Have you ever wondered why fresh air feels so much nicer and cleaner than the air in your home? Well the answer is simply because it is. What most people, myself included, fail to realize is that the air you breathe most frequently: The air in your home, is filled with harmful gases, pollutants, dust mites, odors, and airborne diseases. 

Indoor Air Quality is a term that did not exist just 75 years ago. This term is used to describe the quality of the air that you breathe during most of your day, indoor air. Recent developments in scientific research have discovered that the quality of indoor air is often three to five times worse than the air outside. When you stop and think about how much time you actually spend indoors, you realize how crucial it is to improve the air quality in your home. Now you may assume that pollutants in the air at home can be linked to asthma, allergies and breathing complications, such as bronchitis. While this is true, the medical community has recently established a direct link between harmful pollutants in the air in your home and heart attacks. 

Dust and allergens aren't the only hazards that are present in indoor air, though. Mold spores, Tobacco smoke, pet allergens and dust mites can also be found in the air in your home. Mold spores are perhaps the most underrated threats to the personal well-being in any home. Tobacco smoke is also a very serious hazard that has potentially fatal consequences even for non-smokers. All of these substances can easily find their way into your home and cause serious harm to you and your family. These pollutants are no laughing matter and don't rest just because you've gone to sleep.

At this point you may be asking yourself: How do I improve the air quality in my home?

The answer is simple. You need a machine that will filter out toxins in the air while generating fresh air throughout your home. An Austin Air purifier will do just that.

Austin Air Purifiers such as the Healthmate or Bedroom Machine use true medical grade HEPA filtration to remove harmful toxins from the air and generate fresh and clean into your home. These machines use a complex 5 step filtration system composed of an inside HEPA or HEGA filter and an outer Carbon Zeolite filter. These machines are 99.97% effective in removing all particulates as small as 0.3 microns and 95% effective in removing all other substances. All of the air purifiers by Austin Air come with a 5 year mechanical warranty as well as a 5 year warranty on the filter. 

If you're going to use an air purifier in your home, why not use the best one on the market? In fact, these machines were trusted by the American Red Cross and FEMA to address the air quality problems in post September 11th New York City. The Austin Air purifier is designed to last and the filter doesn't have to be replaced for five years. Take a look at the Austin Air selection in our store to find the perfect air purifier for your home.

Improving the indoor air quality in your home is extremely important to your health. Pollutants in indoor air are a serious threat and should be taken seriously. 

The New Year is a time for a fresh start to get healthier, exercise more and get organized.  Start by making a list of goals, be specific.  List what needs to be organized or de-cluttered. Do not feel overwhelmed; do a little at a time.

Regular exercise will keep you healthy and you will look and feel better.

Organize your closet and pack up the clothing, toys, and other items that you do not need, or use and donate to goodwill or charity.  Use containers to organize items that would clutter your home.

Check your freezer and canned goods for out of date items.  Throw out anything that is expired. Clean the shelves and restock by category.  Have a well organized kitchen; reduce trips to the supermarket by stocking your pantry for convenience and protection against an unexpected natural disaster.

Now that you de-cluttered, organized and downsized cleaning will be easier.  Carpeting lasts longer if maintained by frequent vacuuming and regular carpet cleaning.  You can maintain your vacuum cleaner by remembering to change the vacuum belt at least twice a year.  This will keep the brush roll working properly.  Regularly change the filter, and vacuum bag.  To maintain your vacuum cleaner, take it to be serviced every one or two years. To protect your investment have a professional give the vacuum a tune up.

Save time and reduce stress shop online.

Congratulations on the purchase of your new Electrolux Central Vacuum. You have taken the first steps towards a cleaner home and a convenient cleaning routine. You'll want to take a few easy steps to ensure that your central vacuum cleaner is kept at it's optimal performance level.

Each Electrolux central vacuum unit comes with a lifetime warranty, your unit will last you a lifetime and provide ideal service if you follow these few simple guidelines:

-First of all, your motor bearings are permanently sealed and lubricated. This means that your unit will never require lubrication. Be sure to keep these bearings  sealed. 

-The Motor brushes on your unit should be checked by an authorized Electrolux dealer after every 500 hours of use.

-To clean the outside of your power unit, use a cleab soft cloth. DO NOT: use liquid cleaners or water, an electrical shock may occur.

-Tampering with your power unit or placing anything on top of the power unit can result in the restriction of cooling air to the motor. This will cause the motor to  overheat.

-Do not attempt to pick up anything that will not go through the cleaning tool or the hose end or use your central vacuum system to pick up debris from  construction.

-Do not attach any other cords to the system's electrical power source. Be sure that a properly-sized, protected circuit is used for your unit's electrical requirements.  Your authorized Electrolux dealer can help you with sizing.

-After removing the hose from the inlet, hold the inlet door open for a few seconds to help clear dirt from the vacuum tubing and make sure that the power unit  has been shut off.

-To ensure the maximum suction power and proper cleaning, use only one inlet at a time.

-If service is required, make sure that it is only performed by an authorized Electrolux Dealer.

Filter Maintenance

The Filter in your Electrolux Central Vacuum unit is permanent and self-cleaning. However, if you do decide to clean it, follow these five easy steps:

1. Remove the dirt receptacle

2. Wrap a large plastic trash bag around the lower portion of the power unit, holding it firmly in place.

3. Grasp the sewn-in weight at the bottom of the filter through the bag; Shake vigorously; Dirt will drop into the bag.

4. Carefully remove the plastic bag from the unit. Then empty the dirt receptacle into the bag, as well.

5. Replace the dirt receptavle on the power unit. Remeber, any dirt that spilled can be easily vacuumed by attaching the hose to the utility inlet and activating the     power unit with the manual switch.

Once again, congratulations on the purchase of your new central vacuum cleaner. Making sure to follow all of these simple steps will ensure that your central vacuum remains at it's peak performance!

Fresh Christmas trees are still a favorite.  There is nothing like the smell of pine for the holidays throughout the home.  The beauty and fragrance of a real tree brings joy to you and your guests as you prepare to celebrate the holidays.  A little planning can prevent many clean up problems.

Before you bring the tree into your home make a fresh cut on the base of the trunk, then shake the tree to remove any loose needles.   Before you place the tree in a sturdy stand put a Christmas tree removal bag under the stand, cover with a decorative tree skirt.   When the holiday is over, remove the stand and just pull the bag up over the tree and you will trap most of the needles.

Place the tree away from heat registers, space heaters, fireplaces, and other heat sources.  Use a tree mat or tray under the tree stand to prevent stains on the carpets or watermarks on your hardwood floors. Make sure the tree receives plenty of water to keep it fresh and not dry.  When you are bringing the tree into your home you will most likely leave a trace of needles from your front door to the place in the living area where the tree will stand.  There are a few tips when using your vacuum to pick up needles.  Pick up large pieces by hand, and use the hose attachment to pick up the remaining pine needles.  The attachment keeps the pine needles out of the base of the machine.  While vacuuming look for ornament hooks and broken glass bulbs, so they don’t clog the machine.   Put the rotating brush on the lowest setting.  Check the brush bar on your vacuum to remove any needles that are stuck and cut loose any tinsel that may be around the bar.  To remove tree sap from your carpet, use an all purpose stain remover.

Real trees are biodegradable and can be easily reused or recycled for mulch or other purposes. Check with your local communities for this information.

There is a wide range of choices when choosing a vacuum cleaner for your home.  New technologies make cleaning your home easier and faster.  The first question to ask is what type of vacuum will serve your needs.  You must consider the size of your home, flooring, carpeting, stairs, allergies, and/or pets to help you determine what type of vacuum cleaner you will need.

Questions to ask:  What attachments come with the vacuum?  Does the machine have filters?  Does the model work on floors, as well as carpets and upholstery?  Is there an attachment to clean pet hair effectively?

If you have a lot of floor and uncarpeted areas, look for models with hard floor attachments that use brushes.  Canister vacuums are light and easy to maneuver.  A canister vacuum is great for hardwood floors, tile, linoleum, and carpets.  For a home with carpets look for a vacuum that has high suction power, and two motors.  Choose an upright or canister based on your existing needs, both vacuums are multipurpose.

Is the vacuum green friendly?  Green cleaning is healthier for the environment.  Electrolux Ultra Silencer Vacuum Cleaner is a product that is made from 55%recycled plastics.  Some features are above floor tools stored at your finger tips; a washable Hepa filters that captures 99.97% of dust and allergens; low noise output only 60 decibels.

HEPA [High Efficiency Particulate air] vacuum cleaners and filters are beneficial for asthma and allergy sufferers because HEPA filters trap the fine particles such as pollen and dust mites from entering the air.  If you own a pet or have persons with allergies a HEPA  Filtration Vacuum Cleaner is important to minimize the effects of allergens and other air pollutants.  HEPA vacuums come in both upright and canister models.

Commercial vacuums are designed for heavy duty high traffic areas and are more durable than an ordinary residential vacuum cleaner.  Most major commercial vacuum brands carry green label certified with HEPA filters.   

Proper cleaning and maintenance of your home makes all the difference in the world.  Using the right products for your needs is an important part of your life style.  So make the right choice for you!