Ahhh!~ Happy new year friends. Wishing you the very best in 2018. So far it’s been off to an interesting start for us. Our heat was out for two days and that was not fun. Fortunately, the upstairs heater was working and that is where I was spending most of my days. It gave me the opportunity to start organizing and cleaning. In a few short years my husband and I plan on downsizing and more than likely moving. I wouldn’t mind a town home or perhaps a condo, or small ranch style home, near a beach:) We absolutely love our home and love where we live but I feel when we are empty nesters we will be looking for new chapters within our own life. This in turn means getting things in order and clean home happenings. We have been doing a little general maintenance check around here. Cleaning out air filters, changing smoke detector batteries, changing light bulbs, cleaning the fridge, self cleaning the oven and just all those little things we tend to neglect or not think of day to day to do. Let’s face it, those aren’t fun tasks.
If you have been long time reader you may already know that we don’t have much carpeting in our home anymore. You can read why I chose to rid our carpets HERE. That however, does not mean I don’t have to vacuum anymore. I still have carpet runners, wood floors and area rugs, and let’s not forget my little Lucy bug pug! Lucy sheds this time of year something terrible like a bear. Her fur looks like dust bunnies floating around on the floor that land in the corners of course, and I feel like I have to chase them. With that said, I vacuum at least every other day.
This post is sponsored by Arm & Hammer™. All opinions are my own honest review.
Just like our other general appliances in our homes need maintenance so do our vacuum cleaners. I actually have two vacuum cleaners. We have a central vac, and then I have my lightweight every day vacuum. Believe it or not even though we have little carpet in our home I still find myself having to vacuum at least every other day. Most vacuums today are bag-less, which is nice, however, you get to see all that you pick up. It’s actually quite alarming. If you own a vacuum with a bag here are some general rules of thumb you should follow to keep your vacuum in good suction mode to maintain a clean and healthy home. Most people don’t realize how often you should change that bag, belt and filter. It’s one of those things out of sight, out of mind. Some vacuums however have an indicator light alerting you it’s time to change your bag. If that be the case, please don’t ignore it. You vacuum may let out a somewhat musty order. That too is a red flag. A full vaccum bag or clogged filter can inhibit your vacuum’s power, which in turn will reduce suction, and leave allergens and dust behind. Arm & Hammer™ recommends replacing your vacuum bags every 1-2 months, and the filter at least every 3 to 6 months. If you start noticing your vacuum is losing suction, these are your first troubleshooting check marks.
Some vacuums require a filter. Arm & Hammer™ HEPA filters help trap particles 75 times smaller than a human hair, including almost 100% of dust mites, pet dander, molds and pollen.
Your filter is essential to maintain as well. Once the air has been cleaned of large particles it still needs to pass through a filter to finish cleaning the air before it is expelled from the vacuum. Because a lot of people suffer with allergies and asthma, this is one small observation to be aware of. It really can make a difference. Our older son has allergies to dust, and I have always been mindful of changing our bags and filters. If your filter is washable, after a few washes you may notice it is less effective at capturing dust and allergens. Use Arm & Hammer™ filters and never have to worry again. Arm & Hammer™ Premium Allergen Synthetic vacuum bags are specially designed of synthetic material to help capture even more allergens and pet dander.
And let us not forget under the couch cushions. There are days I do forget to check under there and my last episode of cleaning, I could have knitted a blanket of fuzz and dog dander. Arm & Hammer™ makes a range of bags and filters to fit almost any style, brand and model vacuum.
Needless to say that very day I emptied my vacuum and will be ready for the next day to start all over. Keeping up is the hard part:)
Having our home all cleaned up after the Holidays feels good. Did I mention glitter everywhere? Yes, that too got all sucked up.
Happy Mom, happy wife and happy family not sneezing and sniffles all over.
Thanks for popping in today. I hope this inspires you to get cleaning, and you remember these simple little tips to keep your home and environment clean and fresh. Not to mention your vacuum running for years to come. Arm & Hammer™ bags and filters can be purchased at any Walmart store near you, or Walmart.com, HERE for your convenience.
I had to laugh at your plan to downsize one day. My husband and I have been married 47 years, and, in all that time, we have had a total of 2 1/2 years living alone. Our first year, then 3 six month periods where someone moved out and then another moved in. My kids keep telling me to take the vacancy sign off the roof. I have 4 children. Over the years, they have moved in while houses were being built, marriages ended, my mom as she got to frail to be on her own. Adult grandchildren, who needed some help getting on the right track. I have a revolving door. Right now, my son, his wife and 3 children are here waiting for their dream home. I keep telling them I am selling when they move out. They all laugh. I think the only downsizing I’ll do is a pine box. I am getting my shovel out to clean this house again. May all your dreams come true. Mine did!
Donna that is funny! I will always have extra bedrooms:) I told our boys that. I will have two extra bedrooms for when they have families someday to visit. Happy New year to you. Stay warm and safe out there.
Thank you for this post …. my vac needs cleaned and looked at all Your home is beautiful
Interesting that we are doing the same, being housebound with these frigid. Temps
We have been cleaning and doing all the things so when spring hits i’ll Be ready
To get outside for all those jobs. It’s been a long cold winter already. Enjoy reading
Your blog and tips.
Thank you Debbie for the vacuum filters; I have neglected that!! Just finished vacuuming this morn so when I get up from my laptop…….1st thing I plan to do is check that hepa. I have allergies so I should be more diligent. Thank you Debbie. Happy New Year to you and yours.
You are welcome Carol!
I’ve been thinking about getting one of those lightweight battery operated vacuums for the inbetweem Days instead of lugging my heavy vacuum out. We have all wood floors too with karastan rugs down . Not sure how efficient they are
Check out the different brands and read the reviews. I am sure there are good ones out there. I believe Shark makes a good one too.
Can I use the arm and hammer vacuum powder I have a shark bag less vacuum with filters. I worry it will clog or ruin the filter ? Thank you
Hi Kim, I don’t see why not, as long as you are changing out the filter accordingly you should have no issues.
Hi Debbie!
So nice stumbng acrollss your site. Your living room looks very cozy and beautiful – congrats!
I saw your Dollar Tree decoration tips and I thought, “oh my here is a kindred spirit!” LOL.
I would have bought a dozen of those snowflakes on your manrle! but I just got one in navt blue and put it on my front door for Christmas.
Bless your heart vacuuming every other day! I hope the rest of the family staying with you pitches in.
I have a one-bedroom apartment and two cats and a bad back!
But I absolutely love the look of a nice cleaned vacuumed swept and mopped home.
What I have been doing is I take the filter out wash it with bleach vinegar hot water soap whatever is on hand.
Then I let it sit outside for a day or two to dry out.
Eventually I will need to buy a new one but for now when money is tight – that’s got to do!
You just reminded me though I need to go underneath to the mouse and cut out any hair (ew)
I never bothered to look down there and it does make such a difference.
I will follow you on Facebook and look forward to any tips tricks or cleaning hacks that I can get! 🙂
May you have a Happy and Blessed New Year <3
Thank you Sarah so much! Happy New year to you as well.
One of my resolutions this year was to keep my home cleaner and more organised. To date, I’ve kept to it, but it isn’t a patch on yours!