Tips to keep your Home Clean

We have a sign in our restroom at our retail store that says "Clean as you go and everything stays cleaner."  I am one of those people that might be considered a "clean freak."  I like to keep things clean and I love time-saving tips to help me do this.  It has become second nature to me.  I thought I would share some of those tips with you.

• If you spill, clean it up right away.  The longer it stays, on your counter, on your floor, on your upholstery, the harder it will be to clean up. 

• Vacuum your floors and carpet regularly.  According to The Carpet and Rug Institute, "Removing loose soil while it remains on the carpet surface prevents dirt from being ground into the carpet pile and can help preserve the cushiness of your carpet."  It is also the best way to free your air of allergens.  When people are buying an Air Purifier due to allergies, we first ask if they have a good vacuum cleaner.  Vacuum, instead of sweeping wood floors, especially if you have allergies. Dirt and grit act like sandpaper and will scratch your wood floor.
• Keep a microfiber mop handy. We recommend the Bona Mop.   After you've vacuumed your hard surface floors, running a microfiber mop over it will keep it looking clean and shiny.  Get your microfiber completely wet with hot water and then wring out as much water as possible before you mop.  Unlike other mops, the microfiber attracts the dirt and does not re-distribute it on your floor.    
• If you splatter, clean it up right away.  Keep a microfiber cloth handy in all the usual places that this could happen:  near your kitchen counter, near the bathroom mirror.  Those spots on the mirror that happen after you brush your teeth are much easier to get off right after you do it.  If you get water on your bathroom counter, they won't spot if you wipe it up right then.
• Do regular maintenance.  Keep a squeegee in the shower for shower doors, shower walls and use it.  This prevents build-up and water spots.  We also keep Unique Pet & Odor Eliminator (yes, humans can use it to) mixed with water in a spray bottle.  About every other day, I spray the shower doors, floor, where they meet, shower walls with the mixture.  Next time you finish your shower, rinse it off and use the squeegee.  
• Keep a lambswool duster nearby.  If you see a build-up of dust, get the duster out and use it.  They don't spread the dust around.  Thousands of soft, dense lambs wool fibers act as a magnet to naturally attract and hold dust particles without the use of cleaning chemicals or aerosols.
• Keep clutter to a minimum.  It is easier to clean and better for your indoor air quality.  Clutter gets in the way, collects more dust and can affect our overall sense of well-being.  Use baskets or other containers to store the clutter that collects in your house and store those out of your living areas, like in a closet.  Also, keep an empty basket or two to gather up junk out of your living room to re-distribute it in its proper place.  
• A Place for Everything and Everything in its Place.  Make sure where you keep your items is close to where you use them.  I just did a reorganization of my kitchen because I realized how much time I was spending putting things away and that things stayed out longer because of this.  Re-evaluate how and what you use and keep the things you use frequently nearby and store lesser-used items in out of the way places. 
•  Replace disposables with reusable items.  We have eliminated paper towels in our house and retail store.  We keep a good supply of microfiber cloths for all jobs and have a designated hamper or bucket to keep the used ones until we wash them.  I even have old flour sack towels I use to soak up grease from food when I cook.  Washing them in hot water makes them able to be used again and again for that same job.  We no longer use paper napkins, replacing them, instead with cloth.  We use glass straws.  All this cuts down on the garbage we throw out, making less work for us and helping the environment at the same time.  Modern conveniences sometimes cost more time and usually take a toll on Mother Nature.  

I hope these tips help you keep your home cleaner and, as a result, healthier.  I would love to hear from you and know what your tips are.

Shop online at www.vacshack.com In the Oklahoma City area shop www.acleanerplace.com

Green cleaning

View more presentations from jeaniesue

Vacuum Cleaner Service

What does it mean to have a Vacuum Cleaner Serviced and Why Should I do IT?

Today, vacuum cleaners have become a disposable appliance.  We have countless customers come into our store and tell us, "I just buy a new vacuum cleaner every year (or every two years)."  WHY?  Because they are buying cheap, inefficient vacuum cleaners that are not equipped to do the job they need them to do, but....more importantly, they are not taking care of them properly.  I decided to (with the help of my husband) let you know what's involved when we service your vacuum and some things you can do at home to keep your vacuum cleaner running longer and smoother.  Please, let's stop throwing them in the landfills!

What we do when we "service" a vacuum cleaner:

Change the Bag or clean out the Tank on bagless models
Replace filters (this is especially true of bagless vacuum cleaners; they will not run properly and they will not last if you do not keep the filters clean)
Clean the Brush Roll (or roller bar, or beater bar)  
Change the Belt

Replace minor parts
Clean and deodorize the vacuum

Many of these things can be done at home, if you choose.

**If you accidentally vacuum up something you shouldn't (anything wet):

• Take the bag out immediately  
• On a tankless, empty the tank and clean it out
• Clean out the area where the tank or bag goes and do NOT put it back together until it has aired/dried out completely. 
• Clean out other affected areas and open up what you can
• If you have an outside area that is safe, set it outside to dry out
• If you are still having problems, take it to your local vacuum cleaner repair center, sooner not later

**If you have pets or people in the house with long hair, check the brushroll often and cut any hair that has wrapped around the brushroll.

**Change your belt:

• Unless you have a machine with a lifetime belt, your vacuum cleaner belt needs changed about every six months, depending upon use. 
• If you smell rubber when you vacuum, change the belt
• If your vacuum cleaner is not picking up well and you have not changed your belt, do so
• Belts are cheap but they can make all the difference 
• You cannot always tell by looking whether or not a belt needs changed
• Use genuine belts, made by the manufacturer 
• Your manual will tell you how to change your belt; if you cannot or don't want to, take it to your local vacuum cleaner service center

**Change your Filters

• This is especially important for bagless models
• Again, depending upon your use and the vacuum cleaner, change them about every six months
• NOTE:  Because of the excellent filtration, Miele HEPA filters only need changed about every two years
• Look in your manual or ask where you bought it, to make sure you are changing all the filters 

Any vacuum cleaner can last for a long time, with the proper maintenance.  We believe models that use bags last longer and clean better over time, with less repair costs, but that's another post: http://jjscleanandhealthyhome.blogspot.com/search?q=bagless&updated-max=2011-06-30T07%3A24%3A00-05%3A00&max-results=20

I hope this has been helpful.  If you have other questions about your vacuum cleaner, let us know.  If you are in Oklahoma City and want us to service your vacuum cleaner, we are at 12409 N Rockwell Ave, 73142  www.acleanerplace.com

If you would like to order a vacuum or supplies online, please visit www.vacshack.com  

We'd love to hear your vacuum cleaner stories!!  
























  Shop online at www.vacshack.com In the Oklahoma City area shop www.acleanerplace.com

Psychology of Cleaning out Your Closet

Much like hanging on to old resentments and hurts can interfere with our ability to grow and prosper, hanging on to old clothes and items that are no longer worth keeping can interfere with our ability to accomplish our daily tasks.  Cleaning out a closet can free you emotionally and physically. 

I was taught by my high school home economics teacher, DeAnn Pence, that you clean from the inside out.  She was right! This has so many applications in our life.  Keeping your closets and cupboards clean and organized can help your life be that way, as well.  If you are going to have impromptu guests and need to do a quick pickup/clean-up, it will be much easier if everything has a “home.”  That is why, in my house, I refer to where items “live.”  Likewise, if you are a busy person, getting ready in the morning is much easier if your clothes, make-up, accessories are organized in a way that fits with your lifestyle.

   

First step in cleaning out (your life or your closet) is to purge:

• Get rid of things you no longer need.
• If you can’t get rid of it, put in away in a spot that will not interfere with your daily routines.  
• Enlist the help of a friend if you just can't decide.
• Think about what clothes, resentments or past traditions are no longer useful or are holding you back.  

Be ruthless as you try on clothes that

• Don’t fit
• Aren’t in style
• You don't wear
• Are in disrepair and you either won’t fix or not worth fixing

Make three Piles:   Donate, give away, throw away.

After you get rid of some of the things that don’t belong in your closet, organize:

• If you are limited on space, organize your clothes by size.  If you have all your long items together, you will have floor space under short items to have drawers, racks, etc.
• Having uniform hangers takes up less space and makes it easier to get to what you need.
• Use baskets, bins, storage drawers to keep things organized. 

Just like with your life, take time as you go to clean up and clear out things, clothes, thoughts, resentments you don't need.  Getting rid of the old always makes room for some new.  But, before you get new, think about leaving some free space, it can make things simpler. 

Shop online at www.vacshack.com In the Oklahoma City area shop www.acleanerplace.com

Watch the clip talking about Kealey's closet and stay tuned for the "after".

Do you have a closet that you'd like made over?  Send pictures to acleanerplace@vacshack.com and we'll offer suggestions and/or give you a quote to makeover your closet.  

Oklahoma City Vacuum Store

Peace of mind knowing your home is A Cleaner Place

"In my childhood I liked to take things apart and fix them, or just see what made them work,” said A Cleaner Place owner, Stephen Fuhrman. “Sometimes they didn’t work when I was done, but I learned from that,” he chuckled.
                Little did he know that his childhood tinkering would lead him to a 25+ year-long career in the vacuum industry. Fuhrman began in 1985 by selling Kirby Vacuum cleaners door to door.  Later, while working as an electrician, he continued his fascination by working in a vacuum repair shop.
               Tired of his boss’ business practices Fuhrman decided to open his own store called “VacShack” in 1995 in Tracy, California.  The primary focus of the new store was to offer customers high quality products at reasonable prices and back them up with the customer service he felt his customers deserved.

                The business was moved to Oklahoma City and renamed “A Cleaner Place,” soon after Fuhrman married Jeanie Jones. Oklahoma was home to Jeanie; it was centrally located for his Steve’s online vacuum business, and Oklahoma provided an affordable cost of living.
                Jeanie was sensitive to chemicals and had been using non-chemical methods of cleaning for years.  Jeanie and Steve began to sell all natural and chemical free cleaning products.  They personally try all of the products they carry in their store. 
                “I think you will be surprised that we are more than vacuum cleaners. We help people,” Jeanie says. “It is sad that most people have to be disappointed by mass merchandisers and cheap imports before they come to us.  When they do finally come around, we get to help them with allergy symptoms, chemical sensitivities, and even cleaning advice.  We promise to make the best recommendations that suit your needs.” 

A Cleaner Place offers excellent customer service by engaging with the customer, solving their problems, and offering quality products and services. They aim to provide eco-friendly products that are sustainable, free from harmful chemicals, and healthy for families. 
                They offer quality vacuum cleaners, floor care machines, personal care products, kitchen products, and household products all with you in mind. A Cleaner Place takes pride in offering items that are made locally, regionally, or by responsible American and European companies. They are proud to carry the new Soda Stream product line. “We have map that shows where each of our vendors are located, we like to boast about this because most of them are right here in the USA,” Steve Fuhrman. 

 
                Stop by A Cleaner Place at 12409 N. Rockwell Ave. in Oklahoma City or visit www.acleanerplace.com or www.vacshack.com to learn more.

www.twitter.com/vacshackcom            www.facebook.com/acleanerplace

Shop online at www.vacshack.com 

In the Oklahoma City area shop www.acleanerplace.com

Miele S6 Red Velvet Canister Vacuum Cleaner

Ever since I saw this wonderful vacuum cleaner, I have been excited about the launching.  Please read Miele's Press Release about this upcoming new vacuum cleaner.  I think you'll be excited, too.  

Introducing the Miele S6 Red Velvet Canister Vacuum Cleaner

Princeton, NJ – June 14, 2011 – Miele is unveiling its latest vacuum cleaner innovation for media exclusive events this week.   The unique S6 Red Velvet, the world’s first velvet-covered vacuum, will be displayed for media review on June 14th at the Total Home Event and on June 21st at the Holiday Gift Guide Show ahead of the scheduled fall 2011 market launch.  Inspired by the color of rich burgundy wines the S6 Red Velvet is a statement in design excellence. The Red Velvet flock coating is beautifully soft, yet very durable for daily use.

“We have paid careful attention to every curve and line ensuring the only thing rivaling the S6 series vacuums’ beauty is its functionality,” states Paul McCormack, Director of Public Relations for Miele, Inc. “These vacuums are so stunning, it would simply be a shame to hide them in a closet. The S6 series represents a re-launch of Miele vacuum cleaners. The luxury, full-featured vacuum in a wide array of fashion colors is what Miele is known for the world over. This important new series affirms our leadership position in this market and is a perfect complement to the innovative S7 upright series we launched just a few years back. Now, consumers can pick from a wide selection of Miele stick, upright and canister vacuum cleaners with the confidence that any vacuum they pick will be custom fit for their flooring needs and is tested to last for 20 years of uncompromising performance and advanced filtration with noiseless operation.”
The S6 flagship model, Red Velvet, is light, compact and powerful. Its innovative skeleton construction makes it easy to carry at less than 10 pounds. Also well-balanced, making it easy to transport. Yet still, the casing is designed to withstand up to 220 pounds of direct pressure. Nestled under its elegant yet robust exterior is the powerful, Miele-made Vortex Motor System™ that provides exceptional power.  A unique band of insulation blankets the interior of the vacuum making it remarkably quiet, the quietest ever by Miele.
Red Velvet is engineered with Miele’s legendary AirClean Sealed System™ which safeguards indoor air quality by retaining tiny lung damaging particulates from polluting the air you breathe. Recent scientific evidence that proves Miele vacuums (with a combination AirClean™ FilterBag,  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™ FilterBag are the best at eliminating dangerous fine particles typically released into the air when vacuuming,” McCormack asserts. “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 McCormack. “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™ FilterBag with its unique spring-loaded collar locks shut when removed to trap particles and keep them out of the airstream. For detailed information related to this study, visit http://www.airtruth.com/.
Finally, the S6 Red Velvet includes a useful array of accessory and floor cleaning tools that makes cleaning easier.  “Convenience is part of the S6 DNA via multiple features,” concludes McCormack. “Accessories such as the upholstery brush, crevice nozzle and dusting brush are available on the VarioClip, which allow the onboard tools to be accessible either at waist level or on the canister. To offer added convenience, the S6 comes standard with an automatic one-touch cable rewind. Now, there’s no need to stand on a switch and no whiplash effect as is the case with other manufacturers.”   And, the cord itself allows for a larger operating radius of 33 feet.
In today’s economy, consumers demand longevity from their purchases. Miele vacuums are tested to last for 20 years – a tradition-rich, self-imposed quality standard that is the envy of the industry. Overall, the S6 Red Velvet was designed will brilliance to be compact and valuable, durable and robust. Its unique Red Velvet covering, which is a world-first, has yet again positioned Miele as the world leader in floor care.

About Miele
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 more than 16,600 employees, 12 production facilities, representation in nearly 100 countries and annual turnover of €2.83bn, approximately $3.62 billion (2009/10). As a premium appliance brand represented on all continents, Miele is steadfastly committed to the highest quality, performance and environmental standards.  Miele’s range of exceptional consumer appliances includes: vacuum cleaners; laundry systems; rotary irons; dishwashers; built-in convection, speed and steam ovens; cooktops; ventilation hoods; refrigeration; wine storage and espresso/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.

Shop online at www.vacshack.com
Get your Miele Red Velvet HERE

In the Oklahoma City area shop www.acleanerplace.com
Follow us on Twitter
Visit our Facebook Page

Clutter & Stress

I recently did an interview on a local tv station, KSBI-TV,  talking about how to de-clutter and de-stress.  You can view that segment by clicking on this link and then clicking on Monday, June 27.

I.                    Cluttered Surroundings = Increased Stress

II.                  Create a Clutter-Free Zone

III.                Make Bedroom a Relaxing Place

IV.                A Place for Everything & Everything in its Place

V.                  A Clean Home is a Healthy Home

VI.                Clutter Free→ Clean Home→ Healthy Body→ Healthy Mind→ Less Stress→ Peace of Mind

 

Ways in which clutter can lead to increased stress can include time wasted looking for things. Wasted time can lead to a lot of stress if you constantly have to look for things like your keys, or other essential items to start your day. If you misplace your bills and they don't get paid on time you can pile stress upon stress.  Clutter can also lead to fear that someone will stop by and see your mess.  You can also become overwhelmed by your clutter, to the point you can't get motivated to do anything because it all seems so much.  

A good way to begin to tackle your clutter is to create a "clutter-free zone.  If you can't seem to rejuvenate because of the amount of chaos in your life, try to establish an area or a room if you can, where there is no clutter.  Arrange or decorate it in a way that is pleasing to you.  You might keep flowers there, a favorite throw, a stereo to play your music.  The idea is to have a least a place to sit and reconnect with what is important to you.  A place to read, meditate, pray or just be alone with your thoughts.

The bedroom is the best room to start to de-clutter.  Most people leave their bedroom to last, or never get to it, because "nobody sees it."  So....you are willing to make other rooms pleasing to others, but don't get to your bedroom because "it's just you."  See something wrong with this picture?  If you are trying to get your serenity back, make your bedroom a serene place.  It is the room where you spend more time than any other and, more importantly, it is where you sleep.  If you have a lot of clutter in your bedroom, it may be interfering with your sleep.  If the last thing you see before climbing into bed is a beg pile of mess, then that may be what you go to sleep and wake up thinking about.  

When you start to tackle this issue of getting your house (or your office or workplace) in order, make a place for everything.  If you don't have a place for everything, then you may want to look at other solutions or get rid of some things.  Are there things you want to keep but don't use as often?  Maybe they can go into longer term storage, into containers and in the garage, attic or basement.  Maybe you need some shelving or cabinets to store some things longer term.  Another good rule of thumb is "don't bring anything into your home unless you take something out:  clothes, shoes, furniture, knick-knacks, magazines, you get the picture.  

If you want to be healthy and you want your family to be healthy, then you need a clean home.  From allergies to bugs to rodents; all can become a problem in a dusty, cluttered, unkempt home.

Clutter-free is necessary to be able to properly clean your home.  A clean home helps maintain a clean body.  Healthy Body helps contribute to a healthy mind.  A healthy mind and state of being can lead to less stress and can help you deal better with the little bumps in life.  Less stress can help lead to that peace of mind we all want.  

Good luck to de-cluttering your home, your office and your mind.  There's no time like the present to start this task. 

Shop online at www.vacshack.com
In the Oklahoma City area shop www.acleanerplace.com
To contact Jeanie for counseling, training, or speaking engagements www.jeaniejones.com

Cherry Limeade

I have loved Cherry Limeade since I was a kid.  In my hometown of Chandler, OK, there was a drive-in food place, Sprague's Drive Inn where they made the best Cherry Limeade.  One summer after my mom had surgery, I would frequently walk down there to get her a Cherry Limeade.  Braum's makes a pretty good one, but (maybe it's just a fond childhood memory) not like Sprague's!  I have loved my Soda Stream Soda maker since I got it and have loved experimenting with recipes.  See my previous post for a great Cream Soda Recipe I got from the Martha Stewart Show.  So, I got the idea to make my own Cherry Limeade!  The first one I made was with carbonated water, maraschino cherries and juice and fresh lime.  It was pretty good.  But this one, made with fresh cherries is the BOMB.  So, if you like Cherry Limeade, here it is:

Start with Cold Water and Use your Soda Stream Soda Maker to carbonate the water.

8 ounces Carbonated Water
Juice of One Fresh Lime
1/8 cup Cherry Syrup (recipe to follow)

Put the lime juice and one half the lime into the carbonated water and add the Cherry Syrup.  Stir, add your ice and enjoy!

Notes:  I found the Cherry Syrup to not make it quite sweet enough, so I added 1/2 teaspoon Splenda.  I think that it is a preference how sweet/sour you want yours, so don't be afraid to experiment.  You could also top it off with a maraschino cherry to add flavor, sweetness and color.

Cherry Syrup

2 cups fresh cherries (any variety) 
1/4 cup water 
3 tbsp. granulated sugar (I used organic turbinado sugar)

Insert a small paring knife into each cherry and cut around the hard center pit until you can pop it out, then discard the pit. (or use a cherry pitter) Wash your hands immediately with soap and warm water to prevent the cherry juice from staining your hands.

Add 2 cups pitted cherries into a food processor. Puree by holding down the "On" button for roughly three-second intervals until the cherries are completely blended, with no visible lumps. Continuously holding down the "On" button may make the cherries blend unevenly.

Place a large saucepan on the stove, then pour in the pureed cherries. Stir in 1/4 cup water and 3 tbsp. granulated sugar. Heating sugar and water produces a thick base known as a simple syrup.

Turn the stove to "high" and heat until the mixture starts to boil. Lower the heat to "medium" and cook the mixture for approximately 10 minutes so it can thicken.

Allow the syrup to cool for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until it's at room temperature. Pour into a jar and serve immediately, or store in the refrigerator for up to a week for the best results.

Shop online at www.vacshack.com
In the Oklahoma City area shop www.acleanerplace.com

Cleaner and Greener Miele phophate-free dish care

Go cleaner and greener with Miele phosphate-free dish care products

The new Miele Care Collection™ II provides superior cleaning performance for dishware and glassware while protecting the environment

 

Princeton, New Jersey, November 2010 – Miele, maker of the dishwasher series recently ranked highest in customer satisfaction by J.D. Power and Associates1, introduces the innovative Miele Care Collection™ II series (for dish care) which includes three new products: phosphate-free dishwasher tabs, a powerful rinse aid and specially formulated softening salt engineered to spotlessly clean and preserve dishes, flatware, utensils, crystal, glassware and more. The new generation Miele Care Collection™ II dishwasher tabs combine a special glass guard formula, water softening salt and a sustainable cleansing agent to provide exceptional results and advanced protection, even with heavy soiling. The series is complete with Care Collection™ II rinse aid and water softening salt which go even further to enhance performance – especially for sparkling glasses and perfect drying results.

"Miele is known the world over for manufacturing the ultimate dishwasher, but you don’t need to own a Miele to use our extraordinary dish care products,” states Paul McCormack, Spokesperson for Miele. “These products are made to protect your dishes and glassware while safeguarding our environment. With so many states banning phosphates, it’s important to consider your dishwashing options. You want a name you can trust to get your dishes and glassware safely clean and sparkling. Taking care of the environment without compromising performance is not new for Miele. And what good is using a detergent that doesn’t work as promised? When homeowners do not get the results they expect, they will waste water pre-rinsing versus changing detergents or even their dishwasher. About 20 gallons of water is wasted pre-rinsing per dishwasher load,” explains McCormack.

 
Miele Care Collection™ II Dishwasher TabletsMiele’s new dishwasher tabs are packaged in a water-soluble foil wrapper to reduce landfill waste and to provide added convenience (easy handling without skin contact with the detergent). They also contain a special glass protection formula for optimal care. The new tabs will be conveniently packaged in boxes of 72 tabs that are cleverly grouped to avoid any risk of damaging the tabs. The tabs retail at $34.95.

Miele Care Collection™ II Rinse AidA new bottle design offers easier and more precise dispensing without any spoilage. Miele’s fast-drying formula reduces lime and water stains on dishware and cutlery, protects glassware against etching, enhances drying and offers sparkling results. The rinse aid retails for $10.95.
Miele Care Collection™ II SaltHard water may damage precious dishes. Miele’s softening salt enhances cleaning while dissolving slowly in water, providing the ultimate in dish care. Dishwasher salt retails for $12.95.

The entire Miele Care Collection™ II for dish care is available now through select authorized retailers and online at mielestore.com.

1 According to a J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Kitchen Appliance Satisfaction StudySM. Customer satisfaction is measured based on performance in six factors: performance and reliability (including how well the appliance functions, noise level and energy efficiency); features (such as the number of settings available and appliance capacity); ease of use; styling and feel; price and warranty. Miele ranks highest in customer satisfaction with dishwashers with a score of 806. The J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Kitchen Appliance Satisfaction StudySM is based on responses from 4,563 consumers who purchased dishwashers through a retail store or received one through other means (such as a new-home builder or a gift) during the previous 24 months. The study was fielded between March and April 2010.
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 16,600 employees, 12 production facilities, representation in nearly 100 countries and annual turnover of €2.83bn, approximately USD$3.62bn (2009/10).
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; laundry systems; 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.mieleusa.com

Buy your Miele Care Products in Oklahoma City at A Cleaner Place, 12409 N Rockwell, 73142

How to Clean Your Carpet

How to Clean Your Carpet

From ways to maintain your carpet, recommended machines, water extraction carpet cleaners, host carpet cleaning this is where you will find information on cleaning your carpet.

If you want to keep your carpet clean and fresh smelling,  I have some suggestions. 

• First of all, keep your carpet clean.  Vacuum often. 
• Use a vacuum with good filtration. 
• Clean up spills, accidents as they happen. 
• If you have pets that are prone to accidents or have aging or medical problems that cause odors, try POE, Pet Odor Eliminator, by Unique.

It is a natural enzyme that will "eat" anything that is organic.  Be sure and use according to manufacturer's directions. 

When it comes time for deeper carpet cleaning, try the Host Dry Carpet Cleaning Kit

Host carpet cleaning products are rated "Green" and because it is a dry cleaning method, it is safer for your carpets and you can walk on them very shortly after. 

If, you still want to "wash" your carpets, then, of course, we have suggestions for that.  I recommend the

Royal Carpet Cleaning Extractor Machine (see image below)

It has several features that I love, which I will cover as I suggest how to use it. 

            1. Pre-treat any spots.

            

            2.  Rinse the spot with water (The Royal makes this easy because the solution is in a separate tank and you can use plain water without changing tanks).

            3.  Clean your carpet with the Cleaning Solutions.  There are several good ones and any that are for extractor machines can be used in the Royal.  Hoover has a formula for Pet Owners. 

The solution that comes with the Royal is a good solution, too.  DO NOT use more than is recommended.  More is NOT better.  I usually use less. If you prefer all natural, green cleaning, try the BioKleen for carpet.  In addition to being natural, it is highly concentrated, using less resources and being kinder to our planet.

            4.  Next, I recommend you go back over your carpet with hot water.  Again, this is easy with the Royal, no changing tanks, just don't use the soap button.         

            Too much detergent or solution left on your carpet can be a reason why your carpet gets dirty again so quickly.  The residue left on the carpet will actually attract dirt, which is why I recommend rinsing with plain water.  Sometimes, if my carpet is not really dirty, I clean it with water only. 

            5.  Last, I recommend going over the carpet a couple of more times, just sucking up excess water.  After all, how many of us can really keep kids, dogs and spouses off the carpet for the several hours it usually takes to dry?  By going over it again (and again) you extract more of the water, making it dry faster and having less stress on your carpet, which isn't designed to be "wet."  This will keep your carpet cleaner longer.

HOST

"Since 1958, Racine Industries has been manufacturing the innovative HOST Dry Extraction Carpet Cleaning System, which is used by professionals and consumers in commercial, institutional and residential carpet cleaning worldwide," said Fritz Rench, CEO of Racine Industries.  "My father, H.D. Rench, made it his priority to create a carpet cleaning system that was safe to both the environment and the user without the use of chlorinated hydrocarbons such as perc.  We continue to follow that philosophy to this day.  The HOST System is a proven method for achieving clean and dry carpet that looks its best every day whild contributing to a healthier, cleaner environment inside and out.  HOST Dry Carpet Cleaner is both Green Seal Certified and tested as biobased by the U.S. Department of Agriculture."  HOST also carries WoolSafe Approval, and HOST contributes to fulfilling credits in the US Green Buidling Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System.

SPECIAL IN STORE DEAL!!

Royal 7910 Carpet Cleaner 

We love this floor cleaner so much that we want a way for you to see for yourself.  We are renting this machine out for $10 per day (credit card required).  If you love it, you can buy the floor model (slightly used) or a brand new one in the box and we will apply the $10  to your purchase.  We believe you will like this machine more than any Steam Cleaner or SteamVac.  But try it for yourself and see.

Rent Host Dry Carpet Cleaner
12409 N. Rockwell Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK 73142
ph: 405-721-7222
alt: 877-SHACK-OK (742-2565)

Shop online at www.vacshack.com

In the Oklahoma City area shop www.acleanerplace.com

How to Clean up Pet Accidents

Do you have a pet? Does that pet sometimes have accidents? If so, we have a solution for you.

Pet odor and stain eliminator by Unique Manufacturing. If your pet has an accident on your carpeting, you need to first scrape up as much of the solid waste as is possible. Next you mix pet odor and stain eliminator 10 to 1 with warm water. Pour the mixture onto your carpet, upholstery, or other area that has been stained. Because you have mixed this 10 to 1 with water, the product goes a long ways, and you can use it very liberally.

Next, place a moist towel or cloth over the stained area, making sure to use a white or light-colored cloth if your carpet or upholstery is light in color. Leave the towel or cloth on the stained area overnight. The product will continue to work as long as there is any stain left in your carpet or upholstery. Because it is an enzyme product, it is completely safe to use around children or pets. If the stain does not seem to be completely gone you can repeat the above steps.  After it has dried completely, simply vacuum the area. 

Pet odor and stain eliminator by unique Manufacturing can also be used if your animal gets into a tussle with a skunk. Our dog DJ has had encounters with skunks and we use this product to eliminate the smell. Again, you mix the product 10 to 1 with warm water and pour it on animal’s coat. Because it is an enzyme product there is no need to rinse the product out. It will leave your pet's coat shinier than ever.

We love this product and it can be used on a lot more than pet stains.  It is made by a company in Arvada, CO and they have been making natural products long before it became fashionable.

Shop online at www.vacshack.com
In the Oklahoma City area shop www.acleanerplace.com

Am I bothering you?

I have struggled with whether or not to post this blog and what to say, but I'm just going to step off into it....so here it goes.  I hope it is viewed in the vein in which it was intended:  to help.

My husband and I are small business owners.  We have three full-time employees:  the two of us and my nephew.  We have another part-time employee who is family.  We struggle every month to pay our bills and feel fortunate in these difficult times that we have, so far, been able to do this every month.  We also struggle with providing good customer service in the day where most people in Oklahoma (and other places, I'm sure) think Wal-Mart is a necessity and it seems everyone is just looking for the lowest price.  If we were a big enough entity, we could offer the lowest prices (as a small business we cannot always get a good price from the manufacturer or distributor) but we are not interested in that.  We want a business where we can connect with our customers, whether it is online or in person.  We want our business to remain small enough so that we keep our finger on the pulse most of the time (yes, sometimes we do take days off.)

Since we are small business owners we try really hard to patronize other small business owners.  It is not always easy.  We live in a big city, so we don't always know who they are or where they are.  There are a lot of campaigns out there, locally we have KeepitLocalOK.com, and American Express has a movement to encourage shopping at small businesses  http://smallbusinesssaturday.com/.  These help us to find other locally-owned and/or small businesses, but sometimes their inventory is limited or I spend too much time trying to find what I need and then give up and revert back to a big retailer.  Any suggestions on how to navigate this will be appreciated and shared.

I have a secondary problem with small businesses, however, they are not always nice.  Recently at a local home and garden show, we commented at one of the booths about a product they had on display and the guy, sitting behind the table, barely looked up from whatever paperwork he was doing, and certainly did not stop what he was doing, made a one word comment to us.  Did we buy anything from him?  We did not even bother to discuss with him further.

I shopped at a shoe store, another small business.  The employee who greeted me and helped me was helpful, pleasant and provided me an overall good experience.  The lady sitting behind the counter doing paperwork, my guess is the owner, could hardly be bothered to answer questions that the young lady had and certainly never got up from her chair to assist and/or act glad I was there to spend my money with her.  

In the middle of writing this I have experienced another issue with two more  business.  We needed a garage door opener.  I had an acquaintance from high school recommend somebody via FaceBook.  We called the person he referred us to, got voice mail, which did not even indicate it was a business, (it is the published business number) and left a message.  Never got a call back.  Had a different company scheduled to install the opener on Thursday.  Yes, we've been having bad weather.  We knew that and they knew that and it was discussed before the appointment was made.  On the appointed day, about an hour after we were supposed to receive a phone call (they don't make appointments) my husband, who had stayed home from our business to take care of this, called them.  Their response, (paraphrased) "Oh, we're not coming today.  None of our techs came in.  We've rescheduled everyone for Tuesday."  When asked if they were going to call us, he got no response.  We have another company, now scheduled.  We hope they show up. 

I try to be fair and understand that everybody has a bad day, but the reality is, I probably won't spend my money with you if you can't even be bothered with me.  After all, I am trying to give you money.


This does make me think about how we treat our customers.  It does make me talk to our employees about how they treat customers.  I do reiterate on a regular basis that our customers are the reason they have jobs.  On occasion I have been told that we did not treat someone well.  We always try to take an honest look at what we did, what we could have done differently and try to save that customer.  We don't always succeed, but we will keep trying.  

So come on, fellow small business owners.  Work with me!  I am trying to give you my money.  I am trying to recommend you to my customers, but I can't and won't if you haven't treated me well. 

Have you had similar experiences?  Do you have suggestions, ideas, criticisms or praises?  I'd love to hear from you.



Shop online at www.vacshack.com
In the Oklahoma City area shop www.acleanerplace.com Tweet

Stress Management for Couples who Own a Business Together and Charleston, SC

Our first venture out this year was to Charleston, SC for the PAII (Professional Association of Innkeepers International) conference.  It wasn't a trip we had been planning to take, but the stars aligned correctly and we decided to do it.  We are vendor members of PAII and had gone to their conference a few times before.  This year, they had invited me to speak about Stress Management & Preventing Burnout.

Stress Management is a topic that is near and dear to my heart and I have presented on this topic many times to many different groups. (To read more posts about Relaxation and Similar Topics, read this blog) Since my husband and I own a business together and many of the Innkeepers are owned/operated by couples, I was pretty excited about the opportunity.  I had a small, but powerful turn-out for my session.  I got wonderful comments and reviews for the session.  I hope to be able to speak to the PAII members again and maybe branch out into some more topics. We had a good time at the conference, met some wonderful Innkeepers and hope to someday be able to visit more of their Inns.

We took a carriage ride in Charleston, with Sean as our guide and John pulling our carriage.  We got there a little late, but the Old South Carriage Company sent someone to flag down the carriage so we could get on.

A view down a cobblestone street while in the carriage

We then did some shopping at some local shops:  First Stop was Classic Charleston where I bought a couple of Christmas ornaments, one was a hand-painted porcelain and I wish I knew the artist's name, but I'm not sure of the signature.  I also bought a pair of Sterling Silver earrings from Charleston Gate Jewelry.

My next stop was The Spice and Tea Exchange.  I loved this store and could have spent my whole vacation budget in here.  I did get three different kinds of rice and a couple of spice blends.  It was a wonderful shopping experience.  Next I got some wonderful buys on a sweater and a water color print of Rainbow Row at Boutique Henrietta.  Sadly, the reason why I got wonderful buys is because they are being squeezed out of their location because of a large rent increase.  I understand they do have another location.  My last stop for shopping was Charleston Crafts.  This is a must-stop if you love local art.  It is a cooperative and the artists take turns manning the shop.  Betsey Carter was manning the shop when we stopped in.  She does wonderful ceramics, including meditation stones.  We bought a Fragrance Diffuser jar that says "Gratitude."

I also bought a glass Christmas ornament from Don & Carole Carberry.

    

Our last stop of the evening was Bocci's for Italian Food.  All I can say is wonderful.  

I hope you have enjoyed my brief tour of Charleston.  And remember to breathe......

Shop online at www.vacshack.com
In the Oklahoma City area shop www.acleanerplace.com