Floors dusty, cushions covered in dust bunnies, carpets soiled? Usually that’s a sign that you and your home are in need of a good vacuuming. But vacuums have more capabilities than just their standard yet versatile floor-cleaning functions. Especially nowadays, with the added features of air filtration, wet pickup, and a slew of other previously unimaginable uses, vacuums are proving to be the go-to appliance for otherwise unmanageable or perceptibly unsolvable situations, from giving hair cuts without making a mess to using a fire-proof vacuum to clean out fireplaces. And it seems like every week somebody else out there finds a new and useful purpose for his or her vacuum cleaner.

Most recently, The Vatican has announced that they will be installing a massive vacuum cleaner system for a use that many people have probably tried but nobody has actually considered making the primary purpose for their vacuum. Every day, tens of thousands of tourists pour into Vatican City, the tiny sovereign nation recognized as the religious headquarters of the Catholic Church where the Pope and other high-ranking members of the church reside, and an overwhelming majority of these swarming tourists have come to see one primary site, among the beautiful artwork, exquisite architecture, and fascinating history, and that is Michelangelo’s famous Sistine Chapel ceiling painting. While gazing at and observing the painting and other centuries-old canvases won’t do any damage to them, the dust, moisture, and foreign particles that the tourists bring with them into Vatican City can, over time, deteriorate the aging wonders of The Vatican. After what may have been hours, months, years, or decades of brainstorming or perhaps just one Vatican custodian’s bright idea, the tiny independent nation has decided to install a complex vacuum cleaner system intended to remove dust, debris, and moisture from the tens of thousands of daily Vatican entrants.

The primary result of not having a high-powered vacuum system in place has been a buildup of grime on the paintings, sculptures, and the fine details of the architecture. The grime is a mixture of dust, skin flakes, hair, and miscellaneous debris that, when combined with the moisture from sweat and humidity, turns into a gradual layer of intrusive grunge on the beautiful artwork, a hazard that is both harmful to the integrity of the pieces but also makes them less attractive. The new vacuum system will integrate high levels of traditional suction and state-of-the-art technology to allow for unique strategies to clean the tourists such as carpeting that will literally suck the debris from people’s shoes.

The holiday season is upon us—Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Years…This must be everyone’s favorite time of year. We all have memories of gathering with our families to sing songs and talk fondly of memories past. What I look forward to most during this time of year is setting up the Christmas tree. I can remember joyously stringing up lights as a child, and my father giving my little sister a boost to crown the top of our tree with a luminous golden angel.

Fast-forward two weeks—pine needles and water all over the floor, sticking to socks and creeping underneath the couch. During moments like these I would usually see my mother looking down at our canister vacuum cleaner exasperated. Sure, it’ll probably get rid of the pine needles, but what about the wet puddle underneath the tree? For large holiday messes, it takes a more powerful machine—a wet/dry vacuum cleaner. These vacuums are able to remove both wet and dry debris left over from the holidays. The pine-needles, the scraps of wrapping paper, tinsel and the wet puddle at the base of the tree, all can be easily removed with a proper wet/dry. But a wet/dry vacuum cleaner is not just a device you take out once a year after the holidays. They also work well for seasonal clean-up jobs and are an invaluable assistant for home improvement work and garage cleaning. Most wet/dry vacuums can be easily converted into a blower, and most come with a few specialty attachments that will make cleaning those hard to reach places simple and fun.

Holiday messes aren’t like regular messes. They’re larger and unpredictable, and you’re really in for it if you have a big family. For times like these it’s a good idea to prepare yourself with a proper wet/dry unit, or at least a portable. So don’t settle for an artificial tree, get a real one. And get a nice wet/dry vacuum too, so you can handle the mess afterwards—make it #1 on your holiday wishlist.

Now is the time to prepare for the winter season.  With heating costs on the rise you can make your home more energy efficient and save money.  You can start with routine maintenance and inspection of your heating system.  Have a professional inspect your furnace yearly.  Stock up on furnace filters, they should be changed often.  Vacuum heater grates and vents, open all heating vents and move furniture in front of the vents.

Weather stripping and caulking is very inexpensive and can cut down on drafts.  Use weather stripping around doors and caulk windows.

The fireplace should be professionally cleaned and inspected before use.  There is the possibility of cracks or disintegration in the fireplace as well as clogs caused by  leaves or in the chimney.  Close the damper on your fireplace when not in use to help prevent hot air from escaping.

Shut off outside faucets and bring in hoses. Clear the gutters of leaves and other debris to prevent ice buildup.  Keep gutters clean throughout the winter.  To prevent ice dams on your roof during winter use a snow rake.

At the end of the fall season the lawn mower needs to be emptied of fuel.  Start and run the mower to empty it of the remaining gas, and then put it away for the season. Check your snow blower before the first snow fall.  Put in a fresh spark plug, check the oil and add fresh gas, prime the engine and give it a pull.  Have your snow shovel in easy reach.  Stock up on rock salt for ice melting.  Salt collects on carpets; you may have to clean your rug using carpet shampoo. Use door mats and trays for snowy boots and shoes. 

Use winter scented candles and potpourri. Change your bed linens to thicker blankets, comforters and flannel sheets. Prepare for power outages with flashlights, batteries, non perishable food and bottled water. 

Thanksgiving is a time to gather with family and friends.  Advance planning will help you to be able to host your holiday meal with ease.  Invite your guests and decide whether you want to ask people to bring parts of the meal, such as wine, desserts, side dishes appetizers or rolls.

Plan the menu and write out the shopping list.  What side dishes will you prepare ahead of time?  It is a good idea to buy your Turkey ahead of time because if you wait until the last minute the good sized turkeys maybe gone.  Clean the freezer to make room for items that will be purchased ahead of time. Check your necessary cooking equipment, pots, pans, bowls, and baking dishes.  You may want to use heavy aluminum foil pans for easy cleanup.

A few days ahead of time prepare for your overnight guests, clean the house, vacuum, and have clean sheets and towels ready.  Press table linens, polish your silverware and china or you may want to purchase fancy paper plates.  You may have to add a folding table to accommodate your guests. 

Don’t try to experiment with new dishes at this time.  Use traditional sides like mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce.  24 hours before Thanksgiving thaw out the turkey in the refrigerator.  Wash any surfaces and utensils that the raw bird has come into contact.  Never defrost the turkey at room temperature because bacteria breeds at room temperature.  To prevent bacterial growth stuff the turkey just before you place the bird in the oven.  Rub the bird with butter just before roasting.  Follow roasting directions on packaging for cooking times.  Let the turkey stand for 15 minutes before carving.  Make sure your knives are sharp.  Gravy can be made at this time with juice from the poultry.

Remember to wash your hands with soap and water before handling any cooked food.  Use clean containers to store cooked food.  Left over’s can be stored up to 3 days in the refrigerator if stored properly.  Remove stuffing from the turkey and store separately.  Leftover meat can be cut and frozen in a freezer container for up to two months.

Pumpkin pie is a good dessert for the end of a good meal.  After dinner spend time with your family and friends, just relax enjoy each other’s company laugh, talk,  and watch football.

Miele has always been known for providing the vacuum cleaner market with high quality, aesthetically favorable, and enviably powerful machines ideal for their users to use for cleaning every room in their homes. Released in series rather than as individual models, every Miele vacuum is a member of one of their unique and signature generational vacuum lines, each line offering a number of features and operational capabilities that together set them apart from the other series. The Miele S8 series, highly anticipated preceding its release as a revolutionary family of brand new canister vacuum cleaners, is no exception; the features, capabilities, durability, efficiency, convenience, and style set the Miele S8 series far apart from not only canister vacuums from other companies, but from other vacuums by Miele themselves.

The Miele S8 Canister Vacuum Cleaner series consists of the Calima, Alize, HomeCare, Kona, Marin, and UniQ models, each with their own unique features in addition to the overarching characteristics that make the Miele s8 vacuum series stand out against the rest of the world’s vacuums. The AirClean System HEPA Filtration keeps the engine free and clear of unwanted dust and particle buildup, allowing for a longer-lasting machine, in addition to keeping the air in your home cleaner by filtering out allergens and microns that can upset the respiratory system, especially in asthma and allergy sufferers. Because Miele focuses on the individuals who will use their machines instead of treating their products as automatons, the engineers and inventors of Miele vacuums decided that a major element of comfortable cleaning was a reduction in noisiness; to implement this revelation, Miele included in the s8 series fundamental design an encased motor, enhanced sound insulation, and DynamicDrive Casters, all intended to decrease noise pollution from the powerful vacuums. The automatic rewind power cords are now three feet longer on the S8 series, the bumper has been improved, and the trim is chrome metal. As if Miele is physically incapable of missing any detail, the s8 Canister Vacuum Cleaner series is simply more evidence to defend their meticulous and diligent approach to designing and manufacturing vacuum cleaners.

Two of the Miele S8 Series Canister Vacuums will be available for internet sales, the Alize and the UniQ. The Alize, model s8590, offers all of the universal features and characteristics that come standard with the S8 series canister vacuums, along with a number of attributes that make the Alize unlike the other S8 vacuums. The Alize boasts a 1200 Watt Vortex Motor that, in spite of its immense power, runs almost silently thanks to the noise reduction technology included in all the s8 series. A sealed suction path, powered by the motor, puts the high quality filtration to use and optimizes the AirTeQ combination floor tool, complementing its ability to switch from the carpet setting to hardwood floor effortlessly. Handy indicator lights are included to alert the user when a new filter should be installed, and on-board tool storage adds to the convenience of owning this gem from the Miele s8 series.

The UniQ, model s8990, brings out all the big guns for the S8 series, featuring a truly “unique” and stylish underlight system, illuminating the belly of the vacuum and floor over which the canister rolls. With its immense SEB 236 Powerhead, awesome suction is only the beginning of its incredible cleaning capacity, and all the typical S8 series elements such as the HEPA Filtration, extended power cord and augmented cleaning radius, and noise reduction come with the UniQ as well. And, as if the vacuum couldn’t possess any more special attributes, the UniQ comes with a ten year warranty as opposed to the other S8 series vacuums’ seven year.