• Grout Cleaning Chemicals
• Grout Cleaning Tools
• Grout Cleaning Machines
• Professional Grout Cleaning Services

Grout Cleaning Chemicals

As with most cleaning projects, you need some kind of cleaning agent or chemical in order to aid you in your endeavor toward clean tile grout. There is a wide array of grout cleaners available to help you. Some are very mild while others or more severe. A general rule of thumb when it comes to grout cleaners is that you should use the gentlest grout cleaner you can that will still get your grout clean. There is no need to use harsh chemicals if they are not necessary. When you are trying to decide on what grout cleaner is best for your home, start with the mildest choice and work your way up until you find something that works. With that rule in mind, we will describe your grout cleaner options in order from mildest to most harsh.

• Water/Steam
• Homemade Grout Cleaners made with Household Products
• Over the Counter Household Cleaners
• Professional Strength or Industrial Cleaners
• Bleach Based Grout Cleaners

Water/Steam

The gentlest cleaner that you can use on your grout is steam. Steam will work well enough if the dirt and grime on your grout lines is not too deep into the porous grout and the stains are not too old. The heat will break up grime and soften caked on dirt. It will also start to break up and lighten stains. Generally you need steam instead of just plain water. The key to cleaning with steam is that is applied under pressure. If you apply the steam with enough force then you might be able to force dirt out of the pores as the steam is forced in.

Homemade Grout Cleaners

If steam is not enough, then you might think about concocting a homemade grout cleaner with regular household items like vinegar, baking soda, dish detergent, lemon juice, or hydrogen peroxide. Generally homemade grout cleaners are pretty mild and environmentally friendly. For example, a mixture of water and vinegar with a little bit of dish soap makes an excellent cleaning agent for almost any surface. Vinegar is an acetic acid solution with some vitamins and minerals added for flavor. The acidic nature of vinegar means that it can break down grease, kill bacteria and mold, and generally eliminate any mineral deposit that may build up on surfaces. It is a strong enough cleaning agent that it needs to be diluted with water. You add a drop or two of dish detergent to a fifty-fifty mixture of vinegar and water so that the solution will generate foam when you are cleaning with it.

Baking soda is probably the next most versatile household cleaning agent. Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate is a slightly alkaline or basic compound. Its alkalinity means that is works as a water softener and breaks down proteins. That makes baking soda very effective at breaking up stains from food or mineral deposits. In addition, baking soda acts as a deodorizer because it can neutralize the bacteria that cause odors. As a grout cleaner, the best way to use baking soda is as a paste. You can make a paste of one part water to three parts baking soda and spread it on the grout lines. As the baking soda sits on the stained areas, the carbon based substances that are staining your grout start to break up and the bacteria that may be causing odors will be killed. You can also make the paste with lemon juice or vinegar if you would prefer to add more stain fighting power.

Hydrogen peroxide is another household product that is an effective cleaner. You can use the 3% hydrogen peroxide solution that you buy at a drug store directly on dirty surfaces or you can purchase a 35% solution of food grade hydrogen peroxide and dilute it with some hot water. The hydrogen peroxide kills all kinds of bacteria, mold, and mildew. It is extremely effective at whitening as well. As long as you are cleaning white grout lines, hydrogen peroxide is an effective grout cleaner. You can even combine the peroxide with baking soda to make a paste.

Over the Counter Household Cleaners

If you cannot get the desired effect with these homemade grout cleaners, then your next step should be over the counter household cleaners like the ones you buy in the grocery store. Brands like Comet, Mr. Clean, or Lysol are popular choices. The ingredients on these household cleaners will include many of the items we described above in the homemade grout cleaners section, but also surfactants and other chemicals to aid in the cleaning process. Often they have special ingredients that will help kill mold or mildew specifically. These over the counter cleaners also have abrasives in them to aid in scrubbing and scouring. Unlike the gentle household cleaners described above, you need to be careful about these over the counter grout cleaners because the abrasive qualities could cause damage to your tile or grout. Make sure to test the grout cleaners on small unobtrusive areas to make sure there are no ill effects before proceeding.

Professional Strength or Industrial Cleaners

Professional strength household cleaners come in two varieties. First, there are general household cleaners that say something like “professional strength” on the packaging. This does not mean that these are the same chemicals that professional use for grout cleaning. Instead, it means that they are slightly more powerful than something you would buy in a grocery store. These grout cleaners can be purchased from large home improvement warehouses or online retailers.

You can purchase the second type of professional grout cleaners from these home improvement warehouses as well or from tile distributors. These industrial strength tile and grout cleaners are made especially for cleaning these porous surfaces and are usually manufactured by the same companies that make grout and tile sealer or enhancers. The chemicals in these industrial strength grout cleaners are more powerful than the products you buy from the grocery store and they are similar to the ones used by professional grout cleaning services. If you have a tough grout cleaning job, then this is probably the level of grout cleaner that you will need.

Bleach Based Grout Cleaners

Bleach based grout cleaners are the strongest and harshest type of grout cleaner that you can use in your home. There are two different types of bleach to choose between, chlorine beach and oxygen bleach. Between the two, oxygen bleach is preferable because it is less likely to damage or discolor your grout. In addition oxygen bleach grout cleaners are non toxic and do not pose a health risk. Chlorine bleach based grout cleaners require that you ventilate the area you are cleaning to avoid breathing in noxious fumes. Another advantage of oxygen bleach grout cleaners over chlorine bleach grout cleaners is that oxygen bleach is often sold as a powder that you can make into a paste. Pastes are better as grout cleaners than liquid because you can apply the cleaner directly to the grout line and it will not run off. If you are unable to get out grout stains with oxygen or chlorine bleach, then you might have to tear out the affected areas of grout and replace the grout.

Grout Cleaning Tools

The tools that are required to clean grout by hand are not very numerous or complicated. You probably have everything you need in your home somewhere already. Below is a list of grout cleaning tools that are necessary to clean grout effectively:

• Mop
• Broom or Swiffer® Sweeper
• Scrub brush
• Cleaning pad or Cloth

The mop and broom or Swiffer® Sweeper are necessary so that you are starting with tile and grout that is clean on the surface. It will be hard to clean your grout lines if your scrubbing motions are depositing dirt from the tile into the grout lines. You want everything around the grout to be as clean as possible before you actually start scrubbing the grout with you scrub brush. There are many features that make a scrub brush the best grout cleaner for the job which we will discuss below. The cleaning pad or cloth is so that you can wipe away any excess grout cleaner and dirt after you have scrubbed the grout lines. A clean white cotton pad is best because you do not have to worry about dyes or fibers coming off in your newly cleaned grout lines.

Characteristics of the Best Grout Cleaning Brush

There are four characteristics of a scrub brush that you need to consider in order to find the perfect grout cleaning brush for you and your tile. The first characteristic is the hardness or softness of the bristles. The perfect grout cleaner will have medium hard bristles. You want the bristles to be stiff enough so that they can penetrate the grout pores, but soft enough that they do not chew up the grout. If the bristles are too soft then they will simply bend and move aside as you scrub the grout rather than penetrate into the pores. If the bristles are too hard, they might break the grout up rather than just clean it.

The second characteristic is the shape of the bristle head. You want the bristles in the center of the brush head to be longer than the bristles at the edges if possible. The reason for this is because the grout is more porous that the tile and therefore the bristles should be able to penetrate the grout but not the tile. The bristles in the center of the brush will be the ones scrubbing the grout so you want them to be longer than the bristles at the edges so they can penetrate while the shorter bristles butt up against the tiles. If the bristles are all the same length the bristles on the outside will have to bend so that the interior bristles can penetrate. If the bristles on the edges are longer than the ones in the center than the center bristles may never even reach the grout.

The third characteristic that is important for the right grout cleaning brush is the size of the brush head. Some homeowners might feel that the larger the brush the better because you can clean more grout at one time and get the job done faster. Unfortunately, that is not the case because it is difficult to maintain an equal amount of pressure over the surface area of a large brush head. You will probably only be applying force on the area of the brush head that is under the handle. That is why grout cleaning brushes that are approximately the size of the handle are the best choice. Of course, you do not want the grout brush to be too small because then it will take far o long to clean a large tiled area.

The handle itself is the fourth brush characteristic that you need to consider. Most scrub brushes have a simple handle that is connected to the brush at the tip of the brush head and then rises up a few inches and extends back over the entire length of the brush. When selecting a brush, make sure that you hold it in your hand to ensure that there is enough space between the top of the brush head and the bottom of the handle for your knuckles. Some brushes are too tight and it becomes uncomfortable to hold the brush for long periods of time. When using a scrub brush you have to bend over your work, and that can be hard on your back. One alternative that you have is to find a brush with a long handle like a broom or mop rather than a brush you hold in the hand. You can use this type of scrub brush from a standing position. The only problem with this type of brush is that it is difficult to scrub with a circular motion which is the recommended grout cleaning technique.

Grout Cleaning Machines

If you do not have the time to clean your own grout by hand or if you have physical ailments that prevent you from working on your knees or bending over too often, then you might be interested in the possibility of using a mechanical grout cleaner or grout cleaning machine. All grout cleaning machines work in a similar way. The main idea is to apply steam to the tiled area, scrub with circular scrub brushes, and remove the resulting dirty water with powerful suction. The details are different depending on the brand and origins of the grout cleaning machine. When you are ready to purchase a grout cleaning machine, then there are several places that you might look. Below is information on how grout cleaning machines work and where to buy them.

How Grout Cleaning Machines Work

Steam plays an important role in two ways. First, hot steam will soften dirt and grime and help to prime the area for easy scrubbing. Second, if the steam is applied with enough force, the steam could actually be pushed into the pores of the grout resulting in dirt or grime being pushed out o the same spot. The hotter the steam and the higher the pressure with which it is applied the better.

The scrub brushes are almost always circular brushes that rotate like the bottom of a buffer machine. The advantage of the scrub brushes on a grout cleaning machine is that they rotate much faster than you can possibly move your scrub brush by hand. In addition, the grout cleaning machine applies much more force than any homeowner can generate with their own strength.

When the dirty wash water is removed by suction it can be sent to one of two places. The first option is more common for grout cleaning machines used by the consumer and the second option is more common for professional grot cleaners. Most do-it-yourself grout cleaners will have a reservoir for the dirty wash water just as they have a reservoir for the water that is turned into steam at the beginning of the process. Most professional grade grout cleaners will have two hoses connected to them. One hose will deliver clean water and the other will take the wash water to a tank in the back of a truck outside of your home.

Where to Purchase Grout Cleaners

If you are interested in purchasing a grout cleaner for your own use then there are several retailers that you might try as well as some other possibilities. Below is a list of possible retailers that could help you:

• Department stores where appliances are sold
• Home improvement warehouses
• Online retailers
• Professional grout cleaning companies going out of business

The same companies that make vacuum cleaners and carpet shampoo machines are the ones who make grout cleaning machines so the first place that you look for grout cleaning machines is at large department stores where these other appliances are sold like Sears. The selection will not be great because these stores cannot carry a large inventory, but there may be more selection from their websites. Home improvement warehouses like Lowes and Home Depot also sell this type of equipment. If you cannot find what you are looking for at a department store, this should be your next stop.

If you have trouble finding a grout cleaning machine in a brick and mortar store, then you next course of action should be to turn to online retailers. General retailers like Amazon are a good place to start, but then you can check out the websites of the specific brands and partner retailers that you discover on Amazon. Often home appliances like this are sold by third party vendors through the Amazon website. If you find one product sold by company A, then chances are they have other models and brands that they might sell on their own website. The main problem with purchasing a grout cleaning machine this way is that you will have to pay for the shipping charges to get the grout cleaner to your home. It is expensive to ship something so heavy and this might push the price out of reach.

Your last option for a place to buy a grout cleaner is from old grout cleaning companies that might be going out of business. When a cleaning company goes under they need to liquidate their assets so they might be interested in selling some of their equipment to an interested homeowner. Of course, most professional grout cleaning machines are designed to be hooked up to a water tank and waste water tank that sit outside the home, but you could purchase these items as well. I would only go this route if you had a lot of tile in your home. Below is a video showing how a professional grout cleaner works.

Below is a list of some grout cleaning machines that we have talked about on Home Cleaning Tips:

• Shark Steamer
• Bissell Steam Mop

Professional Grout Cleaners

If the thought of spending any amount of time on cleaning your own grout gives you anxiety or if you have the disposable income to outsource these types of household chores, then a professional grout cleaner is probably the way to go. Professional cleaning companies will be able to clean the tile and grout in any room of your house. The price for this service depends on many factors including the size of the room, whether the room is on the first or second floor, how dirty the grout is, and whether or not you are combing grout cleaning services with other household services. There are pros and cons to hiring a grout cleaning service and you need to weigh those factors before deciding to hire anyone at any cost. You can find more information on the benefits and possible negative effects of hiring a professional grout cleaner here. You can also find information on how to go about hiring a grout cleaning service and what to expect when you do.

1. Make sure the surface is clean and dry
2. Read the directions carefully
3. Apply sealer to tiled surface and/or grout lines
4. Wipe off excess sealer
5. Test sealer
6. Apply additional coats as necessary
7. Do not use the tiled area until the sealer is completely dry
8. Reapply grout sealer as necessary

1. Make sure the surface is clean and dry…

In order to prepare a surface for sealing, you need to make sure that it is clean, dry, and free of any waxes, coatings, or finishes. There are products that you can buy that will strip wax and acrylic finishes if you need to. Keep in mind that this only applies to the surface that you are sealing. In other words, if you are sealing the tile and the grout at the same time, you need to make sure that both are completely clean. However, if you only are sealing your grout, then it does not matter if your tile is sealed nor has a finisher on it. If you are sealing a new installation, then it is important that you allow the tile adhesive and grout to cure for 48 – 72 hours before sealing.

2. Read the directions carefully…

Tile and grout sealers come with very clear instructions on the bottle. Once you have chosen the sealant you are going to use, your next step should be to read all of the instructions carefully to make sure you have all the application materials that you need and that you understand the process you will need to operate under. You do not want to have to keep going back to the instructions over and over again during the sealing process because some of the steps are time sensitive. Make sure that you can recite the directions by heart before you start or that you have a partner who can constantly refer to the directions while you work. If you need help with selecting the right grout sealant, go here.

3. Apply sealer to tiled surface and/or grout lines…

The exact application process for tile and grout sealants varies from product to product, but basically the actions are the same. You will put the sealer on the tiled surface and/or grout and then use some tool to spread it around evenly. Application tools can be anything from a paint brush to a sponge; or a mop to a cloth pad. You may have to pour the sealant on to the tile surface and then spread it around with your application tool. You may have to spray the grout and tile sealer on and then spread it around with your application tool. No matter what action you are supposed to use to put the sealer on the tiled surface (pour, spray, etc.) or what tool you are supposed to use to spread it around or apply it, the directions on the package will tell you. When several options are given, you might want to have several options available at the start of your project until you figure out which applicator works best for you.

Some sealers that are meant for only for grout lines come with their own applicator attached to the bottle for precision application. Examples would be a small applicator brush, a wheel, or a thin squeeze nozzle. Other grout specific sealants tell you to use a toothbrush or small paint brush for application. Still another option is an aerosol spray can where no application tools are needed because you spray the sealer directly on the grout lines.

4. Wipe off excess sealer…

Even the best grout and tile sealing professionals will have times when too much sealer was applied or you have applied it unevenly resulting in puddles or pools. If this happens, the grout and tile sealant packaging will give you instructions on how long to wait and when to wipe away the excess. They will also recommend what tool to use for this process. The most common tool is a clean cloth cleaning pad. Be sure to read the instructions carefully for clues on when the best time is to remove excess sealer.

If you are sealing the grout only and you do not want sealer on your tiles at all, then you need to wipe away the sealer that inevitably gets on the tiles during the application process immediately after application. If you do not remove excess sealer, you could be left with hazy looking tile or other obvious flaws. Removing completely cured sealer is much harder than wiping away the excess when it is still tacky. Make sure that you do not skip this step.

5. Test sealer…

The best way to test whether you have enough sealer on your tile and grout is a water droplet test. Sprinkle a few drops of water on the sealed area and look to see how the water reacts. If it is absorbed by the tile or grout, then you need at least one more coat of sealer. If the water beads up on the surface, then your tile and grout are completely saturated with sealer and you do not need to apply any more coats.

6. Apply additional coats as necessary…

If you failed your water test, you will need to apply at least one more coat. Keep repeating the water test and adding more coats until the grout and tile are completely sealed. Check the instructions on your sealer packaging for an indication of how long you should wait between coats. You do not need to wait for the sealer to cure completely before adding a additional application. Repeat the test and this step as many times as necessary to completely saturate your tile and grout with sealant.

7. Do not use the tiled area until the sealer is completely dry…

Most tile and grout sealers will give you instructions on how long to wait before using the tiled area again after sealing. This wait time can be anywhere from 2 hours to 24 hours depending on the product. Sometimes they will give a two step instruction that indicates that you can use the area mildly after one amount of time but the sealer will not be completely dry until a second amount of time has passed. Usually you want to avoid getting the area wet until the sealant is completely dry. It is important that you abide by these instructions because otherwise the sealer could be disturbed leaving voids in the coverage.

8. Reapply Grout Sealer as Necessary

There is a large debate over how often you should apply grout sealer. Some grout sealer packages will say that the sealer will last two to three years. Some sealants claim that they will last for as long as twenty years. Some homeowners and contractors recommend that you reapply several times a year for high traffic areas. The truth is that you will have to work out what is best for your tile and the sealer you choose to use. Periodically test the grout sealer to make sure water still beads up on the surface. If not, it is time to reapply. Once you test and reapply a few times you will get an idea of how often grout sealing needs to be done and then you can start to plan your reapplications before your grout and tile are exposed to possible contaminates.

One of the best features of penetrating grout sealer is that it can be reapplied on top of an old application without removing it. There is no need to use a grout sealer remover every time you need to apply a new coat of penetrating sealant. However, there are sealer and coating removers on the market for circumstances where you need to remove a haze or streaks that are formed because you didn’t wipe off the excess sealer from the tiles or you got sealer on a glazed tile surface. Coating sealers on the other hand, should be removed before starting a new application to ensure uniform protection.

When Should I Apply Grout and Tile Sealer for the First Time?

Grout sealer needs to be applied as soon after the tile and grout installation as possible. The longer that the grout and tile remains unsealed, the longer it is exposed to possible stains and contaminates. However, you cannot apply grout sealer before the grout and tile adhesive is completely cured. As grout cures or dries, the water in the grout paste evaporates through the voids in the grout. If you apply the penetrating grout sealer too soon, the pores or voids in the grout will be plugged and the water will never be able to escape so the grout will never dry completely. That being said, some people recommend that you wait as long as thirty days before applying grout sealer. However, most contractors or tile supply houses will recommend forty eight to seventy two hours. There are also some products on the market that claim you can start sealing as soon as six hours after installation.

When Not to Apply Grout Sealer

There is one case where you do not need to apply grout sealer at all. Most grouts are cement based, but there are other types of grout including epoxy grout. Epoxy grout sealer does not exist because you technically do not need to seal epoxy grouts. They are impermeable to liquids and resist staining on their own. They are also water proof so mildew growth is not an issue. So if you have 100% solid epoxy grout, you do not need to use grout sealer. Epoxy grouts are recognizable because they look like they are made of shiny plastic rather than cement.

What makes the Sentria Kirby vacuum unique is the fact that it is a convertible floor care system rather than just a vacuum or just a carpet shampoo machine. You do not have to find storage space for multiple machines like a vacuum, a carpet shampoo system, a floor buffer, etc. Instead, you only have to store one system that can become each of these floor care appliances. The Kirby Sentria system is made of cast aluminum rather than plastic which makes it quite durable and light so it is easy to transport from room to room.

The Kirby vacuum has many features worth mentioning. For example, it comes with a HEPA 11 filtration system and powerful airflow which combine to prevent even the smallest pieces of debris from escaping back into the environment. Another feature worth mentioning on the Kirby vacuum system is the TechDrive® power assist which makes it easy to push the Kirby system around with even the lightest touch.

A feature known as Toe Touch Control allows you to adjust the cleaning height on your Kirby vacuum with your foot rather than bending over each time. There is also an LED headlight which will help to illuminate the room where you are using your Kirby vacuum if it is dark or not lit well.

When you use the portable mode, you can sling the Kirby vacuum over your shoulder and transport it easily to hard to reach areas like on top of furniture or the tops of window boxes. You can get into even more places with the wide array of attachments that come with the Kirby vacuum system. For example, you might clean the upholstered furniture in your home to remove pet hair or other troublesome debris that most vacuums cannot touch.

When operating as a carpet shampoo machine, the Kirby floor care system uses a quick drying process that lets you get back to using your carpet faster than most traditional at home carpet shampooers. People typically only get those kinds of results with professional carpet cleaning services. When operating in buffer mode you can polish and buff hard floor surfaces to a shine which is much more than most hardwood floor cleaners can accomplish. Most just clean with steam and leave behind streaks rather than shiny surfaces.

Where to Buy Kirby Vacuums

Kirby is one of the only vacuum manufacturers that still sell exclusively independent distributors. Individuals who are authorized Kirby distributors come into your home to give a demonstration and then they can sell you a home floor care system immediately. The Independent Kirby Distributor will also provide maintenance and service to your Kirby machine as well as sell you any Kirby home care products such as carpet shampoo or other cleaners. Any Kirby vacuums that you see advertized on the internet as NEW are misrepresented in some way because the only way to buy Kirby vacuums is through an in home demonstration. Kirby believes that everyone should have the opportunity to try a product in their own home before purchasing it. In addition, this model provides opportunities for success to young entrepreneurs everywhere.

Shark Lift-Away Professional Steam Pocket Mop

The Lift-Away Professional Steam Pocket Mop from Shark is a professional quality steam cleaner that is lightweight enough for any homeowner to use, yet powerful enough to clean any hard floor surface with ease. There are three settings known as dust, mop, and scrub. In addition to the three settings, you can also control the amount of steam that you generate and use for cleaning. For high traffic areas and floor surfaces with stuck on dirt you will use the scrub setting with a large amount of steam. In contrast, delicate floor surfaces will be best suited by a light steam and the dust setting. Another wonderful feature on the Lift-Away Professional Steam Pocket Mop is the removable portable handheld shark steamer. With the press of a button, a handheld steamer comes off of the handle so that you can clean non floor surfaces and hard to reach areas.

This Shark steamer also comes with some added features so that you can getter clean all kinds of surfaces in your home including upholstery and carpet. The carpet glider allows you to run the steam mop over carpet or rugs to freshen them up in between major carpet cleanings. There is a direct steam nozzle and a flat scrubber tool and accessory hose that come with the steamer from Shark to use when you have dethatched the handheld Shark steamer. The Shark Lift-Away Professional Steam Pocket Mop comes with one steam pocket for use with the upright steamer and one mini-shag bonnet for use with the handheld steamer flat scrubber attachment.

Shark Professional Steam Pocket Mop

The main difference between the Shark Lift-Away Steamer ad the Shark Professional Steam Pocket Mop is that the Professional Steam Pocket Mop from Shark does not have the removable handheld steamer capability. This Shark steamer is meant strictly for use on floor surfaces. Since you cannot use the handheld steamer for the hard to reach corners, this model of Shark steamer comes with two different cleaning heads. There is the traditional rectangle shaped head for general steam cleaning purposes and a triangular shaped cleaning head for reaching into nooks, crannies, and corners. You can switch between steamer heads easily because of the quick release feature.

This Shark steamer is similar to the Lift-Away in that it also has the Intelligent Steam Control which allows the homeowner to choose the appropriate amount of steam for the job. The scrubbing setting has a lot of steam while the dusting setting is just a light mist. By choosing the right cleaning setting, you are guaranteeing that you get the perfect amount of steam at the perfect temperature to clean, sanitize, and then dry within seconds leaving behind no mess and clean floors. Traditional mops essentially just push dirty water around on the floor, but the Shark Professional Steam Pocket Mop does so much more.

Shark Vac-Then-Steam

For around the same amount of money that you will pay for the Professional Steam Pocket Mop, you can buy a two in one machine from Shark called the Shark Vac-then-Steam. This machine has a high powered vacuum to suck up debris and dust on your hard floors prior to cleaning them with a steam cleaner similar to the Shark Steam Mop. This Shark steamer and vacuum has a larger water tank than the other models so it can run in steam mode for more than fifteen minutes. Unlike other steam cleaners that you might find with the vacuum feature, this steamer does not suck up dirty wash water and send it to a reservoir. Instead, the steam is dispensed and dries naturally because the vacuum feature is not running when the machine is in steam mode. The lack of a dirty water reservoir means that the Shark Vac-then-Steam is lighter than most hard floor steamers. This Shark steamer is a great piece of cleaning equipment because it cuts down on floor cleaning time since you do not need to sweep by hand before mopping.

Shark Steam Pocket Mop

The next Shark steamer that you might consider is the Steam Pocket Mop. This model is slightly different than the previously discussed Pocket Mops, but is still a quite effective floor cleaning tool to have in your house cleaning arsenal. This model of Shark steamer does not have the three steam settings, but it does come with three different mop heads so that you can use the steamer in almost any floor cleaning situation. There is the traditional rectangular steam head, an extra large rectangular steam head, and a triangular steam head. The various steamer heads mean you can clean the floors in your home more quickly than if you were limited by only one choice where it was hard to reach into corners and took too long because of the size of the room.

The Shark Steam Pocket Mop heats and delivers steam in just thirty seconds that is hot enough to kill 99.9 percent of the germs and bacteria commonly found on household floors. The use of only water as a cleaning agent is a plus because you are not exposing your family or your pets to harsh and possibly toxic cleaning chemicals.

Shark Steam Mop

The Shark Steam Mop is the simplest of their upright steamer models. The Shark Steam Mop has only one steamer head, but it still delivers steam in less than thirty seconds and comes with the same micro-fiber washable pads as all the other Shark steamers. The pads are the key to the Shark steamer system because they lift and lock in the dirt that is loosened by the steam. This steamer is very lightweight and easy to maneuver so even a child could use it. Since there are no harsh chemicals being used and no fear of making a mess from a bucket and traditional mop, you can trust your hard floor cleaning to your children. In addition to the light weight, the easy grip handle also makes maneuvering this Shark steamer easy without straining yourself in any way. The price tag for this Shark steamer is significantly less than for the other Shark steamers we have discussed so far. It is, by far, the best deal in terms of a quality steamer from Shark.

Shark Portable Steam Pocket

The Shark Portable Steam Pocket is a handheld steamer that you can use to clean almost any surface in your home. There are ten different attachments to choose between so you are sure to find the perfect cleaning tool for any surface or area of your house. This Shark steamer can even be used to steam the wrinkles out of clothing or draperies. In addition to the extension hose and tote bag to carry everything, there are ten different types of cleaning attachments. They include a cylinder cleaning wand, a wedge cleaning attachment, two micro-fiber cylinder pockets, a cylinder dusting pocket, two micro-fiber wedge pockets, a direct steam nozzle, a garment steamer kit, two bristle brushes, a scrubber wedge pocket, and a squeegee wedge pocket.

Swivel Sweeper G2 Swivel Sweeper G2, Cordless 1 ea Swivels & Picks Up Like No Other!2 New features!Back Saver Elbow Joint: Pole bends so you don’t!Touchless Dirt Tray: Just push tabs to empty!4 Quad-Brush® Technology: Picks up on all four sides! Gets the mess along the walls and corners. Powered edge cleaning brushes. Super Sliders sweeper…

The Swivel Sweeper G2 is an improvement over a previous model and one of the new features is a touchless dirt tray. The dirt is collected in a tray and you can empty it with a touch of a few buttons on top of the sweeper so that you ever have to come into contact with the dirt that you pick up with the Swivel Sweeper G2. Furthermore, you can hold the Swivel Sweeper over a trash can and lower it so that there is not even any dust let out when you empty the sweeper into the trash.

Another new feature of the Swivel Sweeper G2 is something they call the back saving elbow joint. The Swivel Sweeper G2 has a joint about midway up the handle that can bend at a ninety degree angle. TH allows the use to push the Swivel Sweeper G2 under pieces of furniture and into hard to reach places that you would otherwise not be able to reach. Instead of the homeowner needing to bend over to extend the handle along the ground, the pole bends instead.

Like other models of the Swivel Sweeper, the G2 has what we call Quad Brush technology. The Swivel Sweeper G2 can pick up dirt and debris in all four directions. You can pick up unwanted debris by pushing the sweeper forward, backward, or sideways. The super sliders on all four corners make the Swivel Sweeper G2 extremely easy to maneuver. Another feature that helps with handling is the 360 degree swivel head that allows you to move the sweeper in any direction that you see fit. Because of this maneuverability and the fact that it only weighs two pounds, the Swivel Sweeper G2 can be used in places that regular sweepers cannot like under chairs, around the legs of furniture, or on stairs.

Although it is lightweight and easy to move around, the Swivel Sweeper G2 is also powerful. It has a rechargeable battery that turns the brush heads at 4000 rpm. It is strong enough to pick up the bulkiest debris like nails or broken glass as well as wet or moist food that might be dropped on the floor. Other cordless sweepers, like the Shark vacuum, do not have enough power to suck up something heavy like glass and could get gummed up with wet food.

In addition to being easy to use, the Swivel Sweeper G2 is also easy to store. Many homeowners are reluctant to purchase new sweepers because they already have many pieces of cleaning equipment and they fear they will be unable to store another one. The Swivel Sweeper G2 has a feature called a magnetic storage latch that allows you to store the sweeper flat against a wall or in a niche. The sweeper head folds up towards the handle and latches on with a magnet. In addition to the magnetic latch, the Swivel Sweeper G2 also has a rubber tip at the top of the handle that prevents sliding on a wall surface.

Overall, I believe the Swivel Sweeper G2 is a worthwhile investment and any homeowner who wants a quick and effective way to clean their floors should buy one.

EL1030A%2D Ergorapido Ion Bagless Cordless Stick and Hand Vac	Electrolux EL8502B Versatility 12 Amp Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner	Electrolux EL6984A UltraSilencer Green Canister Vacuum Cleaner
EL852A Unirapido 2-in-1 Stick Vacuum	Electrolux Nimble Upright Vacuum	EL4300A Ultra Active Deep Clean Vacuum

Lightweight Electrolux Vacuum Cleaners

Electrolux lightweight vacuum cleaners are the appropriate product if you want to clean bare floor surfaces or delicate area rugs. They are not appropriate for thick pile carpets. The two types of lightweight vacuums by Electrolux are the Unirapido and the Ergorapido. Both models are cordless machines that run on batteries. The Unirapido pictured above has a 12 Volt NiMH battery that provides twenty minutes of power at normal speed while the Ergorapido model pictured above has an 18 Volt Lithium Ion battery that provides thirty minutes of power at normal speed. Not only does the 18 Volt battery last longer, but the Lithium Ion technology means that it will charge four times faster than the NiMH battery.

Some of the differences between the two Electrolux lightweight vacuum models have to do with the versatility of the machines. For example, the Ergorapido Electrolux lightweight vacuum is a two in one model that can be used as a stick vacuum or a handheld vacuum depending on where you need to use the Electrolux vacuum. In addition, the Ergorapido model comes with two attachments to aid in the cleaning of upholstery and hard to reach corners and stairs. The Unirapido, however, has a much larger dust capacity. The dust collection container on the Unirapido Electrolux lightweight vacuum cleaner is one quart compared to the 0.4 quart dust collection container on the Ergorapido.

Upright Electrolux Vacuum Cleaners

Electrolux also makes two lines of upright vacuum cleaners known as the Nimble line and the Versatility line. The main difference between the two lines of Electrolux upright vacuum cleaners is the fact that the Electrolux Nimble comes with swivel steering making it easier to maneuver around furniture and into hard to reach places. Other than that, the only real difference between the two lines of Electrolux upright vacuums is an aesthetic one.

Both Electrolux vacuum cleaner models have a 12 Amp cyclonic suction system and bagless dust collection. They both have a quick release wand and hose that allows you to stretch up to fourteen feet away from the base when cleaning. Both vacuum cleaners models by Electrolux can be used on floor surfaces of various kinds including hard floors and carpets. Both vacuum cleaners by Electrolux have a HEPA filtration system, but the Nimble models have washable filters while the Versatility models have an additional anti-odor filter which makes them good vacuum cleaners for pet owners.

Canister Electrolux Vacuum Cleaners

Electrolux makes several different varieties of floor care appliances that are referred to as canister vacuum cleaners. The two pictured above are the UltraActive and the UltraSilencer. The UltraSilencer gets its name because of the sound dampening technology used in this Electrolux vacuum model. The machine operates at less than 65 decibels which is the noise level of regular conversation. Another difference between the two featured models is the fact that the UltraActive is a bagless unit while the UltraSilencer uses dust collection bags. The UltraActive is also more powerful with a 12 amp power supply than the UltraSilencer with a 9 amp power supply making it more appropriate for all floor surfaces while the UltraSilencer is only used on hard floor surfaces and low pile carpets.

The UltraActive is slightly more convenient to use because the controls are on the handle rather than on the canister and the hose length is slightly longer. Both Electrolux machines have 21 foot electrical cords but the UltraActive has a wider cleaning path so you can clean more carpet before needing to move the canister. Both models come with many accessories and tools that make them appropriate for use with upholstery and hard to reach places.

No matter what method is used for getting rid of bed bugs, it is important to enlist the help of a professional pest control company as soon as you notice bed bugs signs. Professional pest services have the expertise to know what insecticides or bed bugs spray is best to use in your home and whether or not other methods of getting rid of bed bugs are appropriate. Typically, the pest control company will use a combination of tactics to completely eliminate the bed bugs. Another advantage of the pest control service is that they will guarantee their work.

Pre-Treatment Procedures for Getting Rid of Bed Bugs

Before you have a pest control company come into your home to get rid of your bed bugs, there are some things that you need to do to prepare for bed bug treatments. First, you want to reduce clutter so that it will be easier for the professionals to perform a thorough inspection and know where to spray bed bug sprays. All bedding, stuffed animals, or toys should be put into plastic bags and laundered at a temperature of at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit to kill any bed bugs or eggs that might have caught a ride there. It would also be helpful to empty any drawers in your night stands or dressers.

Mattress Pads the Get Rid of Bed Bugs

SafeRest Hypoallergenic Zippered Certified Bed Bug Proof Mattress Encasement With 360 Secure Zipper Feature (Fits 15 – 18 in. H) – Queen Size Protecting your mattress from invading bed bugs and dust mites requires something more than just your average zippered mattress encasement. SafeRest bed bug proof mattress encasements eliminate the entry or exit points many mattress covers fail to protect. Rather than disposing of expensive…

There are mattress and box spring covers that you can purchase that are meant to eliminate the spread of bed bugs. They get rid of bed bugs in two ways. First, they are thick and strong enough to keep insecticides and bed bugs spray inside. You spray the mattress or box spring and then cover them up with the mattress or box spring encasement. The second way they help to get rid of bed bugs is that they trap them inside and they bugs cannot find thee way out. You need to keep the mattress encasements on for at least one year in order to completely disrupt the bed bug life cycle. Professional pest control companies often guarantee their work for longer periods of time if you purchase mattress covers for them.

Bed Bugs Spray for Getting Rid of Bed Bugs

The treatment for getting rid of be bug used to be to spray any infested room with pesticide. Now that we know more about the effects of such products on the health of our family, the pesticides are used more judiciously. There are rules in place now that forbid the use of bed bugs spray on certain bedding and mattresses, but there are approved products as well. Bed bug sprays work in many different ways to get rid of your bedbug infestation. Some pesticides will kill bugs instantly while others only sterilize adult bugs so that they cannot lay new eggs. The latter method means you wil have to wait longer for the infestation to be over.

Using Steam to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

Steam at temperatures of over 120 degrees Fahrenheit is hot enough to kill bed bugs. The hot steam will also kill any eggs. This method is a popular one with professional pest control services, but it is tricky to implement. You must have a tight seal on any space where you are going to be fumigating with steam. The room must stay at above 120 degrees for an extended period of time. It can be difficult to maintain the hot temperature in an open space. Often the area of infestation will need to be separated from the rest of the room with plastic to create a kind of steam tent.

Freeze Treatment for Getting Rid of Bed Bugs

Other pest control services use the power of ice to kill bed bugs. Getting rid of bed bugs with cold temperatures is easier than using steam. The pest control technician will apply dry ice to any affected area and the cold temperatures will freeze both the bugs and the eggs effectively ending the infestation. Using steam and cold to kill bed bugs is a good first step, but you will need other protective measures to make sure that your bed bugs do not come back. That is where the spraying of certain bed bug sprays can come in handy.

Oreck vacuums come in both upright and handheld models. That means that there is an Oreck vacuum to clean every carpeted room or area in your home. Most upright models are sold as part of a package where the consumer gets both an upright Oreck vacuum and a handheld Oreck vacuum.

Check out some of these Oreck Vacuum Cleaners:

The Oreck Platinum Pilot Vacuum Cleaner

The Oreck Platinum Pilot has many features that make it a superior vacuum for the home. First, the Oreck Platinum Pilot weighs approximately ten pounds which is extremely lightweight for a full size vacuum. The lightweight vacuum not only makes it easy to get the vacuum in and out of storage, but also contributes to its amazing maneuverability. The Oreck Platinum Pilot has a ball-joint and pivot connection design which means that it can turn easily around corners and piece of furniture. Its low profile also contributes to being able to maneuver around furniture easily.

Another feature of the Oreck Platinum Pilot is the powerful vacuuming ability. The Platinum Pilot is equipped with a pile-lifting roller brush that gives an increase in pick up performance. The powerful brush rotating at 5600 rpm and the 1023 mph airflow produced by the Pilot mean that this vacuum cleaner is a more efficient cleaning tool than most vacuum cleaners on the market.

Finally, the Oreck Platinum Pilot vacuum cleaner, like all Oreck vacuum cleaners, comes with an annual tune up every year for ten years. The tune up is completed at your local Oreck store and includes replacing parts that wear, cleaning important parts, and checking all electrical connections to ensure the vacuum runs properly.

The Oreck XL Gold Pro Series Vacuum Cleaner

The Oreck XL Gold Series vacuum is similar to the Pilot in many ways, but there are some features that are missing. First, the Gold Series does not have the ball-joint and pivot connection design so it is not quite as maneuverable. However, it still has a low profile and wide cleaning path. The Oreck Gold Series also has one pass cleaning, like the Oreck Platinum Pilot. One pass cleaning means that you can clean carpet or floors with only one pass and it is easy to switch from one surface to another.

The Oreck Gold Series vacuum has a slightly different kind of roller brush. Instead of the pile-lifting roller, there is a double helix roller that works just as well. The double helix roller just doesn’t move as easily through thick carpets. However, just like the Pilot the Gold series has two speed motor that allows you to vacuum both delicate carpet fibers you might find in a Persian rug and heavy piled carpet.

The Oreck Gold Series vacuum cleaner comes with six annual tune ups rather than ten, but that is still an excellent amount of protection. In addition, the Gold Series, like all Oreck vacuum cleaners, comes with a risk free thirty day trial which means you can return the product if you are not happy with it within thirty days of your purchase.

The Oreck XL Silver Pro Series Vacuum Cleaner

The Oreck SL Silver Pro Series vacuum cleaner is very similar to the Gold Series, but cost about one hundred dollars less. The main differences between the two models are the speed of the double helix roller brush which is 5600 rpm in the Gold Series and 6500 rpm in the Silver Series and the number of annual tune ups offered which is six for the Gold and three for the Silver. Other than some aesthetics, those are the only difference between these two models.

Just like the other Oreck vacuum cleaners, the Oreck Silver Pro comes with an inner HEPA bag that traps dust, allergens, and other small particles. This feature is especially nice for homeowners with pets because it is good at trapping dander and pet hair. The Oreck Silver Pro vacuum also has the Saniseal system like all other Oreck vacuum cleaners. The Saniseal system creates a strong seal around the filter bag to ensure that no dirt or particles escape once they are vacuumed up.

The Oreck XL Element Pro Series Vacuum Cleaner

The Oreck SL Element Pro Series vacuum cleaner is an introductory model that is great for a household that is on a budget but still wants a powerful vacuum for cleaning. This model has only a one speed motor, so it might not be safe to use on more delicate carpet fibers but it works extremely well on the most common carpet fibers. It has a double helix roller brush that rotates at 6500 rpm and comes with one pass cleaning technology like all other Oreck vacuums.

The Element Series comes with only one annual tune up, but this nine pound vacuum is a great way to introduce the power of Oreck to your home. Like all other Oreck vacuum cleaners, the Element Pro Series comes with edge brushes that reach all the way to the baseboard when you are vacuuming next to a wall.

The Oreck Deluxe Handheld Vacuum Cleaner

The Oreck Deluxe Handheld vacuum cleaner is a wonderful tool to have in your cleaning arsenal because it is so lightweight and has so many different attachments that you can take it almost anywhere. The handheld vacuum weighs around five pounds without all the attachments and you can either carry it in your hand or wear it over your shoulder.

The attachments include a dusting brush, a floor tool, and a crevice tool. The Deluxe handheld from Oreck also comes with a telescoping wand and a forty two inch hose. The versatility that these attachments give you as a homeowner mean that you can clean any piece of furniture, any small carpeted area like stairs, or hard to reach areas like in between pieces of furniture or along baseboards.

The Oreck Deluxe Handheld vacuum cleaner comes with the Oreck Gold, Silver, and Element Series as a package when you buy from an Oreck store or online at the Oreck website. These packages are a great deal because you would spend on average about one hundred fifty dollars more if you bought the items separately.

The Oreck Ultimate Handheld Vacuum Cleaner

The Ultimate Handheld Vacuum Cleaner by Oreck is very similar to the Deluxe version. The major differences are in the attachments. The Ultimate Handheld Oreck Vacuum Cleaner comes with a longer hose attachment at five feet and the floor tool features plush horsehair fibers that make it appropriate to use on even the most delicate carpet fibers. This model of handheld vacuum by Oreck also comes with a tool caddy for easy carrying of your attachments. It is much easier to keep track of everything and have the attachment you need at your fingertips with the tool caddy. The Ultimate handheld vacuum comes with the Platinum Pilot upright vacuum package.

The Oreck Ironman Handheld Vacuum Cleaner

The Oreck Ironman handheld vacuum cleaner is the top of the line handheld vacuum offered by Oreck. This model comes with a two speed motor so it is a good tool to use on both durable and delicate carpet fibers and upholstery. This Oreck handheld vacuum weighs a little bit more at seven pounds, but it comes with wheels so that you can put it on the ground and have it travel behind you as you clean. The accessories and attachments are easily accessible because they attach to the base but they do not get in the way when the vacuum rolls from room to room either.

Bissell Steam Mop Hard-Floor Cleaner, Green Tea, 1867-7

Eureka 313A Enviro Hard-Surface Floor Steamer

Euro-Pro Shark S3501 Deluxe Steam Pocket Mop

A steam mop has an electrical cord because you need power in order to heat the water to make steam. Most steam mops have steam on demand meaning that the steam is dispensed with the push of a button on the handle. However, certain models work slightly differently. The Euro-Pro Shark S3501 Deluxe Steam Pocket Mop, for example, dispenses steam whenever the mop moves in a natural mopping motion. That gives you a continuous supply of steam as you mop the floor. With this Shark steamer you do not have to worry about how much steam to dispense because the mop does it for you.

With all steam mops, the longer you dispense steam with the mop in one position, the hotter that area of the floor will get. Therefore, if you have a particularly bad stain or an area that you are particularly concerned about when it comes to bacteria, you should hold the mop in place and push the steam button. Some steam mop manufacturers recommend eight second of continuous steam to reach an appropriate temperature. With the Shark steam mop, you can pump the handle to dispense steam while it is in place since normally the steam is dispensed when the mop is in motion.

Some people might be concerned about the longevity of a product like this because over time and after much use, most mop heads wear out and the mop needs to be replaced. Steam mops come with reusable mop pads that are usually washable so that you do not have to buy a new mop every time the pad wears out. You can remove the pad after each use and wash it. Some mop pads are machine washable and others have to be washed by hand. If a pad does wear out then you can replace it instead of replacing the entire mop.

Eureka 60978 EnviroSteamer Magic Cloth

Bissell 3252-5 Steam Mop Delux Pad Kit – 2 Pack

Shark All-Purpose Micro-Fiber Cleaning Pockets, 2 Pack, XT3501

Certain brands of steam mops have special mop pad features that make them more desirable than others. For example, the Eureka! Magic cloths are machine washable and can be washed just like any other piece of laundry. The Bissell Deluxe Mop Pads for the Bissell Steam Mop have a ribbed bottom and are thicker than other brands so they are more durable and better at scrubbing hard stains and rougher surfaces such as slate tile. The Shark mop pads come in different shapes to go with the interchangeable mop heads. The Shark Pocket Steam Mop has a rectangular and a triangular head and there are mop pads to match both orientations.

Shark Upright Vacuum

Shark NV22L Navigator Lift-Away Lightweight Upright Vacuum With 24″ Crevice Tool The Shark NV22L Navigator Lift-Away lightweight upright vacuum is a comprehensive cleaning system for your household. This lightweight, purple vacuum cleaner features Shark’s patented “Never Loses Suction Technology” which removes 99% of dirt from the filter. The result is continuous suction on…

Shark Navigator Upright Bagless Vacuum Cleaner, NV22L Lightweight and easy to maneuver at only 15-pound, the navigator rides on smooth glide rubber wheels for effortless maneuvering around furniture. Powered by infinity technology the shark navigator traps dust and dirt so the navigator never loses suction and cleans the last room as well as the first…

The two Shark upright vacuums pictured above have at least on feature in common and that is that they both use Shark’s No Loss of Suction Technology. This patented technology allows the dirt and debris that is sucked in through the vacuum to be pulled away from the filter in order to avoid clogs and any loss of suction. Continuous suction will ensure that you pick up everything in your path without leaving crumbs or pieces behind like you do with many vacuums if you are not able to maintain suction.

The two upright vacuums, while similar in name, also have many differences. First, the Navigator Lift Away has swivel steering so that it is easier to maneuver than the Navigator as well as most traditional vacuums. The Navigator does not have the same maneuverability, but it does come equipped with smooth glide wheels so that it can run smoothly over all kinds of floor surfaces.

The second important difference is that the Navigator has two unique motor systems so that you can use it on carpeted surfaces as well as hard floor surfaces. When running the Shark Navigator on hard surfaces you can turn off the rolling brushes to avoid damaging the floor surface.

The Shark Navigator Lift Away has a detachable canister so that you have some portable cleaning ability. That makes it easier to clean upholstery and hard to reach places. The Navigator has some included accessory attachments for this purpose such as a twenty four inch crevice tool and a premium pet power brush for removing stubborn pet hair from upholstery.

The Shark Navigator Lift Away also comes equipped with Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology. This means that 99.99% of the dust captured stays inside the vacuum. Consumers with allergy problems will appreciate this feature because often times, running a vacuum stirs up a lot of dust that starts a sneezing attack or creates problems with watery eyes.

Shark Upright Cordless Sweepers

Shark 2-in-1 Cordless Stick Vac and Handheld Vacuum Cleaner, SV800\VX63 Ultra-light weight and convenient the Shark VX63 2 in 1 cordless hand and stick vac is the perfect partner for prepping the floor before using the shark steam mop. With its powerful suction it effectively picks up dirt, hair and food particles from hard floor surfaces and low pile carpet. Extremely versatile this 2 in 1 vacuum becomes a powerful hand vac with a crevice feature that is perfect for corners and tight spaces. As a stick vac, with shark swivel steering, a motorized brush and powerful suction it is perfect for both bare floors and carpets. The removable battery charges anywhere and the telescopic handle adjusts to different heights. Accessories included are rechargeable battery, battery charger and foam filters.

Shark Vx3 Cordless Floor & Carpet Cleaner – Factory Serviced Cordless Shark VX3 floor cleaner combines the power of a vacuum with the convenience and maneuverability of a broom. Pick up heavy-duty messes including food, glass, nails, cat litter and more. Folding “backsaver” handle lets you reach under furniture without bending over. Effective on vinyl, tile, hardwood (won’t scratch), and carpeted floors. Side brush works along walls, dirt collects in a large capacity “no touch” removable tray. Weighs only four pounds and is ultra quiet. Included rechargeable battery lasts up to 50-minute -clean your whole house in a single charge.Features include:13 inch Motorized Brush Roll sweeps any size/type of debris into an easy to empty dust cup3 speed settings: Floor, Carpet, Turbo for superior cleaning on hard floors and carpetNo Touch Dust Cup effortlessly empties at the push of a buttonFolding Handle allows easy access to hard-to-reach places without bending over50 minutes of cleaning time on a single chargePatented Wall Hugging Technology(TM) with a motorized side brush that grabs dirt along wallsEasy to maneuver with our patented Swivel SteeringEasy reach a low profile and long reach makes it easy to get under furnitureMeasures approximately 13 by 12 by 42 inches Includes retail packaging

There are two products by Shark that fit into the category of upright cordless sweepers. The first is the Shark Cordless Stik Vac. This product is great for cleaning on both carpets and hard floor surfaces. There are two brush speeds so that you can switch from one to the other with a push of a button. For a cordless machine, there is an incredible amount of suction and it is quite effective at picking up hair, ground in dirt, and spills of larger pieces of food.

The handle of the Stik Vac is telescopic which means that when it is convenient for you, you can lower the handle and convert the Stik Vac into a handheld vacuum. In its handheld form, you can use the Stik Vac on upholstery or stairs. Since it only weighs six pounds, it is quite portable and easy to move around with. It even comes with a crevice tool that is stored on the unit for use in the seams of your furniture. When it is in the upright position, the swivel steering makes it easy to maneuver the vacuum around any obstacles like furniture. It is almost as maneuverable as the Swivel Sweeper G2.

This vacuum will run for about fifteen minutes before needing to be recharged again. The initial charge of the rechargeable batteries that power the Shark Stik Vac takes twenty four hours. Shark recommends that you fully charge and then fully discharge the vacuum cleaner three times in the beginning in order to get top performance out of your batteries. Shark also recommends that you fully discharge and charge for twenty four hours about once a month to get the longest life out of your batteries as possible. The included rechargeable batteries should last between twelve and sixteen months if you use the machine an average of four time per week.

The Shark Cordless Floor and Carpet Cleaner is a somewhat similar machine. It uses a brush and dust cup rather than a dust canister. No do not have to handle the dust cup at all though because it empties with the touch of a button. The motorized brush has settings for both carpet and hard floors. Just like the other cordless vacuum, this upright sweeper is lightweight and comes equipped with swivel steering for easy handling.

The handle on the floor and carpet sweeper is something special because it has a hinge in the middle that lowers the upper part of the handle down at an angle so that you can roll the sweeper under pieces of furniture, etc.. Shark calls this innovation the Backsaver folding handle. Another Shark patented feature is the wall hugging technology that includes a motorized side brush to collect dust and debris from along the walls.

The main advantage of this model over the Stik Vac is that you get about fifty minutes of cleaning time before you need to recharge the batteries. Maximizing battery life on the Shark Cordless Floor and Carpet Cleaner is the same as with other cordless products. The initial charge should be for at least twenty four hours. You should completely discharge before charging again and you should be sure to completely discharge the unit once a month.

Shark Handheld Vacuums

Shark Cordless 14.4V Pet Perfect Hand Vac, SV70 Clean your home easily with this cordless hand vacuum that features Twister Cyclonic technology to maintain suction and a motorized brush to thoroughly remove pet hair from upholstery and ground-in dirt from carpet, car mats and seats. The convenient dust cup design means no replacement bags are needed and the filter is easily detached and washable. The LED indicator light alerts you when the vacuum needs to be charged. Includes motorized brush and crevice tool.

Shark SV780 VX33 18.0 Volt Cordless Hand Vac The Shark Cordless 18-vold Hand Vac performs better than other competitive models.

Handheld vacuums are an important cleaning tool to have around the house, especially If you have pets that shed on your furniture. The Shark Cordless Pet Perfect Hand Vac and the Shark Cordless Pet Perfect II Hand Vac are both excellent pieces of cleaning equipment with many admirable features. First, both have powerful batteries that allow a superior amount of suction in order to pick up pet hair that clings to upholstery and ground in dirt stains. However, the Pet Perfect II with it s18 volt battery has about 35% more power than the Pet Perfect with a 15.6 volt battery. Both units have removable and washable filters so you will always have your machine with the most powerful suction possible. There are no bags to throw away, but rather a bagless dust cup. The only other notable difference is that the Shark Pet Perfect II Hand Vac has a wall mounting system and a rubberized grip for easy access and storage and more comfortable handling.