Blogging about cleaning, environment and the psychology of keeping body, mind, spirit natural & healthy.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Miele_COOP2_30.wmv
Shop online at www.vacshack.comIn the Oklahoma City area shop www.acleanerplace.com
A Cleaner Place, Electrolux
Shop online at www.vacshack.comIn the Oklahoma City area shop www.acleanerplace.com
A Cleaner Place, Miele Vacuums
Shop online at www.vacshack.comIn the Oklahoma City area shop www.acleanerplace.com
Monday, November 15, 2010
Cleaning Tips Blog
Check out my new blog, dedicated to household cleaning tips.
Shop online at www.vacshack.com In the Oklahoma City area shop www.acleanerplace.com
Shop online at www.vacshack.com In the Oklahoma City area shop www.acleanerplace.com
Friday, August 6, 2010
Capitol Weekly: Dems, enviros won’t abandon legislation for Green Chemistry initiative
Capitol Weekly: Dems, enviros won’t abandon legislation for Green Chemistry initiative
Shop online at www.vacshack.com
In the Oklahoma City area shop www.acleanerplace.com
Shop online at www.vacshack.com
In the Oklahoma City area shop www.acleanerplace.com
Electrolux Versatility Review
The Electrolux Versatility EL8502 Vacuum Cleaner is a bagless HEPA upright with Quick Release Wand and hand-held turbo-brush, crevice tool and dusting brush to easily clean everything from floor to ceiling.
If you are looking for a nice bagless vacuum then this is it!
Pros:
· Clean Air emitted from the vacuum while vacuuming
· Lightweight attachments
· Retractable dusting brush on the end of the attachment wand (one of my fav features)
· Attachments are easy to use and don’t tip the vacuum over
· Relatively Quiet
· Easy to dump dust cup
· Turbo tool that is held in place on the front of the vacuum by a magnet (way cool)
· Wonderful suction power
· Floor-to-Carpet switch on the handle
Cons:
· No cord reel
· Medium weight
I just know what I like, but Steve (my husband and self proclaimed vacuum expert after 25 yrs in the biz) says cord reels make vacuums heavier and lightweight vacuums just don’t clean as well. So, to get a good clean, there will be some weight and to have the convenience of a cord reel, it adds more weight. Not to mention one more thing that (more frequently than other parts) can break.
Overall, I really like this vacuum cleaner. I have only done a test drive through the house so far. I will post more as I use it more.
Stone River Music Festival Nature at it's Best!
Great way to enjoy nature, hear some awesome music and give back to the local community by helping their music programs.
The first annual Stone River Music Festival will be held September 24-26, 2010 on private land prepared and donated for this event by Lincoln County residents Jim and Vickie Pittsley. This beautiful setting, located 3 miles North of the picturesque town of Chandler, will be the backdrop for an entire weekend of grass roots music showcasing Oklahoma bands and musicians.
Shop online at www.vacshack.com In the Oklahoma City area shop www.acleanerplace.com
The first annual Stone River Music Festival will be held September 24-26, 2010 on private land prepared and donated for this event by Lincoln County residents Jim and Vickie Pittsley. This beautiful setting, located 3 miles North of the picturesque town of Chandler, will be the backdrop for an entire weekend of grass roots music showcasing Oklahoma bands and musicians.
Shop online at www.vacshack.com In the Oklahoma City area shop www.acleanerplace.com
New Personal Care Products and Best Friends
Had a couple of my best friends over the other night. These are women I have known since I was in elementary school. Yes, that was a long time ago. One flew in from Washington DC and the other still lives in the small town where we grew up, Chandler, OK. There's nothing like people you've known your whole life. Can't even pretend to be somebody you're not, because they know better. I am truly blessed to have a group of friends that I've known that long. This is the group of people that I can always count on. We all know we are blessed and try to get together as often as possible.
On to the reason for my blog. I had samples from several companies, Fruits and Passion, JR Watkins, Daub and Bauble, Van Yulay, and we sat down to try these products and decide which ones we should sell in our store. Problem is, we liked them all.
Fruits and Passion has a nice gourmet kitchen line, Cucina. They have ceramic and glass bottles with lotion and soaps for the kitchen which are very nice, higher end and of course, smell great.
JR Watkins has been around since 1868; nestled in the Mississippi River Bluff town of Winona, MN., Watkins has been America's pioneer in natural living since 1868. We like that they've been around so long, they are in Minnesota, (where my husband is from and where all our children, grandchildren and most of his family still live) and they have several product that are certified by the Natural Products Association. We love the lavender and vanilla lotions.
Daub & Bauble, another product made by a Minnesota company, is just cool. Cool packaging, cool scents and cool products.
Van Yulay, a company from North Carolina has some nice personal care products, a lot made with Emu Oil. I have some issues with their packaging and labeling, but they are small and they hand make the products and hand label the packaging. Gotta love that.
Watch for some individual postings about some of these products and which ones we decided to put in our store and on our website. More to be revealed as soon as I get a new keyboard.
Shop online at www.vacshack.com In the Oklahoma City area shop www.acleanerplace.com
On to the reason for my blog. I had samples from several companies, Fruits and Passion, JR Watkins, Daub and Bauble, Van Yulay, and we sat down to try these products and decide which ones we should sell in our store. Problem is, we liked them all.
Fruits and Passion has a nice gourmet kitchen line, Cucina. They have ceramic and glass bottles with lotion and soaps for the kitchen which are very nice, higher end and of course, smell great.
JR Watkins has been around since 1868; nestled in the Mississippi River Bluff town of Winona, MN., Watkins has been America's pioneer in natural living since 1868. We like that they've been around so long, they are in Minnesota, (where my husband is from and where all our children, grandchildren and most of his family still live) and they have several product that are certified by the Natural Products Association. We love the lavender and vanilla lotions.
Daub & Bauble, another product made by a Minnesota company, is just cool. Cool packaging, cool scents and cool products.
Van Yulay, a company from North Carolina has some nice personal care products, a lot made with Emu Oil. I have some issues with their packaging and labeling, but they are small and they hand make the products and hand label the packaging. Gotta love that.
Watch for some individual postings about some of these products and which ones we decided to put in our store and on our website. More to be revealed as soon as I get a new keyboard.
Shop online at www.vacshack.com In the Oklahoma City area shop www.acleanerplace.com
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Electrolux Commercial A Cleaner Place
Shop online at www.vacshack.com In the Oklahoma City area shop www.acleanerplace.com
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Monday, August 2, 2010
HAVE YOU SEEN OUR NEW WEBSITE?
We recently launched a brand new website, www.acleanerplace.com . Thanks to Back40design!
We think it is fabulous. If you are shopping for Vacuum Cleaners, cleaning supplies, natural products in Oklahoma City, then check it out.
Shop online at www.vacshack.com In the Oklahoma City area shop www.acleanerplace.com
We think it is fabulous. If you are shopping for Vacuum Cleaners, cleaning supplies, natural products in Oklahoma City, then check it out.
Shop online at www.vacshack.com In the Oklahoma City area shop www.acleanerplace.com
ECONOMY SQUEEZES CONSUMERS AND CONSUMER AGENCIES
FOR IMMEDIDIATE RELEASE Contacts:
July 27, 2010 Susan Grant, CFA, 202-387-6121
Elizabeth Owen, NACAA, 615-498-1563
Anna Huddleston-Aycock, NACPI, 727-464-6213
ECONOMY SQUEEZES CONSUMERS AND CONSUMER AGENCIES
Bogus Help Saving Homes from Foreclosure was Fastest Growing Complaint in Latest Consumer Agency Survey
Washington, D.C. – The nation’s economic woes hit consumers and state and local consumer agencies hard last year. The latest survey these front-line agencies conducted by the Consumer Federation of America (CFA), the National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators (NACAA) and the North American Consumer Protection Investigators (NACPI) shows that the majority received more complaints in 2009 than the previous year, and many of those complaints were related to credit and debt. At the same time that demand was up, many of these agencies saw their resources shrink.
More than half of the agencies reported that they received more complaints in 2009 than they did in 2008. Complaints related to credit and debt rose from #3 to #2 in the top ten. The fastest-growing complaint in 2009 was bogus offers to help consumers save their homes from foreclosure. Inadequate budgets and staffing was the biggest challenge that many agencies faced; of the 28 agencies that responded to a question about budget cuts, 71 percent reported that they experienced cuts last year, compared to 47 in the survey report for 2008.
“Consumers who are desperately trying to fend off collection agencies or save their homes from foreclosure are prey to scammers who offer to help them and then take their money and run,” said Susan Grant, CFA Director of Consumer Protection. “Despite layoffs, hiring freezes, and furloughs, state and local consumer agencies are making herculean efforts to keep up with these and other complaints.”
In addition to bogus offers to help consumers save their homes from foreclosure, which were the fastest-growing complaints last year, complaints that were particularly related to the recession included aggressive collection practices, debt settlement and other types of debt relief services, advance fee loans, business opportunities, business closings, landlord/tenant problems resulting from foreclosures, job scams, investment schemes, and auto dealers failing to pay off loans on trade-ins.
“When times are hard, consumers are more vulnerable to false promises of easy ways to make or borrow money,” said Anna Huddleston-Aycock, a Justice Analyst with the Pinellas County Department of Justice and Consumer Services in Florida and current President of NACPI.
The agencies that responded to the survey received more than 300,000 individual complaints and obtained nearly $110 million in restitution or savings for consumers last year. “State and local consumer agencies handle all kinds of complaints, from a $15 order that the consumer never received, to a $150,000 problem with a home improvement contractor, to multi-state actions involving thousands of consumers,” said Elizabeth Owen, NACAA Executive Director.
Following are the complaint categories that most frequently appeared in the agencies’ top ten lists. Their ranking in the top ten in 2008 is noted in parenthesis.
Top Consumer Complaints for 2009
1. Auto: (1) Misrepresentations in advertising or sales of new and used cars; lemons; faulty repairs; leasing and towing disputes
2. Credit/Debt: (3) Billing and fee disputes; mortgage-related fraud; credit repair; debt relief services; predatory lending; illegal or abusive debt collection tactics
3. Home Improvement/Construction: (2) Shoddy work; failure to start or complete the job
4. Utilities: (4) Service problems or billing disputes with phone, cable, satellite, Internet, electric and gas services
5. Retail Sales: (5) False advertising and other deceptive practices; defective merchandise; problems with rebates, coupons, gift cards and gift certificates; failure to deliver
6. Services: (6) Misrepresentations; shoddy work; failure to have required licenses; failure to perform
7. Internet Sales: (9) Misrepresentations or other deceptive practice; failure to deliver online purchases
8. Household Goods: (7) misrepresentations; failure to deliver; faulty repairs in connection with furniture or appliances
9. (tie) Landlord/Tenant: (8) Unhealthy or unsafe conditions; failure to make repairs or provide promised amenities; deposit and rent disputes; illegal eviction tactics; Home Solicitations: (9) Misrepresentations or failure to deliver in door-to-door, telemarketing or mail solicitations; do-not-call violations
10. Health Products/Services: (10) misleading claims; unlicensed practitioners; failure to deliver
The survey report provides real-life examples of complaints from state and local agencies’ files along with tips on how consumers can protect themselves in those situations. It also describes the biggest challenges that state and local agencies faced last year and their biggest achievements.
The agencies said that new laws were needed to: Curb debt collection abuses Protect consumers from unfair practices in financial services Address problems with free trial offers Hold “lead generators” responsible for steering consumers to fraudulent Web site operators Improve enforcement against errant doctors and other practitioners of “healing arts” Regulate home improvement contractors and protect consumers from subcontractors’ liens Deter scammers from using money transfer services to get payments from their victims Provide a 3-day “cooling off” period for car purchases Help consumers facing foreclosure Protect consumers when businesses fail to deliver promised goods or services Place more limits on the use of “robo calls” Deter gas gouging Regulate towing companies Give local consumer agencies more power to enforce the law
Ten Ways That Consumers Can Protect Themselves
1. Look at the track record. Before you buy from unfamiliar companies, check with your state or local consumer agency, the Better Business Bureau, and online complaint forums to see if other people have reported serious problems.
2. Hire licensed professionals. When you’re hiring home improvement contractors or other professionals, ask your state or local consumer agency if they must be licensed or registered and how you can check to confirm that they are.
3. Pay the safest way. When you buy goods or services that will be delivered later, pay with a credit card so you can dispute the charges if they don’t arrive or aren’t what you were promised.
4. Use gift cards and gift certificates promptly. Even well-established businesses can suddenly close or go bankrupt, and it may be impossible to get refunds for the unused balances on gift cards and gift certificates.
5. Don’t pay in full upfront. If you are asked for a deposit for home improvement or other services, pay a small amount, never the full price upfront.
6. Recognize the danger signs of fraud. Be suspicious of any requests to wire money; scare tactics or pressure to act immediately; promises that you can borrow, win or make money easily if you pay a fee in advance; and any situation in which someone gives you a check or money order and asks you to send money somewhere in return.
7. Get all promises in writing. Verbal agreements are hard to prove. Carefully read contracts or finance agreements and make sure you understand them before you sign.
8. Seek help for financial problems from legitimate sources. If you’re having trouble paying your bills, consult a nonprofit consumer credit counseling service. Steer clear of debt settlement services that require most or all of the fees to be paid before any of your debts are settled. If you can’t afford your mortgage payments, contact your lender to try to work out a loan modification. If the lender is unresponsive or unhelpful, call 1-800-569-4287 or go to http://nhl.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hcs.cfm to find a local housing counselor certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Reject unsolicited offers of help from any company except the lender to whom you send your mortgage payments.
9. Know your debt collection rights. Under federal law you have the right to dispute debts that you don’t owe, and many states prohibit action to collect debts after a certain number of years. Federal and many state laws also prohibit debt collectors from calling with annoying frequency, falsely threatening legal action, and discussing debts with people who aren’t legally responsible for them.
10. When in doubt, check it out. If you’re not sure what your rights are or you think something might be fishy, ask your state or local consumer agency for advice.
The complete survey report can be found at Consumer Complaints Survey Report
The consumer tips sheet can be found at 2010 Consumer Tips Sheet
CFA is a nonprofit association of some 300 pro-consumer organizations in the U.S. NACAA and NACPI are membership organizations of consumer protection agencies at all levels of government. CFA has periodically conducted consumer agency surveys since 1992. This survey, conducted with 33 state and local CFA, NACAA and NACPI member agencies in the U.S., was completed in May 2010 and covers a one-year period, which in most cases was January-December 2009.
July 27, 2010 Susan Grant, CFA, 202-387-6121
Elizabeth Owen, NACAA, 615-498-1563
Anna Huddleston-Aycock, NACPI, 727-464-6213
ECONOMY SQUEEZES CONSUMERS AND CONSUMER AGENCIES
Bogus Help Saving Homes from Foreclosure was Fastest Growing Complaint in Latest Consumer Agency Survey
Washington, D.C. – The nation’s economic woes hit consumers and state and local consumer agencies hard last year. The latest survey these front-line agencies conducted by the Consumer Federation of America (CFA), the National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators (NACAA) and the North American Consumer Protection Investigators (NACPI) shows that the majority received more complaints in 2009 than the previous year, and many of those complaints were related to credit and debt. At the same time that demand was up, many of these agencies saw their resources shrink.
More than half of the agencies reported that they received more complaints in 2009 than they did in 2008. Complaints related to credit and debt rose from #3 to #2 in the top ten. The fastest-growing complaint in 2009 was bogus offers to help consumers save their homes from foreclosure. Inadequate budgets and staffing was the biggest challenge that many agencies faced; of the 28 agencies that responded to a question about budget cuts, 71 percent reported that they experienced cuts last year, compared to 47 in the survey report for 2008.
“Consumers who are desperately trying to fend off collection agencies or save their homes from foreclosure are prey to scammers who offer to help them and then take their money and run,” said Susan Grant, CFA Director of Consumer Protection. “Despite layoffs, hiring freezes, and furloughs, state and local consumer agencies are making herculean efforts to keep up with these and other complaints.”
In addition to bogus offers to help consumers save their homes from foreclosure, which were the fastest-growing complaints last year, complaints that were particularly related to the recession included aggressive collection practices, debt settlement and other types of debt relief services, advance fee loans, business opportunities, business closings, landlord/tenant problems resulting from foreclosures, job scams, investment schemes, and auto dealers failing to pay off loans on trade-ins.
“When times are hard, consumers are more vulnerable to false promises of easy ways to make or borrow money,” said Anna Huddleston-Aycock, a Justice Analyst with the Pinellas County Department of Justice and Consumer Services in Florida and current President of NACPI.
The agencies that responded to the survey received more than 300,000 individual complaints and obtained nearly $110 million in restitution or savings for consumers last year. “State and local consumer agencies handle all kinds of complaints, from a $15 order that the consumer never received, to a $150,000 problem with a home improvement contractor, to multi-state actions involving thousands of consumers,” said Elizabeth Owen, NACAA Executive Director.
Following are the complaint categories that most frequently appeared in the agencies’ top ten lists. Their ranking in the top ten in 2008 is noted in parenthesis.
Top Consumer Complaints for 2009
1. Auto: (1) Misrepresentations in advertising or sales of new and used cars; lemons; faulty repairs; leasing and towing disputes
2. Credit/Debt: (3) Billing and fee disputes; mortgage-related fraud; credit repair; debt relief services; predatory lending; illegal or abusive debt collection tactics
3. Home Improvement/Construction: (2) Shoddy work; failure to start or complete the job
4. Utilities: (4) Service problems or billing disputes with phone, cable, satellite, Internet, electric and gas services
5. Retail Sales: (5) False advertising and other deceptive practices; defective merchandise; problems with rebates, coupons, gift cards and gift certificates; failure to deliver
6. Services: (6) Misrepresentations; shoddy work; failure to have required licenses; failure to perform
7. Internet Sales: (9) Misrepresentations or other deceptive practice; failure to deliver online purchases
8. Household Goods: (7) misrepresentations; failure to deliver; faulty repairs in connection with furniture or appliances
9. (tie) Landlord/Tenant: (8) Unhealthy or unsafe conditions; failure to make repairs or provide promised amenities; deposit and rent disputes; illegal eviction tactics; Home Solicitations: (9) Misrepresentations or failure to deliver in door-to-door, telemarketing or mail solicitations; do-not-call violations
10. Health Products/Services: (10) misleading claims; unlicensed practitioners; failure to deliver
The survey report provides real-life examples of complaints from state and local agencies’ files along with tips on how consumers can protect themselves in those situations. It also describes the biggest challenges that state and local agencies faced last year and their biggest achievements.
The agencies said that new laws were needed to: Curb debt collection abuses Protect consumers from unfair practices in financial services Address problems with free trial offers Hold “lead generators” responsible for steering consumers to fraudulent Web site operators Improve enforcement against errant doctors and other practitioners of “healing arts” Regulate home improvement contractors and protect consumers from subcontractors’ liens Deter scammers from using money transfer services to get payments from their victims Provide a 3-day “cooling off” period for car purchases Help consumers facing foreclosure Protect consumers when businesses fail to deliver promised goods or services Place more limits on the use of “robo calls” Deter gas gouging Regulate towing companies Give local consumer agencies more power to enforce the law
Ten Ways That Consumers Can Protect Themselves
1. Look at the track record. Before you buy from unfamiliar companies, check with your state or local consumer agency, the Better Business Bureau, and online complaint forums to see if other people have reported serious problems.
2. Hire licensed professionals. When you’re hiring home improvement contractors or other professionals, ask your state or local consumer agency if they must be licensed or registered and how you can check to confirm that they are.
3. Pay the safest way. When you buy goods or services that will be delivered later, pay with a credit card so you can dispute the charges if they don’t arrive or aren’t what you were promised.
4. Use gift cards and gift certificates promptly. Even well-established businesses can suddenly close or go bankrupt, and it may be impossible to get refunds for the unused balances on gift cards and gift certificates.
5. Don’t pay in full upfront. If you are asked for a deposit for home improvement or other services, pay a small amount, never the full price upfront.
6. Recognize the danger signs of fraud. Be suspicious of any requests to wire money; scare tactics or pressure to act immediately; promises that you can borrow, win or make money easily if you pay a fee in advance; and any situation in which someone gives you a check or money order and asks you to send money somewhere in return.
7. Get all promises in writing. Verbal agreements are hard to prove. Carefully read contracts or finance agreements and make sure you understand them before you sign.
8. Seek help for financial problems from legitimate sources. If you’re having trouble paying your bills, consult a nonprofit consumer credit counseling service. Steer clear of debt settlement services that require most or all of the fees to be paid before any of your debts are settled. If you can’t afford your mortgage payments, contact your lender to try to work out a loan modification. If the lender is unresponsive or unhelpful, call 1-800-569-4287 or go to http://nhl.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hcs.cfm to find a local housing counselor certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Reject unsolicited offers of help from any company except the lender to whom you send your mortgage payments.
9. Know your debt collection rights. Under federal law you have the right to dispute debts that you don’t owe, and many states prohibit action to collect debts after a certain number of years. Federal and many state laws also prohibit debt collectors from calling with annoying frequency, falsely threatening legal action, and discussing debts with people who aren’t legally responsible for them.
10. When in doubt, check it out. If you’re not sure what your rights are or you think something might be fishy, ask your state or local consumer agency for advice.
The complete survey report can be found at Consumer Complaints Survey Report
The consumer tips sheet can be found at 2010 Consumer Tips Sheet
CFA is a nonprofit association of some 300 pro-consumer organizations in the U.S. NACAA and NACPI are membership organizations of consumer protection agencies at all levels of government. CFA has periodically conducted consumer agency surveys since 1992. This survey, conducted with 33 state and local CFA, NACAA and NACPI member agencies in the U.S., was completed in May 2010 and covers a one-year period, which in most cases was January-December 2009.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Miele Earth Vacuum and sustainability
Get your Miele Vacuums and Supplies at VacShack.com
In Oklahoma City, buy from the only Miele Diamond Dealer in OKC, A Cleaner Place
Press Release
In Oklahoma City, buy from the only Miele Diamond Dealer in OKC, A Cleaner Place
Press Release
No. 007/2010
The largest family-owned and operated appliance company on the planet celebrates the Earth
Miele’s Earth vacuum cleaner symbolizes a firm commitment to sustainability
Princeton, NJ – March, 2010 – Princeton, NJ – March, 2010 – Miele, the world’s largest family-owned appliance company offers an eco-friendly canister vacuum cleaner just in time for Earth Day, and it’s appropriately named ‘Earth’. This canister vacuum boasts some of the most energy-saving advancements the industry has to offer. Featuring an AutoEco™ setting that automatically detects flooring (carpet, smooth floors) the Earth vacuum adjusts power for optimal cleaning performance and energy efficiency. “Homeowners tend to think that the highest power setting is best for cleaning all surfaces,” says Nadine Gast, Senior Product Manager for Miele. “This is absolutely a myth. The high setting should be used only on smooth floors. Upholstery, drapes and carpets require specific settings for optimal cleaning and using AutoEco™ will not only save tremendously in energy consumption, but also will provide better performance and long term care for home furnishings,” adds Gast.
Other ‘green’ features of the Miele Earth vacuum include: construction to an industry admired self-imposed 20 year life design model; the use of virgin polymers that are marked for easy recycling; cadmium and lead-free coatings; water-based paints; plus, low energy consumption. Miele vacuums are proven cleaner for indoor air as all fine dust and allergens are trapped in its unique Sealed System™ featuring a certified HEPA filter and unique filtering dustbag. (See miele.com for details on our latest filtration studies.) Miele’s revolutionary Filter-Bag™ consist of multi-ply, random-spun filter material and protective netting to reinforce the outer layer in order to ensure that dust and debris safely stays in the bag. Inside a Filter-Bag™, air guides distribute dust evenly throughout the bag, achieving a 25% longer life cycle without any loss in performance. A downstream HEPA filter then captures even the tiniest of particles – retaining lung damaging particles inside the vacuum.
Miele is internationally recognized as a leader in engineering appliances that are environmentally friendly. “We are committed to protecting this planet and take our role in energy consumption very seriously,” says Gast. “All of our appliances meet or even far exceed strict environmental requirements and the Earth vacuum is no exception.”
About Miele
There are only a few brands in the world that have sustained their vision, traditions and high-quality standard for more than a century. Fewer still that can claim consistent family ownership and international brand name integrity. And only one that is recognized for creating the world’s most innovative appliances. Founded in Germany in 1899 with a single promise of Immer Besser, a phrase meaning Forever Better, Miele has dynamically grown to become the world’s largest family-owned and operated appliance company with over 16,000 employees, 12 production facilities, representation in nearly 100 countries and annual turnover of €2.77bn, approximately USD$3.67bn [2008/09].
As a premium appliance brand represented on all continents, Miele is steadfastly committed to the highest quality, performance and environmental standards. The company’s innovative heritage, state-of-the-art design and engineering aesthetic have inspired comparison to other powerhouse German brands synonymous with innovation: Mercedes-Benz and BMW.
Miele’s range of exceptional consumer appliances includes: vacuum cleaners; washing machines; tumble dryers; rotary irons; dishwashers; built-in convection, speed and steam ovens; cooktops; ventilation hoods; refrigeration; wine storage and coffee systems. Additionally, Miele Professional [the commercial product division] offers dishwashers, washing machines, tumble dryers and rotary irons for commercial use as well as washer-disinfectors for medical, dental and laboratory applications.
For more information, consumers and design professionals are invited to call 800.843.7231, log on at mieleusa.com or visit one of Miele’s modern product showrooms in Beverly Hills, CA; Boca Raton, FL; Chicago, IL; Dallas, TX; Princeton, NJ; New York, NY; Wellesley, MA; San Francisco, CA; Scottsdale, AZ and Seattle, WA.
www.miele-sustainability.comFiltration & Vacuum Cleaners
Bagged Vacuums
A bagged vacuum cleaner whether an upright or canister, is a vacuum cleaner that the primary filtration is a paper, cloth or synthetic bag located either on the inside or outside of the vacuum cleaner. This bag acts as the first level of filtration catching large particles and allowing the cleaner air with only smaller particles to pass through the pores of the bag.
In the past ten years most vacuum manufacturers improved their filtration and added an additional (secondary or final) filter to the bagged type vacuum cleaners. This filter is many times called a HEPA (High Efficiency Particle Arrest) filter.
For a HEPA filter in a vacuum cleaner to be effective, the vacuum cleaner must be designed so that all the air drawn into the machine is expelled through the filter, with none of the air or particles leaking past or around it. This is often referred to as "Sealed HEPA" or sometimes the vaguer "True HEPA". Vacuum cleaners simply labeled HEPA have a HEPA filter, but not all air necessarily passes through it. Finally, vacuum cleaner filters marketed as "HEPA-like" will typically use a filter of a similar construction to HEPA, but without the filtering efficiency causing poor airflow or less than desirable filtration. Because of the extra density of a HEPA filter, HEPA vacuum cleaners require motors with higher airflow and suction combined to provide adequate cleaning power.
Bagless Vacuums
Bagless type vacuum cleaners whether they are canisters or upright vacuum cleaners, usually have a HEPA or HEPA type filter attached to their exhaust also. Unlike the bagged type vacuums, bagless machines do not always have a primary filter as their first defense of capturing the large particles in the air that is being sucked into the vacuum. Some are designed with pre-filters made of washable foam and most also use centrifugal force to attempt to separate the particles from the air and then finally force the air through a HEPA or HEPA type filter to expel only cleaned air.
This type of filtration is the equivalent to a low quality filter or vacuum dust bag. Many (Not All) manufacturers also include a motor filter after the cyclonic assembly to catch somewhat finer particles prior to the air passing through the motor. Once the air has been cleaned of the large particles it still needs to pass through a HEPA filter to finish cleaning the air before it is expelled from the vacuum. All of these filters and even the centrifugal forces use energy and restrict airflow lowering your vacuum cleaner's efficiency.
Note about all information above: Vacuum cleaners in and of themselves, do not loose suction, That is a myth. Dirt clogging passageways and dirty filters are the cause of loss of suction. The suction from the motor is relatively the same in a new motor or a 10 year old one. Electric motors do not get “Tired” like gas powered engines.
What does all this mean to you?
When choosing a vacuum cleaner, filtration type and quality is an important part of the process. We find that allergy sufferers tend to pay closer attention to the filtration quality of the vacuum and less attention to the overall design and efficiency of the unit. If design and efficiency is over looked allergy sufferers might find themselves purchasing a vacuum that has a great filter but does not have the sealed aspect of the HEPA filter or a machine that does not have enough power to push the air through the filter thus lowering the overall cleaning effectiveness.
In addition, many people purchase a less expensive vacuum based on what the outer box claims being tricked by the simple term “HEPA” rather than doing research to be sure that vacuum is properly designed by a creditable company with the correct balance of filtration efficiency, cleaning effectiveness and ease of use.
Since the introduction of HEPA filters to the vacuum cleaner industry, most manufacturers have been forced to boost the power consumption of the motor in the vacuums to the maximum allowed by UL (United Laboratories) for household appliances just to accommodate the back pressure or resistance caused by HEPA filters. This has caused a great increase of energy consumption in mainstream box store vacuum cleaners and in doing so has caused more noise, shorter average life spans, and more heat generated by these electricity-hogging vacuums.
Summary:
Vacuum cleaners are a major appliance in your home. They offer great results when they are designed and manufactured correctly. They do require the same amount of thought to purchase as does any other major appliance in your home. Don’t sell them short and please do your homework, finally; by all means ask questions when making a purchase.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
ALLERGY ALERT
Shop for Miele Vacuums in Oklahoma City at OKC's only Miele Diamond Dealer. www.acleanerplace.com 12409 N Rockwell Ave, OKC, OK 73142
Buy online at www.vacshack.com
ALLERGY ALERT:
Buy online at www.vacshack.com
ALLERGY ALERT:
New study debunks myth that all HEPA vacuums contain 99.99% of particle emissions
Miele’s AirClean™ Filter-bag™ plus Sealed System™ prove 622x better at retaining harmful fine particles than other leading HEPA vacuums
Princeton, NJ – June 2010 – Alarming news for allergy and asthma sufferers is revealed in a recent study commissioned by Miele, the leading German manufacturer of advanced filtration vacuum cleaners and household appliances. The scientific study offers new evidence that not all HEPA vacuums retain 99.99% of harmful fine particles that may trigger attacks. On average, the study proves other HEPA-filtered vacuums spew 2-14 million lung damaging particles per minute into the air, effectively polluting the indoor air quality for hours after the vacuum is turned off. “For over a decade experts have been advising asthma and allergy sufferers to use vacuums equipped with a HEPA filter,” says Nadine Gast, Senior Product Manager for Miele. “However we now have credible evidence that not all HEPA vacuums are engineered to trap and retain particles to the same, safe standard.” By contrast, the study demonstrates that Miele vacuums capture and retain 99.99% of harmful irritants and lung damaging particulates (LDPs) on average 622x better than other HEPA-filtered brands, including the leading bagless vacuum cleaner brand, proving Miele is a serious cleaning tool for maintaining an allergy-friendly environment.
“Clearly Miele’s engineering team has a firm grasp on this issue,” continues Gast. “Since introducing our first HEPA vacuum cleaner in the 1990s, we’ve taken a system approach to filtration, consciously engineering vacuum cleaners that safeguard indoor air quality. It’s the sum of several critical parts that ensure the Miele vacuum system is tightly sealed and that virtually all the dirty air passes through key filtration points before exhausting into the room. And yes, one of the most critical elements is our unique filtering dustbag.” Miele’s filtration system employs a nine-layer, electrostatically charged AirClean™ Filter-bag™ that works in conjunction their unique Sealed System™ and certified HEPA filter to capture and hold on to 99.99% of lung damaging particles.
Experts Offer Caution When Vacuuming
According to the Allergy and Asthma Foundation, 50 million Americans have asthma or allergies and prevalence overall has been increasing since the early 1980s. Allergy is the 5th leading chronic disease in the U.S. among all ages, and the 3rd most common chronic disease among children under 18 years old. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), among many other expert sources, recommend cleaning with a HEPA vacuum and since dangerous fine particles can trigger attacks, they further recommend allergy sufferers wear a N95 filter mask as particulates can remain in the home’s air for hours. “Asthma and allergy sufferers will need to consider their HEPA vacuum purchase more intensely as the scientific evidence shows not all HEPA vacuums safeguard the air,” states Gast. “It is critical that buyers understand that the craftsmanship of the vacuum is most important to ensure the dirty air doesn’t leak out unfiltered… and that’s exactly what other vacuums are doing!”
The Study
Miele commissioned Interbasic Resources (IBR), a nationally recognized research laboratory, to conduct an American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) emissions efficiency test comparing their vacuum against four leading HEPA-filtered brands including Dyson®, SEBO®, Riccar® and Simplicity®.
Two significant tests were performed. The first series measured vacuum cleaner emissions from each brand new vacuum while running without any ASTM test material introduced upstream into the system. The objective of this test was to determine the volume of carbon dust particles emitted from each vacuum cleaner’s motor/fan. Results reveal that the poorest performing unit discharged over 13 million particles (0.3-0.5 microns in size) per minute. The average emissions of the four HEPA-filtered brands tested was over 3.7 million particles released per minute. Miele proved to be most efficient, emitting 638 times fewer carbon dust particles than the average vacuum cleaner tested.
The next test measured complete emissions efficiency – evaluating each unit’s overall capture and retention rate while ingesting ASTM specified material that mocks typical household dirt, dust and allergens. The results prove again that the Miele vacuum, with its Sealed System™ engineering, equipped with a unique AirClean™ Filter-bag™ and certified HEPA filter, had significantly lower rates of particle emissions than the competitors, which were on average 622x higher. “In fact, the particle emissions from Miele’s vacuum was next to nothing,” says Gast. The test was replicated three separate times according to the strictest scientific protocols. “Our advanced AirClean™ vacuum filtration system is the best protection we can offer families to safeguard their homes from vacuum cleaner dust,” concludes Gast. Copies of the complete study can be found on www.mieleusa.com.
About Miele Vacuum CleanersMiele is the world’s largest family owned and operated appliance company, founded in 1899, and a leading maker of quality vacuums – legendary for their powerful performance, advanced filtration and brilliant design details that set the standard for floor care and cleaning.
Miele’s long heritage of vacuum firsts dates back 83 years to the use of Bakelite as a sound dampener in 1927, the advent of convenient integrated tools and stunning fashion colors in the 1960s to the world’s first HEPA-certified vacuums in the 1990s. Throughout the century, these award-winning advances have established Miele as the “must-have” status vacuum – hailed as “so smart it could start its own Mensa chapter” and “it’s like the BMW of vacuum cleaners.”
Beyond the frequent accolades, design awards and sleek good looks, Miele continues to focus on making vacuuming easier through patented new technologies like the S7 SwivelNeck™ as well as longer cords, automatic flooring sensors, powerful Vortex Motor Systems™ and silence settings. Miele’s passion for quality and innovation has resulted in a vacuum that excels not only in cleaning performance, but also in the area of filtration. According to recent independent tests, there’s no other vacuum on the planet that removes dust, dirt and allergens as efficiently as a Miele canister or upright. Miele’s unique combination of AirClean™ Filter-bag™, HEPA filter and Sealed System™ design is 99.99% effective in capturing lung-damaging particles. The key to this design is its hygienic self-closing AirClean™ Filter-bag™ whose revolutionary multi-ply filtering material helps homeowners dispose of the captured particles without coming in contact with them.
For more information about Miele, please visit www.mieleusa.com or call 800-843-7231
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Best Fruit Trees for Oklahoma
Since my husband has moved to Oklahoma he has wanted to get rid of some of the trees in the backyard. I know a couple have been damaged by storms, but get rid of trees that are providing perfectly good shade?? I have always been stubborn about getting rid of big items (like kitchen counter tops, tile on a floor or trees that have been growing for years) just because I didn't "like" them. Always seemed so wasteful to me. But I know hanging onto damaged trees can cause more trouble in the future and after hearing someone talk recently about changing his yard into more edible and less decorative, I came up with a plan I think I can live with.
I have agreed to have the damaged trees taken out with these stipulations. The first is that we use as much of the wood as we can; in yard projects, as fire wood, ground down for mulch and leaves in the compost pile. The second is that we replace them with fruit or nut trees. I think I have decided on fruit, so I did some research and discovered these are the best fruit trees for Oklahoma.
I am sure there is a similar site if you are not in Oklahoma. I am excited now about the new venture, just have to find out the best place to get the trees and the best time to plant. Oh, and save enough money to have the old ones taken out! Stay tuned for my tree progress.
I have agreed to have the damaged trees taken out with these stipulations. The first is that we use as much of the wood as we can; in yard projects, as fire wood, ground down for mulch and leaves in the compost pile. The second is that we replace them with fruit or nut trees. I think I have decided on fruit, so I did some research and discovered these are the best fruit trees for Oklahoma.
I am sure there is a similar site if you are not in Oklahoma. I am excited now about the new venture, just have to find out the best place to get the trees and the best time to plant. Oh, and save enough money to have the old ones taken out! Stay tuned for my tree progress.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Seal of Approval / Green Label Vacuum - Certified Vacuums from The Carpet & Rug Institute
We have several vacuums that are on the
Riccar Brilliance
Tandem Air System Air Hepa Bags
Riccar Radiance
Tandem Air System Hepa Bags
Riccar RSL5
With type F synthetic inner bag; cloth outer bag
Online at www.vacshack.com we have:
Sanitaire S670D
Type ST Inner Bag/Cloth Outer Bag Filter
Sanitaire S677D
Type ST Inner Bag/Cloth Outer Bag Filter
Sanitaire SC883A
Type ST synthetic disposal dust bag with Arm & Hammer® odor control
Sanitaire SC888J
Type ST synthetic disposal dust bag with Arm & Hammer® odor control
Seal of Approval / Green Label Vacuum - Certified Vacuums
In store at A Cleaner Place, 12409 N Rockwell Ave., Oklahoma City, OK we have:Riccar Brilliance
Tandem Air System Air Hepa Bags
Riccar Radiance
Tandem Air System Hepa Bags
Riccar RSL5
With type F synthetic inner bag; cloth outer bag
Online at www.vacshack.com we have:
Sanitaire S670D
Type ST Inner Bag/Cloth Outer Bag Filter
Sanitaire S677D
Type ST Inner Bag/Cloth Outer Bag Filter
Sanitaire SC883A
Type ST synthetic disposal dust bag with Arm & Hammer® odor control
Sanitaire SC888J
Type ST synthetic disposal dust bag with Arm & Hammer® odor control
Biokleen's Bac-Out Bathroom Cleaner - America's Healthiest Buy
The editors of Health Magazine chose a panel of highly respected professionals and experts in home and health to vigorously test and judge products for the home. Biokleen's Bac-Out Bathroom Cleaner made the list as Healthiest Buy for the Bathroom.
Get all your BioKleen at www.vacshack.com
In Oklahoma City, shop for BioKleen at A Cleaner Place
Watch the clip from Good Morning America or read more from Health Magazine.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
KeepitLocalOK
Are you in Oklahoma and interested in keeping your money in Oklahoma? Then you may want to check out KeepitLocalOK.
Keep It Local OK is dedicated to promoting the locally owned and independent businesses that make Oklahoma great. In a nutshell, our goal is to make it as easy as possible for you to find, choose, and enjoy the incredible businesses found right here in our state! The benefits of shopping locally are undeniable. That is why we are introducing the Keep It Local OK Rewards Card-an exciting new way to support your favorite local establishments! You can buy your card at Keep It Local OK is dedicated to promoting the locally owned and independent businesses that make Oklahoma great. In a nutshell, our goal is to make it as easy as possible for you to find, choose, and enjoy the incredible businesses found right here in our state! The benefits of shopping locally are undeniable. That is why we are introducing the Keep It Local OK Rewards Card-an exciting new way to support your favorite local establishments! You can buy a card at A Cleaner Place, 12409 N Rockwell, Oklahoma City, 73142 or go to KeepitLocalOK, show it at a participating business and reap the rewards! It’s an EASY way to stimulate Oklahoma’s economy AND save a little hard earned cash at the same time!
Not in Oklahoma City but still want to shop locally? Check out ShopLocally.
Keep It Local OK is dedicated to promoting the locally owned and independent businesses that make Oklahoma great. In a nutshell, our goal is to make it as easy as possible for you to find, choose, and enjoy the incredible businesses found right here in our state! The benefits of shopping locally are undeniable. That is why we are introducing the Keep It Local OK Rewards Card-an exciting new way to support your favorite local establishments! You can buy your card at Keep It Local OK is dedicated to promoting the locally owned and independent businesses that make Oklahoma great. In a nutshell, our goal is to make it as easy as possible for you to find, choose, and enjoy the incredible businesses found right here in our state! The benefits of shopping locally are undeniable. That is why we are introducing the Keep It Local OK Rewards Card-an exciting new way to support your favorite local establishments! You can buy a card at A Cleaner Place, 12409 N Rockwell, Oklahoma City, 73142 or go to KeepitLocalOK, show it at a participating business and reap the rewards! It’s an EASY way to stimulate Oklahoma’s economy AND save a little hard earned cash at the same time!
Not in Oklahoma City but still want to shop locally? Check out ShopLocally.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Miele Vacuums Sustainability Report
At A Cleaner Place, a vacshack.com company, we are very proud to have the designation of Miele Diamond Dealer. This means we have the best selection of Miele Vacuums and have a commitment to this company that sells Quality Products.
Quality German Appliances: Since 1899.
Translated from German, these words mean "Always Better" or "Forever Better". We truly believe in spirit of these words and in keeping with the patriarchs' principle, Miele produces products that are of the highest standards in terms of quality materials and craftsmanship, durability and reliability.
Miele USA
With a national network of elite sales and service dealerships working closely with us, Miele offers a full product assortment of appliances for the kitchen, laundry room—even the broom closet! Take a closer look at us. We hope to earn your patronage.
A Cleaner Place selected Miele Vacuum Cleaners based upon their reliability, performance, sustainability, ecological/humanitarian practices, financial stability. Along with those wonderful attributes, Miele offers the best selection in models offering you only the features you need and want, from there benchmark canisters to the innovative new S7 Uprights, you can be assured that we have the right machine for your cleaning needs. To research and learn more about individual Miele Models click here.
'Green'... because it's the right thing to do.
Featuring production facilities that far exceed the most stringent environmental regulations, appliances that surpass Energy Star® guidelines by over 45%, products offering a life expectancy of twenty plus years, manufacturing technology that delivers 90% recyclable goods and corporate offices designed to maximize the conservation of light, water, energy and even paper—Miele cherishes our natural resources.
For information on our international environmental report, view our Sustainability Report (pdf). For further information, please visit miele-sustainability.com
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Got ceiling fans to clean?
My favorite cleaning tool this week is the Lambswool Ceiling Fan Duster. I just tried it on my ceiling fans and it works great. It is easy to use, keeps the blades securely inside the two sides of the duster and does not create a dust storm, as happens with some other tools I've tried to
Cleaning Ceiling Fans just got a whole lot easier. This is the Wool Shop's newest, most exciting, ceiling fan duster and it has been added to the Premium Duster Collection. Made using all natural lambswool, the duster cylinders thoroughly clean the top and bottom fan blades in one swipe. The duster and frame hold the fan blade securely to keep the fan from spinning. The telescopic pole makes this set perfect for reaching ceilings.
To purchase online click here.
In Oklahoma City see it at A Cleaner Place, 12409 N Rockwell Ave.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Basil Pesto
Last year I had so much basil I didn't know what to do with it. I wanted to try Basil Pesto but couldn't remember to buy pine nuts. Then through the wonders of the internet I found a Basil Pesto that used sunflower seeds. I had those! So, I made, I loved, I served with Pasta and will definitely make it again.
4 cups fresh basil leaves chopped
3 cloves garlic (crushed)
1/2 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup shelled sunflower seeds
Directions:
Pour all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Blend until mixture becomes a paste. Put mixture in bowl and work in sunflower seeds. Cover tightly and refrigerate for future use. This can be spread on bruchetta, used on pasta (thoroughly mix it in with freshly cooked homemade noodles) or any number of other applications. Should stay good in the refrigerator for 1 - 2 weeks.
I love my herb garden. I am currently drying lavender flowers and mugwort and plan to use them to make dryer sachets and dream pillows.
4 cups fresh basil leaves chopped
3 cloves garlic (crushed)
1/2 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup shelled sunflower seeds
Directions:
Pour all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Blend until mixture becomes a paste. Put mixture in bowl and work in sunflower seeds. Cover tightly and refrigerate for future use. This can be spread on bruchetta, used on pasta (thoroughly mix it in with freshly cooked homemade noodles) or any number of other applications. Should stay good in the refrigerator for 1 - 2 weeks.
I love my herb garden. I am currently drying lavender flowers and mugwort and plan to use them to make dryer sachets and dream pillows.
Friday, June 18, 2010
New Website A Cleaner Place
A Cleaner Place, the name of our retail store and showroom will be launching our new website, very soon. We will highlight all of our in-store products and make shopping easier for our Oklahoma city customers. We will showcase many of our brands, Miele, Electrolux, Caldrea, CasaBella, Bona, FreshWave, BioKleen, Royal, to name a few. So, if you are looking for vacuum cleaners, cleaning tools or natural cleaning products, Soy & Beeswax Candles, check us out. We are up now at www.aclanerplace.com, but soon will have a WHOLE NEW LOOK. We think you'll like!!
HEALTHY HOME ALERT: New scientific evidence proves that bag beats bagless for healthy home environment
Miele’s AirClean™ Filter-bag™ plus Sealed System™ proven 21x better at retaining harmful fine particles than the leading bagless vacuum
Princeton, NJ – June 2010 – Miele, the world’s most innovative appliance company, introduces scientific evidence that proves their vacuums (with a combination AirClean™ Filter-bag™, certified HEPA filter and Sealed System™ engineering) are more effective at safeguarding indoor air quality than the leading bagless vacuum. In fact an independent laboratory confirmed that Miele vacuums capture and retain 99.99% of harmful pollutants – on average 21x better than the HEPA-filtered bagless rival. “The results clearly demonstrate that Miele vacuums equipped with the AirClean™ Filter-bag™ are the best at eliminating dangerous fine particles typically released into the air when vacuuming,” says Nadine Gast, Senior Product Manager for Miele. On average, the leading bagless HEPA-filtered vacuum emitted over 175,900 lung-damaging particles per minute during the test.
“The evidence shows that a bagless vacuum equipped with only a HEPA filter cannot effectively protect a home’s air quality or prevent particle emissions that exacerbate allergy and asthma conditions,” explains Gast. “That’s just when the vacuum is running… what the test doesn’t show is just how many particles are released back into the air when the bagless vacuum bin is emptied. It’s an indoor environmental disaster! If you can smell the dust after cleaning the bin, you are already inhaling fine lung damaging particles.” A Miele AirClean™ Filter-bag™ with its unique spring-loaded collar locks shut when removed to trap particles and keep them out of the airstream.
Indoor Air Health Concerns
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air pollution is a huge concern for everyone, not just those suffering from respiratory conditions like asthma, allergies or emphysema. Especially considering that 90% of our time is spent indoors with pollution levels two to five times greater than outdoor air. The EPA further identifies vacuum cleaners as an unsuspected, but dangerous polluter since fine particulate matter – such as those emitted from poorly sealed and filtered vacuums – are linked to adverse health effects including chronic bronchitis and premature death. http://www.epa.gov/
Fine particulate matter is so small it suspends invisibly in the air where we breathe. For example, tobacco smoke ranges in size from .01 to 1 micron. In fact, fine particles measuring 0.3-0.5 microns in size have a greater likelihood of being deeply inhaled into the lungs, where they can be absorbed into the bloodstream or remain embedded in lung tissue for extended periods of time. The average person breathes in about 16,000 quarts of air per day. Each quart contains some 70,000 visible and invisible particles. That's over a billion particles per day that the lungs must filter out. Children breathe in 50 percent more air per pound of body weight than adults do – making them more susceptible.
The Study
Miele commissioned Interbasic Resources (IBR), a nationally recognized research laboratory, to conduct an American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) emissions test comparing their vacuum against four leading HEPA-filtered brands including Dyson®, SEBO®, Riccar® and Simplicity®. The test involved placing a device on the vent of the vacuum that measures dust particles emitted from each machine while ingesting ASTM specified material that mocks typical household dirt, dust and allergens. The results prove that the Miele vacuum, with its Sealed System™ engineering, equipped with a unique AirClean™ Filter-bag™ and certified HEPA filter, had significantly lower rates of particle emissions than competitive models. “In fact, the particle emissions from Miele’s vacuum was next to nothing,” says Gast. Each test was replicated three separate times according to the strictest scientific protocols. “Our AirClean™ Filter-bag™ is the best protection we can offer families to safeguard their homes from vacuum cleaner dust,” per Gast. Copies of the complete study can be found on www.mieleusa.com.
The AirClean™ Filter-bag™ Advantage
Unique features to the AirClean™ Filter-bag™ include:
- A nine-layer fortress of durable electrostatic fiber that holds on to fine particles that can easily leak through other bags.
- A spring-loaded collar made of durable plastic that snaps shut upon removal so that no dust can escape. Open bags and bagless bins are an environmental hazard when emptying into the garbage. Dust poured from a bin transmits fine particles right back into the air. The same holds true for any open bag that’s pushed into a garbage bag.
“For consumers who are especially concerned about the air quality in their home and who want to ensure a dust-free environment, purchasing a Miele vacuum equipped with the AirClean™ Filter-bag™, plus Sealed System™ and certified HEPA filter is their very best option,” concludes Gast.
About Miele Vacuum Cleaners
Miele is the world’s largest family owned and operated appliance company, founded in 1899, and a leading maker of quality vacuums – legendary for their powerful performance, advanced filtration and brilliant design details that set the standard for floor care and cleaning.
Miele’s long heritage of vacuum firsts dates back 83 years to the use of Bakelite as a sound dampener in 1927, the advent of convenient integrated tools and stunning fashion colors in the 1960s to the world’s first HEPA-certified vacuums in the 1990s. Throughout the century, these award-winning advances have established Miele as the “must-have” status vacuum – hailed as “so smart it could start its own Mensa chapter” and “it’s like the BMW of vacuum cleaners.”
Beyond the frequent accolades, design awards and sleek good looks, Miele continues to focus on making vacuuming easier through patented new technologies like the S7 SwivelNeck™ as well as longer cords, automatic flooring sensors, powerful Vortex Motor Systems™ and silence settings. Miele’s passion for quality and innovation has resulted in a vacuum that excels not only in cleaning performance, but also in the area of filtration.
To purchase a Miele Vacuum, visit www.vacshack.com
ALLERGY ALERT: New study debunks myth that all HEPA vacuums contain 99.99% of particle emissions
Miele’s AirClean™ Filter-bag™ plus Sealed System™ pro
http://www.mielepressroom.com/us/press/articles/article_022_2010.aspx
In Oklahoma City, shop at the only Diamond Dealer for Miele Vacuums, A Cleaner Place
http://www.mielepressroom.com/us/press/articles/article_022_2010.aspx
In Oklahoma City, shop at the only Diamond Dealer for Miele Vacuums, A Cleaner Place
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Reducing Stress by Cleaning
I have worked as a therapist for the last 25 years. Counseling in various venues for addictions and mental health. When I met my husband I began working with him in his business. Of course, I had a few ideas of my own, such as Natural Cleaning Products and making our store a warm, comfortable atmosphere for people to shop for vacuum cleaners and cleaning supplies. I've always thought that cleaning should be seen as a pleasant experience, so shopping for supplies should be too.
I've always known there has been a connection between my peace of mind and the cleanliness of my home. I know there is a psychological reward to having a clutter-free home, which can help have a clutter-free mind.
I have also done a good bit of training over the years and one of my favorite topics is Stress Management. So, I am happy to share with you this article I found about Stress & Cleaning. Hope you enjoy it, too.
I've always known there has been a connection between my peace of mind and the cleanliness of my home. I know there is a psychological reward to having a clutter-free home, which can help have a clutter-free mind.
I have also done a good bit of training over the years and one of my favorite topics is Stress Management. So, I am happy to share with you this article I found about Stress & Cleaning. Hope you enjoy it, too.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Oklahoma City and Vacuum Cleaners
Are you in the Oklahoma City area and looking for a new vacuum cleaner? VacShack.com, Inc. has a wonderful retail showroom, A Cleaner Place, 12409 N Rockwell Ave., Oklahoma City, 73142. In addition, we have lots of Natural Cleaning Products, Eco-friendly cleaning tools, Soy Candles and much, much more. We are locally and family owned and have an incredibly friendly staff (if I do say so myself since they are family.)
We get lots of compliments about our Retail Store, mostly about how nice it is. So, if you want a relaxing, clean, fresh-smelling place to try out your next vacuum, please stop by. We are open M-Th 9-6, Friday 9-5 and Saturday 10-4. Also check out www.acleanerplace.com, which has gotten a face lift as of June 21, 2010.
We get lots of compliments about our Retail Store, mostly about how nice it is. So, if you want a relaxing, clean, fresh-smelling place to try out your next vacuum, please stop by. We are open M-Th 9-6, Friday 9-5 and Saturday 10-4. Also check out www.acleanerplace.com, which has gotten a face lift as of June 21, 2010.
Compressed Air Dusters and Environmental Concerns
Use a Miele Micro Set Instead
Get your Miele Micro Set and all Miele Vacuums & Supplies at VacShack.comIn Oklahoma City? Shop at A Cleaner Place
Miele Micro Set
Just used the Miele Micro Set to clean my computer keyboard, tray and mouse. I can't believe this has been in our store for years and I just tried it. I love it! Don't have a Miele Vacuum? No worries, Steve can make it work with your vacuum, too.
Shop VacShack.com for all your Miele Vacuum and supply needs. In Oklahoma City? Shop A Cleaner Place, Oklahoma City's only Miele Diamond Dealer.
Miele Micro Set Attachment Kit at www.vacshack.com
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Allergies and IQ Air
If you are like me, this has been a BAD year for seasonal allergies and hay fever. I thought it worth re-posting my blog about Air Purifiers.
I wrote a blog about using IQAir Air Purifier in my bedroom. If you missed that, you can read about it here. I recently had another opportunity to see how well this machine works. I got a summer cold a few weeks ago and just could not get rid of it. Didn't feel bad anymore, but had nagging congestion, especially at night.
Just as it sometimes goes when you have your own business, I needed new filters for my IQAir but I couldn't remember to bring them home. I finally did, and after a few days, voila, congestion gone. So, once again, I am a firm believer that this machine really works. I had never been able to completely get rid of congestion at night until I started using it.
Shop VacShack.com for all your Air Purifier Needs.
In Oklahoma City? Shop A Cleaner Place.
Allergies & Air Purifiers
Just as it sometimes goes when you have your own business, I needed new filters for my IQAir but I couldn't remember to bring them home. I finally did, and after a few days, voila, congestion gone. So, once again, I am a firm believer that this machine really works. I had never been able to completely get rid of congestion at night until I started using it.
Shop VacShack.com for all your Air Purifier Needs.
In Oklahoma City? Shop A Cleaner Place.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Favorite eco-friendly product for Cleaning Stainless
This week my favorite product is the microfiber cloth I use to clean my refrigerator. About 18 months ago I got new stainless steel appliances after a complete overhaul of the kitchen. They looked fantastic! The in-laws were coming for Thanksgiving and I needed help! My niece came over to help me get ready and her job was to make that new fridge shine. We cleaned and polished and cleaned some more. It looked good. I made a comment about cleaning the fridge to my mother-in-law (who is a dear and precious woman) and she told me "Oh yes, you have to polish stainless to keep it looking good." UGGGHHH!!!! Not what I wanted to hear.
Then I discovered a wonderful something (or should I say I discovered a new use). I have been using microfiber products for a long time. I discovered many, many years ago the microfiber mop and used it faithfully and solely on my entry way satillo tiles. But had never thought of it for stainless. CasaBella makes a wonderful microfiber for use on stainless. I had a new love. I never thought I could love something more than my microfiber mop; the way I could use the first one to dry mop and get up the dust and then use a second, (thoroughly wet, then wring as much of the water as you can get out) without chemicals, just water to make my floors shine. But here it was, something that made me love my new stainless appliances again.
So, here's the deal. Just like with the mop, thoroughly wet, then wring nearly dry and clean your appliances in a circular motion. While the stainless appliance may still need occasionally polishing (so far I haven't found a need to do this) this microfiber is GREAT for regular use to keep your appliances looking great.
No chemicals to use, no spray-on, wipe-ff goop, no paper towels to throw away, no grime and good to wash out of your cleaning cloth. Just toss the microfiber in the wash (no fabric softeners or bleach and do not wash with terry) and air or machine dry.
For keeping your microfiber cloth fresh between washings, check out my previous blog
Then I discovered a wonderful something (or should I say I discovered a new use). I have been using microfiber products for a long time. I discovered many, many years ago the microfiber mop and used it faithfully and solely on my entry way satillo tiles. But had never thought of it for stainless. CasaBella makes a wonderful microfiber for use on stainless. I had a new love. I never thought I could love something more than my microfiber mop; the way I could use the first one to dry mop and get up the dust and then use a second, (thoroughly wet, then wring as much of the water as you can get out) without chemicals, just water to make my floors shine. But here it was, something that made me love my new stainless appliances again.
So, here's the deal. Just like with the mop, thoroughly wet, then wring nearly dry and clean your appliances in a circular motion. While the stainless appliance may still need occasionally polishing (so far I haven't found a need to do this) this microfiber is GREAT for regular use to keep your appliances looking great.
No chemicals to use, no spray-on, wipe-ff goop, no paper towels to throw away, no grime and good to wash out of your cleaning cloth. Just toss the microfiber in the wash (no fabric softeners or bleach and do not wash with terry) and air or machine dry.
For keeping your microfiber cloth fresh between washings, check out my previous blog
BioKleen Bac-out Fabric Refresher instead of Febreze.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Congratulations BioKleen
Congratulations to BioKleen for their recent recognition of
Best Cleaning Products: Biokleen by TreeHugger.com
It's tough deciding which is best when it comes to the bevy of terrific cleaning products that are readily available today. So we took our cleaning buckets and poked our heads under our bathroom sinks to assess how the major players in this category stacked up. While Seventh Generation, Method, and Earth Friendly Products take up a lot of real estate under our kitchen counters, Biokleen gets our rubber-gloved thumbs up for the sheer breadth of and gentle-yet-effective products they put out. From soy-cream surface cleaners to drain cleaner to dish powder, they make house chores that greener and easier to tackle.
Read the news release
Best Cleaning Products: Biokleen by TreeHugger.com
It's tough deciding which is best when it comes to the bevy of terrific cleaning products that are readily available today. So we took our cleaning buckets and poked our heads under our bathroom sinks to assess how the major players in this category stacked up. While Seventh Generation, Method, and Earth Friendly Products take up a lot of real estate under our kitchen counters, Biokleen gets our rubber-gloved thumbs up for the sheer breadth of and gentle-yet-effective products they put out. From soy-cream surface cleaners to drain cleaner to dish powder, they make house chores that greener and easier to tackle.Read the news release
Shopping online
My first preference for shopping is locally-owned businesses. Because we have our own retail store, however, there is not always time to do that. Sometimes I can't find what I need locally or sometimes I get an urge to buy at 2 a.m. (no, not very often and not very impulsively). When I do shop online, I like to know who I am dealing with. I will give new online stores a chance as long as they state clearly who they are.
Maybe it is just my preference and maybe it has something to do with being a small business owner myself, but I care who I buy from. I thought I am surely not the first person to think of this, so I did a little research and came across this guide that addresses that and many more issues about online shopping. Hope it is helpful to you.
Online Shopping
Maybe it is just my preference and maybe it has something to do with being a small business owner myself, but I care who I buy from. I thought I am surely not the first person to think of this, so I did a little research and came across this guide that addresses that and many more issues about online shopping. Hope it is helpful to you.
Online Shopping
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
Why Everyday is Earth Day
WITH NEW UP-DATES FOR 2012
Even though it is a part of our mission to offer eco-friendly products, I was somehow just not in the mood to jump on the ever-expanding bandwagon for Earth Day. Although I don't pretend to do it perfectly; everyday is Earth Day for me, for our business and for our family. Just a few of the things I do to be Earth Friendly and why:
1. I have been using chemical-free cleaning supplies for more years than I can count. I have sensitive skin and was making many products long before they became widely available commercially. After I met my husband, I encouraged him to look into natural products and it has now become a part of our business plan to specialize in these products.
2. I shop at thrift stores. Originally I started looking for "treasures" to sell on eBay. I then became amazed at how many things I could pick up in my hunts. I think it is a great way to "re-use" other people's trash. I have picked up dishes I use for pet food and water, pots for my plants, furniture and accessories, many I have re-purposed, tablecloths, picture frames, the list goes on. I have several "trash to treasure" books and it is a running joke in my family to see what "project" I have done for Christmas, many years giving craft project made out of somebody else's trash.
3. I go to auctions. Again, this is a great way to purchase interesting objects, saving money and preventing items from ending up in landfills. We have bought furnishings to use in our retail store, as well as furniture for our home. Many items require some refurbishing, but that's part of the fun!
4. I donate unused items to charity.
5. I use cloth napkins and microfibers, thereby eliminating paper towels and napkins in my home. There is almost nothing in my house I can't clean with the right microfiber cloth and just water.
6. I have a compost pile. A great way to decrease what we put in the garbage trucks and helps eliminate the need to purchase soil (that often comes in plastic bags) and put additives in our garden and lawn.
7. We re-use packing materials when we can in shipping products out of our business.
8. We keep eco-pads (an adult form of etch-a-sketch that comes with a stylus) at desks to write notes, greatly reducing paper usage.
9. I try really hard not to buy wrapping paper. I try to get creative with wrapping presents: using decorated paper sacks, wrapping in leftover fabric, using items I have on hand to decorate the packages.
UPDATES 3/31/2012:
10. We now use glass straws (available in our store) instead of plastic straws.
11. I use reusable shopping bags.
12. We have reusable produce bags, sandwich bags and snack bags in our store.
13. I use washable hankies instead of tissues. We sell "Hanky Books" in our store.
14. I no longer buy soda in plastic, throwaway bottles. I have a SodaStream machine in my house, at our store; (also available for purchase) thereby eliminating throwaway bottles and reducing my calories and soda consumption.
15. I have switched from our "pod" coffee machine, thereby eliminating trash and allowing me to put the used coffee ground on my compost pile.
16. We use non-chemical pest control (except for wasps; I am allergic so chemical warfare is necessary) using herbal and natural solutions.
WOW! I am proud of the six new Eco-friendly practices I can add to my list. I will continue to search for other ways/practices and share them with you. What are your practices?
None of my ideas are new, many of them are not giant leaps. But, if everyone will take just one baby step, we can change the world.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
How to change your vacuum cleaner bag
WOW! I just read an article in a magazine (that I love) about vacuuming. They had so many old and out-dated facts, I had to post a blog. The first thing I take exception with is, "When the bag is more than half full, the vacuum loses suction." NOT true with the synthetic bags. Miele
has a fantastic bag system
The layered special fabric of this dustbag has many advantages:
Next, they tell you to "stick a piece of duct tape over the hole". Again, if you use the Miele Bags, this is not necessary.
With Miele Bags, they have an "Automatic dustbag closure for hygienic removal and disposal. "
Why would you want to use a bag that you have to stick a piece of duct tape over the hole when you can buy a vacuum that uses a bag where this is unnecessary??
Other advantages of the Miele Bags
There are some really good vacuum cleaners and some that will keep the dirt inside the bag and out of the air and out of your face. If you have allergies, you really should check out the Miele Vacuums. If you want some really good advice on which vacuum is right for you, read my previous post, or call and talk to Steve.
has a fantastic bag system
- Longer suction performance.
Next, they tell you to "stick a piece of duct tape over the hole". Again, if you use the Miele Bags, this is not necessary.
With Miele Bags, they have an "Automatic dustbag closure for hygienic removal and disposal. "
Why would you want to use a bag that you have to stick a piece of duct tape over the hole when you can buy a vacuum that uses a bag where this is unnecessary??
Other advantages of the Miele Bags
- 15% improved filtration.
- Impact foil preventing sharp-edged objects, such as pine needles, glass and sand from penetrating the bag.
There are some really good vacuum cleaners and some that will keep the dirt inside the bag and out of the air and out of your face. If you have allergies, you really should check out the Miele Vacuums. If you want some really good advice on which vacuum is right for you, read my previous post, or call and talk to Steve.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Favorite Natural Cleaning Product This Week
Know what my favorite natural cleaning product is this week? Pet Odor Eliminator by Unique Manufacturing (POE). Know why it is my favorite? Because our beloved DJ (our Lab-Husky Mix) was running through the hallway yesterday and I wondered why Bobette (our cat) was freaking out at him. Because he vomited.
DJ has an anxiety disorder and the nervous stomach to go with it. So, if he drinks too much water, finds something in the neighbor's yard to eat or for many other unexplained reasons, he tends to vomit. So, I mixed warm water with the POE (10:1 water to POE so it goes a long way), poured it on the carpet, put a warm, moist white towel on the floor and went to work. When I got home, no more odor and the stain was gone. This is an enzyme product, so it is safe to use anywhere. As you may have read in previous blogs, we also use it directly on DJ. It has so many uses, I hope you'll pick up a bottle soon.
DJ has an anxiety disorder and the nervous stomach to go with it. So, if he drinks too much water, finds something in the neighbor's yard to eat or for many other unexplained reasons, he tends to vomit. So, I mixed warm water with the POE (10:1 water to POE so it goes a long way), poured it on the carpet, put a warm, moist white towel on the floor and went to work. When I got home, no more odor and the stain was gone. This is an enzyme product, so it is safe to use anywhere. As you may have read in previous blogs, we also use it directly on DJ. It has so many uses, I hope you'll pick up a bottle soon.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)