CasaSugar

"Boston Terror" Chronicles: North Vs. TubNub (and Microfiber Towel)

PetSugar — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 05:50:00 PDT

Although I like to think North is pretty neutral to bath time, his pals at Wag Hotel tell me he loved the hydromassage he got on his last stay. In an attempt to recreate that at home, I tested out the FURminator TubNub ($13) on my pooch. A rubbery tool with nubs to massage a pet, work in the shampoo, and stimulate hair follicles during bath time, North seemed to enjoy this easy massage and it left my other hand free to hold him steady.

I finished up his bath time with this Microfiber Towel ($18) - pretty and green, it was barely damp after I dried him off! Check out the products up close, and see how well they cleaned North's fur below!

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Nice and New: Fred and Friends Dust Bunny

CasaSugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 08:30:35 PDT

In the past, I've given you the lowdown on how to dust and where to dust . . . but what to dust with? Well, genuine ostrich down feather dusters are a-ok, but aside from that you should opt for microfiber towels. Wait. Scratch that. How about a microfiber bunny? That's right, the Fred and Friends Dust Bunny ($14.99) is made from "high-tech, dust-gathering, machine-washable, high-pile microfiber, right down to the fluffy chenille tail." And, you can wear it like a hand puppet! How can you argue with that? I mean . . . who ever said dusting couldn't be adorable?

Cut Cleaning Time With Microfiber Towels

CasaSugar — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 12:52:37 PDT

Recently on CasaSugar, we've been looking for ways to cut down on home cleaning time. Readers offered up their personal tips and had some great suggestions.

A few months ago, I switched to microfiber towels to clean my home's sinks, floors, windows, tabletops,and mirrors-basically, anywhere I'd previously been using rags or paper towels.

Microfiber is made up of millions of microscopic fibers, and it's also found in products like wicking workout clothing. But microfiber also works great as a household cleaning product. It doesn't leave streak marks on glass and it's also super absorbent. When they get dirty, just throw them in the washing machine. There's no need to dry them either-their wicking fiber means that a spin cycle will get them almost completely dry.

Method makes microfiber towels specifically for marble, wood, stainless steel, and glass. Best of all, I've found that the towels really do cut down on my cleaning time, so I have more time to concentrate on other fun home projects.

Have any of you Casa readers tried cleaning with microfiber towels?

Kena Kai Bandanas

FitSugar — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 02:30:00 PST

Hair (especially when it's drenched with sweat) can really get in the way of a good workout. Cotton bandanas just don't cut it for me and while I love wearing hats, I am not always in the mood.

Seeing a need for a bandana that is functional and cute, Kena Kai created Microfiber Bandanas ($17.99, for one 24"x 24" bandana) that are at least 5X more absorbent than cotton bandanas, are naturally more anti-bacterial than cotton and they're actually cute!

The Ultra Absorbent version is a slightly thicker bandana that will absorb up to a cup of water. The Ultra Fine bandana has a look and feel closer to a silk scarf, but a bit stiffer. The Ultra Fine is a perfect bandana for use under a helmet when biking or snowboarding. I think it would also be a great accessory to bring along for a long hike on a warm, sunny day. As an added bonus, those of you with newly dyed hair will agree, lots of outdoor activities can really fade the color so protecting those lovely locks of yours is a good idea. Buy them online directly from KenaKai.com.

Love Your Laptop: 8 Tips For Keeping it Healthy and Happy

Kristy Korcz — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 04:23:02 PST

Valentine's Day doesn't just have to be about giving affection to your significant other. It can be about showing your appreciation for the people and things that make your life awesome. Take your laptop, for example. Your window to the vast Internet, your laptop works really hard for you without asking much in return. Give your laptop a little TLC this Valentine's Day with these tips that will keep it happy and healthy all year long.

Clean it up - Giving your laptop (or desktop) a thorough cleaning is essential to extending its life. Back up any data you may already have stored (on an external hard drive or a portable flash drive), organize your desktop icons, empty your computer's trash on a regular basis, and clear out any programs you don't use. This will help free up space and keep you on the fast track to productivity.
Practice proper shutdown habits - Shutting down all open programs and putting your laptop to sleep instead of just closing the lid will help your computer stay cool and safe while in transport. But if you've had your laptop in a cold environment, let it warm up to room temps slowly before turning it on. This will keep condensation and dew at bay, which can ruin your computer's sensitive guts.
Protect your investment - If you're going to be lugging a laptop around, make sure it's protected in a padded case!

See the rest of my tips after the jump.

How To: Get Your iPad Ready For Resale

Kristy Korcz — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:48:28 PST

If the rumors are true, the iPad 3 should be announced in March. If you're ready to upgrade from your first-gen iPad or iPad 2, now's the time to start thinking about selling. But before you post a listing on Craigslist or eBay, get all your ducks in a row first. Here's a few tips on how to prep your gadget for resale, and get top dollar for your efforts.

Back up your data and do a clean sweep - First thing's first - make sure you connect your iPad to iTunes and back up all of your data. You'll be able to sync it with your new iPad after you bring it home. And just like a computer, before you sell your old tablet, you'll want to wipe it clean of any sensitive information, apps, and contact lists. Erasing all of your content and settings (go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings) is great, but go ahead and perform a full restore in iTunes as well.
Polish the exterior - Cleaning your old iPad is kind of like cleaning your LCD monitor - you don't want to use any harsh chemicals or, even more damaging, water. Using a tried-and-tested cleaner like iKlear ($30) will ensure you won't damage your iPad's sensitive bits. Use the included microfiber cloth (or one of your own) and shine that baby up.

To see the rest of my list, including tips on how to get your gadget sold quickly online, just keep reading.

The Quickest, Easiest Way to Combat Frizz

Jaime Richards — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 PST

Frizzed-out hair can be a result of a variety of things: humidity, dry weather, and too-hot styling tools, just to name a few. And while there are countless products on the market to keep frizz at bay, there's a quick and easy way to help stop the problem in its tracks: say no to regular towels and say yes to turban-style towels instead. To discover a few reasons you'll love them, read on.

Steve Jobs's Iconic Turtleneck Flying Off Shelves

Yahoo Shine — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 05:24:09 PDT

We're happy to present this article from one of our favorite sites, Yahoo! Shine:

Steve Jobs was famous for Macs, iPods, iPads, and black turtlenecks. The Apple co-founder loved his St. Croix mock turtlenecks and often wore them with Levi's 501 jeans, and New Balance 991 sneakers to keynote addresses when unveiling exciting new product launches to the public. That was his uniform. There’s no doubt of that Jobs was a beloved figure who had a major impact on society, still, we were amazed to learn that sales of his brand of black tops went through the roof after he passed away on Wednesday. In fact, the tech leader may have inspired a bona fide fashion trend: the return of turtlenecks! Keep on reading to find out how much they cost.

10 Ways to Prep Your Smartphone For Resale

Kristy Korcz — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 06:33:06 PDT

Today's the day gadget geeks are hoping the iPhone 5 is announced, and if you're planning on upgrading to the new device when it hits stores, you can save a few bucks by reselling your old device. Whether you've got an iPhone 3G, 3GS, or 4, here are some tips for making sure your phone is in tip-top reselling shape.

Back up your data and do a clean sweep - First thing's first - make sure you connect your iPhone to iTunes and back up all of your data. You'll be able to sync it with your new iPhone after you bring it home. And just like a computer, before you sell your old iPhone, you'll want to wipe it clean of any sensitive information, apps, and contact lists. Erasing all of your content and settings (go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings) is great, but go ahead and perform a full restore in iTunes as well.
Polish the exterior - Cleaning your old iPhone is kind of like cleaning your LCD monitor - you don't want to use any harsh chemicals or, even more damaging, water. Using a tried-and-tested cleaner like iKlear ($30) will ensure you won't damage your iPhone's sensitive bits. Use the included microfiber cloth (or one of your own), and shine that baby up.

To see the rest of my list, including tips on how to get your gadget sold quickly online, just keep reading.

The Best Way to Clean Expensive Wine Glasses

Katie Sweeney — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 03:41:34 PDT

When hosting a dinner party, I like to break out the good china, cloth napkins, and expensive stemware. Although I don't use them everyday, when people are over, I pour wine in Riedel or Waterford glasses. It makes the occasion seem more special. The only downside is having to wash the glasses at the end of the evening. The delicate glasses are easy to break - especially if you don't know the proper technique for washing them. Read on for my tips.