Hardwood Floor Care 101

Hardwood floors are popular and currently among the most used types in both contemporary and traditional homes for many reasons.

First, compared to carpet and laminate flooring, hardwood floors are aesthetic.

If installed well, they can improve the looks and value of home, and boost your return on investment, in case you decide to sell it later.

Hardwood floors are also durable, easy to install, and relatively warmer than concrete and tiled floors.

Unfortunately, to enjoy the following and other added benefits, make sure you maintain this flooring well using these simple hardwood floor care tips:

Tip 1: Water Damage

As other wooden flooring, hardwood floors are susceptible to water damage. If exposed to a lot of water over long duration, they often rot. They can also warp, buckle, and crack and eventually, lower the value of your home. To prevent such flaws from manifesting early, follow these maintenance tips:

• Avoid flooding your hard wood floor with a lot of water when cleaning. Instead of using a traditional bucket and mop, use a damp floor mop to clean it. You can then use a dry cotton cloth to remove as much water as possible.
• If you have installed hardwood in damp areas such as a bathroom, kitchen, or basement, it is advisable that you dehumidify the area during the summer and humidify it during winter. This protects the floor from warping. You should also place absorbent rugs around water facets to lower damage.
• Keep your hardwood floor in excellent state by repairing and waxing it often. Sand and fill damaged seams. You should also repair cracks as soon as they appear and use polish or wax to restore its shine and create a water tight seal. For best results, hire a professional to do this yearly or bi-yearly

Tip 2: Commercial Cleaners

When cleaning hardwood flooring, commercial cleaners such as detergents are helpful. They remove grime, stains, and dirt easily, and can restore the shine of your dull floor, especially in high traffic areas such as kitchens and hallways. Unfortunately, some contain harsh chemicals that damage the protective finish of hardwood floors and oils that trap debris post cleaning.

To lower the risk of damaging your pricey floor, check the composition of the cleaning detergent you are contemplating buying and make sure it is safe for use. Generally, avoid brands with excess oils and harsh chemicals at all costs.

Tip 3: Scratches

While scratches are unavoidable on hardwood flooring, do the following to keep their occurrence at a minimum and your floor looking great:

• Before vacuuming your hardwood floor, make sure to visit Vacuum Companion and see if you have the right type of vacuum cleaner for the task. You’ll also want to sweep your floors thoroughly with a soft bristled brush to remove any extra dirt and debris. This lowers the probability of developing split hairs or fresh scratches as you are vacuuming the floor.
• On areas of high traffic such as entry ways and hallways, use floor mats or area rags to protect you hardwood. They work in two ways: first, they will prevent people from bringing and spreading dirt and debris in your home. They will also cushion your floors as people walk on them. This lowers the overall risk of developing cracks, scratches, and other unsightly marks.
• If you have a pet (cat, dog, etc.) at home, clip its claws regularly to lower the risk of scratching or lowering the value of your flooring. At trip to your local veterinarian once or twice a month will save you money in the long term.

Tip 4: Direct Sunlight

Ultraviolet rays from the sun are not only a leading cause of skin cancers in humans, but also one of the greatest enemies of wooden floors. Over exposure, for instance, dulls, discolors, and ultimately lowers the longevity of hardwood floors significantly. Avoid or decelerate such damage in the long term by fitting drapery or blinds on areas where floors are exposed to direct sunlight.

Caring for hardwood floors is not as complicated as many homeowners think. By following these four maintenance tips, you will not only have good looking floors, but also enhance their longevity.

Are You In Search of a Hand Vacuum Cleaner?

The best handheld vacuum cleaning machines are generally battery-powered, small and lightweight in nature. They are essentially designed to work together with a large upright vacuum cleaner. While an upright vacuum cleaner may not be able to clean some areas like the car upholstery or the staircase, a hand vacuum cleaner is able to play this role in a very efficient way.

It is also meant to reach areas where the cord of the upright vacuum cleaner cannot reach. There is no doubt therefore that this is a must have vacuum cleaner for your house. While on the same thought, how then can one choose the right hand vacuum for their needs?

Choosing The Right One

Learning what to purchase will be dependent on your budget needs, ease of operation, power and functionality.

1. Identify with the weight of the vacuum

Considering these vacuums are naturally expected to be light, don’t be fooled just easily. Some of these vacuums could come in some heavy package that could be strenuous during cleaning especially in cases where bending is unavoidable.

2. Analyze the battery life of the vacuum

This vacuum cleaner will be highly dependent on the life of the battery. A vacuum could lose functionality altogether or its suction abilities when the power from the battery is low.

3. Identify the extra features that come with the device

Depending on your intended use of the vacuum, there could be extras that could be as a result of a particular function and not another. For tight spaces for example, hose attachments could be added. For crevice-cleaning attachments, this could play part in cleaning the corners, crevice and the grace.

4. Assess the ease of operation

While this may be considered obvious by many; it is important to consider what is to be used for your cleaning needs.

5. How powerful is the vacuum cleaner

At times people pass off this relevant analysis when making their purchase. You may not be allowed to use the product to test for such features but you could research on the amount of power the vacuum consumes while in action; is very important.

Now that you are aware of how to head out and make your purchase, it is also important to identify yourself with the big fish in the market. A brief outline should help you explore the right device for you.

Top-rated Hand Vacuums in the Market

Most of these top products may be from the same brands. The following is a list of some of the top brands that one ought to consider when making a purchase:

1. The Dirt Devil series – this includes the likes of BD10165, BD10125, BD10175, BD10100, BD10045Red etc. 90% of these, rank as the top according to many customer reviews.
2. The Shark series – while not all of them would rank highly, some of the products of shark like the Pet Perfect II SV78014.
3. Black & Decker series – this is yet another brand that produces just the right small-sized vacuums for the market. Likes of Flex FHV 12000 and Dustbuster CHV1510 are a part of this series.
4. Electrolux series – this is a big wig when it comes to upright and canister vacuums. Nevertheless, it spots some good small vacuums that meet the buyers need.
5. Dyson series – these includes DC31 and many more.
6. Other big brands in the market are: BISSELL, Eureka, Craftsman C3 and other minor ones.

With these in mind, getting a suitable vacuum cleaner for your cleaning shouldn’t be a problem.

Sources:

http://www.wikihow.com/Choose-Handheld-Vacuum-Cleaner

http://www.which.co.uk/home-and-garden/laundry-and-cleaning/guides/how-to-buy-the-best-vacuum-cleaner/handheld-vacuum-cleaners/

LG Kompressor LcV900B Review

The LcV900B is one of the most popular vacuum cleaners in the market at present. This is because it is generally user friendly and effective for cleaning all sorts of carpets and mats. It is manufactured by LG which is a reputable brand when it comes to electronics and other house hold equipments.

This vacuum has powerful suction power making it appropriate for both home and commercial uses. Apart from cleaning carpets, it can also be used for tiles and hardwood floors. Expect to pay around $400 for this product although the price tag ranges from one retailer to the next.

It’s the best vacuum cleaner in the market for getting the job done with less hassle. Even the inexperienced cleaners can use it to keep the home free from pet hair, dust and allergens that usually cause sicknesses.

The Advantages

1. Has an excellent storage feature. After using it, you’ll be able to lock the nozzle securely at the back or on the side. This comes in handy especially in houses where kids or pets can trip over wires causing injuries.
2. It is easy to clean corners, under furniture and other places that are usually out of reach when using this machine. This is because it is fitted with a long hose. In addition, it has other attachments that can be replaced with the hose when you want to clean smaller places.
3. Many other cleaners are incapable of cleaning stair carpets. When using this one, the task will be simplified because of the stability feature incorporated into the design.
4. You will never inhale dust again. The LcV900B allows you to get rid of the bag’s contents into the trash bin at once. There is no need to change the bags while you’re vacuuming anymore.
5. It is light in weight making it portable. You’ll have a less stressful time when cleaning a large house because the machine can be maneuvered effortlessly.

The Disadvantages

1. Reviews by many customers reveal that it is a very tough machine to clean. Dirt usually sticks to the cup which leaves messy stains that are hard to get rid of. This can be quite stressful particularly when you need to use the machine on a daily basis.
2. When cleaning dirt left by pets, you’ll double the amount of time to get the job done when using this vacuum cleaner. Rugs and thick carpets will also present a challenge as well. You’re bound to get annoyed in these instances if there are other chores to attend to.
3. If you use a lot of strength when vacuuming with it, there is the possibility of the cord snapping. It’s not strong enough and excessive pressure applied on it will damage its automatic rewind as well.
4. It costs more than other cleaners in the market. Most of the other types and less known brands usually range from $250 to $300 and will basically serve the same purpose.

Sources:

1. http://www.evacuumreviews.com/lg-lcv900b-kompressor-canister-petcare-plus-vacuum-cleaner-review/
2. http://www.hardwoodchamp.com/picking-the-best-vacuum/
3. http://www.amazon.com/LG-Kompressor-Canister-PetCare-LcV900B/dp/B004U54RHI

How to Make A Wood Floor Shine

Wood floors really look good especially if they are shiny. If your wood floors have been there for quite a while now, you may start to wonder about what you can do to make your wood floors shine or maintain its natural beauty and luster. So in this article, I’m going to share with you some of the most important pointers and tips that you can do to make your wood floors shine and aesthetically pleasing.

1. Sweep or Vacuum before Mopping

The first thing that you must remember to make your wood floor shine or maintain its natural beauty is to sweep off or vacuum all loose dust and dirt before mopping it. This is highly recommended especially if you are planning to use a slightly wet mop head. If you mop it with all the loose dirt still present, then these loose debris will just mix with the moisture from your mop and leave some residues. Furthermore, doing this may even cause scratches or scuff marks that will further reduce the luster of your wood floors.

Important Tip: Do not use soaking wet mops because too much moisture can cause the wood to swell and get damaged. Wring your mop a few times to remove all the excess liquids. Also, you must use a mop with a soft mop head to avoid scratches. Check out Topsinnj.com for more tips on how to pick a good vacuum cleaner for wood floors.

2. Make your own wood floor cleaner using household materials.

Sometimes, commercial cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that may damage wood floors and decrease their natural luster. So in order to be on the safe side, you can use homemade wood floor cleaners that will be easy on your wood floors and at the same time contribute to maintaining the shininess of your floor.

To do this, you just have to mix vinegar and vegetable oil. Remember that you need to combine equal amounts of these liquids and it would also better if you put them in a spray bottle for easy use. Apply this cleaning solution and mop your floor. Make sure that after mopping with this solution, you use a completely dry and clean mop or soft cloth to remove any excess liquids and to further reveal your wood floors’ luster as well.

Go easy in using this cleaning solution because too much liquids are not recommended for wood floors. You can just do this procedure once a week.

3. Wax your floor

Probably one of the most common ways to make your floor shine is by waxing it. To maintain the shininess of your wood floors, it is recommended that you apply wax only twice a year.

One of the most common mistakes that people make is that they wax their floors too frequently. Instead of making their floor shine, they are just making the condition worse. When applied too much or too often, wax can get accumulated on the floor and will therefore make it less shiny. If you are faced with this problem, you can have it stripped off or just buy commercial products that may help remove these.

Final Words…

Making your wood floors shine may seem to be an intimidating task, but just by keeping in mind and implementing these simple steps and pointers properly, you will surely be able to make your floor shine and look brand new. Aside from these tips, you must also know that wood floor finishes sometimes don’t last a lifetime.

Even if you do all the proper maintenance and cleaning tips or no matter how careful you are, the luster of your wood floors may decrease eventually. With this, it is also important for you to determine whether your wood floors should already be refinished or simple remediation tasks such as those above are enough to do the trick.

How to Use an Immersion Blender for Smoothies

You might have gotten an immersion blender as a gift. Because it’s such a simple tool, you might not know just how handy this little kitchen tool truly is. Because it’s so small, you could be thinking it isn’t a very strong appliance – but it is, believe me.

All About Immersion Blenders

I can tell you that the immersion blender is used to blend sauces, soups, gravies and – smoothies. These little appliances are also called stick blenders because their long, slender profiles look like sticks. Your blender should have a few attachments that allow you to blend different kinds of foods for yourself and your family.

With an electric cord at one end and the attachment connection at the opposite end, you’re able to set it up pretty quickly. Immerse the attachment into the food and liquid you need to blend, turn it on and you’re in action.

You may not have much room in your kitchen for large appliances or gadgets. You might need to blend large amounts of food, which make a traditional blender less of an option for you to use. The biggest benefit of your immersion blender is that you can stick it straight into the pot in which you’re cooking your food.

Several Tips

I have a list of the different kinds of foods you can make using your stick blender:

• Cream soups, such as cream of potato or cream of celery;
• Make gravy or a bechamel sauce;
• Make frozen smoothies using frozen fruits, almond milk or yogurt.

Here’s a few ideas for chopping foods:

• Quickly chop up cilantro, onion and tomato to make guacamole;
• Chop garlic for sauces and pasta sauces

Use the puree tool:

• To puree cooked foods for sauces.
• Want some hummus? Puree cooked chickpeas and season accordingly.
• Mix up a whipped cream for your desserts.
• Pretty much anything you need to make, your immersion blender should be able to handle.

Suggestions for Use

Let’s talk about how to use an immersion blender for smoothies. If you’re making only one or two smoothies, why take out your traditional blender? When you’re done with it, you have to dismantle it, then wash all the parts, the O ring included. I don’t know about you, but I hate washing the blade because I’m afraid of chopping off several fingers. But I know that, if I don’t get it 100 percent clean, I run the risk of the left-on food getting spoiled, making my family and me sick. No, thank you! I’ll use my immersion blender instead.

Instead, divide the fruits, veggies, milk or yogurt and, if you’re using it, the flax seed powder into individual serving glasses. We enjoy bananas, strawberries, spinach, avocado or even blueberries in our smoothies. Push the mixing attachment all the way into the glass, turn the blender on and carefully spin the glass, raising and lowering the blender so you blend everything together. When that smoothie is done, repeat the blending process with the second glass. Just be careful not to raise the blender all the way out of the smoothie while it’s spinning or you’ll have a big mess.

Related articles

• Best Immersion Blender (immersionblenderreview.wordpress.com)
• Making a Banana Smoothie in Your Blender (houseware.answers.com)

10 Ways to Properly Maintain Hardwood Floors

If you want your home to exude a cozy feel whenever you want to relax or laze around, then you will surely appreciate the warm feeling that hardwood floor brings. It can also add value to your home and increase the worth of your property. Most homeowners simply love their hardwood floor and you will too but you need to observe proper maintenance to make the floor last longer than it should.

Ways to Maintain Hardwood Floors Using Liquid or Cleaning Solutions

1. Before you do some serious cleaning on your hardwood floor you need to determine first the kind of floor finishing. The wood finishing determines the kind of cleaning agent that you should use in order to keep your floor in good condition. If you use a cleaning agent, then make sure to choose the suitable one for your floor and it is wise to always check the label.
2. Keep in mind that water (or liquid) is wood’s natural nemesis. Excess liquid will eventually seep through the wood and cause damage so prevent the enemy from penetrating your prized possession.
3. Most people recommend vinegar as natural cleaning agent for the floor but take caution. Although vinegar is diluted in water, it can still create damage on the floor when overused.
4. Waxing is good on wood floor but you should be careful because you cannot use wax on all finishing. You should not wax a floor with a urethane finish because the coating will build up as time goes by.
5. Avoid using oil or furniture sprays on your wood surface because they create unfavorable outcome. Oil has residue and the spray can make the surface slippery and dangerous.
6. As always, too much cleaning is not good especially if you are using advertised or store bought cleaning solutions. Keep everything in moderation to preserve your hardwood floor longer when using the said cleaning agents.

Ways to Maintain Hardwood Floors Using Cleaning Tools

1. Use soft bristled broom to sweep off all the dirt on your floor. The soft bristles will not leave any mark on the surface of the floor.
2. It’s a good idea to have a powerful wood floor vacuum and use the proper attachments that are designed for hard floor surfaces and hard to reach spots like the crevices. If there are bristles, always make sure they are soft and won’t damage your hardwood. Read: LG Kompressor LcV900B Review
3. It is best to use a dry-damp mop to clean the floor regularly. The mop will be able to pick up the dirt without leaving any moisture that can damage the wood. Run a totally dry mop over the wood floor just to make certain that you don’t leave any wet part behind.
4. A stain is not a problem to a floor with a good finish – you only need to wipe it clean with plain rag or with some help from a reliable cleaning solution that fits your wood finish. If the stain penetrated the wood then you need to sand and refinish the affected spot or hire a professional to do it for you.

There are various ways to maintain your lovely floor and all you need to do is choose the applicable ones and make sure not to overdo it (or completely neglect it) so that your floor will be able to serve you for the longest possible time.