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!

Fall is a great time to prepare your fireplace for winter. A wood burning fireplace requires constant maintenance.  Just take the cleaning step by step.

First check the outside of your chimney for cracks that need to be repaired.  Shine a flashlight up the chimney to check for bird’s nests or other animals.  Call a chimney sweep if needed.

Do-it-yourself cleaning supplies:  

·         As scrub brush

·         Plastic goggles for eye protection

·         Plastic drop cloth

·         Plastic bucket

·         Old clothes

·         Rubber gloves

·         Wire brush

·         Fireplace vacuum

Remove andirons and grates.  Remove all large debris that will not fit in a vacuum cleaner into a trash can. During cleaning remember that ashes can smolder for up to two weeks. Everything inside the fireplace should be removed.  Open the damper.  Fireplace Tools, andirons and grates should be cleaned outside. They should be washed with a brush, soap and water, and then sprayed with a hose.  If you have brass andirons, polish with a brass cleaner.

Place the plastic drop cloth and newspapers on the floor to protect rugs and carpeting.   Remove accumulated ashes with your fireplace shovel into a trash can.  Vacuum loose dust.  Use wire brush to scrub inside walls and floor of the fireplace.  You can clean glass screens with a glass cleaner.  Mesh screens can be vacuumed.  When all is cleaned put your andirons and grates back into place.

Select your firewood with care. Properly seasoned hard firewood eliminates smoke associated with green wood.  Give your fireplace and accessories routine cleaning throughout the wood burning season.  Use a fireplace vacuum weekly to clean ashes and to prevent dust and soot buildup.

Black Friday the day after Thanksgiving is a time for the best deals possible for shoppers. Black Friday comes once a year, so when you plan on shopping for bargains on this day anticipate large crowds and pre-dawn hours.

Cyber Monday is the biggest online shopping day of the year. Take advantage of specially priced products and great deals. No need to wait in long lines. Save time and money and never leave the comfort of your home. Look for exciting products to clean your home for the holidays, or to give as gifts.  Now is the time to buy a new vacuum cleaner with new technology and new features.  Stock up on your cleaning needs, bags, filters, carpet cleaning supplies. 

            Severe weather is not always predictable so you should be prepared for a disaster at any time.  Use common sense.  Be cautious about travel.  Listen for radio or television travel advisories.  If there is a power failure use battery powered flashlights. Never leave candles unattended. If electrical circuits and electrical equipment have gotten wet, turn off the power at the main breaker.  Never turn on power or use electric tools while standing in water.

           Never use generators, gasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal burning devices inside your home, basement, or garage.  Carbon monoxide is odorless, colorless gas can cause sudden illness and death.

           If there is water damage, open windows and using fans can help as well as dehumidifiers.  Surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected with bleach.  Never mix bleach and ammonia; this will produce dangerous toxic fumes.  Clean and disinfect floors.  Replace rinse water frequently.  Thoroughly clean all hard surfaces; countertops, appliances, and metal furniture.  Remove and discard items that cannot be washed and disinfected such as stuffed animals, paper products.

           Use a wet-dry vacuum a sump pump to remove standing water.  Do not try to vacuum wet carpets. After the carpet is dry thoroughly vacuum to get rid of dirt. The carpet may need to be shampooed, or steam cleaned.

           Mosquitoes increase greatly after rain or flooding.  The mosquitoes carry dangerous diseases such as West Nile Virus.  Use insect repellant and wear long sleeved clothing outdoors.  Empty water out of bird baths, flower pots, and other containers to reduce mosquito breeding.

Outside:

• Store patio furniture
• Wash exterior windows
• Check gutters and downspouts 
• Drain and store garden hoses 
• Clear out weeds and garden debris, this will prevent your plot from becoming a winter haven for insects and pests. 
• Remove and store garden equipment. 
• Taking good care of your Lawn equipment(lawn mower,etc.) will help keep replacement costs down. 
• Till your Garden 
• Plant spring bulbs, like daffodils and tulips 
• Fall is a good time to add compost 
• Check the caulk and weather stripping around the windows

Inside:

• Wash all windows
• Vacuum dusty areas using your brush attachment
• Vacuum drapes and window treatments 
• Use your upholstery attachment for drapes 
• Use your brush attachment for blinds 
• Vacuum upholstered furniture 
• Clean and organize kitchen cabinets 
• Use your vacuum attachments to vacuum refrigerator coils 
• Clean oven Check and vacuum dryer exhaust 
• Clean carpets 
• Replace batteries on smoke detectors 
• Vacuum your air vents