Clean Home Inspiration – Cleanspiration

Amazing Cleaning – Time Saving Tips!

Make cleaning a breeze by following these easy time saving tips and you’ll have a cleaner room in no time!!!

 

Some things a cordless vacuum cleaner just wont clean. A hard tiled floor is best vacuumed first to remove dust and small bits but those dirty marks and grime can’t be hoovered off. You’re going to need some hot soapy water to get it really clean. This video below has some good tips.

Remember you don’t need to buy fancy floor cleaning products. Simple washing up liquid and some warm water will do the job just as well. Specific floor cleaning products have chemicals in them that help the water evaporate, but if you’re willing to wait then cleaning floors is just as easy with soap and water. Make sure you vacuum first though!

You will find that almost everything that can’t be vacuumed clean can be cleaned using white vinegar. It’s an amazingly versatile cleaning product, as well as going nicely on top of your chips! (Or so some people claim).

This is an easy tip to do and works really well! Puts vinegar into a plastic bag and then tie it closed around the shower head. Leave it over night and in the morning you will find that the acid in the vinegar had dissolved the calcium deposits inside the shower head. You’ll have a more powerful shower as the water will no longer be blocked.

Vacuuming daily will reduce the amount of dust in the atmosphere in your home and can help keep other perts of your house cleaner too. If you find that shelves and ornaments become dusty very quickly then instead of dusting them directly you could seek to try and reduce the amount of dust in the first place. You can do this by hoovering all soft furnishings regularly. At first you may find you have to do it daily but after a week or so you will find that there is less dust in the air in your house and that overall this will reduce the amount of cleaning you have to do!

A hand held vacuum cleaner (see this guide) will make the task of vacuuming daily much easier. You could also remove your carpets and have hard stone or wood floors. This is a popular option even in cold countries and is especially favoured by the Scandinavians. In the UK people are very much in favour of carpets although mounting modern evidence is that carpets harbour all sorts of dust mites and bugs that can be harmful to health. Not least, they trap dust and dead skin and unless they are cleaned with a powerful vacuum cleaner on a regular basis can they can be bad for you.

How bad? Well, dusty soft furnishings have been linked to all sorts of respiratory ailments and asthma. If you find cleaning your home tedious – you are not alone! – then perhaps suggest to other occupants of your house that regular vacuuming would benefit them too in a variety of ways.

cleaning tips

cleaning tips

And as an added bonus? Well, having a clean home is always a nice thing, there have been many studies showing that a clean and tidy living space promoted better mental health. It can also help you to think more clearly, concentrate batter and lead to an overall happier state of existence. If that’s not a good excuse to vacuum then I don’t know what is!

Vax H90-GA-B Gator Handheld Vacuum

A review of the Vax H90-GA-B Gator Handheld Vacuum Cleaner

A Top Quality Vacuum at a Great Price!

For those looking to vacuum small messes on a budget, the Vax Gator Handheld could be for you. For small easy vacuuming like clearing up crumbs, ashes or stray hairs, this 100 Watt vacuum is capable. It’s lightweight too and easy to manoeuvre at just 1.2kg.

With a battery life of under 10 minutes, this cordless vacuum cleaner is for small, fast jobs that don’t require a larger machine and with the built-in crevice tool, you can even use it for tricky places like car seats. In fact, having this as a dedicated car vacuum isn’t a bad idea, especially as it’s so small and compact.

Key Points:

  • 1.2kg
  • Runtime: between 7 and 12 minutes
  • Charge time: 24 hours
  • 8v 100w
  • Flip mouth for easy emptying

While this Vax H90-GA-B Gator vacuum isn’t going to win any design awards, it simply does what it says it’ll do. It’s not powerful enough to remove hair tangled into carpets and stairways but it’s good at removing crumbs and loose hairs from cars and sofas. For the price, it’s a useful little tool.

www.vax.co.uk

Although the run time is short, it’s actually not very different from more expensive handheld vacuums. This is mostly because the higher quality handhelds have more powerful suctions, requiring more battery power while this one will use less power. For small messes though, the 7-12 minute run time is just fine.

 Hygienic Dust Collection Disposal

With a drop down ‘alligator-like’ mouth, the disposal is fairly hygienic and you shouldn’t need to get your hands dirty. This is useful especially as the dirt compartment is very small at just 0.2 litres.

The precision tool is retractable for easy storage but not particularly long when you want to get into corners. With brush attachments, this isn’t good for delicate areas like desks and bookshelves but it works well on chairs and sofas. Loose pet hair can be picked up by the Vax Gator with easy, for pet hair embedded in fabrics and carpets however, a different method needs to be used.

For a budget machine, the lightness and ease of use is a pro but the lack of quality suction power might be more of an annoyance. This is really only for very easy messes – great if you’ve got small children who lie to eat in the car!

Pros – A Lightweight Cordless Vacuum

The handle is comfortable although the weight distribution is far forward, meaning that you’ll need to use more wrist effort to manoeuvre it around. Still, at just over a kilogram, it shouldn’t be too much of a problem for the majority of people. For those looking at very undemanding handhelds, the Black and Decker flexi is a great compromise – affordable although not budget, but is very easy on the arm and wrist muscles and good for the elderly.

The charging cable is thin and needs taking care of when not in use to prevent damage. Similar to a phone charging cable, it adds to the feeling of cheapness that comes with this overall package but again, you get what you pay for.

Cons – Long charging time

The major problem with this vacuum is that the charging time is a whopping 24 hours. That’s pretty over the top considering the usage time is around or under ten minutes. Because this kind of vacuum is good for cars, it means you’d have to remove it from your car often and then charge it for a full 24 hours – making it not particularly fit for purpose. Depending on how often you’d envisage using it, this could be a deal breaker.

Overall

While not particularly powerful on the suction side of things, this is an good vacuum cleaner for those who just like to tidy their cars up a quickly here and there, especially if pets and messy children and frequent passengers. The long charge time might be a problem but if you won’t use it often then it could be overlooked.

Vax H90-GA-B Gator Handheld Vacuum Cleaner – Orange

See all the reviews here

 

 

AEG AG6106WDT Lithium Wet and Dry Review

AEG AG6106WDT Lithium Wet and Dry

This low to mid range cordless handheld vacuum cleaner from AEG is capable of cleaning up wet and dry messes without damaging the internals of the machine. It’s small and lightweight with a crevice tool inbuilt and has a run time of up to 14 minutes.

Key Points:

  • Wet and dry capabilities
  • Weighs 1 kilogram
  • Run time: up to 14 minutes
  • Two speeds
  • 7.2 volts
  • Small wheels near mouth for smooth surfaces

A fairly basic looking handheld vacuum cleaner, this actually has a little more going for it that looks suggest. With the ability to suck up wet and dry spills, this vacuum means you don’t have to worry about internal corrosion. The wheels are small and soft, allowing you to run the AEG Lithium Wet and Dry vacuum over soft and hard surfaces without leaving marks or scratches.

AEG.com

The charge stand is small and practical, offering many angles for the vacuum to sit at. This means it can even be wall mounted. With a Turbo function, a crevice tool and a LED charge light, this has all the small functions you need and the suction power is reasonable. Good for small spills of loose debris and even wet debris, this is a good kitchen and car vacuum cleaner for those who don’t want to waste time.

AEG AG6106WDT Lithium Wet and Dry Cordless Handheld Vacuum, 7.2 V, Tungsten

See all the reviews here

 

Black and Decker Lithium Compact Pivot Vacuum Review

Black and Decker Lithium Compact Pivot Vacuum, 18v

 

An odd looking handheld vacuum, this Black and Decker Lithium Compact Pivot Vacuumis an exercise is design gone mad. But, actually, it’s quite good. The cornerstone of the Lithium Compact Pivot Vacuum is its unique, patented nozzle that is manoeuvrable in itself. This makes it highly adept and getting into all those hard-to-reach places like the top of high shelves, lampshades, sofa creases, car areas and other tough spots.

Although it looks like small animal, this Black and Decker hasn’t compromised on power and suction to create this lightweight, cordless model. In fact, the suction is actually very good for the size. The pivoting nozzle folds neatly down for storage, creating a compact machine that’s easy to whip out at a moment’s notice when something is spilled.

The dust hatch is opened without your hands getting dirty and you can empty it quickly and wash or shake out the removable filter. With 35 Air Watts, this is also a pretty powerful machine and the suction is excellent for the price. Well designed and thoroughly eye-catching, this is probably Black and Decker’s best handheld and a true rival to the Dyson empire. See all the reviews here

www.blackanddecker.com

Key Points:

  • Runtime: 10 minutes
  • Charge time: 4 hours
  • 18v
  • 200° nozzle for hard to reach areas
  • Ecosmart function shuts off charger after vacuum is fully charged

The overall design of this Black and Decker Lithium Compact Pivot 18v Vacuum cleaner is really interesting and very practical. A one-handed design, this is more efficient and easier to use than the Black and Decker Flexi model and the 200° pivot nozzle allows you to get into, on top of and under any awkward object.

Lightweight and comfortable to use

The usability of this machine is further increased by the lightweight and comfortable design. Balanced perfectly as to not strain or tire your arm, this light machine uses a lithium ion battery to reduce the weight more. Because the nozzle pivots, you don’t need to more your arm into awkward positions to get to the dirt and dust and this means that it’s a great tool for everyone, including the elderly.

Designed for small to medium light jobs, this is great for loose pet hair, crumbs and dry spills but doesn’t have the power for embedded hair or tough dirt in carpets. It makes a good car vacuum cleaner for the times you need a quick tidy up before your mother-in-law is a passenger and is ideal for those last minute clean ups before guests arrive at home.

The translucent dust collector enables you to see when to empty it and with a 0.44 litre capacity, that’s not necessarily every time you use it. For hygienic emptying, simply open the side door and tip the contents into the bin. The filter is removable and washable and if cleaned regularly, this should last a long time.

Included Tools and Attachments

An integrated crevice tools means nooks and corners aren’t off limits to this Black and Decker pivot vacuum cleaner and it can easily get down the creases of sofas and car seats. Without a brush attachment, delicate areas like full shelves aren’t going to be easy to vacuum but this is really a tool for soft furnishings and cars.

The charger is very useful with an auto shutoff feature that turns itself off after the vacuum is fully charged. Charging takes around four hours and the machine has about a 10 minute run time. This is fairly typical for this type of handheld but it’s still short compared to the new Dyson DC58 which runs for 20 minutes and has greater power and suction.

The Black and Decker Pivot Vac is a mid-range handheld that’s designed for small, loose spills and quick clean ups. It charges fairly fast and folds up neatly. For those who don’t want to spend too much on a handheld, this Black and Decker is one of the best in the range and it looks pretty cool too.

See all the reviews here

Dirt Devil HandiMate Handheld Vacuum Review

Dirt Devil HandiMate Handheld Vacuum Cleaner

This Dirt Devil HandiMate Handheld Vacuum Cleaner is a true budget option from Dirt Devil and while it isn’t going to work any magic on your floors and surfaces, it will happily pick up crumbs, spilt dry foods and loose hair. Quick and light, grabbing this from the cupboard to clean up a tiny mess saves so much time compared to battling with the large upright vacuum.

Key Points:

  • 6 volts
  • Run time: Up to 14 minutes
  • Weighs less than a kilogram
  • Dusting tool and crevice tool included
  • Charge time: 7 hours

dirtdevil.com

The key to making the most of this compact handheld vacuum is to not expect too much from it. It’s main purpose is to save you time when it comes to crumbs and dry food spills as you can grab this and not have to use the main vacuum cleaner.

Not powerful enough to suck up embedded pet hair or other dirt, this is good for a quick clean up around the kitchen floor or the car seats. The dust disposal hatch can leave you with dusty hands, making it unsuitable for those with allergies and the charging lead is fragile and cheap. BUT; this is one of the cheapest cordless vacuums out there, and for minor spills it does work.

With a run time of up to 14 minutes (but around 10 in reality), you can keep this in you car for quick clean ups without having to take it out for recharge too often. It’s very light at under a kilogram and is easily manoeuvrable for young and old alike.

Dirt Devil HandiMate Handheld Vacuum Cleaner, 9.6 V, 0.4 Litre, 50 W, Red

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Dyson DC34 Multi Floor Vacuum Review

Dyson DC34 Multi Floor

Although superseded by the DC58, this Dyson handheld vacuum cleaner is still a fantastic machine and is now a total bargain. With amazing suction, fast and hygienic dust disposal and 15 minutes of run time, the Dyson DC34 Multi Floor is a proud homeowner’s best friend, saving you time one every small spill.

Key Points:

  • Run time: 15 minutes
  • Charge time: 3.5 hours
  • Weighs 1.3kg
  • Twice more suction than any other handheld on the market (except the DC58)
  • 28 Air Watts
  • Includes crevice tool and brush/wide tool

www.dyson.com

The Dyson DC34 doesn’t cut any corners when it comes to design specifications and it’s simply a fantastic piece of innovation and machinery. It’s a bargain for those who want the quality and suction of a Dyson but don’t want to pay huge amounts, as it’s now been superseded by the DC58, knocking down its price.

Designed for short, small jobs, this is excellent for stairs, high-tread areas like entryways and for cleaning up the car. It’s capable of removing embedded hair and fibres with ease from carpets and sofas as well as the finest dust particles, making it suitable for households with allergy sufferers.

If you want to save yourself time every day, this is the perfect vacuuming tool. It’s lightweight, exceptionally well balanced in the hand and works quickly and effectively. No more dragging out the main upright vacuum for little jobs when you’re short on time.

Dyson DC34 Multi Floor Handheld Vacuum with Longer Run Time

See all the reviews here

Dyson DC58 Animal Handheld Vacuum Review

Dyson DC58 Animal Handheld Vacuum Review

Dyson’s newest handheld vacuum cleaner is leaps and bounds ahead of the previous model with a 20 minute run time, a boost suction button that allows for super-powerful cleaning for up to 6 minutes and durable Lithium ion battery.

The Dyson DC58 Animal Handheld has a hygienic emptying function too, just a button that allows the dust and debris to fall directly into the bin – no more dusty hands trying to take it apart!

With stiff bristles on the vacuum foot, hard-to-remove fibres like pet hairs are forced out of carpets and sucked up with ease. This ensures that the new DC58 Animal is an excellent tool for those areas of the house and car where dirt, dust and hair is often walked into the carpet such as entryways and footwells.

Lightweight and ergonomic, this Dyson DC58 has a comfortable handle that makes it easy to manoeuvre for young and old alike. With a range of add-on tools for crevice vacuuming and tougher spots, this is an all-round excellent vacuum that will make the place look spick and span when you’ve only got ten minutes until the dinner guests turn up.

Key Points:

  • Runtime: 20 minutes
  • 6kg with weight balanced for comfort
  • Hygienic button operated disposal
  • 28 Air Watts
  • 6 minutes of Boost time at 100 Air Watts
  • Charge time: 3.5 hours

www.dyson.com

Neat, clever and no unattractive, the new Dyson DC58 Animal Handheld is designed within an inch of its life. No part of this highly practical household appliance is excessive nor are there any sections that haven’t been perfectly though through. It’s easy to see when you first pick it up, that the weight distribution and handle comfort has been one of the primary design specs because there’s no hint of awkwardness.

Ergonomic Design

The handle allows you to control everything without having to move your hand. Not only is the power button there, the hygienic waste dump button is too. Meaning this is really a one handed job. Despite the controls on the ergonomic handle, the DC58 Animal is designed so you don’t accidentally press something you don’t want it. It’s pure, easy and surprising simple.

The primary vacuuming section, where it touches the surface or carpet, is a motorised bar with nylon bristles to force hair, fibres, dust and dirt up out of the carpet. Amazing effective, you’ll never find yourself needing to go over the same spot twice and you’ll be amazed at how easily debris is eradicated.

Thanks to these stiff bristles, high-tread areas like stairs, entryways and cars no longer have to always have that slightly dingy, trampled look. The DC58 will draw out the hair, dust and dirt with immense cleaning power.

Dyson DC58 is the Most Powerful Handheld Vacuum

The motor in the DC58 handheld is where Dyson really comes into its own. The Digital V6 motor spins over 100,000 times a minute and is 3x faster than normal vacuum motors. This is at the heart of why the DC range is so powerful and so effective. Even the finest dust particles are captured and removed thanks to the 15 cyclones in 2 tiers, leaving your home and car cleaner than you even thought possible.

With 28 Air Watts on normal setting, this is already a highly powerful machine but with the addition of the Boost setting (which lasts for 6 minutes), you can benefit from 100 Air Watts! This means even the most stubborn areas will look good as new again.

Longer life than predecessors

The biggest complaint with the DC58 Animal’s predecessors was the battery life and although this range is designed to be used for short tasks, Dyson certainly listened. Completely re-engineering the battery, this new DC58 Animal now has a life span of 20 minutes or 17 minutes if you’re using the motorised tool with it. This is a huge difference and really makes the DC58 worth having in your home.

Tools and Attachments

Whether it’s animal hair, car footwell dirt, cobwebs or just plain old household debris, the DC58 Handheld can cope with it. With a range of attachments included, it has everything you need for a fast clean up. The crevice tool slots on easily to enable corners, skirting boards and the fiddly bits in cars to be as clean as new, while the mini motorised tool provides instant eradication of animal hairs, even those trampled deep into the carpet. The wide nozzle tool speeds everything up and there’s no job that this DC58 can’t do.

Easier cleaning equals cleaner home

It’s easy to put off vacuuming when there’s only a small bit that needs to be done and the vacuum cleaner needs digging out from the show cupboard. Who can be bothered when you need to find a plug socket, pull the vacuum around to the dirty area and then put it all away again afterwards? No one – the DC58 is your new best friend.

Super small and super lightweight at just 1.6kg, the DC58 is highly effective and powerful for short jobs. With the one-button hygienic bin emptying function, you don’t need to put off empty the machine because it takes a split second and won’t make your clothes dusty.

With a run time of 20 minutes, this is hands down one of the best small handheld vacuum cleaners on the market today and this new DC58 model even has an LED battery indicator so you know how long you’ve got.

Dyson puts technology, usability and customer experience at the forefront of their designs, and thisDyson DC58 Animal Handheld really is worth the price. You get what you pay for, and here you’re paying for gold.

See all the reviews here

 

Hoover Jovis Turbo Power Nozzle Bagless 12v

Hoover Jovis Turbo Power Nozzle Bagless 12v Vacuum Cleaner – Handheld

A lightweight, cordless vacuum cleaner from Hoover, this Jovis Turbo Power is a handheld compact cleaner that’s especially adept at picking up pet hair. Small and comfortable to hold, it has a good run time for it’s type and requires only one-handed operation. Save yourself time by using a small, handheld vacuum for life’s little spills.

Key Points:

  • 12 volts
  • Run time: Up to 17 minutes
  • Charge time: 16 hours
  • Wall mounted charger
  • Weighs 1.5kg
  • Turbo button for extra power

www.hoover.co.uk

The Hoover Jovis Turbo is an affordable handheld vacuum cleaner with enough power on the Turbo setting to get rid of stubborn, embedded hairs and dirt. With a HEPA filtration system, it’s designed to pick up even the finest dust particles making it suitable for households with allergies.

Designed for short bursts of cleaning, the runtime of 17 minutes is really good for this size of vacuum and its peers across other brands often have shorter run times with the exception of the Dyson DC58. While the run time is good, the charge time is very long at 16 hours.

Bagless and comfortable to hold, this is an easy vacuum to use and it’s longer runtime makes it good as a car vacuum cleaner than you can keep in the boot for clean up crises. The dust disposal function isn’t as fluid and hygienic as some other brands like Dyson and Black and Decker, but it’s not too clunky and is quick to empty.

The wall mounted charging base keeps this Hoover out of the way and an LED light shows battery charge. Overall, it’s an excellent budget option.

Hoover Jovis Turbo Power Nozzle Bagless 12v

See all the reviews here

 

Ryobi CHV182M ONE+ Cordless Hand Vac

Ryobi CHV182M ONE+ Cordless Hand Vac, 18v

 

Nicely designed and capable of cleaning both wet and dry spills, the Ryobi One+ Cordless vacuum is a great budget machine. Not clunky or particularly cheap feeling, this is a basic vacuum that’s particularly useful as a car cleaner or for quick jobs around the house and will save you time.

Key Points:

  • Cleans both wet and dry spills
  • 86kg (excl battery), 1.4kg (incl battery)
  • 18 volts
  • 173ml dust capacity
  • Run time: up to 15 minutes
  • Only works with Ryobi batteries which must be purchased separately
  • https://www.ryobitools.com/

With a rubberised grip handle and a great colour scheme, this Ryobi One+ is the ideal handheld cordless vacuum for those who like to keep their car tidy and give their home last minute cleans. The suction power is suitable for loose crumbs and hair and it manages to capture fine dust particles as well.

The drawback of this hand vacuum cleaner is that you need to buy the batteries and charger separately…and it only accepts Ryobi batteries. This s a good option if you already own Ryobi tools and can use the battery packs interchangeably. If you don’t, the price will soon add up and you may be better off investing in a different product such as the Black and Decker handheld range.

Ryobi CHV182M ONE+ Cordless Hand Vac, 18 V (Body Only)

See all the reviews here

 

Car Vacuum Cleaner Tips

Tips on Using a Car Vacuum Cleaner

You’re running behind leaving the house on your way to a date, and the passenger seat is littered with little crumbs from the French fries you had three hours earlier.

You’re on your way to meet with a client and drive them to lunch, and you just noticed that your kids left a layer of Fruit Loops all over the back seat.

Your mom is coming to visit and you have to pick her up at the airport, but you only now realised that there’s a layer of unidentifiable crud on your dashboard, your console, everything—you just got so used to it, that only imagining your mother’s more critical eye made you take notice!!!

Car Vacuum Cordless Best

Car Vacuuming Made Easy

Anything sound familiar?

What do all these situations have in common? You’re on a time crunch. You need to vacuum your car now, but you can’t really afford to go on an adventure and drive around looking for reasonably-priced gas station vacuum cleaners—and worse, idle there waiting for your turn if it happens to be a popular one.

While you’re waiting for your date to come out of the house, or your client to show up on the curb, or you mother to emerge from the airport exit, you could have popped your trunk, grabbed a portable car vacuum (the kind that plugs into the cigarette lighter), and given your upholstery a once-over: It may not be perfect; it may only be a quick-fix that will never cure your fry-eating and Fruit Loop-spilling habits, but it works. Everyone should have a vacuum in their car, ready to be used.

But maybe your mind isn’t open to the possibilities yet. That’s fine; here are some tips on how to use a car vacuum cleaner, and maybe it’ll begin to sink it:

 

1) Always keep the vacuum in the car at all times.

This may seem like a no-brainer, but never take the vacuum out of the car. The way that life works is that if you ever take it out and forget to bring it, that will be the day that you’ll most need it, and you don’t want to be caught blindsided by fate.

Best Car Vacuum Cleaner

A Car Vacuum Cleaner will always come in handy!

2) Remember the crevices.

Some vacuum cleaners for cars have little attachments that can fit inside all the crevices of your car. Don’t neglect getting these areas that may be unreachable by hand; this is where organic matter like food can build up, and stuff like this can either produce a disgusting smell that will permeate your car and that no little pine-scented paper tree can cover up, or it can attract vermin, which isn’t any fun either.

Car Vacuum Cleaner 12v plug in

12v re-charge

3) Always pick up valuables by hand first.

Don’t be taken by surprise when your laundry money or other valuables are jiggling around inside the vacuum’s inner compartment. Nobody wants to stick their hand in there and fish it out. Avoid vacuuming blindly, and before you start, take a moment to crawl around and make sure nothing important is lying within harm’s reach.

 

With just these few tips, you should easily become a car vacuuming success; so get a vacuum cleaner for your car and avoid those awkward situations immediately.

See our in depth cordless vacuum buying guide here