Freezer Organization

We have an extra refrigerator in our garage.  We use the freezer to shop sales on meats, store "cook ahead" frozen meals and to generally keep overstock items.  I try to keep the things I use frequently in my kitchen refrigerator, but I continuously found myself digging through the garage freezer.  Often times after the dig, I would find that the item really wasn't in there.  This wastes time, energy and could be very frustrating. 

I needed an inventory system.  I had been to Staples and found these great Dry Erase Decals: 

I decided to put one on the fridge and list everything that was in the freezer.  At a glance I could at least see if what I wanted was in there, before even opening the door.  Once something is taken out, I just erase it with the magnetic dry erase marker/eraser.  After I did this, I discovered, since I have a white fridge, I could just write directly on the fridge, but decided the decals looks a little better, and the writing might stay put better. 





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In the Oklahoma City area shop www.acleanerplace.com

Garbage in Garbage out: Our Disposable Society

Guest Post from my husband, Stephen Fuhrman:

Garbage in Garbage out

In the late 80s my grandfather passed away.  My Dad moved all of Grandpa’s stuff to his shop and tried his best to pass it out to family members.  Nobody wanted it.  At that time I was all but broke so I dug through it and found a bunch of old tools and household goods that I was allowed to take home with me.  Items like a carpenter’s square, electric drill, hand wrenches, electric skillet, and aluminum cake pan, etc.  To this day I still use most of these items.  A few have worn out completely and had to be replaced.  My point is, these are items that sooner or later I would have purchased in order to cook, fix or whatever throughout the last 25 years.

My wonderful frugal wife that I married just 6 years ago brags almost daily about her 25 year old kitchen center, her 20 year old pots and pan set, and her 25 year old electric skillet.  Sure there are many new versions of these items on the market just begging her to buy but why?

I am talking about all this because of how disposable our society has gotten.  Just today in my little vacuum store, I had a customer come in with vacuums that were 3 years old and a 1.5 years old.  They were no longer working right and making squeaking noises.  As we talked to her, she made it clear that she loves her vacuums.  If we were to total up the amount of money she spent it would be between $800 and $900 just 1 to 3 years ago.  As we prepared a quote, she spoke up and said if it cost too much that she would just buy new ones.  “WOW”  was my thought.  In three years you are willing to pay another $850 for new items to replace the old machines that have stopped performing for you in that short amount of time.  Of course, we convinced her, that spending $100 on repairs was much better than filling the landfills and spending another $850 on new vacuums which will inherently have the same problem in a couple of years.

This got me thinking…  What is wrong with us Americans?  Why do we complain about money and the economy while wasting so much money on garbage products?  Once we do find that we made a bad investment, why do we insist on doing it all over again?  I’m not sure I have the answer, but I do have some thoughts.

Are we lazy?   A couple of weeks ago I replaced an old floor in my wife’s office with laminate flooring.  Even though I have lots of power tools and what I refer to as garage toys, I do not have a table saw or a compound miter saw to easily cut the boards perfectly.  I was about to go to Home Depot and buy one for $300 until I remembered that,  back in the late 80s, I built furniture without these tools and it all turned out nice.  I figured if I could do it then, I can do it now.  So I saved myself 300 bucks and used squares, straight-edges, and a good old fashioned circular saw to make all my cuts.

The woman that was in my store seemed like a quite mechanical and intelligent woman. She could see that paying $100 and waiting for a day was a better deal than paying $850 and getting instant gratification.  But we had to do some convincing.  Was she mentally lazy, or just swayed by the “go out and buy a newer, better one” mentality?   Why was it that it took convincing that repairing the old, saving money and landfills was a better deal?  I could make a pretty good living if I could save or collect $750 everyday.

To get back to my main thought of garbage.  OK let’s say these machines were garbage and needed to be dumped.  Why would anyone replace a 3 year old relatively expensive item with a duplicate?  Why would anyone think that you need to replace appliances every three years?  If you do your homework, buy quality products that are suitable to your needs, allow it to be demonstrated so that you use it and care for it correctly, you should never have to. 

Back to my tools, I could have gone out and bought new tools that are shinier and would have done the job easier and maybe even better, but I didn’t.  Why?  Because the old tools are not garbage, they just required me to do more brain work.

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

Is My Vacuum Cleaner Worth Fixing?

Is my vacuum cleaner worth fixing?  We hear this question a lot.  It is a very tricky one.  We will give you an honest answer.  But, first we need to ask you some questions.  

• ·         Do you love your vacuum cleaner?
• ·         How long have you had it?
• ·         How much did you pay for it?
• ·         How often has it broken, clogged, belt broken?
• ·         When it was brand new did it perform the way you wanted/expected?

We are all in favor of repairing rather than replacing, when it makes sense to do so.  But we don’t want you to spend your money for repairs and then still be unhappy with your vacuum. 

So, if in doubt, and you want an honest opinion about your vacuum cleaner, bring it to www.acleanerplace.com in Oklahoma City.  If you are not in OKC, you can call us (877-SHACK-OK) or take it to your local, independent vacuum cleaner store. 

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

Natural Pet Odor & Stain Eliminator

When you use chemicals to remove stains and odors you may be adding pollution to pollution. When using bacteria to remove odor and stains, this is the natural way. It usually takes a little longer, but the odor and stains are completely eliminated. Bacteria actually grow and produce enzymes (similar to the enzymes in your stomach). They break the urine or stain down small enough for the bacteria to eat and digest turning them into water and carbon dioxide. UNIQUE PET ODOR AND STAIN ELIMINATOR enhances this natural process hundreds of times, so the odors and stains are gone in hours instead of months or years.

UNIQUE PET ODOR AND STAIN ELIMINATOR is liquid bacteria-producing enzymes. This product contains only non-pathogenic bacteria and is safe for humans, animals, and plant life. It is also biodegradable and safe to use on all surfaces not harmed by water. The bacteria and enzymes in UNIQUE PET ODOR AND STAIN ELIMINATOR start to work (digesting and multiplying) when they are exposed to air, moisture, and food.

UNIQUE PET ODOR AND STAIN ELIMINATOR will control most odors and stains caused by vomit, urine, feces, mold and mildew, or other organic stains. This product works great to eliminate skunk odor from your dog. Just mix it according to direction, sponge it on your dog and let it work. No need to rinse just let him dry.


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

Yes, Virginia, there are Independent Vacuum Stores

Recently, while at the OKC Women's Business Breakfast sponsored by Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, I was explaining to a young professional woman what our business is.  She said, " I didn't know that stores like yours even existed."  Two things came to mind after I had this conversation with her.  First, and most importantly, the younger generation has lost touch with small, independent stores, especially vacuum stores.  Second, and this exists because of the first thought, how do we 1) let them know and 2) educate them as to the benefits of purchasing from a small, independent vacuum store.

I remember when I was about 20 years old, a friend of the family had a TV & Appliance Store.  He did in-home repairs on televisions.  (Yes, back then, our TV's were a piece of furniture and if something went wrong, we had it repaired.  And yes, they made house calls; the big pieces of furniture were not easy to get to the shop.)  I also remember that was about the same time that Wal-Mart came to our part of the world and he was explaining that Wal-Mart could sell televisions for the about the same price that he could buy them.  WHAT?  If you buy in bulk, bully the manufacturers into paying for your advertising, offer no service, hire people in a low salaries, you can negotiate a very good deal.  So began the era of looking for the cheapest price and not thinking about long-term effects.

But I digress.  We see customers everyday who have been buying "disposable" vacuum cleaners and throwing them away after a year or so because they stopped working.  Sometimes they come to us to get warranty work done on their vacuum cleaner.  How that system works if for another post.  Occasionally what is wrong with their vacuum is simple; often they do not know how to use their vacuum cleaner.  I know that sounds silly, but, many don't know they have filters to change and that not changing filters could cause their vacuum not to work.

So, what does an Independent Vacuum Store have to offer?

1.  They know their products.
2.  They can recommend a product to you based upon your needs.
3.  They will show you how to use the vacuum cleaner and what it's needs are (bags, belts, filters).
4.  They will put the machine together for you, if you want.
5.  They will carry it to your car.
6.  They will be there, in the same spot, should you have issues, problems, or just questions.
7.  They will have, in stock, the supplies you need for your machine and will know which ones you need.
8.  They usually carry other cleaning supplies and products, have tried them out, can tell you how to use them, recommend what you need and maybe even give you a sample to try.
9.  I can't promise these at all Independent Vacuum Stores, but at A Cleaner Place, they have coloring books for the little one's, coffee or soda, and DJ to pet.

I hope this has been helpful to you and that you will consider shopping at small, independent stores, whatever your needs.  They really do know their products.  

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

Miele Vacuums - Making Life Better One Breath at a Time

Combining legendary filtration and incredible design for unparalleled results

Princeton, NJ - December 15, 2011 - For decades, Miele vacuums have been highly regarded for their exceptional cleaning. Not only will you see a notable difference on your floors and upholstery after using one, but only with a Miele vacuum using an Active HEPA filter, can you be assured your vacuum is capturing over 99.9% of the harmful particles that are inside your home.
“You take every precaution to provide superior care for your home and most importantly your family, but the very task you perform to clean your home, vacuuming, may not only be ineffective, but a cause of indoor air pollution,” explained Nadine Hanselmann, Marketing Manager, Miele.  In fact, for every minute you vacuum, the average vacuum cleaner exposes you to over 3.7 million carbon particles.

That is why Miele has spent the last 80 years developing its exclusive AirClean Sealed System® which ensures the dirt and debris you are vacuuming remains sealed inside Miele’s AirClean Filterbag™. When partnered with Miele’s unique advanced filters both your floors and the air you breathe will be cleaner.

AirClean Filter: effective filtration for normal requirements

Active Air Clean Filter: combines the power of an AirClean Filter with an active charcoal cassette to absorb unwanted odors. This filter is ideal for pet owners.

Active HEPA Filter: maximum air hygiene, especially suggested for those with allergies. Also includes a charcoal layer which neutralizes odors.

When it comes to indoor air quality and the safety, health and well-being of your family, there is no room for compromise. Designed to trap and retain virtually all the dangerous particles other vacuums let back into the air you breathe, a Miele vacuum cleaner works relentlessly to safeguard you, your home and all that you care about.
To learn more about Miele vacuums, contact us at mielepr@whitegood.com 

About Miele Vacuum CleanersMiele vacuums are known for legendary performance, advanced filtration and brilliant design, setting the standard for floor care and cleaning worldwide. Miele’s long heritage of vacuum innovations dates back 84 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. ’Beyond the aforementioned 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 System™ 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 that removes dust, dirt and allergens as efficiently as a Miele canister or upright. Miele’s unique combination of AirClean FilterBag™, 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 FilterBag™ whose revolutionary multi-ply filtering material helps homeowners dispose of the captured particles without coming in contact with them. For more information, visit www.airtruth.com.

 


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

The high cost of retail returns

Every holiday season it happens.  The report comes out of which retailers have naughty return policies and which ones are nice.  I read the stories, I listen to it on the news and I seethe.  Nobody, anywhere talks about the cost of the returns.  Yes, I know, you’ll say it’s the cost of doing business.  I agree that it is.  However, somewhere we have to draw the line. 

Manufacturers, for the most part, will not accept returns from a small business, no matter what.  Even if it is defective, they expect us to order new parts, fix it, make it right to sell again.  Of course, we can’t sell it as new because it is not new.  If a customer returns something because they decided they did not “like” it, of course the manufacturer will not take it back.  As a small business, we do not have enough clout to demand it; they don’t care if we take our business elsewhere. 

What about the big retailer?  Yes, they may accept your returns, no questions asked, for limitless number of days.  This all seems wonderful to the customer, unless you stop to think about how this drives the prices up for everybody.  Whether the manufacturer takes it back, and they usually do because the giant retailer will threaten to take their business elsewhere, or the retailer absorbs the cost, that gets passed on to the consumer. 

I understand if an item is defective a retailer should take it back.  I understand if an e-retailer sells something that is not what it’s supposed to be there should be safeguards in place for the consumer.  I even understand that clothes or shoes don’t always fit and you need to return them and they can go right back out on the rack. 

But, let’s all do our part to get everything back on track and keep costs down for everybody.  Next time you buy something that doesn’t fit, think about if there is somebody else that can use it.  I recently gave a pair of shoes to my mother instead of returning them. 

When you are ordering a part for something, a battery for your watch, a bowl for your mixer, a filter for your vacuum, do your research, call and ask questions if you must, but do your part to get the right one the first time.  When you buy a vacuum filter you want a brand new one that nobody has “tried” on their vacuum cleaner; so if you return the one you “tried” it goes into the trash, because it is contaminated with germs.  It is wasteful, it fills the landfills, it drives up costs, and it allows the consumer to not take any responsibility for his /her actions. 

We are in an economic crisis.  We lose small businesses every day.  Please do your part to keep it all going.    

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