The Dessert Hermit - Welcome to My Blog

Welcome to "Dessert" Hermit. This is a blog about all the things I fancy. I simply like anything that has to do with homes and all sorts of other geeky things. A lot of the ideas I blog here are not my own, they are ideas taken from other article pieces and put together to form something that may have value to readers. If you enjoy reading my posts, please contact me and let me know as it will encourage me to post more.

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Top Rated Vacuums For Hardwood Flooring 2015

Vacuuming your hardwood floors can either be a massive chore that you dread doing, or a two minute breeze. It can be a very satisfying feeling to watch all the dirt and dust vanish up into the vacuum cleaner quickly and easily, leaving you with nothing but clean floors. On the other hand, it can be the most frustrating thing in the world to watch helplessly as your ill-equipped vacuum just pushes the dirt around your floor without ever sucking it up. Worse- some poorly designed machines can even end up actively blowing the dirt away from the vacuum head! The difference between hating and loving hardwood comes down to choosing the right tool to get them clean. So here is the definitive list and review of the best household vacuum cleaners for hardwood floors in 2015 from Home Floor Experts: Dirt Devil Simpli-Stick This vacuum weighs in at the cheap end of the spectrum. If you need to clean your hardwood on a tight budget, the dirt devil is the way to go. It's a bagless model, so you never have to worry abut buying expensive bags. Despite its low price tag, it is a surprisingly powerful and effective little machine. It's cheap, it's simple, and it gets the job done. If you aren't looking to drop more than $20, then this is the one for you. The Eureka 3670G Mighty Mite Canister Vacuum This is one for the traditionalists. It uses a bagged system, and lacks a HEPA filter. The mighty mite lives up to its name though. It will suck the dirt right off your hardwood with ease. The brush is gentle to avoid scratching surfaces, and it comes with a range of attachments to get into every space that you might ever want to remove dirt from. This is a powerful little vacuum, and if you are just looking for something simple and reliable, then this will be a good choice for you. BISSELL PowerEdge Pet The first thing that you notice about this vacuum cleaner is the odd 'V' shape of the front edge. Once you use it, you'll wonder why anyone bothers making them in any other shape! The V shape acts as a funnel, drawing in all the dirt and debris that a normal shaped machine would leave behind. The second thing that you notice is that it is more powerful than it has any right to be. It has an incredible amount of suction. It's worth noting that BISSELL actually produces a similar cleaner called the PowerEdge Hard Floor Vacuum. I have not included that in this list because of the very rough bristles that can cause scratching to your floors. The Pet is actually a better model for hardwood flooring. Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional Upright The Shark Navigator costs a little bit more than the other vacuums on this list, but when it comes to vacuums, you pay for what you get. The Shark Navigator has all the bells and whistles that you could ever want. It comes with every type of attachment under the sun, and the head swivels to get int places that other vacuums just can't reach. If you're looking to make cleaning fun again, then this is the one for you. Hopefully this list has something for your hardwood floors, regardless of your price range or preference for type of vacuum. Any of the vacuums on this list will bring some of the fun back into your vacuuming routine, and one of them will be perfect for you.

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The Best Lightweight Vacuum Cleaner - Weighing the Pros and Cons

I'm short, skinny and built more like a teenager than a 23 year old woman, so when it comes to choosing a vacuum cleaner, the top criterion on my list is 'lightweight'. However, I also want the best features and performance.

After much research and many trails, these are the top 3 products currently available that made my 'best lightweight vacuum cleaner' list.

Oreck Magnesium, LW1500RS

The design of this machine is referred to as 'SlimSwivel' which makes it easy to maneuver around and under furniture. It is also equipped with a wireless 'QuickSwitch' which you can use to adjust the power levels.

This vacuum is extremely powerful, the store clerk explained to me that its motor runs at 7000RMP which sucks up dirt and dust in a single sweep. This machine also incorporates HEPA filtration, which can suck up 99.7% of allergens around the house, which makes it great for people with allergies.

Other exceptional features include -

LED lights on the front of the machine for increased visibility under tables and in dark spaces.

An Easy Snap cord which keeps it in place, and prevents tangles.

An Endurolife belt which is basically protection for the motor, which stops it from jamming suddenly.

It also uses a Saniseal Docking System, which prevent dust from escaping when the bag is being changed. 

One drawback is that it comes with no added attachments.

At only 12 pounds the Oreck is lightweight and includes a lot of innovative features, but I'm not sure it is worth the high price of $500.

Shark Rotator, NV450

Like the Oreck Magnesium, the design of the Shark has also been enhanced with Swivel Steering, which makes it easy to move around tight spaces and in corners.

At just over 15 pounds it is slightly heavier than the Oreck but it is also cheaper at $300. Additionally it too incorporates HEPA filtration along with technology designed to prevent the loss of suction.

Other features include -

A 30 foot long power cord.

A clear dust cup, so you know when it is almost full and which is easy to empty.

A pet tool for cleaning pet hair.

A motorized brush tool which can be switched on or off, for use on carpets and wood flooring.

Like the Oreck it too has headlights for illuminating dark areas.

Bissell CleanView, 9595

At 18 pounds this is the heaviest machine I will discuss while still being considered as lightweight. At a mere $79 it is also the cheapest among these three vacuums. In terms of features it too uses Multi-level filtration for added protection against allergens, and Cyclonic technology which provides even suction throughout use, by preventing the filter from getting clogged.

Furthermore it too has a clear dust cup like the Shark, which is easy to empty and a brush roll for cleaning carpets. Attachments include -

Crevice tool.

Dusting brush.

25 foot cord.

6 foot expansion hose.

Extension wand.

Summary

In terms of maneuverability, ease of emptying and cleaning the filter, power, use (wood, upholstery, carpets and tile) and weight each one of these machines are more or less at par with each other.

While the Oreck has the most features only a couple are different from the other two machines, which in my opinion is not enough to account for its hefty price tag. The Bissell is the only one with any real attachments, if you are the kind of person who depends on them.

Therefore the only real deciding factor when choosing the best lightweight vacuum cleaner from these machines would be the price and which features appeal most to you.

References -:

http://bhvguide.com/best-handheld-vacuum-to-buy/

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/product-reviews/appliances/vacuum-cleaner-reviews/shark-rotator-professional-lift-away-nv501-vacuum-cleaner

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Comparing and Contrasting the Top 3 Most Powerful Handheld Vacuum Cleaners

For me and my cramped apartment nothing beats the convenience of a handheld vacuum cleaner, however, I've found that often a smaller size compromises on power. As such, I made it my mission to find the most powerful handheld vacuum cleaner available today. After doing extensive research on Cleaniatric's website, the following three machines made the cut.

Makita BCL 180W

Weighing in at a mere 2.7 pounds this vacuum cleaner from Makita is extremely lightweight. This cordless cleaner is powered by an 18volt lithium-ion battery, with an estimated run time of 10 minutes when fully charged, which is probably not ideal for large rooms.

However, even within that 10 minute span the BCL180W is very powerful, its suction is fast and efficient. The package includes a number of attachments for convenience-

A floor extension with a swivel nozzle.

Crevice tool.

Charger.

Bagless, cloth filtration system which is easy to empty and clean.

The battery comes with a 1 year warranty while the body of the machine itself is backed by a 3 year warranty.

While a ten minute run time would work for my small apartment, Makita does realize that there are many people who would need to run their vacuum for longer periods of time. As such they have produced an 18 volt LXT lithium battery with a run time of 20 minutes which can be purchased separately.

Bissell Cleanview Deluxe 47R51

This product from Bissell is a corded machine unlike the Makita. The cord is 18 feet long and the vacuum is powered by a 4amp motor that is quite powerful. The 47R51 is not only cheaper ($39) than the Makita ($258), it is more compact and comes with more attachments-

Rubber contour nozzle.

Hose adapter nozzle.

Wide mouth tool.

2 foot hose.

Crevice tool.

The Bissell filtration system is also multi-layer (HEPA/cyclonic filtration)which makes it more adept at sucking up allergens. It too is bagless like the Makita with an easy to empty dust cup. On the other hand it comes with a limited 1 year which is less the than BCL180W and it also weighs more at 4 pounds.

Eureka Easy Clean 71B

With a 5.5 amp motor I can safely say that the Easy Clean is undoubtedly the most powerful handheld vacuum cleaner on this list. It is also reasonably priced at just under $38 which makes it the cheapest as well.

Surprisingly it actually comes with two motors, one that is designed to power the attached revolving brushes and the second which is meant solely for suction. In terms of tools, there aren't any attachments, rather they are on-board or built-in-

Riser visor for cleaning carpets and stairs.

Attached stretch hose.

Onboard crevice tool.

Built-in revolving brushes.

The Easy Clean cord at 20 feet is longer than that of the Bissell, but it is also heavier than both machines mentioned above at 5 pounds. It too is bagless and has a clear dust cup that can be emptied easily.

Summary

While all three devices come with a number of tools which can be used to clean upholstery, carpets, stairs and even floors, my main concern was solely with power. Therefore, it is no surprise that my top pick in terms of power was the Easy Clean.

Even though the Makita does a great job at sucking up dirt and has been met with rave reviews it was just too expensive for me. The Bissell is fairly similar to the Eureka with the added benefit of HEPA filtration, which would be great for people with allergies.

Power, price and weight were the 3 factors which influenced my decision, but you may also want to consider look and feel before making your choice.

References

www.mieleusa.com

www.cleaniatric.com

www.amazon.com

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Tips For Deciding The Best Wood Floor to Buy

You will have to make the decision very carefully while choosing new flooring. It is a thing that will be there for many years, and you cannot change it frequently. Therefore, make the decision carefully.  Wood flooring are durable and give a beautiful look to the house, but before making a final choice you should do a thorough research regarding all the available options. Apart from these, you will have to be careful about many other things like installation, maintenance, cleaning (visit topsinnj.com for more information on choosing the best hardwood floor vacuum for the job), etc. Below are few pointers that need to be kept in mind before choosing a wooden floor for the house.  

Types of Wooden Floors It gets very hard to differentiate between floors after they have been installed. Here, type of flooring refers to the material used for the construction. There are mainly three types of wooden flooring:

Solid hardwood floor - These are formed using a single piece of timber. They are used over the concrete subfloor, but can get expensive.

Engineered wood flooring - They are formed from various layers of the wood. Its installation process is simple and easy and can easily replace the old worn out planks.

Laminate flooring - They are formed from various materials and simulated wood finishing. They are durable and affordable and are useful for areas that have high traffic.

Installing Floors Installing floors may seem to be a tiring and time-consuming process, but it depends on the type of floor that has to be installed.

If you want to use hardwood made of teak or bamboo then it is best that you ask the professionals to do the work. Heavy woods usually need a strong sub-floor and need much work to be done over it such as sanding, nailing and finishing.  Laminate and engineered floor need less work and are east to install. They can simply be glued over the floor and do not highlight the mistakes of measuring around the corners.

If you wish to work on your own then use lighter materials or else call a professional. Colors Hardwood floors have high variety of colors and textures available in them. They can range from creamy swirls to rich mahogany and beautiful cherry. Custom staining also helps in making the floor unique and beautiful. For installing borders and patterns, laminated floors are a perfect option. You can always use sample chips before making a final decision. 

Style As these floors are natural, they can go easily with any color schemes. Whether the place has a formal look or a classic one, rich woods always give an elegant look to the place. Lighter hues can be used for casual places as they help in opening up of smaller places. Floors having matte finish are best for places that will have high traffic. Laminate flooring will help in creating a dramatic entrance for the place. Once you have all your creative ideas in line, things will get easy. Choosing a type of flooring and decoration scheme according to it will reflect your ideas and creativity. You can install soft or dark shades depending on your choice. As long as it matches with the theme and your basic idea, it will go fine.

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Tips For Cleaning Your Kilim Carpet

A kilim carpet can define the personality of your home when it is well kept and maintained. Learning how to clean it is a skill that can benefit you greatly. These carpets are considered by many families to be heirlooms and they are often passed down from one generation to the next.

How Often to Clean

Like regular carpets, kilim area rugs require regular maintenance as well. However, unlike regular carpets, many people get nervous about cleaning because they feel they might cause some kind of irreversible damage to them.

This is true to a certain extent. Brushes found in certain heavy vacuum cleaners can cause unwanted damage to the intricate weaving of a kilim carpet, which makes it weaker over time and more prone to damage.

The good news is that knowing this already puts you ahead of most people, and kilim carpets only need to be deep cleaned about once every few years.

The recommended approach is to use a lightweight vacuum cleaner (learn more about how to choose a vacuum at vacuumcompanion.com) to first remove the bulk of the dirt and to do this as often as you can. This reduces the amount of dirt you need to clean when it comes time to do a deeper more thorough clean.

Best Cleaning Approach

You can create a safe detergent to use by mixing in some olive oil based soap with regular cold water. With a soft brush, start by using short strokes and begin at the top corner, working your way down.

You may have to repeat this process a few times with fresh water to make sure that there is no detergent left behind.

Leave the rug out on a flat surface to dry and make sure no one walks on it until it is completely dried.

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The Best Priced Dyson Pet Vacuums 2013

Fluffy and furry, that's how pet owners would often want their pets to be. If you are one of those people who value fluffiness and furriness in your dog or cat, then you probably have the same problem when it comes to cleaning fallen pet hair.

If you have enough budget to have your home regularly and professionally cleaned then you may not be experiencing similar pet-related dilemmas. However, if you don't have the budget for a professional cleaner then you might want to learn how to find the best vacuum for pet hair, and how to determine if a certain vacuum is intended for cleaning animal messes. A Short List of Top Rated Dyson Pet Vacuums In 2013 To solve your furry issue, you need to look for pet vacuum units that would address your needs. One of the top brands in the market today is Dyson. Here is a short list of some of nicely priced pet vacuums from Dyson:

Multipurpose - Under this category there are several models that you might want to try out. If you want a great value vacuum, you should try the Dyson DC38, which happens to be one of Dyson's pride. This easy-to-steer and move 6.5 kg unit is a fine addition to any home. Its advantages include the upright position of the product that allows it to reach even the deepest corners of your home.

Bagless and Handheld - The Dyson DC44 is a motorized suction vacuum that can easily swift off any dust or fur from your floor, carpets and rugs. It is light and ergonomically designed. You don't need a big storage space for it because of its slim design.

Compact yet Powerful - The Dyson DC26 is one of the top products for wood or wool environment. If you wish to own a product that is really light, easy to handle and steer around, then this is the product for you. This product was ergonomically designed to fit any type of home, so even if you live in a condominium unit, this product wouldn't pose a problem.

Quiet and Purposeful - If you wish to own a unit that would not disturb your pet during cleaning time, then the Dyson DC39 is an excellent choice. This bagless product is designed for those with back problem, since it is equipped with a trigger feature.

Stylish and Powerful - If you are looking for a Dyson unit that effectively removes dust, dirt and fur, then you should look into Dyson DC50. This powerful machine is equipped with the latest cleaning technology developed by the world famous Dyson. It is a bagless unit that is equipped with cyclone suctioning system. It is easy-to-clean and it is considered as one of the most stylish vacuum cleaners in the market today. Make sure to also check out the Dyson DC25.

This is a short list of some of the top Dyson Vacuums. Aside from the fact that these are some of the best tools in that category, these are also affordable products especially when you consider all the useful features they are equipped with. Be Careful The price and the features are two of the main factors that you need to consider when you are looking for the best vacuum to use for cleaning up pet hair. Another important thing is to make sure that you will make your purchase only from an authorized dealer. This is to ensure that your item has the appropriate warranty. It is only natural to check out the shop first, before purchasing.

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Is The Dyson Ball Vacuum DC25 Any Good?

You'll be surprised if you know how the Dyson Ball works for the first time and saw how much it collected dust left by other vacuum. The low-reach floor tool that attaches to the wand to clean hard to reach places such as under beds and sofas comes in handy. There is even a brush control function that allows you to turn the brush bar off at the touch of a button, helping to protect delicate rugs and floors.

The DC25 Animal from Dyson is packed with plenty of special features as well. For example, it has an advanced mini turbine head that really works well in cleaning pet hair from those hard to get places such as upholstery, stairs, and in the car. In addition, there is a carpet care kit that helps to keep your carpets looking like they are brand new.

The only difference between the DC25 All Floors model and the DC25 Animal model are these kits. These accessories may be purchased separately for any model; however, when you purchase them together with an Animal model, you save quite a bit of money. One tip to remember after using, to empty the canister there is a little knob at the back of the canister that you can use to release the top while emptying the container. This will drop all dirt and hair without being pulled or touched by hand and without the need to use other vacuum, thus more hygienic. Little drawbacks about his vacuum is the canister is a bit small and the cord is a bit on the short side as well. But compare to this Dyson performance, you'll find these issues are non existence. This Dyson Ball Vacuum DC25 is the answer if you are willing to give up your heavy, no wheel, inflexible vacuum. You will love how this light weight, easy to use, efficient, all surface vacuum and it won't take long. Our Very Own Vacuum For Pet Hair Being the owner of three wonderful dogs (one of which has incontinence issues) it will probably come as no surprise when I tell you that I do a LOT of vacuuming and steam cleaning in my home. My wife and I have gone through more vacuums than we care to admit. For regular vacuuming needs, we use the Dyson DC25 Animal Model. It is a powerful vacuum that is more than capable of keeping up with all of the hair that my dog's shed (and trust me, I am talking about A LOT of hair).

Though expensive (it will set you back at least $540) the patented Dyson technology is quite impressive and the best part is it comes with a fantastic warranty! I will admit that we had to have our Dyson repaired once, however, since we have owned it for several years and it has sucked up enough hair to clothe a small village, I really can't complain. If you have animals (especially long-haired dogs), I definitely recommend the Dyson DC25 Animal model. As always, search the internet for the best price as you can almost always find a company that is willing throw in free shipping! Shop smart, people! If you own dogs, then you can sympathize with the amount of time I spend vacuuming and cleaning up stains. Though I love my dogs and wouldn't trade them for the world, I am thankful that I have found not only a vacuum cleaner that can handle A LOT of dog hair but a power cleaner as well. Here's to a dog-hair free life and powerful vacuum cleaners that actually pick up hair! Woof!