Robot Cleaners for Your Home

They sweep. They mop. They vacuum. They even clear land mines. They used to be the stuff of science fiction, but today, they are reality.

For house cleaning,office cleaning, and yes, even for land mine and booby trap clearing - there are robot cleaners you can rely on. And what a boon to land mine cleaners they have been!

iRobot

Some of the first robot cleaners were created by iRobot. Company co-founder Helen Greiner narrates that the idea began when she was still studying computer science and electrical and mechanical engineering at MIT.

She said, "At a university, when the project ends, you wind up with a robot graveyard. I wanted a place where we could jump from theoretical research to products so that we could make a real industry."

Today, iRobot is one of the best known manufacturers of robot cleaners. And though their most familiar products are the house and office cleaners, the robot that really saves the most lives is the mine field clearer, the PackBot.

The Packbot's job is to defuse land mines and booby traps left behind in former war areas. One of its first assignments was in the dark caves of Afghanistan. They have been so useful to soldiers that these men actually give their PackBots nicknames.

"A Marine brought Scooby Doo, his blown-up PackBot, into the depot in Iraq. Only its head had survived," Greiner recalled. "The Marine credited it with saving him and his buddies several times in 17 last missions."

But battles are not only fought by soldiers. They are now fought by domestic and professional cleaners as well.

For home and office cleaning, iRobot has Roomba, a robot that vacuums; Scooba, who washes floors; and Looj, for cleaning gutters.

More robot cleaners

In recent years other robot cleaners have been launched. Neato and Electrolux Trilobite are a few examples of vacuum cleaning robots similar to Roomba. The Evolution Mint, on the other hand, sweeps and mops.

The main difference between these robots is how they navigate around the room and their cleaning ability. Roomba, for instance, was not designed for deep-pile carpet, while Trilobite is.

Neato's navigation method maps an area with its sensors before proceeding to clean it, starting from the perimeter, moving inward. Evolution Mint, on the other hand, maps the ceiling as well, to make sure no part of the room is missed, then simply navigates around the blockages on the floor.

These mapping methods assure that the robot cleaners pass evenly through all areas of the room, for quicker cleaning.

Other robots that do not map out a room, on the other hand, just rely on avoiding obstacles instead - something like the bump cars kids play with. This means they could end up passing through some areas several times and in some areas only once.

Now this can be a good thing because if an area is passed by more than once, that means the cleaning is more thorough - in that area. What some people may not like with this navigation method, though, is that it definitely results in a longer home or office cleaning time compared to that of a robot cleaner that passes through an area only once. Some office cleaning in London is already done by robots made by Subaru, although at this stage they only sweep and vacuum.

Robot cleaners are definitely the future and are becoming more advanced and efficient all the time. It is literally only a matter of time before we all have one helping us around the home or office.

Prevent Today's Water Damage From Becoming Tomorrow's Mold Problem

Heavy rains in the spring push rivers across the US to flood levels. Many states have been hit hard and left many communities waterlogged. Flooded basements and increased dampness can cause homeowners more than just water damage. The lingering effects of water damage can lead to future mildew and mold growth. Left untreated, they can quickly become a health hazard.

Flooded, wet or even damp basements or rooms can become a breeding ground for mold. Even after all the visible water has dried or been pumped away, hidden areas can still remain damp and create the conditions that allow mold spores to grow and thrive.

Mildew and mold spores only need a few days of the proper conditions to begin growing. They need nothing more than moisture and a food source, such as wood or sheet rock, to grow and spread. Any organic material, including carpets, can be a food source.

When mold spores are in the environment in sufficient quantities, they can present a human health hazard. Black mold, or Stachybotrys chartarum, can cause both short term and long-term health problems. "Toxic mold" refers to the type of molds that produce mycotoxins. Not all black molds are toxic, but any mold within a home is unhealthy.

Symptoms from mold infestation can include heightened allergies or allergic reactions, asthma flare-ups, bronchitis, sinus congestion, headaches and immune system disorders. Small children, infants, the elderly, and people with existing health problems are more susceptible to the health problems related to mold exposure.

The best thing a homeowner can do after a flood or water incident is to have a water damage company professionally dry out the house. Water should be pumped out as soon as possible. High-speed fans and other technology can be safely and efficiently dry out the area. Then the area should be disinfected to prevent the future growth of mold spores.

Just because you might not see any mold after a cleanup, it does not mean that all the mold is gone. If residents in a home start to feel cold or flu-like symptoms over an extended time period, the may be the allergic effects of hidden mold spores. To go back and remove mold that has grown after water has been removed become a much more expensive project than if it had been performed correctly in the first place.

If floodwater is removed quickly, it can save homeowners the expense of a more expensive mold remediation job down the road.

Pajama Pants - How To Care For Silk Pajama Pants

Silk pajama pants and lounge pants are a luxurious addition to your evening routine. However, when it comes time to wash your pants, you want to make sure that you're treating them in a way that will ensure that your garment will last for a long time.

The first thing to do when finding out how to care for your silk clothing is to check for the instructions on the garment tag. Here, the manufacturer will provide you with the best way to care for your garment. However, if there is no tag, or you can no longer read the text or symbols on the label, here are some general guidelines for caring for silk. Please note that above all, you should use your own common sense and consult a professional cleaner if you're unsure. I am not responsible for any issues associated with mishaps while cleaning your silk garments.

Before washing your silk garments, first perform a spot test with some water and mild soap in an inconspicuous area of the garment. If the color runs or the garment is otherwise affected, take it for professional cleaning and do not wash it at home.

Some silk pajama pants and lounge pants can be washed in a washing machine. However, to keep them looking their best, it's ideal to hand wash these garments instead of throwing them in a washing machine. Hand wash your garment with cool water and a mild soap. Be gentle when washing your garment -- do not wring or let it soak for a long time. Silk is a delicate fabric, so treat it carefully.

Empty the soapy water and rinse your garment in fresh cool water with a bit of white vinegar added to it. Vinegar works to help remove the soap residue from the garment. Empty the water and rinse again with plain cool water. Do not wring out the garment to remove excess water. Instead, roll it in a clean, dry towel.

When drying silk, do not use heat or place in direct sunlight, as this can damage the delicate fibers. If you must machine dry, then use the air-dry setting that uses no heat. The preferable method is to hang the garment to dry in a location that will not receive direct sunlight.

If you need to iron your garment, do so while it is still damp, on the wrong side of the fabric. Use the lowest setting on your iron -- most irons have a "silk" setting.

Pajama Pants - How To Care For Cotton Pajama Pants

Cotton is a wonderful, soft, easy care fabric that is great for clothing such as pajama pants and lounge pants. It's a durable material that is easy to wash and dry. When caring for your cotton clothing and for all clothing in general, the best thing to do is to follow the instructions that the manufacturer provides in the garment tag. However, if the tag has been removed or is now unreadable, here are some general guidelines for caring for cotton clothing (please also use your own common sense, though, as I am not responsible for any mishaps that occur when caring for your clothing).

Cotton is a very easy fabric to dye. Therefore, the first thing you want to do is make sure you separate the colored clothing from the white clothing. It's easy to think that you can get away with washing them together if the colored clothing has been washed enough times that the colors no longer run. However, washing whites with colors has a tendency to make the white clothing dingy. To keep your whites looking bright and new, make sure to wash them in a load of their own. If you wash your pajama pants or lounge pants in a washing machine, set the water temperature to warm.

If the cotton garment has been preshrunk, then it is safe to dry in the dryer. However, if the garment has not been preshrunk, then you run the risk of it shrinking to the point of not fitting properly. If you're not sure whether or not your pajama pants have been preshrunk, it's best to assume that they haven't been. You don't want to find that your favorite pants, still warm from the dryer, are now too tight or that the bottom hems now come up to mid-calf.

If you can machine dry your pajama pants, then tumble dry on the low setting. If you're not sure and don't want to risk shrinking, then hang them out on a clothesline. If you don't have a clothesline, you can also hang them over a shower curtain rod or lay them on a drying rack.

Cotton wrinkles easily, so remove the garment from the dryer as soon as possible after drying. If you forget and leave them in the dryer to the point of wrinkling, don't worry. An iron will take care of the wrinkles quickly and easily. Your iron should have a cotton setting -- if you have a steam iron, it will be one of the steam settings. If you don't have a steam iron, then take a spray bottle of water and mist the garment so it is damp before ironing.

Some Simple Tips for Increasing the Lifespan of Your Vacuum Cleaner

Keeping your vacuum maintained is something that people tend to forget in order to keep it running effectively. However, there are some simple things that can ensure you keep your vacuum running effectively and don't have to replace it sooner than you expected.

Cleaning a brush roll of a vacuum, washing or replacing its filters or emptying the dirt container could add years to your vacuum's life span. By looking after your brush roll on a regular basis, will ensure that it continues to work effectively for you.

Make sure that when you are using the vacuum that you do not inadvertently switch it off by the plug at the wall, as it could cause damage to the vacuum. Make sure you switch it off at the vacuum's on/off switch first and foremost.

Ensure that you don't run over hard items such as coins that lie on the floor. By vacuuming over these items, you could inadvertently crack or chip the fan blade inside your vacuum cleaner without realizing. So it is a good idea to check over the floor before vacuuming it to ensure that there aren't any hard or sharp objects lying on it.

Don't use your vacuum anywhere else than where it's supposed to be used. They are designed to be used in particular environments and for particular purposes. For example, dry vacuums are not supposed to pick up wet spills.

Try not to lift a vacuum by its electrical power cable. By picking it up by its cord you can cause it damage and cause it to short circuit. The electrical risk of using a vacuum with a damaged cord is pretty high so make sure you treat your vacuum cord with the respect due to it.

If you are using an extension cable with you vacuum, make sure the extension cable has the right wattage that can cope with the output a vacuum cleaner produces. Consider what extension cable you use with the vacuum to ensure that no risks are extenuated because of this.

When you are checking the brush roll for damage of to see if something is stuck inside it, ensure that you turn off the vacuum and unplug it before you do this. If they are active when you are doing this, then they could cause damage to you or anything they come into contact with so it is important that they are stationary and not active when you are checking them out so as to keep you safe from harm.

Save Your Business Cash by Using a Cleaning Company

Using a cleaning company can save any business a great deal of money in a given month. Cleaning services help a business office to focus on its work, rather than have to become distracted with cleaning duties. For an employee of a business, cleaning an office can be an activity that greatly impedes on the overall productivity of a business.

A professional cleaning service can also make the office place healthier for employees. All too often, when employees are responsible for cleaning a work area, they forget to sterilize various parts of the office. A cleaning company is well versed in what it takes to sanitize a workplace and make it completely sanitary. In the harsh winter months, having a clean office place can truly pay dividends. When an office place is free of germs, then a business will not have to worry about employees getting sick and having to miss work.

Another reason to use a professional cleaning service is for the effect it can have on customers. Customers notice when an office place has been professionally cleaned and is taken care of. Any business will appear to take pride in itself when it uses a commercial cleaner. When a business does not use a cleaning company, customers can often notice. Perhaps minor debris ends up on the floor or desks simply do not appear as clean as possible. This can be a poor reflection of a business, and it is the duty of any business to avoid this negative image. For the business that cares about its image and reputation, having a clean office is the first step to achieving that positive image.

A commercial cleaner will end up having an effect on the morale of workers as well. Employees simply feel happier when they are working within a clean office place. Employees will also feel less stressed, meaning they can focus better on their tasks and work at hand. By hiring a commercial cleaner, a business is actually investing in the mental health and well being of its employees. Hiring cleaning services also shows that a business truly cares about its employees. Employees will have more motivation to be productive for companies that have an interest in their well being.

Overall, office cleaning services can greatly contribute to the increased profitability of any company by upholding a positive image for a company. Cleaning services are a great investment for any company.

Smart Cleaning Products Come In All Shapes And Sizes

Without a doubt the smart cleaning products on the market mainly encompass the products that stop any stains and other marks appearing before they become a problem, and not the ones that help to sort it out after it has happened. Surely the aim should be prevention and not cure, as this saves so much time in the long run - if everyone followed this mantra then they would have so much more free time in their lives.

The garage floor mat is the first of these smart cleaning products, as it catches oil and other liquids before they have the chance to hit the floor and cause stains. This makes it perfect to use when the homeowner knows that they will make mess when completing a job - such as fixing a car. Removing oil stains is one of the most stressful and long winded jobs that anyone can do, so any way that can prevent this job from occurring has to be a good idea.

These garage floor mats can be quite large though - which often precludes them from being used in spaces that aren't very large. Have no fear though, as miniature garage floor mats can be bought as well, all of which are perfect for areas such as sheds and cupboards. The other advantage is that they come at a much cheaper price than the larger models - meaning the homeowner has extra money to spend on other useful cleaning products.

Should a homeowner not want to have a mat on the floor at all times of the day, then a perfect solution would be clay granules. These smart cleaning products can be tipped on to the floor before any messy work is carried out and will absorb any liquid that falls on to them. When the work is finished, all the homeowner needs to do is simply brush them away and therefore return to having a clean floor again.

Hurricane socks are also another great tool for preventing mess before it starts, as they are an absorbent sock that catches liquids before they manage to spread even further through the room. They are great for areas that are prone to water seeping in under doors, as well as being fantastic to use when needing to cordon off an area so as to keep it clean. They are also a great solution for homes that find a lot of window moisture trickling down on to their window sill regularly - which can surely be classed as one of the smartest cleaning products around!

While prevention of marks and stains is undoubtedly better than cure, there are a number of possibilities within the home when stains and other marks could form. This means that the homeowner will need to find some smart cleaning solutions that can clear the mess quickly and without too much effort. Fortunately there are a number of these types of products on the market currently.

The sorbent pad is probably the best known of these and is the one that most people turn to in the event of a serious spillage - either in the home or in the garage. The fact that it is just so unbelievably absorbent means that it can be used on any liquid - including ones that are corrosive. They are also incredibly cost effective, as only one or two need to be used per spillage.

As can be seen there are a number of smart cleaning products available on the market - whether they prevent or cure a mess that has been made. There are many places to find them, but undoubtedly the cheapest way is to search online for the nearest supplier.