#you can vacuum it first if you have pets to lift hair and dust

[amenifycleaningservices]

Transform Your Home Cleaning Routine with Ease

Cleaning your home can sometimes feel overwhelming, but following the right sequence makes it both manageable and efficient. Whether you're preparing for guests, maintaining a tidy space, or tackling weekend chores, having a strategy is essential.

Pressed for Time? Let Amenify Handle It If you're short on time, don’t stress—Amenify’s professional cleaning services are here to do the heavy lifting for you. Whether you’re seeking the best cleaning service in Denver or affordable options nearby, Amenify has you covered.

Start with the Bathroom

Spotless Beginnings with Amenify’s Denver Cleaning Services

Kick off your cleaning routine with a pristine bathroom! Beginning here ensures you address the most time-consuming and detailed area first while your energy and focus are at their peak.

Steps to a Sparkling Bathroom:

Scrub the Sink and Countertops: Eliminate toothpaste stains and soap residue.

Clean the Toilet: Thoroughly scrub with a toilet cleaner and brush.

Tackle the Shower or Tub: Remove mildew, soap scum, and hard water spots.

Finish with the Floor: Sweep and mop to leave your bathroom gleaming.

Regular bathroom cleaning prevents grime buildup, maintaining a healthy environment. If you need expert assistance, Amenify’s house cleaning service in Denver delivers professional results every time.

Dust and Organize

Keep Your Home Tidy with Expert Dusting and Organizing

After the bathroom, move on to dusting and organizing. This step ensures you remove dust from surfaces before cleaning the floors, keeping your home orderly and fresh.

Effective Dusting and Organizing Tips:

Dust from Top to Bottom: Start with higher surfaces like shelves and work your way down.

Wipe Down Surfaces: Use a damp microfiber cloth to clean furniture, tables, and countertops.

Organize Clutter: Clear away items that don’t belong and put things back in their proper places.

Too busy to handle the details? Consider hiring Amenify, your local Denver cleaning service, to expertly dust and organize every corner of your home.

Mopping and Vacuuming

Make Your Floors Shine with Professional Mopping and Vacuuming

Don’t forget the floors! Mopping and vacuuming are essential to make your home sparkle. Let Amenify’s Denver cleaning services take care of the hard work for you.

Floor Cleaning Steps:

Vacuum First: Remove debris, dust, and pet hair from hardwood floors, carpets, and rugs.

Mop Next: Use the appropriate cleaner for your flooring type to achieve a deep clean and streak-free finish.

For the best results without the hassle, trust Amenify’s professional cleaning team. Many Denver residents rely on Amenify for regular maintenance and deep cleaning.

Finish with the Kitchen

End Your Cleaning Routine with a Pristine Kitchen

Conclude your cleaning session by tackling the kitchen—a room that sees the most use and needs thorough weekly cleaning. Cleaning the kitchen last prevents walking over wet floors from other rooms, keeping everything spotless.

Kitchen Cleaning Checklist:

Clear Countertops: Store away unnecessary appliances and items.

Wipe Down Surfaces: Use disinfectant to clean countertops, cabinets, and appliances.

Clean the Sink: Scrub the sink and faucet to remove food particles and grime.

Sweep and Mop the Floor: Ensure no crumbs are left behind by thoroughly cleaning the kitchen floor.

If you’re in the Denver area and lack the time for detailed kitchen cleaning, search for “house cleaning service Denver” or “Denver cleaning service,” and Amenify will come to your rescue.

No Time to Clean? Amenify is Here to Help!

In today’s fast-paced world, finding time for thorough cleaning can be challenging. If balancing house cleaning with your busy schedule is tough, Amenify’s cleaning services offer the perfect solution. We provide affordable, customized cleaning services to meet your specific needs.

Why Choose Amenify?

Local Convenience: Searching for “cleaning services near me”? Amenify’s Denver house cleaning service features professional and trusted cleaners.

Affordable and Reliable: Our competitively priced services make us the top choice for those seeking the best cleaning service nearby.

Comprehensive Services: From deep cleaning to regular maintenance, Amenify has all your cleaning needs covered.

Conclusion

Maintaining a clean and healthy home is easier when you follow the right cleaning order: start with the bathroom, move on to dusting and organizing, proceed with mopping and vacuuming, and finish with the kitchen. However, if time is not on your side, Amenify’s professional cleaning services are always ready to step in, delivering high-quality results for busy homeowners.

Whether you’re searching for a “cleaning service Denver,” “affordable cleaning services,” or a reliable cleaning company, Amenify is just a call away. Let us handle the cleaning, so you can enjoy a spotless, stress-free home.

Contact Amenify Today Discover how Amenify can transform your home cleaning experience. Visit our website or call us to schedule your Denver cleaning service today!

[kayanalfalahcleaningservices]

Dubai Carpet Cleaning Pros to Help You Give a New Look to Your Interior

In terms of beauty and cleanliness of any home, clean carpets have few equals. This is very important in Dubai where it is easy for sand to access our living areas. The blog post aims at discussing more on carpet cleaning in Dubai, why regular cleaning is important, the best methods available and how you can achieve that fresh inviting feel at home.

Reasons Why Dubai Residents Should Clean Their Carpets Regularly

Maintaining Neatness

Carpets are known to be reservoirs of dust, allergens as well as bacteria. In a city like Dubai, with high humidity levels and dust storms being common, these toxins get trapped in the carpet leading to poor air quality indoors. Through regular cleaning however, such impurities will be eliminated ensuring a healthier living environment. According to World Health Organization (WHO), poor indoor air quality results in respiratory problems as well as allergies among other health issues. By prioritizing carpet cleaning, they can safeguard their families’ security.

Enhance Beauty

The sight and touch of newly cleaned carpets is just amazing. They not only enhance the overall aesthetics of your living space but also speak volumes about cleanliness and care. Imagine walking into a room with vibrant spotless carpets; this improves both outlook and makes good first impression to guests thereby enhancing beauty in your home. When clean such floors make any space more welcoming and classy.

Lengthening Carpet Lifespans

Carpet longevity can be increased by professional carpet cleaning services. Dirt particles may cause wearing out of fabric fibres thus making them become old before time sets its toll on it again causing damage. In places such as Dubai where good quality carpets are costly investments regular maintenance makes sense too because it helps postpone replacements for longer periods saving money.

The Process Involved in Carpet Cleaning

Vacuuming

The first step towards any carpet cleaning procedure involves thorough vacuuming which takes out the loose dirt and dust that accumulates with time. Regular vacuuming at least weekly helps to control the quantities of dirt that penetrate deeper into the carpet fibers. It is important to use a vacuum cleaner with good suction power and a rotating brush so as to cover the entire carpet area. For households with pets, it is more critical to clean frequently in order to efficiently deal with pet hair as well as dander.

Deeper Cleaning Methods

After vacuuming, there are usually additional deep cleaning techniques which get used. Here are some of these that may be applied by professional cleaners:

• Steam Cleaning: Hot water and steam soak through the carpet fibers thereby loosening all forms of dirt plus grime. Using a powerful extraction machine, all this moisture together with dirt will be removed from your carpet. This makes it one of the most preferred cleaning methods due to its cleaning and sanitizing capabilities.

• Dry Cleaning: A cleaning solution is applied on such rugs which traps any soil present before getting vacuumed off later on. Dry cleaning works well for materials like carpets that cannot tolerate any form of moisture.

• Bonnet Cleaning: Commercial premises commonly use this method which involves applying a detergent soaked pad onto the surface of the rug and then scrubbing it using a circular movement until it lifts away surface dirt quickly..

Every method has advantages and disadvantages, and the correct approach will depend on what kind of carpet you have and its specific cleaning requirements. Contact a professional to assist you in selecting the best method for your home.

Aftercare

It is important to look after the cleaned carpets afterwards so as to maintain that fresh look. Ensure they are completely dry before walking over them otherwise there may be some wet smell or growth of mold. In addition, if possible, open windows or use fans to hasten this process of drying up. Furthermore, putting some mats at entry points helps minimize dirt from being carried into your house from outside which can extend cleaner state of carpets.

How To Choose The Best Carpet Cleaning Service In Dubai

Researching Options

In Dubai, where there are many carpet cleaning services available, it is important to do proper research about these companies before settling on one among them. Begin with looking for providers acknowledged by positive reviews and testimonials left by their clients. Customer reviews are available through Google or other social media pages. Another good way to find reliable options is through recommendations from friends or family members.

Understanding Services Rendered

Not all carpet cleaning companies offer the same type of service. Some specialise in certain types of cleaning methods while others might provide an array of services such as upholstery and stain removals. Verify what each company offers and whether they make use of green products when cleaning. Most people living in Dubai prefer eco-friendly firms which also put much emphasis on cleanliness.

Getting Quotes

When you have shortlisted some options it would be wise if you get quotes from different companies so as to have a sense of pricing which will help you come up with informed decision. Remember that cheapest option does not always mean best one should take into account issues like experience, reputation as well as range services offered during this selection process.

DIY Tips For Carpet Cleaning In A Dubai Property

Regular Maintenance

However professional cleaning matters much; regular maintenance can also greatly prolong carpet lifespan. Here are a few tips:

• Spot Cleaning: Act quickly on spills or stains! Blot the area with a clean cloth, do not rub as it may spread the stain. A mild detergent mixed with water will work well for spot cleaning.

• Use Baking Soda: Before vacuuming your carpets, sprinkle some baking soda and let it stay for some hours. This absorbs odors and helps to deodorize them leaving no smell.

• Invest in a Good Vacuum: A high-quality vacuum cleaner really is worth its weight in gold. Look out for strong suction and HEPA filters that will get rid of allergens and dust effectively.

Periodic Deep Cleaning

It is advisable to deeply clean these carpets at least once every season especially when there are many sand storms in Dubai during summers. For families with pets or children, this kind of preemptive approach keeps home air fresh always.

Preserving High Traffic Areas

In areas with heavy foot traffic, consider using area rugs or runners over your carpets so that they don’t wear out too soon. They can be cleaned easily or replaced without having to replace the entire carpet at a high cost.

Carpets Role In Home Design

Aesthetic Versatility

Carpets make any room look attractive. They come in different colors; patterns and textures thus you can express your style through them. Regardless of what other design themes you have going on, you can still find a way to fit carpets into them since modern meets traditional Dubai designs blend well together.

Sound absorption

Those who like the visual appeal of carpets also value them for their sound-absorbing properties. These help in quieting down a house by reducing noise levels at home. This is especially important in urban areas where external sounds can be intrusive.

Comfort and warmth

There is nothing more satisfying than stepping on soft carpet with your bare feet. Carpets offer warmth and comfort making it ideal during colder months. They have the ability to turn a cold room into a cozy getaway spot, improving overall living experience.

Conclusion

Carpet cleaning Dubai involves much more than aesthetics alone; it also has health implications, comfort concerns and maintaining the beauty of your house. Properly clean your rugs so that they remain vibrant over years while emanating humidity within an inviting environment.

Through this emphasis on carpet upkeep, you are not just protecting the durability of your floors but you are also enhancing everyone’s quality of life under one roof. Remember that clean carpets constitute a healthy beautiful living space whether you decide to hire professionals or opt to do some tasks yourself. Familiarize yourself with different choices available and consider contacting local experts to maintain your carpet today.

[camellasstory]

The Ultimate Guide to Sofa Cleaning in Kilmarnock: Keep Your Upholstery Fresh and Clean

Keeping your sofa clean is essential for maintaining a healthy and attractive living space. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the importance of regular sofa cleaning in Kilmarnock, the benefits it offers, and tips for maintaining your upholstery. Whether you have a busy household or simply want to ensure your furniture stays in top condition, this blog will provide valuable insights and practical advice.

Why Sofa Cleaning in Kilmarnock Matters

Health Benefits

One of the primary reasons to invest in sofa cleaning in Kilmarnock is the health benefits it provides. Over time, sofas can accumulate dust, allergens, and bacteria that can negatively impact indoor air quality and trigger allergies or respiratory issues. Regular cleaning helps remove these contaminants, promoting a healthier living environment.

Prolonging Furniture Lifespan

Sofas are a significant investment, and proper maintenance can extend their lifespan. Regular cleaning prevents dirt and debris from becoming embedded in the fabric, which can cause wear and tear over time. By keeping your sofa clean, you can enjoy its comfort and beauty for many years to come.

Enhancing Appearance

A clean sofa not only feels better but also looks more inviting. Regular sofa cleaning in Kilmarnock can help maintain the vibrant colors and texture of your upholstery, ensuring your living space always looks its best. Clean furniture contributes to a positive first impression for guests and a more pleasant home environment for you and your family.

Professional Sofa Cleaning Services

Why Choose Professional Cleaners?

While regular vacuuming and spot cleaning are essential, professional sofa cleaning in Kilmarnock offers a deeper and more thorough clean. Professional cleaners have the expertise, equipment, and cleaning solutions to effectively remove stains, odors, and deep-seated dirt. They can also address specific issues such as pet hair, tough stains, and delicate fabrics that require special care.

The Cleaning Process

Professional sofa cleaning typically involves several steps to ensure a comprehensive clean:

Inspection and Assessment: The cleaning technician will inspect your sofa to determine the type of fabric and the extent of cleaning required. This step helps tailor the cleaning process to your specific needs.

Vacuuming: A powerful vacuum is used to remove loose dirt, dust, and debris from the surface and crevices of the sofa.

Stain Treatment: Any visible stains are treated with specialized cleaning solutions designed to break down and lift the stains without damaging the fabric.

Deep Cleaning: Using hot water extraction or steam cleaning, the technician will deep clean the upholstery, effectively removing dirt and bacteria. This process also helps to sanitize the sofa.

Drying: After cleaning, the sofa is thoroughly dried to prevent mold and mildew growth. Some professional services use air movers to speed up the drying process.

Final Inspection: The technician will conduct a final inspection to ensure the sofa is clean and free of any remaining stains or dirt.

DIY Sofa Cleaning Tips

Regular Maintenance

In addition to professional sofa cleaning in Kilmarnock, regular maintenance is crucial for keeping your upholstery in top condition. Here are some tips for maintaining your sofa between professional cleanings:

Vacuum Frequently: Use a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment to remove dust, dirt, and pet hair from your sofa. Pay special attention to crevices and seams where debris can accumulate.

Spot Clean Spills Immediately: Accidents happen, but prompt action can prevent stains from setting. Blot spills with a clean cloth and use a mild cleaning solution if necessary. Avoid rubbing, as this can spread the stain and damage the fabric.

Rotate Cushions: To ensure even wear, regularly rotate and fluff your sofa cushions. This practice helps maintain the shape and comfort of your sofa.

Use Sofa Covers: Sofa covers can protect your upholstery from spills, stains, and pet hair. They are easy to remove and wash, making them a practical solution for busy households.

Home Cleaning Solutions

For minor stains and regular upkeep, you can use simple home cleaning solutions. Here are a few DIY cleaning methods:

Baking Soda and Vinegar: Mix baking soda and vinegar to create a paste. Apply it to stains, let it sit for a few minutes, and then blot with a clean cloth.

Dish Soap and Water: Mix a few drops of mild dish soap with water. Dampen a cloth with the solution and gently blot stains. Rinse with a clean, damp cloth and let dry.

Rubbing Alcohol: For ink or marker stains, apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol to a clean cloth and gently blot the stain. Be sure to test on an inconspicuous area first.

Choosing the Right Sofa Cleaning Service in Kilmarnock

Reputation and Reviews

When selecting a professional sofa cleaning service in Kilmarnock, it's important to consider their reputation and customer reviews. Look for companies with positive feedback and satisfied customers. Online reviews and testimonials can provide valuable insights into the quality of service you can expect.

Certifications and Experience

Choose a cleaning service with certified technicians who have experience in upholstery cleaning. Certifications from reputable organizations indicate that the company adheres to industry standards and uses safe, effective cleaning methods.

Customization and Flexibility

Every sofa is unique, and a good cleaning service should offer customized solutions tailored to your specific needs. Whether you have delicate fabrics, stubborn stains, or special requirements, a professional cleaner should be able to accommodate your requests and provide flexible scheduling options.

Eco-Friendly Practices

If environmental sustainability is important to you, look for a cleaning service that uses eco-friendly cleaning products and practices. These products are safe for your family and pets, and they minimize the impact on the environment.

Conclusion

Maintaining a clean and fresh sofa is essential for a healthy and inviting home. By investing in regular sofa cleaning in Kilmarnock, you can enjoy the health benefits, prolong the lifespan of your furniture, and enhance the appearance of your living space. Whether you choose professional cleaning services or follow DIY tips, keeping your upholstery in top condition is a worthwhile effort. Trust Coorie Hill for expert sofa cleaning that delivers outstanding results, and enjoy a cleaner, healthier home today.

For more information and to book your sofa cleaning service, visit Coorie Hill's website or contact us directly. Keep your sofa looking and feeling its best with Coorie Hill’s professional sofa cleaning in Kilmarnock.

[carpetgoldcoast]

A Comprehensive Guide on How to Clean Your Carpet and Revitalize Your Living Space

Your carpet, an essential element of your home decor, not only adds warmth and comfort but also plays a significant role in enhancing the overall aesthetics of your living space. However, with daily foot traffic, accidental spills, and the inevitable accumulation of dust and dirt, your carpet can lose its charm and cleanliness over time. Fear not, as we bring you a comprehensive guide on how to clean carpet and breathe new life into your home.

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

Before you begin the carpet cleaning process, it's crucial to gather the necessary supplies. Here's a checklist to get you started:

Vacuum cleaner

Carpet cleaning solution or homemade alternative

Bucket

Soft-bristle brush or carpet rake

Clean, white cloths or paper towels

Carpet stain remover (if needed)

Carpet steam cleaner (optional)

Step 2: Start with Vacuuming

Begin the cleaning process by thoroughly vacuuming your carpet. This helps to remove loose dirt, debris, and pet hair, making the subsequent cleaning steps more effective. Pay extra attention to high-traffic areas and corners.

Step 3: Tackle Stains Promptly

If you have visible stains on your carpet, it's essential to address them promptly. Use a carpet stain remover suitable for the type of stain you're dealing with. Blot the stain gently with a clean cloth or paper towel, working from the outside in to prevent spreading.

Step 4: Choose the Right Cleaning Solution

Selecting the appropriate carpet cleaning solution is crucial for effective cleaning. You can opt for commercial carpet cleaners or create a DIY solution using a mixture of warm water and mild dish soap. Always test a small, inconspicuous area of the carpet first to ensure compatibility.

Step 5: Spot-Clean or Deep Clean

Depending on the overall condition of your carpet, you can choose between spot-cleaning and deep cleaning. Spot-cleaning involves treating specific areas with the cleaning solution and blotting away the dirt. Deep cleaning, on the other hand, often involves a carpet steam cleaner for a more thorough and widespread cleaning.

Step 6: Use a Soft-Bristle Brush or Carpet Rake

For stubborn stains or deeply embedded dirt, use a soft-bristle brush or carpet rake to agitate the cleaning solution gently. This helps to lift dirt from the carpet fibers and restore its original appearance.

Step 7: Allow Proper Drying Time

After cleaning, allow your carpet to dry thoroughly before resuming normal foot traffic. Open windows or use fans to expedite the drying process. Avoid walking on the carpet until it's completely dry to prevent re-soiling.

[shein-home-decor-blog]

How to Use the Dyson DC50 Multi Floor Bagless Upright Vacuum

Introduction

The Dyson DC50 Multi Floor Bagless Upright Vacuum is one of Dyson's most popular and highly-rated vacuum cleaners. As a bagless vacuum, the DC50 doesn't require any replacement bags or filters making it very low maintenance. Its ball technology and maneuverability allow it to smoothly glide across multiple surfaces, while its advanced cleaning head deep cleans carpets and hard floors.

In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the key features of the Dyson DC50 Multi Floor Bagless Upright Vacuum, who it’s best suited for, its performance on different floor types, maintenance requirements, and comparisons to other popular Dyson vacuums. Whether you’re considering purchasing the DC50 or just want to learn more about this innovative vacuum, read on for the full review.

Overview of the Dyson DC50 Multi Floor Bagless Upright Vacuum

The Dyson DC50 first launched in 2011 as an update to the original Dyson Ball vacuum. Built on Dyson's signature ball technology, the DC50 smoothly steers across all floor types. Key features of the Dyson DC50 include:

Bagless technology - Doesn't require replacement bags or filters

Patented Root Cyclone technology - Creates centrifugal forces to remove dirt and debris

Ball steering - Allows for effortless maneuverability on all floor types

Self-adjusting cleaner head - Seals suction across floors and carpets

Washable lifetime filters - Never needs replacing

Instant-release want - Quickly disconnects from the vacuum body

Hygienic bin emptying - Easily empty debris with a push of a button

Telescoping wand - Extends to clean hard-to-reach areas

Retractable cord - Rewinds itself for convenient storage

Advanced whole-machine filtration - Traps allergens and microscopic particles

With these features, the DC50 provides powerful suction and versatility to deep clean carpets, hard floors, stairs and more. It's an ideal vacuum for whole home cleaning.

Ball Steering and Maneuverability

One of the DC50's most acclaimed features is its ball steering technology. The vacuum head glides smoothly across all floor types on a rotating ball. This allows you to maneuver around furniture legs, under tables, and even turn on a dime. No more jerky starts, stops or awkward movements!

The ball design gives you a full 360 degrees of seamless steering control. You can swivel the vacuum in any direction without having to readjust your grip or stance. Maneuvering the DC50 feels almost effortless compared to vacuums with fixed wheels or pivot points.

The slim profile and lightweight frame also complement the nimble steering. Weighing in at just 17.3 pounds, the DC50 prevents fatigue during longer cleaning sessions. Between the ball design and lightweight body, the DC50 is among the most user-friendly and maneuverable upright vacuums on the market.

Powerful Suction and Cleaning Performance

In addition to effortless steering, the DC50 also packs powerful suction capabilities. It uses Root Cyclone technology and radial root cyclone air flow to create forces of up to 240MPH within the vacuum body. This intense centrifugal action spins out dust, debris, and microscopic particles from the air path before they even reach the filter.

The high-velocity air currents ensure both deep cleaning performance and sustained suction power. Reviews consistently praise the DC50's ability to thoroughly clean carpets and remove embedded dirt on both high and low pile. Even fine particles like dust and pet hair get fully lifted out of floor fibers. Suction power doesn’t fade over time thanks to the efficiency of the Root Cyclone system.

The DC50 comes equipped with Dyson's self-adjusting cleaner head. The head automatically seals in suction as you move across different surfaces. On carpets, the head creates enough air flow to draw out ground-in dirt and stains. On hard floors, the head adjusts to safely dislodge and remove fine dust without scratching floors. With a simple flip down of the wand, the DC50 transitions seamlessly between floor types.

In addition to floors, the DC50 handles stairs, upholstery and other surfaces with ease. The instant-release wand and extended hose provide a versatile reach for cleaning curtains, ceilings, vents and under furniture. Attachments like the stair tool and combination tool expand cleaning capabilities for a whole home clean.

Bagless Design

As a bagless vacuum, the Dyson DC50 offers ongoing savings by eliminating the need to purchase replacement dust bags. Debris and dirt collect in the clear bin located on the ball. To empty, a simple push of a button opens the bin and slides out the trap door.

The transparent plastic bin allows you to see how much debris has accumulated. Most users only need to empty the bin once per cleaning session, even in larger homes. With nothing obstructing suction, the clear bin helps the vacuum maintain consistent power until it’s time to empty.

Bagless vacuums like the DC50 also reduce environmental waste compared to bagged models. You won’t have to throw away hundreds of disposable bags over the lifetime of the vacuum. The clear bin is easy to empty and rinse clean as needed.

In place of bags, the DC50 uses lifetime washable filters to maintain filtration. The filters can be rinsed under water as they become covered in dust and particles. Once fully dried they are ready to be reused. This eliminates ongoing costs associated with buying replacement bags and filters.

Ideal for Homes with Pets

With its advanced suction power, the Dyson DC50 is an ideal vacuum for homes with pets. Pet hair and dander can be difficult to thoroughly remove from carpets and floors. But the DC50's self-adjusting cleaner head and Root Cyclone technology combine to lift out even obstinate pet hair.

The cleaner head seals in suction across all surfaces to draw up pet hair lodged deep in carpet fibers. On hard floors, the head prevents scattered hairs and dander from escaping pickup. Fine particles get channeled through the cyclone airflow within the bin to prevent clogs.

The whole-machine filtration also traps microscopic pet-related allergens. Many reviewers note allergy symptom relief after switching to the sealed filtration system of the DC50. For pet owners, the thorough cleaning power helps eliminate traces of pet hair and allergens left behind by other vacuums.

Maintenance Requirements

The Dyson DC50 is designed to be low maintenance thanks to the bagless design and washable filters. With routine care, the DC50 will provide years of lasting performance. Here are the key maintenance steps:

Empty bin as needed - Don't allow debris to exceed max fill line

Wash filters every 3 months - Rinse under water until water runs clear

Check for blockages - Remove hair or debris around brush bar

Wash bin as needed - Use soap and water to clean dust buildup

Clean filters as needed - Use brush to remove stubborn debris

Replace cleaner head every 12 months - Order new head from Dyson

The main filters in the DC50 include the pre-motor filter and post-motor exhaust filter. The pre-motor filter is located behind the clear bin. The post-motor filter installs on the rear of the vacuum. These filters capture dust and allergens to protect the motor and expel clean air.

With occasional washing of the filters and bin, users won't notice any decrease in suction power. Dyson also recommends replacing the cleaner head once per year to maintain optimal performance. Overall, the DC50 requires minimal ongoing maintenance.

Comparisons to Other Dyson Models

Dyson is a leader in the bagless vacuum market and offers several different upright models. Here’s how the DC50 compares to a few other popular Dyson vacuums:

Dyson Ball Animal 2

Very similar design as DC50

Enhanced cleaner head for pet hair removal

Higher suction power and airflow

Useful for homes with pets

Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal + Allergy

Larger 0.55 gallon dust bin capacity

Cinetic tips prevent suction loss as bin fills

Activated carbon filter reduces odors and fumes

Best for large homes and lots of carpets

Dyson Cyclone V10

Cordless stick vacuum

Super lightweight at 5.9 pounds

Fade-free power with cyclone technology

Ideal for quick cleanups and smaller homes

Dyson Ball Multi Floor Origin

Budget-friendly Dyson upright

Lacks advanced cleaner head of DC50

Shorter wand and hose reach

Good for basic carpet and floor cleaning

While the DC50 isn't Dyson's newest or most advanced vacuum, it strikes an excellent balance of power, features and affordability. For mid-range budgets, the DC50 delivers notable value.

Advantages of the Dyson DC50

Smooth maneuverability across all floors

Powerful suction for deep cleaning

Self-adjusts between carpets and hard floors

Bagless design eliminates ongoing costs

Whole-machine filtration traps microscopic particles

Easy to empty clear bin

Low maintenance with washable filters

Excellent for homes with pets

5-year parts and labor warranty

Disadvantages of the Dyson DC50

Bin may need emptying after cleaning large homes

Removes less pet hair than Dyson Ball Animal 2

Fixed hose length limits reach for ceilings

Not intended for commercial-grade cleaning

Higher price than budget bagless vacuums

Who Should Consider the Dyson DC50?

The Dyson DC50 Multi Floor Bagless Upright Vacuum is ideal for:

Homeowners with a mix of carpets and hard flooring. The self-adjusting head switches effortlessly between floor types.

Households with pets. The DC50 is specially engineered to lift out stubborn pet hair and allergens.

People sensitive to dust and allergens. The sealed filtration system traps microscopic particles.

Users who want to avoid ongoing costs. With no replacement bags or filters required, it provides long-term value.

People seeking easy maneuverability. The DC50's ball design offers unmatched ease of use.

The powerful suction and versatility of the DC50 make it a smart choice for nearly any home. It delivers whole-home cleaning for carpets, hard floors, pet hair, allergens and more. Easy maneuvering and lack of ongoing costs also add to the appeal.

Before purchasing, users should measure room sizes and carpet areas to ensure the DC50's 0.31 gallon bin capacity is sufficient. Larger homes may need to empty the bin more frequently. Have a peek at your existing vacuum's bin size for comparison.

Also consider your storage space. The DC50 stands at over 42 inches tall and may exceed closet storage limits. Make sure you have space to store it between uses. Keep in mind, the DC50 does not come with any onboard tool storage. Accessories will require separate storage.

Conclusion

With powerful suction, whole-machine filtration, and ball steering the Dyson DC50 Multi Floor Bagless Upright Vacuum is designed to make cleaning your floors a breeze. Maneuvering across carpets and around furniture becomes nearly effortless with the DC50. Deep cleaning performance also leaves floors immaculately clean.

While more advanced Dyson models exist, the DC50 gets outstanding marks for its balance of ease of use, versatility, cleaning power and maintenance requirements. For homeowners needing a reliable vacuum suitable for carpets, hard floors and pets, the DC50 is an excellent choice. Just be prepared to empty the bin frequently in very large homes.

If you seek an upright vacuum that cleans floors with power and precision, provides long-term value through a bagless design, and simplifies maneuvering around obstacles, the Dyson DC50 Multi Floor Bagless Upright Vacuum is a clear frontrunner.

[doramcdonald]

Eufy RoboVac G10 Hybrid: The Ultimate Cleaning Companion

In recent years, robotic vacuum cleaners have revolutionised how we clean our homes. Among the plethora of options available, one standout device is the Eufy RoboVac G10 Hybrid. This intelligent cleaning companion combines cutting-edge technology, powerful suction, and versatile features to deliver an unmatched cleaning experience. Let's delve deeper into the world of the Eufy RoboVac G10 Hybrid and explore why it has become a must-have for every modern home.

The Eufy RoboVac G10 Hybrid's elegant and compact design is one of the first attributes that draw people in. With a height of just 2.85 inches, it effortlessly glides under furniture, ensuring every nook and cranny is thoroughly cleaned. Its modern aesthetic and premium build quality add a touch of elegance to any living space. The RoboVac G10 Hybrid uses cutting-edge navigational technology to manoeuvre around obstacles and avoid collisions or falls effortlessly. Thanks to the anti-drop sensors, infrared sensors, and strong wheels, it can easily transition between various surfaces, such as carpets, hardwood floors, and tiles.

The Eufy RoboVac G10 Hybrid is armed with formidable cleaning capabilities. Its 2000Pa suction power effortlessly lifts dirt, dust, and debris, leaving your floors spotless. The three-brush system, which consists of a main brush, side brushes, and a rolling brush, is ideal for removing pet hair, crumbs, and other debris from nooks and crannies.One notable feature of the G10 Hybrid is its versatility. It not only vacuums but also mops, making it a true hybrid cleaner. The water tank attachment, coupled with the microfiber mopping cloth, ensures that even stubborn stains and spills are taken care of. With the option to switch between vacuuming and mopping, you can easily adapt the G10 Hybrid to your specific cleaning needs.

The Eufy RoboVac G10 Hybrid integrates seamlessly into your smart home ecosystem. It supports voice commands through popular virtual assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. With a simple voice prompt, you can initiate or stop cleaning cycles, adjust cleaning modes, and schedule cleaning sessions effortlessly.

For those who prefer manual control, a variety of options are available in the EufyHome smartphone app. From your smartphone, you can start or stop cleaning, monitor the robot's progress, personalise cleaning modes, and create cleaning routines. Additionally, the app offers thorough cleaning data that allows you to monitor the G10 Hybrid's performance and optimise cleaning patterns.

The Eufy RoboVac G10 Hybrid boasts an efficient battery life, allowing it to clean large areas without interruption. With a single charge, it can clean for up to 110 minutes, ensuring it covers every inch of your home. When the battery runs low, the G10 Hybrid automatically returns to its charging dock, eliminating the need for manual intervention.

Maintaining the Eufy RoboVac G10 Hybrid is a breeze. The device's top makes it simple to access the dustbin, and the washable filter guarantees consistent suction power. The mopping cloth and brushes are detachable and simple to clean. The G10 Hybrid is simple to maintain because of these user-friendly features. Moreover, pet owners will appreciate the G10 Hybrid's pet-friendly design. The device easily tackles pet hair and dander, keeping your home clean and allergen-free. Its low noise level ensures that your furry friends won't be disturbed during cleaning sessions.

The Eufy RoboVac G10 Hybrid, with its sleek design, powerful suction, versatile cleaning capabilities, and intelligent features, has become a favourite among homeowners looking to simplify their cleaning routines. Whether you have carpeted floors, hardwood surfaces, or both, the G10 Hybrid delivers exceptional performance. Embrace the future of cleaning with the Eufy RoboVac G10 Hybrid and experience the joy of a pristine home without the hassle.

[kiarcheo]

Meowsunderstandings 1 / 2

'Oh.’ If Cathy could dig a hole in the floor and disappear, she would. ‘Ignore me, I swear that I’m usually not this much of an idiot.’

‘We know.’ Jane reassures her.

‘And even if you were, we wouldn’t mind...I mean, we love Anne anyway, don’t we?’

This has been in my WIPs folder for at least 6 months if not more, but I decided it was time to dust it off because I didn't have the greatest week and I needed some levity. Should have the second part ready and post it next weekend.

Can read on Ao3 here

Part 2

                                 ——————————————–

In Cathy’s defence, it was a totally understandable mistake. And she had not been alone in that. But, of course, as the one dating the subject of the misunderstanding, she is the one teased about it.

It all started at university, in class, where Cathy had ended up paired with Anna. It turned out that they actually got along quite well and became friends outside of lessons too. Which led to meeting Anna’s girlfriend, Jane, and then a relatively new friend of Jane’s, Catalina. And, because it’s a small world, to discover that they were old family friends. Catalina had recognised the surname and asked if she was a relative of Maud Green. Apparently Catalina had met Cathy when she was a baby…which obviously Cathy didn’t have any recollection of.

Anyway, they all hit it off.

As new friends, one of the first topics to be covered had been housing. Between complaints about housemates, landlords, buildings and neighbours, it always guarantees plenty of fodder for conversation.

And when Catalina, whom Jane called Lina and had shrugged when asked if they could call her that too, said, ‘I have a housemate, my Kat’, with a warm smile, well, forgive Cathy for thinking she was talking about an actual cat. Especially when the topic of pets came up and Lina said ‘Does my Kat count?’ with a laugh. ‘I mean, she is independent, obviously, but-’

Cathy remembers Jane and Anna sharing her own slightly confused expression because of course cats are pets, why should it not count??

It didn’t help that Lina would say stuff like:

‘Rain check? Kat is sick, has been throwing up all day so I want to keep an eye on her.’

or

send a voice message on the group chat that ended with ‘Sorry, have to go. I have a Kat on the table and I don’t know why.’

And then there was the time she was distracted and then admitted that she was worried because she didn’t remember if she had locked the door and she didn’t want anything to happen to her cat.

Or she would talk about cleaning and how often she has to vacuum. Because two girls in a house mean lots of hair too. And you know what? Cats can shed hair too! And Catalina would not be the first person to refer to pets as you would do to a person (or treat them as such)!

And she literally replied to the question ‘How did you get your cat?’ with ‘Well, she was living with…someone I knew. When she had to move, taking her along…was not really worth the trouble, all the documents and stuff. Especially since she would be coming back anyway. And it just made sense…we already knew each other and got along well. We could keep each other company. And me and Anne might have our disagreements, but she knows she can trust me with her Kitty.’

Or should Cathy talk about the texts? Despite what people might assume, Lina uses lots of emojis. So when texts such as ‘Movie night’ or ‘Girls’ day’ were paired with others like ‘Snuggling with 🐱’ or ‘Day in with 🐱’ … Well, forgive Cathy for thinking that Lina talking about her Kat was talking about an actual cat, as in an animal.

---

‘Where is your cat? Hiding?’

Jane asks, looking around. It’s the first time Lina is having them over at her house – them being Anna, Cathy and herself – as usually it’s more convenient and easier for everyone to meet at places around or close to the campus.

‘She went out, but she should be back soon.’ Lina chuckles at the way they all seem eager to meet her. ‘You’ll meet her, don’t worry.’

They fell into an easy conversation, the topic forgotten until...

‘Cathy? Cathy?’ Catalina calls out. The girl in question has her cup half-way to her mouth – a couple of degrees more and she would be spilling the tea all over herself – and her eyes fixated towards the door.

Everyone turns around to see what is capturing Cathy’s attention.

‘Did Anne die?’ Catalina tilts her head as if to look for something behind a girl in basketball shorts and a sport bra, high ponytail with pink tips.

‘Almost.’ Another girl drags herself in. She drops on the floor. ‘Was it your plan all along?’ She wheezes out. ‘Why didn’t you tell me?’

‘I thought you knew…have you seen her?’ Catalina gestures to the girl still standing there, barely out of breath. ‘She is fit!’

‘I thought it was metabolism…I have a good one too.’

‘Good metabolism doesn’t give you abs like that.’

Cathy’s attempt to avoid looking at the exposed skin glistening with sweat fails completely when Lina mentions them. If the humming coming from the other girls is any indication, she is not the only one.

‘Come on, I’ll let you shower first.’

Anne moans, reaching up with grabby hands.

‘What? You want me to carry you?’

‘Are you saying you can’t?

‘Is it a challenge?’

‘If that’s what it takes…’ Anne shrugs from her spot on the floor, unrepentant.

The girl sighs but crouches down. It doesn’t seem to take too much effort for her to lift Anne in her arms and start walking, her hold confident and comfortable as if it had happened many times before.

‘Kat.’

‘Yeah?’ The girl turns around.

‘You can use my shower if you don’t want to wait.’

‘Thanks Cata, you’re the best!’ she smiles brightly at her before leaving the room, Anne in her arms.

‘That’s your Kat?’  

Cathy hears Anna asking but after that, she honestly has no idea what the others talks about or even what she is thinking until the girls returns, Anne once again carried in Kat’s arms.

Kat gently puts her down on the armchair before leaving the room again. ‘Need anything from the kitchen?’

‘No, thanks!’ Catalina calls back, before addressing Anne. ‘You know, they say you should keep moving, this is only going to make the pain worse later on.’

‘That’s a problem for future me.’

‘I would apologize saying that she isn’t normally like this, but I’d be lying.’ Catalina turns towards her friends.

‘Hey!’ Anne protests as Kat comes back, sitting on her armchair’s armrest and passing her a glass of juice.

‘Thanks Kitty.’

Catalina is going through presentations when Cathy suddenly comes back to earth. ‘Wait, you’re Lina’s cat??’

‘Possibly?’ Kat replies, hesitant confusion in her voice, while Anna, Jane and Lina look at their friend weirdly. They probably already went over it. Oops!

‘I mean, it’s Katherine.’ The girl continues.

‘Me too!’ More odd looks.

‘But most people call me Kat. Or Kitty.’

‘I better be the only one calling you Kitty.’

‘And the overprotective one is Anne,’ Kat slings an arm around the other girl, ‘if she didn’t present herself.’

---

‘Cathy? You alright?’ Jane asks as they walk towards the bus stop after leaving Catalina’s home. ‘You’ve been spacing out.'

‘Yeah.’ She nods. She hesitates, before blurting out. ‘Do you think they are dating?’

‘Who? Kat and Lina?’ Jane laughs.

‘No! Anne and Kat!’

‘I’m sorry, but am I the only one who thought that when Lina talked about her Kat she was talking about a cat, like, actual animal cat, meow?’ Anna interrupts them.

The look exchanged between Jane and Cathy gives her the answer. ‘So it wasn’t just me.’ Anna nods to herself, relieved.

‘Some things make more sense now,’ Cathy muses aloud, ‘like Lina not having her scarf because she gave it to her Kat.’

‘And some things don’t.’ Jane points out. ‘Kat on the table, anyone??’

‘The cat is on the table.’ Anna laughs. ‘Sorry.’ She can see her friends don’t understand why it’s funny to her. ‘When you learn English as a second language, that’s often one of the first sentences you learn.’

---

‘How did you meet?’

They are all back at Catalina’s house, this time Anne and Kat joining them from the start.

‘We were frenemies.’

‘Oh?’

Anne’s answer doesn’t really explain much.

‘We dated the same guy.’ Catalina expands on it.

‘Henrat.’ Anne mutters darkly, before adding, ‘Not on purpose.’

‘Certainly not.’ Catalina scoffs.

‘He told me he was going to break up with her. That it was taking some time because they had been together for years and it was hard. And well, naïve mistake of thinking myself different or better…Spoiler alert, if someone cheats on someone with you for months, chances are they will cheat on you too, sooner or later.’

‘Oh.’ That was not the story Jane was expecting when she had asked.

‘Yep. So…soon after we officially get together, Henry is out every night, just sleeping around, like what the hell?!’ Anne looks around, as if seeking support from her audience. ‘So I thought if that's how it's gonna be, maybe I'll flirt with a guy or three just to make him jel. Henry finds out and he goes mental. He screams and shouts, like so judgemental.’ She rolls her eyes.  ‘We were at a party and he was like "you damned witch”, which wow, talk about outdated, but anyway, I go “mate, just shut up, I wouldn't be such a bitch, if you could get it up”.’

‘It rhymed!’ Kat points out like she does every time Anne tells the story.

 ‘Is that what you said?’ Anna sounds impressed.

‘Yep. Everyone heard that too. He’s been wanting my head since.’ Anne shrugs. She didn’t regret it a bit. ‘And not in the sexy way.’

‘So it’s a “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” situation?’ Jane looks like she is trying to wrap her head around it. She isn’t sure she would be willing to be friend with someone she got cheated on with, doesn’t matter if they are not together anymore.

‘Not really. I didn’t want anything to do with her…or Henry. Until I saw him harassing a girl. Well, flirting according to him, but she looked so uncomfortable and so young. Especially compared to him.’

‘Yeah, I was 16.’ Kat pipes up.

‘So I shooed him away. Comfort the girl, who was pretty shaken. Have her call someone and wait with her…and who shows up?’

‘Me!’

‘Anne.’ Jane guesses correctly at the same time.

‘And that would have been the end, but Kat wanted to thank me and keep in touch and…it’s really hard to say no to her.’

‘Yeah. Especially when she gives you the KHoward look.’ Anne nods solemnly. It’s a patented weapon she has fallen victim of many many times.

‘Uhm? The what?’

‘Do it, Kitty.’

‘It’s not a party trick.’ Kat protests. But everyone is looking at her expectantly. She lets out a sigh. And she obliges the request.

‘AWW.’ Jane coos, while Anna nods. ‘I get it.’  

Cathy is just speechless.

‘Yeah. And suddenly that scene in Shrek made sense.’ Catalina adds.

‘It didn’t before??’ Anne looks almost offended.

‘Well, I never had a cat before, how was I supposed to know?’ Catalina defends herself.

‘Wait!’ Cathy suddenly exclaims. ‘K?’

‘Yeah? Katherine, you know?’

'Oh.’ If Cathy could dig a hole in the floor and disappear, she would. ‘Ignore me, I swear that I’m usually not this much of an idiot.’

‘We know.’ Jane reassures her.

‘And even if you were, we wouldn’t mind...I mean, we love Anne anyway, don’t we?’

A betrayed gasp. ‘Catalina! You turned my Kitty against me??

Catalina is laughing so hard that she is crying. 'My Kat, I love you so much!’ She finally wheezes out.

Cathy is smart. She is! But apparently she turns into a complete simpleton in the presence of pretty girls...or more specifically of one pretty girl called Katherine Howard. Sure, she had fumbled in front of girls before, but never to this degree. An absolute and utter disaster.

‘Anyway,’ Catalina starts again after regaining her breath, ‘long story short, we kept in touch. It was not Kat’s fault what Anne did, anyway. And they were living together and when Anne had to move, it made sense for Kat to come and live with me.’

‘But now you’re back?’ Cathy’s question is completely disinterested, of course.

‘Soon permanently.’ Anne smiles at Kat, nudging her.

‘Where are you going to live?’ Anna asks the younger girl. ‘Are you going to move out or stay here?’

‘Oh, she is trying to win her back.’ Catalina nods towards Anne.

‘I never lost her.’ Anne retorts.

‘I’m not a prize to be won.’

‘I’d argue about that.’ Cathy mutters, getting an amused look from Anna, the only one who heard her.

Kat heaves a sigh. ‘I would suggest we could all live together, but I don’t think I can deal with this on a daily basis.’

---

They hang out. It’s quite difficult to get everyone together, between classes and jobs and other commitments, but in smaller groups it’s easier and more common. That’s how Cathy finds herself at the pub with Anna and Anne, her and Anna celebrating having finished a big assignment and Anne joining because Kat and Catalina don’t particularly like going out drinking and she misses doing it.

Cathy has mixed feelings about Anne. Is she pretty? Yes. Is she smart? Yes. Is she funny? Yes. Does she hate her a little bit? Also yes. Is she going to get drunk while trying to keep up with her (and Anna, but her Teutonic constitution puts her on a whole other level)? Again, yes.

She pretty much checks out, lost in thoughts, until a shrill ‘Kitty’ brings her back to the present...and to Anne hanging from Kat’s neck, nuzzling into her. ‘You came!’

‘Of course, I did. You called.’ Kat says as if there has never been any other option.

Did Cathy mention that she hates Anne a bit?

‘Time to go home?’ Kat asks, while rubbing Anne’s back.

Anna raises an eyebrow at Anne, still wrapped around the newcomer, and then chances a look at Cathy, slumped on the table. ‘I think we better.’

‘Do you have a car?’

Anna shakes her head. ‘No, I planned to drink so...’

‘Good.’ Kat smiles at her. She is happy to play chauffeur if it means her friends are being safe and responsible. ‘Let’s get you all home.’

Anna helps Cathy to Kat’s car while the younger girl helps Anne.

‘Cathy, where-’ Kat looks at the rear-view mirror only to see that the girl is asleep. ‘Do you know where she lives?’ She asks Anna, the only one still awake.

‘I know she lives in a hall on campus, I might even remember which one, but no idea about the room, sorry.’

‘That’s okay. I’ll just take her home with us, then.’

‘Are you sure?’ Anna looks to the backseat, both girls dead to the world.

‘Yeah. I can carry Anne, I’m sure she won’t be much of a problem either.’

Kat drops off Anna and then drives home. Once she parks, she texts Catalina to open the door for her.

She picks up Anne and carries her home. ‘Can you stay at the door and keep an eye on the car?’ she asks Catalina before manoeuvring inside, careful not to bump into anything lest Anne wakes up. Few minutes later she comes back, goes to the car, and picks up Cathy.

‘Ahnghh.’

‘What?’ Catalina takes the car key Kat is holding with her teeth. ‘Say that again?’

‘I said hand because I wanted to drop the key in it.’ She adjusts her hold of Cathy. Not that she is heavier than Anne, but she has no qualms grabbing and holding Anne, and if she grazes her butt or her boobs, so be it. Cathy is a relatively new friend, and she is more conscious of any touch, no matter how accidental, that could make her uncomfortable (well, if she was awake to realise it, anyway). ‘Lock up for me, please?’

                               ——————————————–

Storytime: I was 2000 words deep into this when an atrocious doubt came to me…was Kat actually pronounced the same as cat?? English is a weird language and not my native one so I started to worry…did I just base my story on something that made no sense? Also (perhaps more important), had I butchered people’s names for years without knowing? As someone whose name is often mispronounced (well, in the UK at least, since it’s Italian), I felt really bad about that. So I asked a native-speaker friend and he said it sounds the same. So if he trolled me (he told me he wasn’t, but who knows) and Kat doesn’t sound as cat…I hope you enjoyed the story anyway (and let me know so I can get back at him!)

[bpdhotmess]

21+ Spring Cleaning Hacks You Need to Know

Spring time: trees are budding,  birds are singing, flowers bloom. It’s time to start freshening our homes… and that’s when the fun ends. Or does it? I sheepishly admit that I haven’t done much spring cleaning in my time, but, this year may be different. There is not much to do. So why not roll up my sleeves and give the house a good going over?

But before we get into the deep cleaning tips, it’s important we first learn the importance of clearing some space. Clutter keeps our homes feeling messy, even after we straighten up. That’s why cleaning a home can feel so overwhelming and endless. 

Good news! There is a simple solution to managing the cleanliness of your home.

Get rid of clutter! When you get rid of clutter, your home naturally becomes clean and satisfyingly functional. Give it a try. Systematically go through your home; Pick up things and ask yourself this question: “Does this item add function to my life?” If the answer is, “No,” then throw it away or donate it. A clean home is a functional home.

Once you clear some space, your home will feel open and inviting. And you will discover that your decluttered home is much easier to clean.  “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” 

Need more decluttering advice? Check out our 5 Marie Kondo hacks. 

Alright, now on to the hacks for professional-grade deep cleaning: 

Yes, the whole spring cleaning process can be a bit daunting, so I thought the best thing to do was to contact a professional for advice. I called my mom, Dolores Breese. She owned a successful cleaning service in the 1990s, but even before then she was a maniac (in a good way) when it came to cleaning. So, I asked her for some spring cleaning hacks.

Where my mom would clean three or sometimes four houses in one day, she had help. You don’t have to do that. Give yourself some time. You don’t have to clean the whole house in one day. You’re allowed to take a few days or weeks to do this type of cleaning. (Or see our hacks to clean your home in under an hour here)

Cleaning the House Dolores Breese-Style

My mom says people no longer spring clean like they used to. Decades ago, people would go through the entire house, take everything down from the walls and clean top to bottom.

If anyone was going to paint or wallpaper, this was the time to do it. 

Begin in the Least-Used Room First

By starting with this room first, your whole house will get the thorough cleaning you have set out to do. If you start somewhere else, you may run out of steam. You are more likely to give yourself a pass from cleaning some rooms because “no one ever goes in there anyways.”

Work From the Top Down

That means get the cobwebs off the ceiling before you sweep the floor. My mom used to have an actual cobweb cleaner. Nowadays you can get a Swiffer that has an extended handle to do the same thing.

Pro Tip: With the Swiffer Duster Starter Kit you can remove the head and replace after every it cleaning to maintain and promote a more germ-free environment in your home. Get your Swiffer today.

Start with the Thing you Hate Most to Clean

This is to give you a psychological advantage. If you start with what you hate to clean first, you’ll get it done and won’t wimp out.

Start in the Corner

After getting the cobwebs down from the entire room, you start in one corner and work around the room. This would be the corner where the thing you hate to clean is.

Clean Every Surface

That means walls, picture frames, knick-knacks, desks, computers and on and on. If it has a surface, it can accumulate dirt and dust. Therefore, it is part of your mission to make it sparkle. 

Pro Tip: If you want to save money on household cleaners, order from Dollar Tree online and have it shipped for free to your local store. Find safe, effective cleaning supplies for just a buck each. 

When you clean surfaces, it is helpful to have cleaning wipes. Use these to clean and disinfect those surfaces.

Move the Furniture

By moving the furniture you can vacuum little touched areas that have accumulated much debris. You’ll be amazed at what you find when you move your furniture away from the wall!

Pro Tip: Moving furniture can be a pain. Why not make it easier on yourself with these furniture sliders? We like this X-Protector variety pack because of the big selection. These will help you slide your furniture easier on all surfaces.

Pro Tip: Pledge furniture polish will do, but if you want the good stuff, you will want to try Milsek Furniture Polish.

Vacuum Your Way out of a Room

If you have worked hard to clean the room, you want to enjoy the finished product. Start at the farthest end of the room and vacuum backwards until you have gotten over the threshold. Carpet that is freshly vacuumed and untouched by footsteps gives you a real sense of satisfaction.

Pro Tip: In our house, we use the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Plus Lightweight Upright Vacuum Cleaner. We love that it is bagless and economical. Whether you have a pet or not, the pet hair attachments will achieve a deeper clean.

Dusting Hacks

When my mother had her cleaning business, microfiber cleaning products were not a thing. However, you might want to consider microfiber dusting slippers. Check out those dusting slippers here!

Kitchen Cleaning Hack

To clean out your drain, use 1 cup baking soda, 1 cup vinegar and boiling water. Pour baking soda into the drain, followed by vinegar. Let it bubble for several minutes. Follow up with boiling water. (Dollar Tree is a great place to get inexpensive cleaning supplies. You can create an account, order online and have your items shipped free to your local Dollar Tree store.)

Use Bar Keepers Friend brand cleanser for cleaning stainless steel or porcelain sinks. It is also good for counters.

Be sure to clean the window sill by sink and wash the window using Windex.

Stove Top Cleaning Hack

Have an electric stove top? Did you know you can lift up the top to clean the drip pan and burners? Try it now. Just lift it up.

Microwave Cleaning Hack

Wet a cloth and put it in the microwave for 30 seconds. The rag will be hot so be careful, but use the cloth to clean the microwave out. The moisture will make it easier to clean.

Natural Glass Cleaner Hack

Windex is a popular glass cleaner, however, you can make your own cleaner if you prefer to avoid chemicals. When cleaning windows, you can use your cleaning cloths, paper towels or a squeegee (this works great if you have glass shower doors).

Pro Tip: If you purchase the ingredients to make your own cleaner at your local grocery store, download the Ibotta app to save on name brands and groceries. Ibotta is the No. 1 downloaded app to save at the grocery store. Find bargains and earn cash back when you download the Ibotta app.

Bathroom Cleaning Hack

Clean the mirror first, then move everything off the counter and clean the surface with clorox wipes or comet cleaner. Shine the faucet of the sink. Make sure to get the back of the faucet, an area that is often neglected.

Bathtub Cleaning Hack

Use a crevice cleaner to get into the edges where the tile and tub meet. Use it to help clean out the grout. 

Shower Cleaning Hack

Keep ahead of cleaning by wiping down your shower/bathtub after each time you use it. Use the crevice cleaner to get the edges. Make sure to clean the faucet and knobs, too.

Showerhead Cleaning Hack

Have you noticed your showerhead getting a little crusty? What you are seeing are likely mineral or lime deposits from the water. Watch this video for an easy solution to clean your showerhead and get the water flow back to normal.

Pro Tip: If you love shopping Amazon and have your cleaning products delivered to you at your convenience, then you will want to take advantage of Amazon’s Subscribe & Save program and save 15%.

Toilet Cleaning Hack

Nobody wants to do this, but it is important. 

Work from the back to front and top to bottom of the toilet. Make sure to wipe down the back of the toilet, then the lid, sides, handle and front of the tank. Use Clorox to spray all the areas, including inside and outside of the bowl and seat. Wipe down the porcelain behind the seat. Make sure to get all the little crevices clean, too. 

Inside the bowl you’ll want to clean under the rim first, so the debris can fall into the water. You can use a toilet brush for the bowl, but to get it really clean, using your hands works best for the rim. Flush the toilet and then spray again with the cleaner. Use the toilet brush to clean the bowl as far into the bowl as possible. Then flush the toilet again, rinsing the brush as the water flows. 

Use the toilet cleaner and spray the receptacle for the toilet brush and use the brush to clean out the inside of it. Pour the dirty water into the toilet and flush one last time, again rinsing the brush in the water flow. 

Laundry Hacks

One thing I do is to rub a little Dawn dish detergent whenever my husband gets grease on his shirt. Dawn is great for cutting grease.

Dolores Breese’s Cleaning Starter Kit

Whether you choose to go old school and do a deep clean or just address those areas needing attention, I hope these hacks helped. Here are my mom’s recommendations to build a thorough cleaning kit for spring and every other season:

p.s. If you put together your cleaning kit and discover you really like this kind of stuff, then be like my mom and start your own business.

Save Money On Cleaning Supplies

Earning cash back on cleaning supplies is easy. Check out these money-making machines to earn free money while you shop online and in store. Oh yeah, all of this stuff is free.

[queenmuzz]

Operation: Tiddy Freedom

A special Valentine’s Day Dante x Reader oneshot.

“Oh, you guys are not going to believe this...” Dante yelped as he leapt down the stairs, three at a time, startling both you and Vergil as you organized the bookshelf. You were dusting, while Vergil placed the books (after 'checking' them thoroughly, more than once you had to clear your throat to get his nose out of a book and hand it to you) in their correct slots.

“Found this baby in storage in the upper room, it's over twenty years old, and boy, does it bring back memories!” he crowed proudly “And the best part, it still fits!”

You gave up resisting the distraction, and you finally turned around and saw Dante in the most ridiculous get up. Combat boots, dark brown leather pants... and no shirt. Instead, he wore a bright red, if a bit faded over time leather overcoat, with a wide matching red belt at the waist, with a silvery metal buckle. Looking at the holes on the belt, you deduced that it had never actually been buckled up, ever.

But what really caught your eyes was the brown, nearly black belt of leather that wrapped around his chest. Barely. It had obviously been designed when he was a younger, slimmer, less developed man. It looked like a hoop around a whiskey barrel, barely holding on. In fact, you were certain he was contracting his chest in to keep it from snapping. You could imagine the pattern of the leather embedded into his flesh for a few precious moments after it snapped, the texture of it as it faded under your fingertips as you slowly dragged them across across his chest...

“Ahem” The sound of Vergil disapprovingly clearing his throat, most likely in mockery of your earlier actions dragged you kicking and screaming back to the present. Slightly mortified to be caught in such a daydream, you anxiously glanced at both men, but Vergil was busy frowning at his younger brother, and Dante was too busy checking himself out in the reflection of the jukebox to notice you gawking.

“You looked ridiculous in that as a nineteen year old, and you look even more ridiculous now as a middle aged man, Dante.” Vergil observed, sharply.

“Says the guy who wore an ascot at the same time I wore this,” Dante countered, “Brother, you have no leg to stand on when it comes to fashion. And unlike you,” he paused to flex, and you swore you could hear from across the room, the leather belt protest at the stretching, “I still make it look good, regardless of age, don't you agree sweetheart?”

An uncomfortable period of silence occurred as his words pushed aside the fantasies you had clogging in your brain, like an overcrowded elevator. “O-oh, yeah... Dante... y-you look great,” you stammered. Okay, at least one of them had to notice that you must have turned as red as Dante's overcoat, but nope, the younger brother was too busy preening at your compliment, while the elder was rolling his eyes as he picked up several boxes full of old books.

“Dante,” Vergil's dour voice cut through his brothers cheerfulness, “you were supposed to be cleaning upstairs, not playing dress up. I thought we had agreed that today was to be dedicating to cleaning this poor excuse of a residence”

“Aw man,” Dante pouted, “You can't let a guy just reminisce about his younger years, just a little bit?”

“Look,” you interceded. You didn't want a fight to break out, piling 'Clean bloodstains off the floor' to your list of cleaning duties. “We all deserve a little break,” you turned to Vergil, “How about you drop off those old books to the used book shop, and have yourself a treat at the cafe?” Vergil paused, taking a moment to think about it, before hefting the box of books a bit higher, and nodding. “Very well,” he agreed, “I shall leave you and... this fool alone” You could have sworn you saw a knowing look in his eye as he stared at you for a moment, before he left. Did he know what thoughts were going through your head?. No, he couldn't have.

Even if he had, it was apparent that Dante was oblivious. He was still grinning like an idiot as he adjusted his leather gloves. “I guess I'll get back to the boooooring parts of this job. But....” he said as he pointed his thumbs to his muscular chest, “I'm still gonna keep wearing this”. And after clicking his tongue as he gave you finger guns, he leapt back up the steps, and back into his work.

You continued to tidy up the living room, dusting, organizing, and eventually you pulled out the ancient vacuum cleaner, nearly as dusty as the room itself had been. After getting it to work, you methodically sucked up all that you could, but you couldn't get the image out of your head. That leather belt pressing against his chest, the sound of it creaking as it struggled to envelop that mass of pure muscle. The white hairs peeking around the edges....

That was it, you thought... you needed to find a way to make that leather band snap, preferably while in your vicinity. And you had to be subtle about it, you'd be mortified if Dante found out what you were up to....

Operation: Tiddy Freedom commences now!

The easiest way was obvious; get him to flex his chest muscles. And to do that, he would have to exert himself, lifting something heavy... you looked at the couch, blocking your progress...

“Hey Dante!” you yelled over the drone of the vacuum. For a moment, you thought perhaps you should have turned it off first, but then, the man appeared, sliding down the banister, before landing perfectly on the ground floor.

“What's up babe?” he asked over the din, and you pointed at the couch, miming it being lifted up. You couldn't trust yourself to voice yourself, worried you'd give away your true intentions.

He got the message, “No problem! Anything for you, sweetcheeks” and you blushed, (you hoped if he noticed that, he'd think it was because of the pet name, and not in... anticipation.

And with about as much effort as it took to lift up the receiver of his phone, he lifted up the couch up with one hand, and smiled as he motioned you to proceed. Keeping one eye on his chest, you quickly vacuumed underneath, getting rid of the veritable hutch of dust bunnies that had accumulated.

The leather belt held....

You did your best to hide your disappointment, but really, what were you expecting? The Sparda brothers were freakishly strong, it wouldn't have taken Dante much effort to lift something like this, barely needing to flex his muscles. Your sighs were drowned out by the persistent whine of the vacuum, and you faked a thankful smile to him, (to be fair, he had been helpful, the antique couch would have been a pain in the butt to move by yourself).

The man gave you a cocky smile and then headed back up. You'd have to think of something else.

Operation: Tiddy Freedom

Phase One: Failure

After the living room was decent, you headed to the kitchen. You could vaguely hear Dante thumping around upstairs, and every so often you could hear him singing a rock tune or something. You wiped down the cupboards, emptied the drawers of all unessential items (Did you really need that power cord that goes to who knows what? Nah, just toss it....TOSS IT) and boxed the old dishes that you guys never used.

After coating the oven with the foamy oven cleaner, you decided to sweep the kitchen while you were waiting for it to do it's magic. While not as dusty as the living room, there were some grimy corners that cried out to be swept and scrubbed. One such threatening spot was on the edge of the base of the fridge. The metaphorical light-bulb (that strangely looked like the oven light) went off in your head.

“Dante!” you yelled out, “Need some more help!” And quick as a flash, as if you had summoned Hermes himself, the red clad demon hunter appeared.

“Alrighty, what can ole' Dante do for you?”

You composed yourself as best as you could “I need to sweep and scrub underneath the fridge, mind moving it for me?”

He grinned, and with a focused 'Hmmmph' he wrapped his muscular arms around the machine, pulled, and lifted. You had never in your life thought you would be jealous of a refrigerator, but then again, you never thought you'd fall in love with a silver fox half-demon. But now to the business at hand.

Dante kept the fridge up, a few inches off the floor as you tried to pretend to move quickly to sweep and with the scratchy side of a sponge, getting rid of the decades old dirt that had accumulated there. After all, the longer he held it up, the more likely that leather belt would snap. But there was no distinctive sound of creaking leather being pushed past it's breaking point, no grunt of surprise from Dante, and as he set it back in place after you finished, you quickly glanced at his chest.

The belt remained intact.

Dismay fought to take over your facial features, but you held firm. If he knew what you were trying to do, you weren't sure you could handle the teasing. So instead, you gave him yet another fake smile, thanking him profusely for his help. He gave you a quick kiss on the cheek, and left the kitchen, and you heard his combat boots clattering up the stairs.

Operation: Tiddy Freedom

Phase Two: Failure.

You began to wipe out the cleaning foam out of the oven, marvelling at how something so delicate as a bunch of bubbles could be strong enough the strip the encrusted dirt. After that, you finished sweeping and scrubbing the rest of the kitchen floor, before taking a breather. All that was left for this room was taking the boxes of unused dishes to the car, for transport to the local second hand shop.

The boxes themselves weren't that heavy, so there was no point in asking him to help you, it was easy enough on its own.  But as you loaded the boxes into your car trunk, a devious idea popped into your brain.  Alright, perhaps the couch, and even the fridge hadn’t been enough, but surely lifting a car….

You pulled out your phone, then gently set it on the ground, before pushing it so it was totally out of reach underneath the vehicle.   Now, to put your acting skills to good use.

“Dante!” you cried out in mock horror, “I need help!”

The man came out running, a bit quicker than you thought, obvious worry on his face. Good, the ploy was working  “What’s wrong, babe?”

Now to play the part of lover in distress.  “My phone,” you said sadly, “I was carrying out the boxes to put in the trunk, and my phone popped out of my pocket, and I can’t reach it under the car.  Silly me, I should have left it inside.”

Dante’s face relaxed in relief as he took a peek at the undercarriage.  “Ah, don’t you worry your pretty little head, just be ready to snatch it up.  And after spending a few moments cracking his knuckles, he grabbed your back bunker, and with both hands, lifted the car a good three quarters of a metre off the ground.

You darted underneath, grabbed your phone, and once you were free and clear, tapped him on the shoulder to let him know it was safe to put it down, which he did with surprising gentleness.  You gave a kiss on the lips as thanks.

And yet, the leather belt still remained unbroken.

Operation: Tiddy Freedom

Phase Three: Failure

You sighed sadly.  All this work for naught.  You’d have to ask him who the leather-worker was for that, seeing as it was such good quality, even after these years.  But it was cold comfort…

“Babe, you okay?” his worried voice split into your morose thoughts.  You shook your head to clean out the mental cobwebs, and you smiled, although you didn’t feel like it.  You felt as dirty as the floor behind the fridge for making Dante do all these things, just for your amusement.

“It’s…. just been a long day, cleaning and such” you replied, truthfully this time.

“Awww, come here sweetheart,” and you felt his strong arms envelope you in a big hug.  So this is what the fridge felt like… You thought to yourself, as he tightly held you against his bare chest. 

All of a sudden, you heard, and felt  what was unmistakably the sound of leather stretching beyond its capabilities, and then....

SNAP!

Dante’s chest belt ripped down the middle, the two ends dangling sadly at his sides.  You stared at them, then at the reddened mark where just a few moments ago, it had been practically embedded into his skin.  You swore you could see the stitches echoed into his muscular flesh.

“Aw shucks,” you heard him say, and you looked up to see him with a cheeky grin on his face.  “Will you look at that?  Looks like I hugged you a bit too strongly.  Sometimes I don't know my own strength, didn’t crush any of your ribs, did I?”

He was joking of course… but that grin he gave you….and the fact that he’d just snapped his belt like it was a piece of dried spaghetti...Wait….did he know what your plan had been all along?

You pressed your face into his chest, both attempting to feel the rapidly fading marks, and also to hide the fact your face had more blush than the entire pharmacy makeup aisle.  

Dante lowered his head, so his mouth was at your ear level, and murmured,seductively “You know, I cleaned up the bedroom, we ought to… christen it before Verg gets home…”

You had barely nodded your head before without warning, Dante lifted you up, bridal style, and carried you indoors like you weighed nothing at all.

And to be truthful, that’s how you felt.

[moonlightstars16]

Deep Cleansing Tension

30 Days Connverse Challenge

Day 29 ~ House Cleaning

"Okay so we'll start with the laundry, then the dishes, dusting, vacuum, mopping and-"

"Making the bed?"

"Yes maybe before washing the windows."

"The windows?"

"Yes! Steven the glass is covered in fingerprints and dust marks."

"Okay okay. But we do have one more thing...." he gave her a sympathetic look.

"Oh no...not again." She groaned lifting her hands up off the notepad and on her face.

"It's been a month. We gotta do this."

"But can't we just...use the pool?"

"The chemicals Strawberry." He leaned over and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Oh right..." she sighed and wrapped her had around his. "I'll do it."

"We'll do it together." Standing up he gave her a gentle huge from behind. "Last?"

"Last" Connie agreed. Standing up and handing him the list. A smirk on her face. "How about we make a bet?" Steven laughed and matched her expression.

"I'm listening."

"Whoever gets Lion outside in the bathing area first wins. Looser has to give the other a massage." Connie flirted, caressing his chest.

"Oh oh! You're on!" Steven squeezed her waist as they pulled apart and went to do the normal cleaning routine. Now Pearl was the ultimate cleaning master. Steven picked up a lot of skills from her. Connie grew up to make sure nothing was a mess. As a child if there was a mess left uncleaned, there would be consequences. As she grew older she liked the more neat and tidy look.

Overall they took time every three months of the year to do a deep cleaning of there living area. It actually began at the temple when the gems were away on a Little Home School field trip. They grew bored and well by the time the sun set, everything looked fresh and new. In fact they even made it a game. Depending on the chore itself. Connie went straight for the vacuum while Steven did the dishes. The one who finished first got a point. All those points added up to a certain amount would mean a nice little treat. Whether it's a night out or a small gift.

No one won or loose persay since they each had a chance to earn points. However that didn't make what they were doing any less competitive. Being sure they completed the task at hand right, they each found ways to get it done fast. Connie pulled out the extension cord for the vacuum while Steven had the hot water running. With a hand from them both hovering over two clock timers(to see who would have a record time), they intensely looked into each others eyes.

"One"

"two"

"GO!"

With a quick reflex of the wrist they hit the timer and began to do there task. Connie was sweating halfway through the process. Steven's hands were becoming pruney, but that didn't stop either of them from continuing. Finally after a solid twenty minutes they both reached over and slapped the timer at the same time. A second passed before they bursted into laughter.

"A draw?"

"Let me see" Connie looked closer before laughing more and nodding her head. "A draw it is." Steven chuckled adding both a point to their lists. They continued this each chore. Windows and then the laundry(excusing the time spend on waiting between washes)/dusting things off. Finally mopping and making the bed. Each ending up in a tie. A pattern they were getting in the habit off over the past year. However the last and final chore was the worst of it all.

Bathing Lion.

Now a huge cat like that normally bathes himself. But adding in all the mud he rolls around in and the smell of sleeping in the 'Big Donut' dumpster, well his pink mane isn't so pink all the time. Plus it's worse when they have to travel through his mane to visit Lars. The stench follows them everywhere. So they decided to clean him up at least once a month. Once a week was torture and once a day means you better prepare for your funeral.

"Okay, our bet begins when we walk out the front door."

"What makes you sure he's outside?"

"I saw him roaming around at one point while cleaning up the windows." Steven shrugged with a sigh. Having a huge sack of 'Lion Lickers' in hand. Connie had a special treat in her's that she new Lion loved so much, Chaps.

"Alright, but be careful with your hands love, I'm going to need them later for my lower back." She teased with a wink and a giggle.

"You better keep yours in check. My neck and head miss your magic touch." He smirked as they walked out the door. Running in opposite directions calling Lion over and over. The search went on for hours. The late afternoon began to creep on them both. So much so that Connie called to see if he found him. Growing tired and feeling her throat a bit sore from calling out for Lion.

"Find him yet?"

"No, I was kinda hoping you did."

"Steven he must've sensed this and teleported somewhere else."

"I'm starting to think the same thing. Want to just call it a day and go home?"

"Yeah....I'm tired of just walking around aimlessly." Turning a corner they bumped into each other and laughed. Linking arms, walking back home before stopping with a gasp. There was Lion, sleeping on the front porch, belly exposed for a wanting rub. Taking a glance at each other they moved closer to the large pink fur ball. Neither really wanting to do much, but still wanted him clean. They didn't even need to speak in order to know what the other was thinking.

"Maybe we can use my dad's car wash?"

"Again? Though I can't believe he actually like it though."

"Honestly. Well I'll call my dad and tell him were on our way. Also to get the pet soap ready."

"I guess this means the bet is off?"

"Nah, we just have to massage each other." He winked holding up his phone to the side of his face. After an hour teleporting, staying and leaving back home and another hour cleaning themselves up. Connie had massaged his neck and hair(along with using shampoo) in the tub. Trying to forget her own tense muscles. In one of his old star t-shirts and panties she plopped herself in the bed laying on her stomach. Clutching a pillow as her eyes landed on Netflix.

"She-Ra season 3 right?"

"Yes that's where we left off." Steven spoke shifting behind her so her legs were between his knees. Smirking he lifted up the shirt she was wearing and began to massage her aching back.

"Mmmm" She moaned closing her eyes and enjoying the sensation. Thankfully before hitting play or else she wouldn't be able to focus. His touch was magical and his fingers heavenly. Beginning to doze off, a sensation pulled her back full force with a gasp. He had already pulled down her panties all the way off. Massaging her bum and inner thighs. Apparently being extra thorough as she also felt a soothing oil and lotion against her skin.

"You overworked yourself Strawberry." He sighed trying to ease off every muscle tension he felt. Connie groaned, burying her face in the pillow at his concerned tone. She had times of overdoing things to herself to reach a goal. He always made sure to check and see if she needed a break. From the looks of things, she did. Sliding his hand briefly between her bum cheeks, she gasped, gripping the pillow case.

"Biscuit are you trying to seduce me?" She mumbled while he chuckled.

"Always, but I do want to make all this tension disappear." Smirking he pulled her legs closer and gently flipped her on her back. "I should do the front too, just in case."Lifting up the other side of her top, exposing her plum breasts, he began to massage them too. All over her body as he caressed every inch of her skin. Slipping between and teasing her special g-spot. Lowering his head and peppering her entire body with kisses.

The pillow on her face shielded the view of her red tomato expression. Helpless in the entire situation. Feeling him slip up her undergarment and pulling down the shirt, she pulled the pillow away with a frown. He leaned over and kissed her lips passionately until her expression and entire being melted into his loving touches.

"Feeling all better now?" Steven asked pulling away with an adoring gaze in his eyes.

"Magic touch, you have." Connie spoke sounding a bit like Yoda. Which made them both burst into another fit of laughter before snuggling close and watching the program before them. Enjoying the scent of a fresh and clean home.

[seoexpart11]

Top 5 Best Vacuums for Hardwood Floors Reviews 2020

Best Vacuums for Hardwood Floors Reviews

1. Miele Complete C2 exhausting Floor Canister vacuum – Best for Hardwood Floors

Miele C2 complete exhausting floor vacuum canister is that the best for hardwood floors. It’s a 20-year average lifetime. It’s powerful despite being light-weight. This product additionally contains a speed management that is variable and has a half-dozen completely different varied speeds therefore permitting good suction for clean floors, rugs, and drape.

Another unbelievable feature of this vacuum is that the Miele SBD285-3 combination floor and carpeting tool good for clean floors and space rugs of your house. For convenience, the vacuum is meant to figure on flat floors beneath baseboards, beneath piece of furniture illuminate against kick jams, and around chair legs. Since the vacuum can give a 90-degrees twisting rotation, there's no specific place the vacuum can’t be used.

To ensure that there's clean air that comes from the machine, the vacuum is fitted with Miele Air clean vacuum bag, Super Air Clean filter with a sealed system construction. Further accessories square measure engineering hose, dusting and fabric tools, crevice tool, and stainless-steel telescopic wands. These accessories create the vacuum a lot of helpful and economical for cleanup hardwood floors.

Pros

  Powerful motor.

 Air clean Dust bag.

 Integrated tools for extra service.

 Electronic suction management dial.

Adjustable with slightly of a dial.

Cons

 Non-functional carpet attachment.

2. Bissell PowerEdge Pet Hardwood Floor – Best for movableness

Bissel PowerEdge is that the best vacuum cleaner for hardwood floors for several reasons. First, it comes with a cleanup path breadth of eleven.35 inches (V-shaped) and an influence wire length of twenty feet. This makes t terribly simple to scrub massive floor areas. The vacuum additionally makes it terribly simple to empty dirt that has accumulated in it. The dirt cup are often simply opened and closed that makes cleanup a breeze. On the ability consumption, it's rated as half-dozen amps.

The V-shape of the vacuum directs dirt into the middle suction path. On the opposite hand, the ends of the V capture fine and tiny detritus. Another necessary feature of the vacuum is that the rubber squeegees that space distinctive squeegee system that traps the pet hair whereas the funnel directs them into the vacuum. The rubber squeegees create the vacuum good for cleanup corners and edges.

The convenience of this vacuum is formed potential by the swivel steering that permits you to simply clean round the piece of furniture and floor. It’s additionally light-weight that makes it transportable and straightforward to maneuver round the house. The options of this vacuum create it one in all the most effective ones for daily use around your house. The sole disadvantage is it doesn't have a hose.

Pros

Lightweight was therefore transportable.

Rubber squeegees create it sensible for corners and edges.

V-shape for collection and leading dirt.

Swivel steering.

Battery hopped-up.

Cons

It doesn't have a hose.

3. Shark Rocket DeluxePro – Best for skillfulness

shark rocket deluxe pro steam mop When it involves suction, this vacuum is that the best. It’s a a pair of in one vacuum and is appropriate for deep mop and hardwood floors. It’s good for fast pick-ups. The vacuum is formed in such the simplest way that it will clean nearly each a part of the hardwood floor in your house.

The vacuum additionally comes with accessories sort of a Wall mount, exhausting floor Hero, pet multi-tool, duster crevice tool. The vacuum could be a light-weight upright vacuum with light-emitting diode lights and might simply convert into a hand-held vacuum for the versatile floor to ceiling cleanup.

The dirt cup of this vacuum is greater so it will collect a lot of detritus the maximum amount as potential. For convenience, it options advanced swivel steering that permits for glorious management whereas moving from one purpose to a different. Additionally, the vacuum additionally comes with a pet Multi-tool that may be accustomed capture embedded pet hair on all surfaces.

The vacuum is powerful for removing pet. The light-weight nature of this product makes it easier to use. The very fact that it's light-weight and powerful makes it good to be used on an everyday basis.

Pros

 LED lights

 Lightweight and versatile.

Large dirt collector.

Extra accessories for convenience.

Cons

Most of them lack the pet tool.

4. Dyson Cyclone V10 Vacuum – Best for Battery Longevity

When it involves battery longevity, the Dyson Cyclone V10 vacuum is that the best.  It will run up to minutes once employing a non-motorized tool. Additionally, this vacuum is light-weight and versatile so it will clean all through the house. Associate degree instant-release trigger suggests that battery power is just used whereas it’s cleanup.

The vacuum needs charging for roughly three. To 5 hours before it is often used. The vacuum under supply of power drives nylon bristles into the carpet and alternative elements of the ground so it will capture in spite of appearance dirt.

The suction and also the brush is driven by the Dyson digital motor V10 that is meant to drive out and suck out dirt from hardwood floors and carpets. This vacuum will similarly be reworked into a hand-held vacuum to scrub all high surfaces reception. This feature, therefore, makes it the foremost convenient vacuum around. The vacuum has 3 power modes that you just will prefer to fit your cleanup task and floor.

Pros

Long-lasting battery.

Can be reworked.

 Three power modes.

 Digital motor.

Wall-mounted dock.

Cons

Experience suction issues

5. Shark Navigator Lift-Away skilled NV356E – Best for Convenience

shark navigator is the best hardwood floor cleaning machine. When it involves cleanup places that square measure exhausting to succeed in, this vacuum is that the best. It’s a raise away press button for lifting the canister away whereas simply cleanup the areas that aren't simply accessible. The anti-substance seal complete Technology and also the filtration system enable all the dirt and allergens to be treed within the vacuum. This makes it good for cleanup all reasonably detritus.

When it involves convenience and performance, Shark Navigator Lift-away is that the best vacuum to contemplate. It’s light-weight and powerful that makes it versatile and powerful at 137 pounds. You’ll be able to modification the cleanup modes to a deep carpet and mild clean floor cleanup.

The vacuum’s felt filters and per-motor foam can also be clean each three months beneath traditional use. This vacuum is that the best once it involves convenience and additionally value. This is able to be a decent vacuum to possess for your home use.

Pros

Lift-away press button.

 Anti-allergen seal and filter technology.

 Deep carpet and clean floor cleanup modes.

 Powerful and light-weight.

 Budget-friendly.

Cons

 People have complaints regarding the ability head rotating brush.

[ladymelissaduthe]

Challenge #1.5

aka The Fic Where Arin Gets Stuck With Missy In An Inescapable Location (accidentally)

a/n: weirdly specific title, but It’ll make sense when I post Challenge 2, I promise AAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA This was a really fun RP and fic to write, though it was slightly difficult what with the lack of visual cues in terms of writing,,, that’s what happens when you set something in the dark. ANYWHOS, thank you Anna @arin-schreave​ for this RP and for running with my crackhead ideas NJKSDNDKJD Anywhos, hope you enjoy this funny little fic ,,, also I promise everything about the ring ™™™™ will be revealed soon SJKNDKJKD (2,684 words) 

For a place that was twenty times the size of my own home back in Orleans, I was running out of things I could do in the palace. I was so desperate, I was actually in the library of all places.

Sure, there were the regular Women’s Room lessons for the day but we usually ended whatever was the day’s lessons early. Against the usual urge to scroll through my phone, learning a Tiktok dance in a gown wasn’t exactly the easiest. Doing the renegade was going to wait for a more casual day in the palace.

So I was in the library, browsing the bookcases and jeopardizing my poor immune system to some allergic rhinitis around these books.

There were a few books with interesting titles: The Creativity Crisis, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Business Process Re-engineering in Illéa to name a few.

The title that catches my attention though had a green spine, lined with gold. Embroidery Patterns from America. Huh, you don’t hear that name everyday. I could check it out and show it to my maids. Maybe try it out and do them myself on a dress I have.

I reach up for the book, extending my arms above me. I lean against the case for some support as I reach for it. It seemed stuck on the shelf though, not seeming to fully budge out of its place.

I try to pull it again, suddenly feeling the case slide open. Huh?

The next thing I know, I’m on the ground of a dark hallway and hearing the case slide close behind me, and the light leave the entire space. Oh no.

Where was I?

Why was it so dark? Oh Gosh, the floor felt like it hasn’t seen a vacuum cleaner in a decade.

I couldn’t make out where I was exactly, but it was dusty and smelled like one of those old historical houses in Orleans tourists would visit all the time

I try to look around and feel for the way I came through.

“Hello!” my voice seems to echo in the space. Maybe if I kept on yelling someone could get me outta here. “Help!”

“Can anyone help me?!” I yell again, hoping someone passing by the case would hear me. I try banging against the wall, sounding almost hollow. It sounded like wood.

“Hello!” I call out again. Please someone GET ME OUT OF HERE.

I keep on trying to yell to get anyone to realize I was trapped here. Was this… a dungeon? Did the palace keep prisoners here? Oh Gosh, I was going to get stuck here. Questions later. I needed to get outta here.

A knock.

I’m saved! I could kiss whoever was going to get me out of here. Or not, cause that sounded like treason.

“Hello! Is someone else there?!” Please get me out of here ASAP, I’m pretty sure there are spiders here.

“This isn’t funny. I don’t care if Ayesha put you up to it, knock it off.”  

Are you flipping kidding me? Who the hell was Ayesha?

“Uh… I can’t quite knock it off!” I feel something crawl along my feet and like any normal person… I scream. “I REALLY DON’T LIKE IT IN HERE! PLEASE I JUST FELL THROUGH THE WALL!”

“Really the jig is up.” I hear shuffling from the other side. Did they really just???

“This ain’t no dance sweetheart! PLEASE JUST HELP ME GET OUTTA HERE! I THINK THERE ARE SpidE-ERS!” I feel something crawl across my feet and I pound my fist against the wall again, “THIS ISN’T A JOKE! HELP!”

Silence.

It was quiet from the other side. Did…. They…. Just…. Leave me here?

I bang my fists against the wall again. “Hello?! HELLO???? HELLOOOOOOO!!!”

Footsteps sound like they’re fading away. Oh no, I was going to be trapped here forever. I didn’t even write a will yet. Oh Gosh, I haven’t even gotten married yet. I was gonna get trapped in this weird dark hallway for the rest of my life.

No. If no one was going to get me out of here, I was going to get myself out of here. The way my voice echoed meant that I was in a huge space. Maybe if I just… walked down?

And get even more lost?

Maybe if I—

I jump at the sudden motion of the wall. The wall in front of me suddenly gives way and opens, LIGHT. I see light…

“Hello…?”

“Oh thank sweet baby Jesus,” I say walking towards the opening, towards the light…

… and Arin Schreave.

I pick up my jaw from the floor before I quickly try to push some of my hair behind my ears. Oh of all times, Arin Schreave had to see me covered in dust bunnies? Not cute… AT ALL.

“ah… hello!”

Oh wow. This looked more like a hallway with a little more light shined on it… still very dusty.

The prince takes another step into this hallway, until I see the door starting to close behind him. I feel myself jump at the sound of the door shutting. Once again, the room was blanketed in darkness.

“Shit.”

“Nonononono!” I run back to where the door was, looking for something, anything, to get us out of here. Come on. All the escape room games have some kind of button to press. Maybe the prince knew something.

“Do these not open from this side…” MANNERS. “… your highness?”

“Uh…” I hear a sigh come from my right. “There’s a button somewhere around here but I don’t quite remember where.” So he did know something.

I hear a couple of steps grow louder from the direction of his voice, until I feel myself stumble backward. Did he just run into me? I reach for the wall to keep myself from toppling over. Oh. There was a hand on my waist.

“Oof, uh, sorry.” I try to move closer to the wall to avoid bumping into him. Why did it suddenly get so hot? Must be my allergies.

“No, that was my fault.” I could start making out his silhouette, moving close to the wall too. The hand around my waist was gone too.

I clear my throat, and push some of my hair back. Oh of all people to have heard me, it had to be Arin Schreave.

“I suppose you were the one on the other side of the wall I was talking to?”

“Uh, yes… I was… sorry I didn’t believe you.”

I wring my hands. I wouldn’t have believed this happened if it didn’t happen to me. “Well… whatever Ayesha may have pulled on you before… it must have been pretty bad for you to be this skeptical…”

A sigh. “I’m used to it.”

Thank God I was an only child.

Prince Arin goes silent for a moment before he says, “Just give me a minute to think?”

“Alrighty.” I suck in a breath and nod, going a little further down the wall. He said that there was a button around here. Maybe I could find it here. I try to run my hand through the wall, looking for an imperfection, a bump that could trigger the door to open.

“I think there’s a button on one of the wall, down by the floor.” I hear the prince speak up. I guess I was sort of right.

“Why would you put a switch down by the floor?” I ask. Well, there was nothing else I could do but crouch down and start feeling for it close to the floor. Ugh, all I could feel was the material of my dress pool to the ground. I try to push it away to try and keep on searching the wall.

“Not the way I thought I’d be spending this afternoon.” I laugh to myself. This was ridiculous.

“Trust me, I definitely didn’t plan for this.” I hear a sigh, “It’s near the floor so it doesn’t accidentally get pushed. It’ll feel like a small hole…”

I shake my head, hands still gliding through the wall, “Reasonable, but this is already a secret passageway. Not many people would press a button accidentally.”

I sneeze, “Oh wait.”

A small laugh from my left. “It’s uh… from when the country had rebels and the last thing you’d want to do is open one of these on accident if you were trapped inside.”

“Were rebels that much of a problem for you to have constructed these?” It had to be around here close to the door. “If I were a button… where would I be…”

“According to the history books I’ve read, yes. They were. But as a kid we used these tunnels during games of hide and seek.”

“I can tell from the dust, ” I sneeze on my elbow, “bunnies, that it’s probably been a long time since you played games here.” ACHOO! “And it’s been a while since rebels have attacked too, I guess.”

“Over 50 years… but I wouldn’t trust the dust bunnies. They could be harboring anti-monarchy sentiments.”

“Ah yes, rebellious dust bunnies. Practically planning anarchy through allergies and sticking onto your clothes unnecessarily.” I shake my head. I can’t believe this was my first conversation with the prince after meeting him… in a DARK, dusty, old, probably abandoned secret tunnel. ROMANTIC.

“They’re sneaky little buggers that make terrible pets.” I hear some shuffling from his side until I feel something bump into me.

“OOF!” I sneeze again into my elbow, before shuffling away from him. Come on Prince Arin, let’s practice some spatial awareness. “I just wanted to see some embroidery patterns. Who rigs a book of embroidery patterns to trigger a weird door?”

I sneeze, sitting up on the heels of my feet. I hate having allergies.

“Someone who doesn’t think embroidery is interesting I’m guessing.”

I lift a shoulder up, “Fair.”

I shake my head before going back to the wall and try feeling it for the button again. “It’s still fun though. Embroidery, I mean.”

“I don’t know much about it honestly.” I hear a grunt come from Arin.

ACHOO. “Just a needle and a thread honestly. That’s what my mama used to tell me.” I fumble through the wall, still looking for the button. “She used to be a seamtress before she married my dad.”

“Aha”

I hear a click before the door seems to slide open. Light. FRESH AIR.

“Oh thank God.” I breathe out a sigh of relief. I immediately stand up, albeit a bit wobbly, before I offer my hand to Arin.

He doesn’t take my hand, instead standing on his own and brushing off the dust from his pants. I tuck my hand in my other, dusting myself too.

His eyes then set on me. Oh I must look horrible. Of all times, it had to be a time where I didn’t look cute.

“Oh um… you have a little something right here.” He gestures to his head.

UGHHHHHH

“Oh,” I pat my head for whatever was there. “You also have um… what is… that…” I peer closer. It didn’t look like a speck of dust, it looked like it was moving. It had… legs?

“It’S A SPIDER.”

“oh!” I watch him quickly brush the spider off, but I watch as he swats it and gets accidentally flung at me.

I do what a normal would do in this situation.

I shriek, but I quickly swat it off my dress to the ground and running the HELL away from it. I then hear a small clinking sound. “Oh no…”

I look down to my right hand. My ring. It was gone.

Arin’s eyes follow the noise, he himself following after it to investigate.

Now this was awkward. I follow after where the sound stopped, where Arin bends down to look for the source.

“Um… I got it.” He seems to have found it, picking it up and straightens.

I step up to him and hold my palm open, “T-thank you. I can take this now.”

Oh great Melissa. Sure, a ring wasn’t going to give him any war flashbacks at all… or worse… make him start asking questions about it.

Arin clears his throat as he hands the ring to me. “Well, that’s not something you’d want to lose.”

“Nope,” I take the ring and slip it back on my right index finger. Why did I get it resized? That was a stupid decision, now it was way too big for any of my fingers. “It’s my Grammy’s ring.” I laugh slightly before looking back to him.

He nods. “Ah well… Maybe you should have it resized so you don’t lose it. Rings like that tend to be sentimental.”

It was sentimental, and trust me, it already has been resized.

I clench my right hand, making sure it wouldn’t slip off again.

“It doesn’t normally fall off, at least not all the time.” I tilt my head. “And yes, this one is really sentimental to me.”

I couldn’t bear to part with this piece.

“I can see that. It reminds me of my mom’s old wedding ring.” Arin says, and I notice him swallow nervously. “I just mean it’s pretty.”

I take a moment to blink at the wedding ring remark.

“Actually,” I laugh slightly. “this was my Grammy’s wedding ring.”

Grandpa said he saved for an entire year to buy her this ring. Back then, things weren’t so easy for them or his orchard.

I lift a shoulder, continuing. “It was my mom’s, and then it was passed down to me.” It was a thin gold band surrounded with little diamonds. No big jewel or anything. Just tiny little diamonds. Grandpa had some taste. I scrunch up my nose and breathe out a laugh. “Thank you… for calling it pretty.”

“Of course.” He nods a bit awkwardly before glancing to the door. “Did you want to get our of here?”

Oh right, I almost forgot.

“Yes, please.” I lift my skirt to move quicker to the door before it closed in on us again. I wasn’t gonna stuck in that room again. “Thank you again for helping me.”

ACHOO!

“Sorry for not believing you…”

Arin seems to follow behind me. As we both get out of the room, he shuts the door behind us. Good. I never wanted to see that tunnel again. Ever.

I lift a shoulder, “Easy mistake, I probably would have freaked out if I heard a voice from the other side of the wall and not believe that there was a secret hallway over there.” I gesture my head to the bookcase.

“Just try not to do it again.” A small smile appears on his face. He should smile more. “The dust bunnies might not be as friendly next time.”

“I’m more worried about the spiders.” ACHOO! “Might wanna ask a couple of maids to maybe spruce it up a bit, maybe add some nice lighting, maybe an exit sign inside.”

I end up sneezing again, can’t helping but laugh at the situation.

“There’re actually lights in there…”

“That could have been useful a couple of minutes ago.” I chuckle before ACHOO! “Well, that… was an adventure, but I think I need a hot shower to wash that hallway off.” Or a bubble bath, a bubble bath seemed nice.

I give Arin a quick curtsy with a smile, “Thank you again for getting me outta there, your highness.”

In turn, he gives me a smile and a nod. “Of course.” He gives me a bow. That’s.. a first. “I hope the rest of your day is better.”

To be honest, this… was actually fun. It was nice to get to interact with Arin.

“Have a nice day!” I nod once with a smile and spin on my heel,  d lifting my skirt and heading straight to my room.

I had a feeling that things were going just fine with Arin. It was a start, that’s all I needed.

[cum-a-calla]

a commission :)

inside: Bob Gray/female reader, humiliation, piss, mindfuck, denial, general clownery

.

It’s hard to judge just how long you’ve been in the cage.

On top, there are two heavy boots, legs crossed at the ankle. The bars of the cage tremble and clink, chains around the door shimmying like bells. The sound joins his uneven breath, it joins the metallic rattling and your own blood rushing in your ears, and the sight of him petting the ridiculous bulge in his slacks while he squirms. He’s slack-jawed, drooling, eyes heavy and focused, unfocused, focused again. 

There are empty seats and risers in a semi-circle around you, rusted with age. You can practically hear the creaking despite the lack of an audience. In your head, it sounds hollow, warped, just the thought of it creepy enough to make you shudder. Goosebumps ripple down your arms, over your ribs and thighs. 

“Wish there were people in here, little creature?”

He grins and saliva dribbles down his chin. Around you is aching, echoing emptiness, like a vacuum. Sounds within the tent are magnified, caught in the low, insectile buzz in the background, and focusing on it only forces it to retreat. Hiding. Chittering. Beyond the ragged flaps of the entrance, wind whips banners and flags around, shakes the trees in the distance and sends leaves and carnival garbage whirling around the midway. Not a sound penetrates the perimeter of the tent. It’s like watching a movie on mute, the world moving on behind some invisible barrier. You’re isolated here.

Trapped.

The cage is small. It’s barely big enough for you to be on your hands and knees, naked, shivering under his constant watch. Between your thighs, your pulse makes itself known. Each throb brings you a little closer to release, but it’s a race to see which releases first – your dripping cunt or your full, tight bladder, feeling fuller every passing minute. 

“No,” you breathe. The thought of anyone seeing you like this, locked up and trembling with your bare ass in the air, is beyond anything you could handle. You peek at the risers and they shimmer. They seem to slip in and out of focus, and in the weird blur, there are shapes. People. Loads of them, faces smeared and unclear, blipping in and out like a glitch. 

Glancing at Bob Gray treats you to the sight of his big hands around his cock, leaking down around his knuckles. He’s sneering down at you, tugging leisurely at himself while you flicker between him and the spectral audience, and it seems that with each passing glance, they disappear and reappear, refusing to conform to your perception of the room around you. It’s scary. The people don’t really look like people, only like they’re trying to.

Like Bob. Bob, with his wet snarl, his sleepy eyes and sharp teeth. His eyes glimmer at you, snapping orange like a wildfire. He lifts his boots off the cage and spreads his thighs, pumping his cock with a little more purpose. He swipes his fingers up over the slippery head and shudders, giggling, his soft belly peeking from under his untucked shirt. It’s nearly threadbare with age. 

“Can see ya shakin.” He sucks his teeth, mocking you with a violent shiver that shakes his massive frame. “Ooh, tiny thing, can see how bad you want it. Stupid little pet. Does it hurt? Does it feel sooo bad to hold... it... in?”

Eyes on the floor. It’s all you can focus on aside from the burning ache. The more it aches, the worse it gets. The worse it gets, the more you throb. 

“Can I... please... go to the bathroom?”

He shakes his head, a thread of drool breaking off to patter into the dirt near his feet. He’s swollen, dripping just like you are. He moans and shakes his head harder, the laughter bubbling up from deep in his chest. 

“No, no, I want you to hold it. Be a good girl, hm? Don’t make a big fuckin’ mess in my tent, you hear? Do ya kennit, little animal, does it do ya well?”

“Please, I really – it... hurts –”

He stands so suddenly that his chair topples behind him, and he towers over the cage like you’re the smallest thing in the world. He’s enormous. He takes the step until his big boots are toeing the edge of the cage, knocking into the thin bars, and not once does he stop touching his cock. He bends low and watches you, looks at you from every angle. His saliva drips down onto your back. It’s warm, unbearably so as it slides down the curve of your ribcage to your belly. He reaches into the cage, shoves his hand between your legs.

There, he rubs at your clit. It’s sloppy and quick, less about teasing and more about piling on the pressure. It’s searing. It feels like a molten ball in your belly, twisting, pressing down, down, down against your bladder, each contraction deep in your cunt only dragging your misery to the surface. It’s getting harder to ignore, harder to push down below. 

“Does it hurt so, so bad? Is this old man huuurting you?”

“Ohmygodohmygod...”

Bucking your hips away is impossible. You can only fall back against his fingers, and the more you worm away from him, the more he giggles. The more he strays from your clit, teasing you where you can’t have him. Not now. Not with all that bright pain inside, ready to burst, and yet here he is, cooing at you with his fingers sliding inside. 

“No gods here. Not even close. Nothing but me, nothing but your slimy little cunt. You smell so good, too... come out, tiny thing. Come on out. Let. Me. Smell. You.”

“No, I can’t, I can’t!” Your voice draws high, so whiny and pathetic that it doesn’t take looking him in the face to know that he’s enjoying it. His smirk shapes his words, spits them at you like his fucking drool. They float through the air like a miasma, circling your mind, like moths. Smell you let me smell you come out tiny thing come out you scared does it hurt does it hurt doesitHURT

“Oh.” He moans the word, like it rumbles up from his body, and his breath flutters through your hair. Sweat prickles at your hairline, and the first drip travels down over your temple. He takes the cage in both hands, so many slippery fingers, and takes a steadying breath. You can’t look away from him, crouched over the cage with his heavy cock out, with his big hands gripping the enclosure like he means to twist the metal. He glares down at you with a smile on his face. “Oooh, you can’t? But this... is the circus. Anything can happen here.”

He takes his hands, pounds his fists on the top of the cage. It rattles around you and you jump, yelping, and after all, you do feel like a dumb animal. He pounds them again, again, and all you can do is freeze up. Your bladder burns. Your cunt aches. 

“Anything! Let me show you.”

With each strike, he grunts, and those melt off into laughter as he starts to count down with each smack of his big hands, slamming against the metal until they scrape open, the meat of his palms tearing and bleeding freely. SIX. FIVE. FOURRRR, THHRREEEEEEE, TWWOOOO.....

“ONE!”

A final, heavy slam of his fists and the cage is gone. 

He stops just short of your back, hands coming to a complete halt as you brace for impact, and then his red, shredded palms lay flat against you. His blood feels scalding. The cage is just gone, absent from the tent entirely. You look around, frantic, looking up, looking at him, but there’s nothing to see. Nothing but his broad shoulders, his knowing smirk. 

“What do you think?” He winks at you, slow, like you’re sharing a secret. 

“It’s - that’s... where did it... go?”

“Gone the way of many other things in my time, filthy thing. Don’t worry about that. It’s been taken care of, and now you should be.”

There’s no grace to the way he yanks you by the hips, no thought to how you fight a losing fight, barely squirming out of reach when he pulls you flush against him. He grabs handfuls of your ass, spreads you open, grinds his cock up against every inch of you. 

“Gunna fuck you full, fuller than you could imagine. Isn’t that nice? Don’t act like you don’t want it. I know. I know you do, even though you need to go oh so bad.”

He dissolves into a fit of manic laughter and it bounces off the walls of the tent. Beyond them, the world still moves. The storm has picked up, but none of that is perceptible in here, nothing except the snatches of midway as the flap waves in the wind. Sometimes there are people walking in the distance, and sometimes there are people close by, people that barely resemble people. Watching. Smiling, pointing. 

His cock is massive as he is, but with how utterly soaked your cunt is, he forces it inside with little issue. It’s mind-numbing how good it is, how he’s right – you are full, so blissfully full, every inch of his cock spreading you open and finding nerves you barely know of. He tilts his hips and pounds into you, like he’s going to fuck through to your guts and into your bladder. It’s too much. It’s way too much pressure, and the first warning pangs of loss of control are flooding your nervous system, face burning with the effort, voice drawn so high and sharp you could cut him with it.

“I can’t I can’t I can’t, I’m gunna – please – oh my god PLEASE let me go,” you sputter. Words leave in no specific order, rushed, clear only in their desperation.

He pulls you closer.

“Hold it,” he demands. He doesn’t let up. It’s a strange sensation that travels all the way down to your feet, like hot wire, and you start crying. He leans over your body and folds over you until he can grab your face, tilt it toward him. He licks your tears off your face and laughs, breath like smoke, like old meat and dead leaves and something else, something familiar. He’s inescapable. “Aren’t you a big girl? Can’t hold it for me, baby, can’t be a big girl? Don’t wet yourself! Don’t have an aaaaccident all over Daaaddy!”

He laughs and your body betrays you. It’s inevitable. He slows his hips after the initial break in concentration, the warm dribble in the dust, and then he’s howling as you piss yourself. His cock throbs, balls-deep, holding you as tight against his body as he can manage as it wets through his slacks and over his thighs, puddles below the two of you. You hang your head with your eyes squeezed shut, trying to ignore the orgasmic rush of release, like a climax of its very own. It feels good. It feels so good. 

“Filthy fucking creature. Nasty slut. Disobedient little thing, aren’t you?” 

Bladder relieved, the reality of your situation caves in around you. Fuck. You stammer apologies, over and over and over, shaking with them, coming apart underneath his stilled form. He still has his fingers buried in your flesh. He squeezes them and you moan, and his cock throbs. 

“You’re sorry. You’re sooo sorry. Oh, tell me, tell me how goddamn sorry you are.”

As you continue gushing your apologies, there’s a tickle in the back of your throat. Coughing takes it away for a moment, but it comes back, an itch unlike anything you’ve experienced before. Coughing turns into gagging, into hacking over the floor until you’re the one drooling, dry-heaving, shaking in the dirt with piss down your legs and a cunt full of him, and.... something... touching the back of your tongue. Something in your throat. There’s something in your fucking throat, rising up, and Bob sticks his fingers in your mouth.

He reaches back, stuffs his long fingers back there until he grabs it and PULLS. He drags the thing over your tongue and out from your throat like he’s doing an act, and half of you expects to see multicolored scarves when your vision stabilizes, when you’re not stuck behind a screen of tears as you try not to vomit on his hand. An eternal, painful moment later, he shows you.

He’s holding a crop. An entire crop, wet and slippery with your saliva, your mucus. 

“You ready to be so, so sorry?”

He lands the crop on your back. It stings and pulls you back to life, and his hips start moving again. There’s no rhythm to lead into; he fucks you open until you’re moaning and crying and begging, throwing nonsense words into the hot, muggy atmosphere of the tent. You can smell your own piss, his breath on the back of your neck. He rains blows down with the crop and each stings more than the last, forcing your tired throat to shriek, to yelp, to make all manner of embarrassing sounds under his ministrations. He rolls his hips like he knows your flesh from the inside, knows exactly where to nudge, how to adjust his vicious pace. 

“I can feel that nasty cunt tightening up on my cock. You gunna cum soon? Would you like that, to cum all over Bob Gray’s big, mean dick? Want Daddy to let you have it?”

“Yes.” It’s the most honest, most coherent word you’ve spoken, clear as a bell, slicing up through his frenzied breaths and grunts. He giggles and hums, hits you over and over in the same spot with the crop. Your back glows with it, marks up and down your spine, blooming, warping your flesh into a purpled, welted landscape.

“That’s too bad, because if you disobey me and cum without permission, I’ll do more than beat you. I’ll take this pretty skin right off, see what’s underneath. Oh, yes, I will. I’ll see what you’re really made of. You’ll see just how messy and disgusting I can make you. So... don’t... cum.”

He rubs your clit, giggling, knocking your weak hands away when you reach down to grab at him, to twist away. There’s no escaping. There never was, not at any point. Beyond the flapping tent, everything is now still. Birds hang midair, people mid-walk, and everything is staring through the frozen tent-flap. The people aren’t people. Things watch you with their unchanging non-faces, expressions beyond what you can really understand as human. Terror grows inside you like ice, turning your blood cold, and yet Bob Gray ruts into you all the same and plays with your clit until you’re fighting a different kind of pressure than before. 

"Better not cum, little thing, you better fucking not cum."

Finally, his movements become erratic, his hand stalling. He throws the crop and wraps his arms around your waist, down by your hips, and squeezes. He holds you in that vice-grip and it’s almost more painful than the crop wounds, crushing against your pelvis, against your hipbones as he bottoms out with each thrust. It feels like you may come apart in his arms, and that delicious knot of heat gets tighter and tighter and tighter and he’s beating you to the punch. 

His cock seems to expand, filling any last inch of flesh he can manage before he’s moaning, growling in your ear. Cum fills your cunt, shoots so deep you can’t stand it. Wriggling against him only milks him further. He rocks and rides out his climax while you whine. 

After he’s done with you, he pulls out, shoving you by the hip so that you fall over in the dirt. Urine soaks your legs. His cum drools out of your cunt and he leans down to peer at it, to spread it open so he can watch, fingers tracing as you throb with neglect. He swipes at your clit and you shudder. 

“Good girl. In the end, you all listen. You all want to be good, at the end of it.”

He stands up and fixes himself up, wipes his chin free of his spit, watches you catching your breath. He bends to pick up a pile of your clothing and he tosses the articles at your face, cruel laughter spilling from his lips as you peel them back and attempt to sit up. Your body aches. Everything hurts, everything wants. 

“Get the fuck out of my tent and clean yourself up.”

You pull your shirt back over your head, and... he’s gone. 

The tent is empty.

There’s barely a swirl in the dust, no footprints, just your own piss and clothes and your filthy legs, just his cum dripping down your thighs and smearing there. Beyond the tent flaps, the storm is over. There’s barely a cloud in the sky, just the deepening evening, the sunset. It’s bright orange. It bleeds over the landscape and casts the windless trees in an eerie light. Birds chitter and games go off deeper in the midway, and it’s like your ears are unblocked. It feels... normal. 

You pull your clothes on and go around to grab a bucket – before you leave for the night, you’ll have to wash away the... spot. Seeing it there sets your cheeks aflame all over again, feeling the sticky dirt on your legs. 

Just outside of the tent is the bucket, a single red balloon lifting the handle.

[over-a-new-leaf]

self-care 101 (covid-19 period)

Since we’ve rolled round to another May bank holiday, I thought it’d be nice to share some tips with you. As a homebody, and someone who will do absolutely ANYTHING to avoid one specific boring activity, I’ve racked up quite a long list over the past few years. Obviously, I’m no professional - but I find these help. There’s no specific chronological order to these - just pick and choose as you like!

Get out of bed!

Or lie in if you need to. Whatever makes you feel good

Start off the day with some yoga or meditation, or basic stretches

Or pray for a bit if you’re religious

Make your bed: tuck your sheets in, rearrange your pillows, etc.

Brush your hair and tie it up nicely

Pick out a cute outfit - could even be your favourite PJs - and lay it out

Go take a soothing shower, or a bubble bath

Use a bath bomb, get some nice candles if you feel like it

Put on some nice music to relax to

Try out a new hairstyle or style your hair the way you would if you had somewhere to be!

Slap on some makeup, why not? :) 

Floss your teeth, or maybe use that teeth whitening formula you never picked up again after using it for the first time

Pick out a recipe for a hair mask or face mask and put it on

Before doing any of these, make sure they suit your hair & skin type

E.g. if you have frizzy and dry hair, use a moisturising and rejuvenating mask vs if you have sleek, straight hair - use a volume-enhancing mask. Same goes for your skin - evaluate whether you have dry skin, oily skin or combination 

Stick to the recommended leave in time! It can be extremely difficult to get out later otherwise

Or make your own mask! There’s tons of recipes on YouTube and Google :)

Make yourself a nice breakfast

Breakfast smoothies are amazing! A really simple recipe I use contains a few spoonfuls of oats, handful of fruits (e.g. blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, grapes), honey / sugar by taste and yogurt.

Or a nice bowl of your favourite cereal

Avocado toast - there are so many different varieties of this online, and I bet you’ll find that you like.

A fruit salad!

Eggs done the way you like

A full English if you’re feeling ambitious

Workout for an hour or so

This doesn’t have to be really equipment intense or challenging if you don’t want it to be

Some YouTubers I recommend: Chloe Ting, Emi Wong, Fitness Blender, MadFit, Blogilates, Yoga with Adrienne, etc. 

Don’t over exert yourself. Take longer than the recommended break time between exercises if you need to

Grab a new book, or a book you just enjoy reading

You can browse through Spotify for any playlists to listen to while reading - or use a playlist of songs you like

Listen to some music you like

Or discover some new music using Spotify’s ‘Discover’ feature

Preferably something that lifts your mood!

Pick out a recipe you’ve been meaning to try and just make it!

Dance around the house to some music

This can also be a sort-of-workout!

You can try learning a routine

TikTok dances are so stupidly fun

Maybe get a friend on vid-call and learn a dance with them

Make some TikToks

Or duet some on the app!

Get out a new bottle of wine - it’ll make you feel boujie ;)

Or your drink of choice - I’m not big into alc so I usually love a cool mint lemonade or iced coffee

Sit outside if the weather is nice

Or even if it’s rainy! I particularly love rainy days

Go for a walk around your neighbourhood

Do some grocery shopping! It can be surprisingly fun when you’re in no rush - plus, that’s a task off your future to-do list

Go meet a friend - stand at least 2m away and have a chat

Or text/ call your family / friends

Houseparty is great to use because it’s got games that you can play together if you’re not big on talking

Watch that TV series / movie you’ve been trying to get round to

Play with your pet, if you have one!

Do a cute lil photoshoot

Put on a nice outfit and take some nice pictures using the timer

Pictures with your pet

Or take pictures of your surroundings when outside

Or of the new dish you’ve impulsively made

Grab a pretty notebook

Start a bullet journal

Or a diary!

Do some journalling using journal prompts online

One really simple activity I really like is writing out 3 things that made my day :)

If you’re a poet or writer - write write write!

Maybe take the first step towards starting a blog (like I did last week, aha)

Play a musical instrument 

Or pick up something you haven’t played in a while

Try learning some basic chords online

Or just play your favourite music if you’re a professional

Sing along to your music!

Search up some online webinars and virtual events to attend

Lots of professional webinars on LinkedIn, even Facebook at times

Live museum and art gallery tours on Google!

Try some meditation

Headspace is a great freemium app, among others

Use a guided meditation from YouTube

Create a Pinterest account and start making boards

These can be pretty pictures

Or things you’ll have in your future house

Workout routines

Even more self-care recommendations

Sketching

There’s this activity where you put your playlist on shuffle and draw what comes to your mind when you hear each song

Or just search up an image online and draw it

Doodle in your bullet journal / book if you have one

Embroider/ stitch some of your old clothes

Plenty of tutorials online!

You can stitch in some cute images :)

Try a new podcast 

There are so many to explore on Spotify under the Podcasts section

Or watch something on YouTube

Learn something new if you feel like it

Pick up a subject area of interest and search it up on YouTube

You’ll get so many results!

Reorganise your house / room

Put on some music to jam along to while doing this!

Vacuum

Or just tidy all those papers off the desk

Reorganise your drawers

Fold your clothes

Dust any surfaces - super satisfying!

Maybe spice up your furniture placement

Try moving things around - be careful not to strain yourself

Do some laundry maybe

Yawn, but can be satisfying once you’ve done it!

Purge your wardrobe of any old clothes

You can donate them to charities

Or sell them on apps like Depop

Do some online shopping

Be careful not to spend too much though! :)

Download a photoprint app and get some pictures printed

There’s a lot of apps that offer you __ amount of free prints with delivery costs - not a bad deal!

You can finally make a photowall / collage

Try some scrapbooking 

Get out some old newspapers and magazines and cut out any pictures of words that particularly catch your eye

Make pretty lil collages or spreads with them

Reorganise your digital folders

E.g. bookmarks on Chrome

Saved folders on Insta

Email folders

To Do lists

Give them pretty names so you’re more likely to use them in future

Catch up on some much needed sleep 

Afternoon cat naps are actually lovely!

Make yourself some tea or coffee and just sit by the window with some music

Cliché and niche, but makes you feel calmer!

Try some chai recipes online if you’re into relatively milky tea or trying out new recipes

I’m not a big fan of chai ^ which is surprising as an Indian, but my family and friends love it soo

Do something with your family / roommates

Movie night!

Group dinners (even better - themed dinners!)

Or a fine dining wine night (bonus points if you dress up!)

Board games night

Or just games night e.g. charades, Headbandz, Psych (app)

DnD - never tried it but sm people have recommended it!

Make some TikToks

Sit around and chat

This is random but you can make PPTs about things you like and present them to each other - good for shit n giggles :) 

Play an old online game e.g. Fireboy and Watergirl!

Create each other in the Sims 

Organise some friendly competitions :)

Truth or Dare? 

Look at star sign stuff with them - whether you believe or not, it’s an interesting thing to do nonetheless

Do Enneagram tests - extremely interesting and scarily accurate from my personal experience

Experimental cocktails maybe!

Some DIY arts and crafts!

Pitch a tent outside

Or make a pillow fort inside

Speaking of which - pillow fights!

Karaoke night

Or set up your own club - make a playlist, get some strobe lights or turn off the lights and get everyone to switch on their phone flash and just dance around. Get some drinks if you want as well!

Have a BBQ - great to do especially in the afternoons or early evenings!

Have a date night if it’s just the two of you :)

Have a picnic outside

Text someone something nice!

Win-win for the sender and the recipient :)

Great chance to reconnect with someone

Cleanse your devices & social media profiles

Change your profile pictures, bios

Archive / delete some pictures (we’re all guilty of this)

Maybe restart your account if you haven’t used it in too long, have too many random followers or just want to start afresh

Check your phone storage and delete stuff accordingly

Change your wallpaper / theme

Back up old pictures and delete them off your device 

And that’s my list for now! I might add to it later if something comes to me but I hope you guys enjoy this! :) 

Image credits:

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/151574343695926876/

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/579627414531062674/

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/AQzIfTN5EwSc9JESrIo1l8AQw6cznXq2HLFq_SQk6La00-yL2As1QnY/

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/499055202462999051/

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/328481366576228467/

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/6262886962801682/

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How Often Should You Mop Wood Floors

Wood floors are extremely durable and they can add a nice touch to just about any space. But just like any other floors, wood floors also need some maintenance, care, and attention to keep them looking new, luxurious, and fresh.

Not only that, clean wood floors may reduce the peril of pet hair, dust, dirt, and other types of messes causing scratches and ruining their finishes. As a result, you will not be able to enjoy your wood floors for many years to come. Are you now wondering how often should you mop wood floors? If your answer is yes, then keep on reading to learn more. Read Here: How Often Should You Dust Your Home?

Wood Floors: How Often Should You Mop Them?

As a general rule of thumb, you are required to mop your wood floors once a week regardless of how much traffic your floors obtain and how many people are living in your home.

By simply following this rule, you will be able to ensure that messes of all types that have piled up on your floors over the past seven days will not have an opportunity to ground to the wood by more foot traffic.

However, even though you can’t clean and mop your wood floors once a week, make sure to find time to dust and sweep thrice a week. Read Here: 10 Vacuum Cleaning Tips for Your Floors

Wood Floors With Heavy Traffic

For wood floors that are experiencing heavy traffics, they will need to be mopped every other day or every day to keep the floors looking good and ready to last for a couple of years.

However, it is worth mentioning that heavy traffic tends not to be found on homes, but instead in apartment buildings, lobbies, businesses, as well as other public buildings.

Heavy traffic floors, on the other hand, can be defined as a place in which 15 persons or more are walking every day.

Nevertheless, another great way to fight heavy traffic is to place a highly absorbent mat at the entry points.

Wood Floors With Moderate Traffic

Wood floors that experience moderate traffic need to mopped at least once a week. However, if you want to obtain better results, if possible do it two to three times a week. The wood floors must be swept first to get rid of all particulates. And after that, you can move forward on mopping as well as drying the wood floors properly.

Office buildings and home buildings usually fall into this category. The traffic may include boots, shoes, and slippers carrying dirt and other contaminants on the soles.

Wood Floors With Light Traffic

Rooms that do not see much activity are considered light traffic wood floors. Good examples of which are the living room and dining room in most households most especially if they are not used every day.

But regardless of this fact, we still recommend that you mop your mop wood floors once a week. Also, you can dust them on a regular basis. Now that you have an idea of how often should you mop wood floors, let’s take a look at the best ways on how to clean such floors.

How to Clean Wood Floors

Here are some tips on how to clean your wood floors in the right way to extend its life and keep its luxurious, new, and fresh look.

Sweep/Dust

Giving your wood floors a great dusting using a cloth or a microfiber mop way is one of the easiest things that you can do to protect them from surface damage and scratches.

Often, microfiber cleaning pads make use of static electricity in order to trap household allergens, dirt, and particles.

Aside from microfiber mop, you can also use a broom as an alternative. However, keep in mind that using this tool may push the waste around.

Nevertheless, if you want to clean your wood floors without damaging them make sure not to lift the mop-up of your floors when cleaning. Doing so, you will be able to keep the dust trapped on the pads.

Polish

In addition to sweeping and dusting, another great way to clean your wood floors is to polish them every month or every few months. In case you didn’t know, polishing will renew and at the same time refresh the finish that will protect your wood floors

For flooring that has some sort of protective sealant, it’s actually the finish that is obtaining the majority of the attention when you clean and not the actual wood. Polishing, on the other hand, will fill in microscopic scratches. As a matter of fact, it will even out the protective surface of the floors.

It is worth mentioning that polishing has never been a difficult task and you can do it with just a minimal amount of effort.

Use Wood Floor Cleaners

Today, you will see a lot of cleaners that are specially designed for wood floors. However, you need to be careful when cleaning because not all of them are safe to use. To ensure that you are getting the best wood floor cleaner, make sure to check the product thoroughly before you make a purchase.

As a piece of advice, do not use cleaners that are made for tiles and vinyl floors since they bring damages instead of cleaning your wood floors.

Use Vinegar

If you don’t want to use the cleaners that are readily available on the market you can use one of the most kitchen staples like the vinegar.

Knowing how to clean your wood floors using vinegar will definitely save you a lot of money. You can clean your floors by simply adding 1/2 cup of white vinegar to one gallon of lukewarm water.

Conclusion

Keeping your wood floors beautiful and clean is not a waste of time. In fact, once you have used to clean your wood floors on a regular basis, trust us, you might not even mind taking the sweat. Hopefully, you have learned a lot from this post.

The post How Often Should You Mop Wood Floors appeared first on Vacuum Cleaners.

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Bringing Witchcraft into New Years Festivities

Though many witches celebrate Samhain -- or whatever October 31st/November 1st equivalent they prefer -- as the Witches’ New Year, as a Shinto-Pagan and witch, the solar New Years Eve and following New Years Day (December 31st and January 1st) are actually super important holidays. Here’s a few non-denominational ways to bring witchcraft into your New Year’s celebrations. This post is long, so I’ll put everything under the extension.

The End of the Year Purge Growing up my family had a very important, but somewhat unique tradition. For any holiday in which gifts were given (birthdays, Winter Solstice, ect.) we did a purge of things we didn’t want, didn’t need, or just plain didn’t use. It was very Marie Kondo of my family, even before her book hit shelves here in the US, and was a tradition my mother passed down from the witches in her family. Here’s how we did it:

Intention: To create a more harmonious space for myself and my loved ones. To make space for the abundance that is coming to me in the new year. To give the joy these items brought me to someone who needs it.

Go through your personal items, one shelf, one closet, one box at a time. This process may take a few days, and that’s okay. This is not about how fast you can get rid of things.

Every object should be carefully examined. Ask yourself a few important questions: Am I using this? Does it bring me joy? Do I have a home for it? Is it serving its purpose? Does it have deep sentimental value? If you decide that the answers to these questions don’t satisfy you, it’s time to send this item on its way. If they do satisfy you, give it a home and continue with the next item.

If you decide it’s time for an item to leave home, there are a couple options to deal with this: You can sell it, you can donate it, or you can throw it away. Here’s a few questions to ask yourself to help you decide which option is the best for you: Is this item in good working condition? If it has wear and tear, is it strictly cosmetic, or could it cause issues with its use? Can the problems with it be mended? Was this object an investment that I can get a return from? Do I want or need to get some financial return from it? If not, could someone else in need use it? Note: These questions are not to make you feel guilt-tripped into donating an item you could sell. If you have a valuable antique, well-cared-for collection, or good working electronics, please by all means sell them and get some of your investment into those items back. This is one of the few ways people in lower-middle and impoverished classes are able to invest in their own financial sustainability, and we shouldn’t be making them feel bad for doing so. Just because we are parting with these items does not mean that can’t serve us one last time before they go.

Before an item leaves, thank it for the joy it brought to you and your home. Acknowledging the spirits that reside in well-loved items is a beautiful way to part with them on good terms. If you had particular difficulty giving up an item, but ultimately felt that it was time for it go to a new home, take a photo of it, maybe with you. It’s okay to treat these items as old friends, and take a moment with them to say your goodbyes.

Send it on its way. Throw a yard sale, make a trip to your local shelter, get friendly with some recycling center workers, and learn how to properly dispose of items that can’t find new life.

Enjoy the new space, and make some new memories!

And always keep in mind, that if you’re not able to purge for whatever reason, that’s alright. There are other ways to bring in the new year.

Spring Cleaning... in Winter?

My family always does our “spring cleaning” at the end of the year, right after our annual house purge. With all those old items gone, and all the new Winter Solstice items needing a home, it’s the perfect time to reorganize.

Intention: Clearing out the negative energies still left in the home, and making space for new energy.

This is a deep clean. Furniture gets moved for the vacuum, clothes that have been getting musty in the closet get washed, beds are stripped and deodorized, carpets are powdered, walls are scrubbed. All the grime from the year prior is dusted, mopped, and sponged away. We do this by choosing one room a day to go through as a family, and get to it. While my sister was pushing around a vacuum in the kids’ rooms, I was washing clothes and my mom was reorganizing drawers and closets.

This is a group effort. No one should have more than one job at a time, and it should be within their abilities. Spoonies, I’m one of you. I totally get not being able to stand for more than a few minutes, or lift more than a milk jug. It’s totally okay to pair up with an able-bodied person to get a task done, or do to things that take less spoons like alphabetizing books or pairing up all those lonely socks. Go at your pace and ability level, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

If for some reason you’re stuck doing this alone, like I am, remember to take it slow. Total, it can take me a week of constant work to get this done, or a month of on-and-off work for my tiny, 400-square-foot, one-bedroom apartment. Don’t exhaust yourself, don’t push yourself to the point of causing yourself pain, and don’t take on any feat you’re not sure you can handle. It’s a lot of work for one person to clean a house alone. Make sure to take time for proper self-care: stay hydrated, take breaks, stretch when you feel stiff, eat when you’re hungry, and stop when you’re tired.

Cleansing

Cleansing looks different for every witch, but it’s something that I recommend all witches do, especially at the start of a new year. Do a whole house cleanse. For some witches, it looks like the cleaning that I talked about in the last section. For me, it’s a separate step all together. Here’s a few ways to do it:

Intention: Clearing out the negative energies still left in the home, and making space for new energy.

Smoke cleansing: Burning herbs or incense, guiding the smoke into the corners of the home, and along the length of the walls before bringing it to center. Some traditions say that this movement must go clockwise and spiral into the center that way. Depending on your tradition, the herbs or incense you use will change, but a good catch-all herb for those starting is rosemary. It’s not endangered, it’s not stolen from Indigenous practices, and rosemary is a super herb that can be used for most purposes, but protection and clearing is its strong suit. Please be aware that smoke cleansing is not advised for those with children, pets, or lung conditions. Even gentle herbs can smoke up a lot, and it’s good to avoid breathing it in. ALWAYS research whatever herb you decide to burn, and decide if you want the residue in your house. Even small amounts of smoke cause a thin layer of build up on the walls that is usually invisible to the naked eye, but over time will yellow paint. Be aware of this.

Cleansing spray: You can make a spray really simply by enchanting water, either with energy magic, or by adding ingredients to it. Some witches enchant their cleaning supplies. Either way, you can use this by spraying it around the house, again in corners and along the walls, where energy is most likely to cling and get stuck. Research any ingredients you put in the water, always be aware of the effect they have on children and pets. Lots of people use essential oils, but as someone who is professionally trained in them, I want to caution you to research their effect on pets and kids very carefully. Essential oils may be natural, but they are in concentrations that you would never find in nature, and they don’t dilute well in water. My personal recommendation is to use a few sprigs of rosemary in a spray bottle of water. Leave out in the sun for a day (the radiation of the suns rays is a natural germ killer and makes great energy for cleansing) and shake before use.

Sound cleansing: This is my personal favorite, and the one I personally use most often. Soundwaves are powerful energies that physically move through the air and push against things. So they’re great for using to clear out some grimy energy left over from the old year. I use a gong, but you can use bells, clapping, singing, chanting, stomping, an instrument, anything that makes noise. Just be aware of your noise laws in your area and be courteous to those around you. Go around the room with your noise-maker of choice, and send the old energy packing.

If you’re living in a space with a yard, you can do these things out there too. Just be aware of the animals and plants living out there and don’t disturb them or other peoples’ property. And to finish it off, if you’re using something you know is safe for your body, go ahead and use it on yourself. Or just try the next thing on this list.

The Cleansing Bath

This one is safe for you, your kids, and even (most of) your pets! I try to ring in the new year by taking a dip in a nice, hot bath. Usually, I’m in there when the clock strikes midnight. They say what you’re doing at the start of the year is how you’ll spend the year. So I figure starting with a little self-care and a clean spirit is the way to go.

Intention: To clean away my old energy, so that I can start fresh.

First, I have a shower. In Shinto, you can preform a cleansing ritual by reciting a prayer in running water (Reverend Koichi Barrish of the Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America has written about how to do this in a shower) after going through some exercises. While I don’t recommend Misogi for all witches, I do recommend getting clean. Sitting in the bath while dirty can actually cause infections. So scrub down, and wash away the literal filth on your skin and hair. Say whatever prayer, or spell, that you feel needs said to help cleanse your energy as well. For a nondenominational one, I offer:

“With these hands I wipe away that which no longer serves me. May the energy I cast off be taken back to the earth from whence it came, and be purified and renewed. May I be clean and open to greater things.”

Rinse off until the water is running clear and all the soap is out of the bottom of the tub. Rinse off the tub, too.

Fill the tub, put some epsom and sea salt in the bottom, and have a soak. Let your muscles relax, and just enjoy some quiet time to yourself to reflect, express gratitude, and welcome joy and abundance into your life for the year to come. This step is safe for kids and pets. However, if you choose to add any herbs or essential oils, please research them before doing so to make sure they won’t cause harm to little or furry/feathered/scaly bodies. And never let anyone drink bath water; no, not even you.

If you don’t have a tub, just the shower will do.

New Years Toast

This one is super simple, and relatively common for witches and non-practitioners alike.

Intention: A wish for the new year.

Make a toast to the new year, and make a wish. Take a sip to welcome that wish into you. Some witches choose to mull their New Year’s wine or enchant a bottle of champagne. For people like me who can’t drink (I’m allergic to alcohol), I recommend sparking juice or cider to get that fancy feeling and party vibe. But my New Years is always at home and relatively quiet, so I usually just have a nice, hot tea.

Renewing the Wards

Some witches renew their wards regularly with the change of the seasons, or every month. I’m more of a New Year’s kind of guy. The first day of the year, I go around the house and renew and revamp my wards. In some traditions this goes over every opening to the outside world (doors leading outside, windows, ect.), in some they’re strung along every wall, and in others they’re placed in every corner. However you ward is up to you, but here’s a few ideas:

Intention: To protect my home from malicious entities, misfortune, and detrimental energy.

Ladders: A witches ladder is a cord made of knots, braids, and ties. It can have objects knotted in, and each knot is enchanted with an intention. Hang it in corners or above openings to put it to use.

Talismans: Talismans are enchanted objects, which are given a specific purpose or function. They are usually handmade and can be placed around the home in discreet but high-traffic areas as a guard.

Thoughtforms: Thoughtforms are a type of man-made spirit, created by the practitioner and fed in a very specific way. They can be stationed as guards to the home. However, when making a thoughtform, please be very precise about its function, abilities, and intelligence. Thoughtforms that have gotten out of control are often confused for poltergeists, as some with free-will have been known to adopt malicious behaviors. This is not always the case, but careful programming of your thoughtform before releasing it out into the world is always a good practice to have.

Energy Stringing: Gifted energy witches can often “string” their energy around their home to create walls, fences, or other types of barriers. These wards are known to be powerful, but tend to last for less time, and they can exhaust the practitioner.

Calling on Spirits: Some practitioners choose to entrust their protection to spirits. This is up to you, but remember that these protections are only as powerful as the spirits holding the fort. There will always be a more powerful spirit somewhere in the astral. Be prepared for the possibility of meeting them and have a back-up plan.

Make sure that you make rules for any visitors within your wards. Decide who can and can’t pass through them, the means by which they do so, and what they’re allowed to do inside. You wouldn’t have a human guest over without some rules, don’t have spirits over without rules either.

I use a mix of several of these methods, plus a few of my own, to create some pretty hardy wards that last all year, but get an extra tune-up from me at Summer Solstice. Pick what works for you, and get really good at it.

Make a Resolution

No, not one you’re going to give up on. This is not a “I’ll lose weight” kind of resolution. Set a resolution that encourages personal growth. Here’s some examples:

“This year I will address my trauma.”

“This year I will assess my privilege and personal bias, and challenge the societal structures that created them.”

“This year I will explore what magic means to me.”

“This year I will seek the divinity within myself, and bring it out into the world for others to witness as well.”

“This year a will seek to meet new people from other walks of life.”

Wherever you see the need for growth in your life, make a resolution that will put that at the forefront of your personal journey. There is nothing but magic in learning about ourselves and empowering ourselves with the ability to grow, change, and become more like what we wish to see in the world. Magic has always been about empowering us in situations where we feel as though we have no control.

I hope this wall of text helps you find some magic in the new year! May 2020 bring us happiness, hope, good health, good fortune, and abundance.

Jake