Best Vacuum Cleaners For Pets
They say dogs are a man’s best friend. This may be true because dogs are loyal and fun to have around – that is, until they start shedding and leaving hair on your carpet and furniture, and sometimes even on your car or on your clothes, making home cleaning difficult. There are many easy ways to get rid of dog hair in your home. Choose which one will be the most sustainable for you and which one is most appropriate for the kind of furniture or flooring that you have in your home.
The most efficient way to get rid of dog hair in your home is with a vacuum cleaner for animals. A pet hair vacuum cleaner is an appliance that is specially designed to get rid of dog hair or even cat hair from your carpet or upholstered furniture. An upright pet hair vacuum cleaner is best for carpeted areas and hard wood floors, while a hand held vacuum is more appropriate for furniture and the interiors of vehicles. These vacuum cleaners commonly come with attachments such as crevice tools, extension hoses, and roller brushes. These will allow you to clean specific areas thoroughly. Popular brands for pet hair vacuum cleaners are Dyson, Miele, Bissell, and Hoover. You can choose to check out brands and models online before going to your local home or appliance store to purchase one.
Another quick and easy way you can clean up dog hair from your home is with a rubber glove. All you have to do is slip on an ordinary rubber kitchen glove, and run your gloved hand under tap water. Shake off the excess moisture and with your gloved hand, run over the area of your carpet, furniture, or car with dog hair on it. Use brisk strokes, and ideally, a glove with a raised or textured grip.
Another easy and cheap way to rid your home of dog hair is with a dampened sponge. Just take an ordinary sponge and run it under water. Squeeze the excess water out and use downward strokes to run it over areas with dog hair.
A Guide to Cleaning Grout
If you have tiles in your home, you have grout. Grout plays an important part as it is a sand/ cement mixture used as a filler for tiles or slabs of cement. Tiles are usually easy to clean, but cleaning grout can be tedious and might need elbow grease. Here are a few steps to effectively clean grout and save you time in the process!
If the grout you are cleaning is in the shower, then consider using a daily shower spray to keep dirt and stains from building in the first place. There are many products now that are environmentally friendly and safe to use. Method is one brand that makes many products that are safe for humans and the environment. Put some of the solution on a toothbrush and see what you can get out. If it’s just not working you may need to try Oxi-Clean or Aqua Mix – Heavy – Duty Tile and Grout Cleaner. Both get good reviews for cleaning but Oxi-Clean may be a little more affordable. Both items can be used with a toothbrush which is a small and specific way of working the solution into the grout. Here are some other home remedies that have been tried to get rid of the dirt and scum:
Rubbing Alcohol: Some people have claimed rubbing alcohol helps with the mildew that forms in grout because it’s one of the leading ingredients in many shower sprays FOR mildew removal. To save money you can try to get rid of the mildew using a little rubbing alcohol. Usually not recommended if you have kids in the house! Home depot and other home stores carry grout cleaning tools which can aid in the removal of grout.
Baking Soda Paste: You can put this on first and then add a little white vinegar or just add a little water to the baking soda and apply. Put the baking soda down first then add vinegar and let it sit for a half an hour and then scrub and rinse. Usually the most effective way is combining the vinegar and baking soda together and applying.
White-Distilled Vinegar: You can either put it on straight but if you are hesitant you can first try equal parts water and vinegar. Let it sit for a couple minutes. Put it on a grout cleaning tool and scrub.
If all else fails and the do it yourself isn’t working there are people who actually specialize in grout and tile cleaning. This kind of service is worthwhile because it keep you away from handling chemicals or bleach and will save the headache if you aren’t sure what you are doing! Also, if you are looking to clean a large area say the outdoor pool area, a grout specialist will ensure the job will get done! In many cases, they will seal the grout after cleaning to protect from further mildew and dirt buildup.
