What Parents Need To Know About Vacuum Cleaners

If you are like me then you are constantly worrying about the best ways to keep your children safe and protected. I may even go overboard and am probably a little too overprotective. This was probably the case when it came time for me to get a new vacuum cleaner. When it was time for our newborn to start crawling I got to think how close they were to all of the dust and allergens that were in the carpet and I started to o que faz um gerente de produto what I could do to remove it. Getting the right vacuum can make a world of difference. There are also certain precautions you should take as well.

What You Should Look For

The one thing that your new vacuum should have is a HEPA filter. This will remove most of the fine particles and keep them inside of the machine. It does not matter if you get an upright or a canister model, this will probably be the most important feature. For convenience you also want something that is easy to use. Bags can be a hassle which is why a lot of parents go with an upright. They are also easier to manuever around tight corners and will probably save your table and chair legs from scratches and dents.

Precautions For Your Babies

There is a slight risk that the dust that is kicked up and released by your vacuum may pose a risk to children. You should keep them out of the room until well after you are done to reduce this risk and let whatever dust may be floating in the air to settle.

You should also remember to keep your vacuum put away and out of reach of your kids. They are curious creatures that like to touch, pull, and climb on things and an upright machine can topple over and injure them. It is always hard to constantly keep an eye on them so keeping a heavy vacuum locked up is a good idea.

Which Type Should I Get?

For a lot of people, deciding on whether to buy an canister or an upright vacuum cleaner can be a little difficult, especially if it is the first time you are shopping for a new vacuum. It can be a little confusing trying to find a model that will be best for you. There is not one right answer for everyone as there are many factors that come into play.

  • What type of floors will you be cleaning?
  • Where to plan to store your vacuum? Is space tight?
  • Do you have pets that shed all over the place?
  • Do you have allergy concerns?
  • How much are you looking to spend?
  • How big of a house or apartment do you need to vacuum?
  • Do you have stairs that you need to clean?
  • What is your budget?

The answers to these questions can ultimately lead you to choose one type of vacuum cleaner over another. They both have their pro’s and con’s, but generally, they both can get the job done. So what are the differences between them?

Canister Vacuum Cleaners

Advantages

Canister vacuums are smaller and able to get under furniture with greater ease. Vacuuming under beds, tables and chairs is usually less of a hassle. Most of the weight is based in the canister, which is on wheels, and the vacuum attachments are not that heavy. This makes cleaning stairs, or harder to reach places easier. A lot of people find that canister vacuums maneuver with less effort.

Retractable cords are another advantage as most of the newer models come with this as a standard feature. You do not have to waste time wrapping your cord around two hooks as is the case with most upright vacuums. A simple tap of a pedal or button on the canister and the cord gets sucked back into the machine. Very convenient.

Canisters are also typically smaller than uprights and take up less square footage to store. However, they can be a little cumbersome to get the hose and the upright attachments to stay upright and out of the way. Some people find that neither type of vacuum has a greater advantage over the other in this regard.

Canisters typically are better than uprights on hard surfaces floors such as wood and tile. With attachments they are also better to clean upholstery, drapes and furniture.

Disadvantages

One of the biggest drawbacks of a canister vacuum is that you have to drag it behind while cleaning. It is hard to look at what your vacuuming while also keeping track of the canister behind you making sure that it does not bump into walls or furniture. It can also get hung up if you turn a corner in a hallway, putting a dent or ding in walls and baseboards.

Another knock that users have with canisters is the need to mess with vacuum bags. It is an added cost as well as a bit of a hassle to remove and install when compared to uprights.

Upright Vacuum Cleaners

Advantages

Upright vacuums are generally thought to do a better job on carpets while having a little less success on harder surfaces. Having an adjustable roller brush that can be turned on or off can greatly improve hard floor performance however. They also have a wider path and can cover more ground.

Convenience is also a personal choice when it comes between uprights and canisters. While uprights may feel a little bit heavier to use since you are pushing the entire unit around, some folks like how they can just get the upright out of the closet, wheel it over and vacuum and then put it back as one unit. It may be a bit more bulky is some regards, but not having to drag the canister around is a big plus for upright owners.

Also pushing the unit in front of you, instead of dragging a canister behind you, enables the user to better control the vacuum and avoid putting minor dings or scratches in the walls or furniture. In this sense it is a lot easier to control.

A lot of today’s new models are also bagless, which saves on overall cost and time. Dirt and debris is collected into a dust cup whose contents can easily be dumped into the garbage. More bagless units today also have started incorporating HEPA filtration which is a big advantage for allergy sufferers.

Disadvantages

Cleaning stairs, under furniture and getting into tight places are areas where uprights tend to struggle. Doing each individual step of a staircase can be a cumbersome chore. Cheaper uprights may not come with all the attachments that a canister might so cleaning drapes or upholstery is nearly impossible.

Unless you get a model that is able to fold almost flat, getting under tables and beds with a typical upright is not something that can easily be done.

Some folks also find that a tall and bulkier upright is not as convenient to store in a closet when compared to an canister vacuum. Like we stated earlier, this is more of a personal choice between the two when it comes to storing the vacuum as some people prefer uprights to canisters when it comes to putting the unit in closet and out of the way.

Bottom Line

Knowing the strong points and weakness of canisters and uprights can ultimately save you a lot of time, money and hassle. It all depends on which factors are most important to you and what type of home environment the vacuum will be operating in. Hopefully this will help make the decision a little bit less confusing and you can find the vacuum that is perfect for you.

10 Dazzling Tips For A Better Shaving Experience

For a lot of men, shaving is something that you may have learned from your grandfather, father or other relative at a young age, or it may have been something that you figured out how to do on your own, but were you taught the right way to shave?

Whether you have just started shaving or having been shaving for decades, there are certain tips you may not be aware of that can significantly reduce the occurrences of nicks, cuts, irritation, ingrown hairs and razor burn. Some may seem quite obvious, while others may be something new and worth trying to achieve that close shave that leaves the skin feeling fresh, smooth and healthy.

Basic Tips For A Healthy Shave

Moisten Your Skin: At the very least, splashing your face with warm water or using a damp cloth is a great first step to preparing your skin and whiskers. Hair can absorb water, making it thicker and easier to cut, it also relaxes and hydrates the skin. A lot of men shave in the shower for this very reason. Make sure to gently wipe dry excess water. The skin should be moist, not wet.

Use a Shaving Gel or Cream: This step seems kind of obvious, but trying to substitute shaving gel with a soapy lather (when in a bind) will not provide the same results and will probably result in some sort of razor burn. For those with sensitive skin, there are brands made for just this type of skin. The right kind of cream or gel can make a huge difference for your skin.

Let the Shaving Gel or Cream Sit: Even if you are late and are in a hurry, letting your shaving cream sit on your face for 1 to 2 minutes can be extremely beneficial. This will give it enough time to soften up the hair on your face making it easier to cut and less likely to be yanked by the razor.

Try Using A Brush: A shaving brush, like your grandfather used to use, can be extremely helpful to spread shaving gel or cream along the surface of the skin. It can get up under the whiskers better which in turn will help soften the hair. There is a reason barbers still use these, because they work.

Use A Sharp Quality Razor: Do you need a razor with 72 blades to get a good painless shave? No, of course not. But a lot of men find that some of the two and three blade razors work better for them. The most important thing of course is to make sure the edge of the razor is in good condition. A sharp single blade disposable razor is going to perform better than a dull 5 bladed razor.

Any razors with little nicks on the blade should be discarded. Normal use for most disposable razors would be 1 to 2 weeks before its time to reach for a new one.

Also if you shave in the bathroom sink, banging the edge of the razor to get the gunk out from between the blades will obviously damage and wear out the sharpness of the edge. If you have problems cleaning out from between the blades try cleaning them after each pass under hot water.

Shave With The Grain: This is one shaving tip most often repeated. In most areas of the face and neck, the hair grows in a downward direction. This is the direction in which you should shave. Having properly moistened whiskers, using the advice above, should enable a close shave while shaving with the grain. Shaving the opposite direction of hair growth is usually a major factor in having razor burn and ingrown hairs. If you often experience razor bumps or ingrown hairs then resist the urge to go against the grain and see if that helps.

Take Your Time: Another obvious one, but shaving is usually one activity that the faster you go, the worse it will be. Take the time to moisten your skin properly, then take the time to run your razor across the skin in a careful, methodical manner. Those little dabs of toilet paper are often wonderful reminders of how important it is not to hurry things along.

Don’t Shave Too Hard: This is another tip that should seem like a no-brainer, but be gentle when shaving. Properly moistened skin along with a sharp razor should require no more pressure then a gently glide across the surface of the skin. Make sure you are aware of just how hard you are pressing down on your face. This is also one of the major factors behind nicks and cuts. The less pressure you can use while shaving the better off your skin will be.

Use Cold Water When Finished: After you are finished shaving, splash some cold water on your face. This will have an immediate benefit for your skin and help cut down on any inflammation. It usually feels good as well.

Moisturize: Shaving is quite a harsh exercise on the skin. Not only does it remove whiskers, but the scraping action of the blade can also remove some of the outer layers of the skin as well as protective oils. Using a dedicated aftershave with skin moisturizers can help the skin by replacing some of what was lost during shaving.

The time you put into preparing your face before shaving is just as important as taking your time while shaving. Hopefully these shaving tips can help alleviate some of the usual problems associated with this grooming activity.