and soaps found in many after market cleaners often cause the flooring to become sticky and this will cause the flooring to attract dirt rather than repel it. More dirt on your flooring will lead to more scratching with time.
Never clean with abrasives, scouring powder or steel wool.
Wipe up spills / liquids immediately.
Avoid allowing any liquids to stand on your floor - including your pets water bowl.

Dirt is the primary enemy of laminates floors. Walking over time causes fine scratches that lead to dullness and larger particles of sand or rocks cause visible scratches.

10 Tips For Cleaner Commercial Floors

2012-01-27T13:27:00.000-05:00

Due to budget cuts, facility managers are trying harder to keep carpets clean and healthy as cost effectively as possible. Carpets absorb matter and moisture, so managers may not realize soiling until it is too late. By then, damage may have occurred and costly restoration or replacement may be necessary. However, this can be prevented.

HydraMaster provides the following Ten Ways to Keep Carpets Clean, Healthy, and Lasting Longer:
1. Exterior maintenance. Building occupants “walk in” the bulk of soil entering a facility. Much of this comes from sidewalks, parking lots, and outdoor walkways. These areas should be kept clean throughout the year.

2. Enforce the “Rule of 15.” At least 15 feet of high-performance matting should be placed at all building entries. Matting defends a facility from walked in soils and moisture.

3. Vacuum daily. Vacuuming high traffic areas removes most dry soiling that can damage a carpet’s appearance and health.

4. Pile lifting. Pile lifting opens carpet fibers and helps improve vacuuming. It should be performed regularly for more effective soil removal.

5. Focus on lower floors. Keeping lower floor carpets clean helps prevent soiling on upper floor carpeting.

6. On the spot spotting. Spots should be removed as soon as possible. Make spotting tools and equipment readily available throughout a facility.

7. Elevators transport people—and soil. Placing matting inside and outside elevators helps prevent this.

8. Clean carpets where needed. Place greater concentration where cleaning is needed, on heavy trafficked areas.

9. Use hot water extraction. Experts say the most effective way to clean carpets is by using hot water extractors. Further, truckmount systems, because of their added power and heat capabilities, are usually the most effective extraction method.

10. Develop skills and training. Proper carpet cleaning is a science and know-how is critical.

“This is a proactive approach to carpet care,” says Wayne Boone, Director of Sales for HydraMaster. “It can extend the life of carpets while keeping facilities cleaner and healthier.”

Soap vs. Sanitizer: What's The Difference?

2012-01-25T13:53:00.000-05:00

Thanks to media coverage following the outbreak of H1N1 and other pandemics in recent years, the public has finally caught on that regular hand hygiene is essential to helping prevent the spread of germs. People are washing their hands more frequently and hand sanitizers are populating buildings more quickly than ever before.

But, despite this increased awareness, misinformation still exists about the difference between soaps and hand sanitizers, as well as how and when to use them. Simply stated, soaps clean hands, sanitizers do not.
"The difference between soap and sanitizer is soap removes soil from your hands," says Dave Smetzer, sales manager for Capital Sanitary in Des Monies, Iowa. "In the process of cleaning your hands, you wash away the soils and germs."

Ronnie Kent, president of Associated Paper in Conyers, Ga., agrees that soap's primary function is to clean hands and also remove germs.

"Every time you touch a doorknob, a phone or pen, you're getting germs on your hands," he says. "Washing your hands will get rid of those germs — germs that you can even pass on to yourself when you touch your face or nose."

Sanitizer is equally effective at killing germs, but it will not remove dirt from hands.

"Hand sanitizers aren't necessarily a cleaner," notes Bill Egerton, director of marketing for Birsch Industries in Virginia Beach, Va. "They won't get grease off your hands, but they will kill bacteria on your skin. There's nothing wrong with washing your hands with traditional soap. If you wash your hands properly, you'll get the bacteria off your skin."

Nevertheless, distributors encourage custodial managers to offer both soaps and sanitizers in their facilities. Although sanitizers are not a substitute for handwashing, they can serve as a backup to remove germs in the absence of water or when it is inconvenient to visit a restroom.

The Dirt On Soap

While handwashing is the preferred method of sanitizing hands, most people do not wash their hands correctly, say distributors.

"Don't just wash the palms of your hands," says Kent. "Germs aren't just on your palms, so you have to rub all over your hands — front, back and between your fingers."

In addition to neglecting the back of hands and the area between fingers, most people do not wash their hands for a sufficient length of time. Egerton suggests scrubbing hands vigorously under the water for at least 10 seconds — or the amount of time it takes to recite the ABCs or sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice. Experts also encourage cleaning staffs and the general public to wash their hands frequently — particularly after using the restroom or before touching food — something people often neglect to do.

To encourage more frequent handwashing, soaps need to be easily accessible in restrooms.

"The best place to put soap is directly to the left or right of the sink, or have a dispenser directly on the sink where people can see what it is," says Gary McCain, sales manager for Five Star Janitorial Supply in Leesville, La.

Distributors also recommend touch-free soap dispensers, which further reduce the risk of cross-contamination. And in restrooms that don't offer touch-free faucets or towel dispensers, distributors encourage the use of hand sanitizer after handwashing as an added precaution.

"Often people will wash their hands and then use a hand sanitizer after they dry them," says McCain. "When you first turn the faucet on, you're possibly transferring germs to the handles. So when you wash your hands and turn the water off, you're readmitting germs to your hands. Also, if there isn't a hands-free towel dispenser, you have to use your hands to touch the dispenser, which may have germs on it from the previous person."

Study: Dirty Restrooms Lead to Lost Business

2012-01-25T12:38:00.000-05:00

A recent survey of more than 1,000 adults ages 18 and older revealed that 94 percent would avoid a business in the future if they encountered dirty restrooms. According to Cintas Corporation, commissioners of the survey, when asked what specific types of businesses participants would avoid if they encountered dirty restrooms, adults reported the following:

• Restaurants - 79 percent
• Hotels - 79 percent
• Health Care Facilities - 77 percent
• Supermarkets - 50 percent
• Retail Stores - 45 percent
• Gas Stations - 45 percent
• Car Dealerships - 39 percent

“To satisfy customers, businesses must ensure restrooms are consistently stocked, clean, dry and functioning,” explained Dave Mesko, Senior Director of Marketing, Cintas.

Seven Tips to Slow the Spread of Flu

2012-01-25T12:28:00.001-05:00

Although the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says vaccination is the first line of defense against infectious diseases and influenza (flu), cleaning and disinfecting also play a pivital role. To educate custodial departments on proper cleaning techniques, the CDC outlined seven tips that will help slow the spread of flu.

1. Know the difference between cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing.
Cleaning removes germs, dirt and impurities from surfaces or objects. Disinfecting kills germs on surfaces or objects. Sanitizing lowers the number of germs on surfaces or objects to a safe level, as judged by public health standards or requirements.

2. Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that are touched often.
This means daily sanitizing of surfaces and objects that are touched often, such as desks, countertops, doorknobs, computer keyboards, hands-on learning items, faucet handles and phones.

3. Simply do routine cleaning and disinfecting.
It's important to match your cleaning and disinfecting activities to the types of germs you want to remove or kill. Flu viruses are relatively fragile, so standard cleaning and disinfecting practices are sufficient to remove or kill them.

4. Clean and disinfect correctly.
Always follow label directions on cleaning products and disinfectants.

5. Simply do routine cleaning and disinfecting.
Ensure that the custodial staff who usees cleaners and disinfectants read and understand all instruction labels and understand safe and appropriate use. This might require that instructional materials and training be provided in other languages.

6. Handle waste properly.
Follow your school's standard procedures for handling waste, which may include wearing gloves.

7. Learn more.
The CDC offers a number of resources for additional information.

Is Your Office Making You Sick?

2012-01-20T15:56:00.001-05:00

Economic Impact Of Poor Indoor Air Quality

What is poor indoor air quality really costing you — and your employees?

Author: The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute

dust-odor_pg

Oftentimes, poor indoor air quality (IAQ) is associated with potential health issues — and rightfully so. But, while looking at the adverse health effects, you'll also need to look at how poor health impacts the economy.

One of the best studies to date on quantifying potential health and productivity benefits from providing good indoor environmental conditions — IAQ, thermal and lighting — was conducted by William Fisk, head of the Indoor Environment Department at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and his colleagues. Their findings reflect an analysis of a large number of earlier studies.

See Table 1 for a summary of the findings.

Fisk et al. concluded: "Improving air quality would not only lead to significant reductions in illness but would have a direct positive impact on worker productivity. … The potential direct increase in office workers' performance was estimated to range between 0.5 percent and 5 percent."

Table 1
Potential Annual Health Care Savings And Productivity Gains From Improving Indoor Environments (Fisk and Rosenfeld 1997).

Source of Productivity Gain	Potential Annual Health Benefits in U.S.	Potential U.S. Annual Savings on Productivity Gain (1996 $U.S.)
Reduced respiratory disease	16 to 37 million avoided illnesses	$6 to $14 billion $23 to $54 per person
Reduced allergies and asthma	10 to 30 percent decrease in symptoms in 53 million people with allergies and 16 million people with asthma	$2 to $4 billion $20 to $80 per person (with allergies)
Reduced sick building syndrome symptoms	20 to 50 percent reduction in symptoms experienced frequently by 15 million workers	$10 to $30 billion $300 per office worker
Improved worker performance from changes in thermal environment and lighting	Not applicable	$20 to $160 billion

They also estimated the annual economic costs of common respiratory illnesses (reported in 1996 dollars):

180 million lost workdays
120 million additional days of restricted activity
$36 billion ($140 per person) in health care costs
$70 billion ($270 per person) total cost

Are Newspaper a Good Mirror and Glass Cleaning Tool?

2012-01-18T11:48:00.000-05:00

Are Newspaper a Good Mirror and Glass Cleaning Tool?

You'll hear it in a lot of places...the idea that newspaperscan be used to polish up a mirror or glass. You can recycle the paper and getyour glass clean at the same time. But does it work.

It does work, but it's not usually the best option, andthere may be some serious drawbacks. Many people swear by this method, buthonestly, I've never been a huge fan. It works in a pinch, but I much preferother methods of cleaning glass and mirrors.

The truth is, that the newsprint ink can smear on the glass,and more especially on the frame of mirrors and windows. Newspaper doesn't holdtogether very well, when wet. And given the opportunities to recycle newspaperthat we have, it seems to make more sense to repurpose the paper instead oftossing it into the trash after wiping down a mirror.

More House Cleaning FAQ

Question: Does Professional Carpet Cleaning Shrink Your Carpet?

2012-01-02T12:38:00.001-05:00

Question: Does Professional Carpet Cleaning Shrink Your Carpet?

It's everyone's worse nightmare. You hire someone to cleanyour carpet and when they're done it's shrunk into a smaller pile. I've dreamedthat dream before, and the carpet technician in my dream didn't understand whyI was upset. In reality though, this isn't usually a concern in our modern day.Find out why.

Answer: When carpets were made of lots ofnatural fibers, shrinking was a major concern. Still, most professionals knewhow to handle all types of carpets. Today most carpets are made of syntheticmaterials, reducing the risk of shrinking to almost nothing. It's always a goodidea to know your carpet type and the manufacturer's instructions for it.

One thing that could cause minimal shrinkage would be anoverly wet carpet after your technician is finished cleaning. Reputablecompanies and technicians don't allow this to happen. Even so, it's a good ideato check your carpet's wetness before the tech leaves your home. Expressconcerns if you have them. And be sure to hire a reputable company to cleanyour carpets. For most carpets, the risk of shrinking is almostnothing. Hiring a reputable company makes all the difference in yoursatisfaction, though.

A1 Sparkles Cleaning & Restoration

2011-12-28T10:39:00.000-05:00

Prices of Vacuum Cleaners?

A1 Sparkles Cleaning and Restoration

There are a few general rules about vacuum cleaners andprice. Upright vacuum cleaners are overall less expensive than canister vacuumcleaners. Another general rule is that newer features can drive up cost.

An upright vacuum cleaner will cost anywhere from 50 dollarsfor a low-end lightweight model, to over 1000 dollars for some of the newermost advanced models.

Low-End Upright Vacuum Cleaners

A low-end upright model will have a suction hose with acrevice tool, stair brush, and extended wand piece. The lower priced uprightvacuum cleaner may include manual adjustment for the height of the carpet. Atthe lower-end of uprights you will find a few models that have an additionalfeature, like bag less models or bagged models with a full bag indicator light.They may also have headlamps and/or bumper protection for furniture. It will bedifficult to find advanced filtration systems in the bottom price range.

Higher Priced Upright Vacuum Cleaners

These upper-priced upright vacuum cleaners may range between200-500 dollars, depending on the features. The highest of these models maycarry every available feature of an upright vacuum cleaner. They may be trueHEPA vacuums. They will have a wider cleaning path, possibly dirt sensors, andsome will be self-propelled. You will find pre-motor filters to protect themotor from damage in this price range as well. The suction hoses may be moresturdy and crush resistant. Though not necessarily more powerful, these vacuumcleaners have a lot of gadgets that may be handy for your home.

Highest Priced Upright Vacuum Cleaners

The highest level of upright vacuum cleaners is veryexpensive. These brands may cost anywhere from 800 dollars and above. Vacuumcleaners over 1000 dollars are even possible. Many times you may pay a lot ofmoney for a vacuum cleaner that will perform at the same level as a much lessexpensive upright vacuum cleaner.

Canister Vacuum Cleaners

Canister vacuums range anywhere from 150 dollars to 1500dollars. Canister vacuum cleaners can be bagged or bagless. Some canistervacuum cleaners offer HEPA filtration. You'll want to look for a canistervacuum cleaner with wheels that won't scuff or damage your floors. Canistervacuum cleaners that have onboard tool storage are convenient.

Higher Priced Canister Vacuum Cleaners

Higher end canister vacuums may have a power nozzle, and asuction control switch. Controlling the suction allows canister vacuums toclean delicate and heavy duty areas of the home. There is not much differencein the abilities of canister vacuums cleaners between the bottom and top. Tomake your choice you will need to look at the company, warranty information,customer service reputation, and bonus features. Some canister vacuum cleanersare doing better at cleaning both carpet and hard floors better by having anon/off brush roll, so you may want to make a choice based on versatility. Liketheir upright vacuum cleaner cousins, canister vacuum cleaners at the uppermostend of the price range may be merely expensive and not necessarily higherquality or more effective.

Your Needs vs. Price

Although price may play a large part in your decision topurchase a vacuum cleaner, choosing a vacuum cleaner based on the features youneed most will help you keep your costs down, while buying a vacuum cleanerthat is a good fit for your needs.

2011-12-27T10:09:00.000-05:00

Can Vinegar Clean Anything and Everything?

It's as close to a miracle cleaner as anything I'veever found. But sometimes, people go

a little far in their expectations ofvinegars abilities. Believe it or not, there are a few things that vinegarshould not be used to clean.

Diluted

1. Hardwood Floors-Vinegar is acidic and can dull or damage the finish on hardwood floors.
2. No Wax Floors- Vinegar'sacidity will take away the shine and sheen here as well.
3. Carpet Odors- Oftenvinegar is suggested to be used on pet stains on carpet, but it doesn't work aswell as an enzymatic carpet cleaner. Vinegar might mask the odor, but it won'teliminate the odor.
4. Unsealed Grout- Groutthat hasn't been sealed, or needs to be resealed should not have vinegar used onit. Over time, vinegar can deteriorate the condition of your grout.
5. Stone Surfaces- Stonesurfaces can be etched and damaged by vinegar. For best results check with yourstone supplier for guidance on vinegar and the best cleaners. Often, all thatis needed is water and a soft cloth to keep your stone looking great.

A1Sparkles Cleaning and Restoration

2011-12-26T14:00:00.002-05:00

Going Green with the HolidayCleanup

http://www.a1sparkles.com/

The holiday season hasarrived. Celebrations and gifts will be at the forefront of the festivities.Presents ripped open, gift wrap and tissue paper, bags and boxes tore into insearch for the gift. There is bound to be piles of wrap and tissue paper, boxesand bags, in nearly each and every home, that translates to a whole lot ofwaste to go to the landfill and whole lot of plastic bags to haul it out in.

Not so good for theenvironment. The gift wrap industry earns roughly 2.6 billion in yearly retailsales, the bulk of it, Christmas. The United States will add an additional 5 milliontons of waste is generated during the holidays, 4 million tones of that 5million - gift wrap and plastic bags, according to the Clean Air Council.

There are smartersolutions, this is a perfect time of the year to practice reuse, reduce andrecycle wisely. It can be an educational lesson for kids too and teach themresponsibility. Read on for green cleaning tips and ways to reuse some of that'trash'.

Ways to reuse

Look at some of theways that you can reuse gift wrap and tissue paper, bows and ribbon, boxes andbags before you toss it out into the garbage. Don't forget about those emptygift wrap cardboard rolls either, those are good for arts and crafts and smallfurry pets love them!

Read on for moreideas:

· Arts and crafts are anexcellent way to use up some of the materials left over from the holidays,school projects and just for fun ones.

· Holiday paper makesfor great scrap book matting, bright and colorful or metallic or printed, evencellophane could work.

· If you actually havelarge enough chunks of surviving gift wrap, use it to re-wrap other gifts, orcollect small bits of paper and make a collage of gift wrap to use, use thepaper to make gift tags. This is a great idea if you find yourself constantlygiving gifts year round.

· Shred the paper, butuse it in gift bags throughout the year, or reuse the tissue paper. Don'tforget your bows or ribbons; they can be reused here too.

· Save the boxes, theytend to break down nicely and can be hauled out whenever you have a present togive that requires a box; you will always have some on hand. I do not mean onlythe Christmas ones, save the ones from all the stores, that way you are coveredon birthdays and non Christmas holidays.

· Use the gift wrap forsomething like practicing origami and save the nice pieces of paper for whenyou get the hang of it.

· Line your bird’s cagewith the paper ... better yet line your own shelves that tend to get a littlemessy, it’s one of those hidden bonuses, makes cleaning easier and the giftwrap is free.

Ways to Reduce

The biggest way toreduce your contribution of waste at the holidays is to use environmentallyresponsible wrapping materials, items such as glossy, metallic or embellishedmay not be easily recycled, if recyclable at all. More tips and ideas below:

· Don't be shy intelling family and friends, that box wrap paper or even newspapers are morethan welcomed, appreciated even.

· Take up a new art andwrap your gift in the Japanese style of .......... using cloths, you can turnit into an activity with friends or new way of giving gifts. By using cloths,you can easily re wrap another gift with the cloth and pass on the unique wayto present a gift and to save on waste.

· By using last year’s bags,ribbons, bows and boxes (if kept in good shape), you reduce the need to buymore, thus reducing the amount of waste you add to the landfill this year.

· Use old Christmas cardfronts to make gift tags and reduce the need to buy more.

Ways to Recycle

· Turn cleaning up onChristmas morning over to the children, make a game out of it and maybe theylearn a thing or too.

· Once the trash ofChristmas morning is gathered, it's time to sort it into piles of recyclable,reuse next year and garbage.

· Boxes, bags andribbons can be easily reused next year, as can some tissue papers.

· Shred all the paperheading out to the landfill so you can get more paper per bag and use lessplastic bags for transport or garbage.

· Got those clingy foampeanuts, sometimes shipping stores in your area will take those off your handsand re-use them. Same with the air-bubble-wraps-everyone-loves-to-popwrappings, if they are not popped out, the shipping company may take them.

· Houses with childrenon Christmas morning most likely have many new batteries. Gather up the expiredand dead ones that are lying around and recycle them at a facility that does so.

· Christmas trees, livetrees can be mulched, and many communities collect these trees for just thatpurpose. Got plastic? You a step ahead of the green game ... but you knew that.

A1Sparkles