Micro-Fibers

In Oklahoma City shop www.acleanerplace.com

I have yet to find a customer purchase a micro-fiber cloth or mop and dislike it. Some people do not really know what they are so I am adding this post to help you a bit.

First in layman's terms:

MicroFiber has turned into a household name. The worst part is items like a micro-fiber shirt. OK, that just means it is polyester and polymer or nylon. Keep in mind that the composition of the fibers is the most important part and what really make a true micro fiber a micro fiber. True Micro Fibers can hold much more water and dirt than standard cotton fibers. They also have more cleaning surface than cotton fibers. This results in better cleaning effectiveness for the amount of energy you put into it. I say it this way because if you are want to be lazy or clean very fast without effort I cannot promise you that a Micro Fiber will help.

The biggest advantage with MicroFibers for cleaning is you need very little or NO chemicals to clean effectively. Just slightly dampen it and clean away. I like to use them dry for many dusting chores. (However, if you have dust allergies it is recommended that you do not dry dust.  Use a natural dusting spray or get the microfiber wet and then wring out all the water you can)  Last is their natural ability to absorb way more liquid than a Cotton or terry cloth; a 12x12 microfiber cloth will hold a cup of water. Try that with a terry towel of the same size.

How about a little more advancedinformation? Take a look at the illustration below. Some times pictures are worth a thousand words.


What is Microfiber? Imagine a microscopic plastic wire that cuts through and breaks apart dust, dirt, grime and moisture, and then picks it up like a magnet without scratching the surface. This is what microfiber does when cleaning. Our microfiber is a revolutionary thread, comprised of wedge-shaped polyester filaments and a core of nylon. Made of both oil-attracting and water-attracting polymers, the fibers are woven into masses of tiny "hooks & loops." The sharp edges of these millions of "hooks & loops" cut through dried-in stains, attracting and absorbing dirt and micro particles. The fibers are actually positively charged which increases the attraction of dirt because it carries a negative charge. Each strand of microfiber is hundreds of times smaller than a human hair and ten times finer than silk.
Microfiber cleaning products are a Breakthrough in textile technology and have been widely used throughout Europe for years. They are used by large institutions such as hospitals, hotels, and professional cleaning companies, as well as by small businesses and households. There is no doubt the American market will quickly follow, making microfiber the environmentally-friendly choice for cleaning worldwide. Our microfibers are so specialized, only a handful of factories worldwide have the capability and capacity to manufacture them efficiently.
Hand wash or machine wash with warm or hot water rinse with cold. Do not use bleach or fabric softener on microfibers. Do no wash with terry cloth. You can dry them in the dryer on low heat or just hang dry.
What makes a Micro Fiber cloth a "GREEN" product?

• You can use it effectively without any chemicals.
• It can be used over and over again.
• You do not use Bleach or fabric softener to clean it.
• Unlike cotton fibers, half of the cloth does not end up in the dryer lint trap. (Lasts Longer)
• It takes less storage space than a cotton cloths.
• No need to machine wash; just hand wash and wring or hang dry.

I hope you find this information helpful. To view our entire line of Microfiber cloths, mitts, mops and more go to www.vacshack.com. 

Big Money

Today is September 11th. God Bless the families of the 9-11 victims.

I have had several people in our store asking, "Why spend over $100 on a vacuum?"
I have a pretty short answer for that. "You get what you pay for."

Let me take it a bit deeper though. Vacuum cleaners are not a new technology. They are not electronics that get less expensive to build with time. They are appliances. In the 1970s you could buy a good car for about $2,000.00 and a good car in this era now retails for $20,000.00. That is ten times as much money. I the 70s you could buy a gallon of gasoline for .30 to .60 cents. Today a gallon of gasoline costs $3.00 to $4.00 and more in some places. That is also 10 times as much money.

Now lets talk vacuums. In the 70s you could buy an average vacuum cleaner for $59.00 to $99.00. Today to purchase that same quality of vacuum that will last 10 years, you will be spending about $500 to $600.00. that is 5 to 10 times the amount. I must now ask you, with the rising cost of autos and gasoline, What makes people think they can buy a quality vacuum for $59.00 at Wal-Mart? That's right, you cannot. Yes you can buy a $59 vacuum but you better not get your expectations up.

Here is some more to think about. In the 70s and 80s the average vacuum cleaner lasted about 7 to 9 years. Today the average vacuum lasts about 1.5 to 2 years. Do you think there is a quality issue? I remember in the mid 80s telling customers that they will throw away about 5 to 7 vacuums in their lifetime. Good Heavens! I now have had customers that now throw that many away in one year.

Now for my humble advertising. Go to www.Vacshack.com and look at the Sanitaire and Miele vacuum cleaners. You will find machines that are built to last for 10 to 20 years, not 3 months like the junk Wal-Mart sells. What did you say Dyson? Forget about it. It is a frenzy where someone from a different country is getting rich off of our stupidity. I give that company another 3 to 5 years and people will be saying. "I had one of those once."

I know, not every one can afford a $500+ vacuum cleaner. OK, don't spend that much, just buy a machine that will get you by for 5 years. Look at the Panasonic. Made in Japan, it is one of the best low-cost vacuums on the market.