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.

The 5 Spring Cleaning Tasks That Matter Most

LearnVest — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:15:53 PDT

Not sure how to get started on Spring cleaning? LearnVest shares the cleaning tasks you should tackle first.

The phrase “Spring cleaning” evokes images of turning the house inside out, scouring every corner, and banishing every last particle of dust.

But let’s be real: it’s hard to find the time for scouring, much less banishing.

And your time is valuable.

Keeping that in mind, we’ve put together the five cleaning tasks with the most impact - the most “bang for your buff,” if you will. (Although none of them require actual buffing.)

Make Spring Cleaning Fun and Efficient

To help you master this lean, mean Spring cleaning, we turned to the experts.

Two Expert Tips

Historically, Spring cleaning comes from the time before central air and heating, when windows were shut all Winter and opened in the Spring. “People couldn’t do a lot of their cleaning while stuck inside. Now, with proper ventilation, we can clean any time of the year,” said Melissa Homer, chief cleaning officer of MaidPro. “Spring is just traditional.”

Before getting down to the nitty-gritty, she shared her expert tips.

“Don’t expect to blow through everything in a single weekend,” said Homer. “By the time Sunday night comes around, you won’t be able to even think about another sponge.” Instead, plan a set, limited amount of time each week for a month: “I always do Sunday afternoons,” she said.

Then work from room to room. ”People are resistant to the idea of cleaning when they think they have to cover the whole house,” Homer explained. “Start with the rooms you use most.” Instead of vacuuming your whole house, finish everything in the living room before moving on to the next room. "Then your living space will be cleaner, and the results will inspire you to keep going,” she said.

We all know the benefits of a clean, clutter-free home: your life feels in order, and you feel primed to achieve your goals - all of them, not just the ones involving a mop.

Here’s how to get started.

1. Clear Clutter

“The single most effective thing people can do when Spring cleaning is organize,” Homer said. “First, throw out everything that can be discarded. There’s less clutter, so it looks better right away, but there will also be fewer things to be cleaned.” Although it’s tempting to dive in and start scrubbing (after all, these color-coded microfiber cloths are pretty inspiring), you’ll move more slowly with clutter in your way. Homer recommended Target for effective, inexpensive organization systems. “It’s hard to keep things organized when everything doesn’t have its own place. Investing in proper storage makes a huge difference,” she said.

Read on for more.

Making Spring Cleaning Enjoyable and Efficient With These 9 Tips

LearnVest — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 03:05:37 PDT

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

Spring is in the air.

OK, fine. It’s just the unseasonably warm winter.

But we’re looking ahead to one of our favorite seasons, and nothing will make us better prepared to enjoy it than some serious Spring cleaning.

Looking around and seeing your sparkling living room, free of dust bunnies at last, is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. And as we all know, happier people are less stressed and more productive, not to mention good for the economy. Besides, a clean house frees your mind to focus on more important things.

Ten Spring Cleaning Tools For Under $10

But because no one wants to spend hours scrubbing when the sun is finally starting to show its face, and the whole family just wants to be outside, we want to maximize your Spring cleaning - with expert tips that will save you time, toil, and money.

So we spoke with Melissa Homer, chief cleaning officer at MaidPro, for an efficient, organized, and - dare we say - fun start to a much fresher Spring.

1. Get Great Deals

The best part about keeping your eye out ahead of time is that you’ll have a chance to get the best deals on staples like soap and sponges. Create a Spring cleaning envelope to hold coupons for products you’ll need, and leave the envelope in your purse or the glove compartment of your car so it travels with you wherever you go. Go ahead and set up a filter or folder in your email to keep track of electronic offers and coupons, too.

Read on for more.

How To: Get Your iPad Ready For Resale

Kristy Korcz — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 11:35:28 PST

The iPad 3 (or iPad HD is being announced tomorrow, and if you're ready to upgrade from your first-gen iPad or iPad 2, now's the time to sell. 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.

31 Days of Spring Cleaning: Clean Your Camera Lenses

Kristy Korcz — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 11:58:07 PST

You take your camera anywhere - the park, the beach, the office - and it's probably shoved in your bag most of the time, attracting dust, dirt, and whatever else is lurking in the depths of your tote. How often do you clean your camera lenses? The window to your world, your lens is one of the most important pieces of your DSLR. Ensure it's tidy and shiny with these five cleaning and care tips.

Store your gear properly - One of the best ways to keep your lenses in tip-top shape is to store them properly when not in use. Keep your lenses in a cool, dry place, and if you store them in a photography bag, toss in a few silica packets to keep the moisture away. Always keep your lens caps on when stored, and consider keeping them in lens bags to keep them scratch-free.
Use a filter - Keeping a UV filter on your lens is the first step against damage, as it prevents scratches but also protects your lens from harmful UV rays.
Keep a stock of microfiber cloths - Just like your phone, your lens sometimes needs a good wiping down. Make sure your cloth is clean before wiping down the lens. The last thing you want to do is scratch your lens surface with a dirty, grimy cloth!
Consider lens-cleaning fluid - You can find lens-cleaning fluid and lens tissues in your local photography shop, and while some may seem pricey, the good news is you don't need a ton for it to be effective. Just a few sprays of fluid on your lens tissues should do the trick to lift dirt and smudges.
The LensPen - I keep a LensPen in my camera bag for on-the-go cleanings. With a brush on one end and a soft curved sponge on the other, you can keep your lens clean and dust-free from anywhere.

31 Days of Spring Cleaning: Clean Your Cell Phone

Kristy Korcz — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 11:32:47 PST

Neglecting to clean your cell phone is a nasty tech habit to break this year. Cell phones have been proven to carry bacteria, germs, even feces. Yes, feces. If there's one new routine to create for yourself this Spring, it's keeping that smartphone shiny and clean. Your health will thank you. Check out a few of our tech-friendly tips to clean that gadget, below.

Cleaning your touch screen smartphone 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 ($21) will ensure you won't damage your phone's sensitive bits. Use the included microfiber cloth (or one of your own) and shine that baby up.
If you don't want to spring for a special formula, a 40/60 alcohol-to-water mixture on solid phone parts and keyboards should be OK for your devices (use a damp cloth and/or cotton swab for small and hard-to-reach places). However you do not want to use any sort of alcohol, ammonia, or harsh cleaning agent on touch screens.
If you're in a pinch and want to quickly rid your phone of dirty crevices and fingerprints, use a piece of Scotch Tape to peel away dirt and dust in between keys, and rid your phone of fingerprints. Perfect for when you're at the office (without a microfiber cloth), but unfortunately it won't help the germ situation.
Serious germaphobes can ensure a clean device with the UV Cell Phone Sanitizer ($50), which wipes your device clean of 99.9 percent of strep, E. coli, salmonella, listeria, and H1N1 viruses in three minutes flat. Just drop it in once a day for germ-free surfing and calling.

In the mood to refresh your tech life? Here's nine more bad tech habits to break this Spring!

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.