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Many, many moons ago, I cleaned houses. I use commercial products when I can. For me, a commercial dust mop is more economical than a Swiffer duster, but I'm one of those frugal gals. I can certainly understand why someone with a small kitchen or bath would want a Swiffer. They are very handy.
I feel like I'm in the movie Groundhog Day and I have to keep cleaning until I get it right.
Know that feeling. I've been doing dishes since I could stand on a chair and reach the sink. And washing since floors before that. With no end in sight.
At one time I had an index card system with various chores and some wild cards (read a book, take a nap, etc.) to make it interesting. Alas, I just reshuffled the deck until the house was a fright. Read a ton of books that summer though.
We installed a central vac system in the last two homes we've lived in. Love them. They suck up dog hair like you wouldn't believe. Easy, easy to carry the hoses around. No fussing with bags or emptying the canisters, either. Once a month, I just dump the main canister.
I also use those wet surface wipes from Costco. I use them to do a quick clean up in the bathrooms. They work pretty well. They are larger than other ones and two of the four packs have a scrubby side. Perfect for wiping down kitchen counters and cleaning sinks.
Okay - now I am fascinated! I have real problems at this mountain house with vacuuming. Things are so close together - I can hardly get myself between the fridge and kitchen island, much less a vac. The hand held vacs I have gotten over the years (or the "stick" type) never seem to have much suction. So I am going to check out the Ergorapido. I need something lightweight and easy to use in corners, in between furniture, etc.
To be honest, here at this small house, I am a true slacker with getting in between things b/c I simply cannot do it with my cannister vac. And the dog hair really does find its way to all the corners here, lol.
So glad you mentioned the Ergorapido! Thank you for that tip!
The Ergorapido does have a small head. And it even works on our little bit of carpet -- those are low pile Flor tiles.
Here's my caveats. Any cordless vac is going to lack the suction power of a regular vacuum. What I've learned is that you move a little slower and give the Ergo a chance. That puppy picks up kitty kibble, and cat sand pretty well. It's sucked up little bits of paper. The other thing? Seems like on tile or vinyl floors all my vacuums scatter things around because the floor is slicker, and the brush roll spinning just flings stuff. Wood floors seem to have a grip to it and the vacs can pick up better on wood floors. Except the Meile I had -- that sucker hated wood floors.
Husband and I own a janitorial company so I've had lots of vacuuming experience over the past 16 years with various brands of vacuums. Panasonic, Oreck, Sanitaire, Dirt Devil, Meile, Sebo, Hoover... most of those are finds that we fix and use for a bit as backups -- then after a year, we end up tossing them, too.
I still bring home the Sebo every month to give the house a good cleaning -- that has the tools so I can vac out the picture molding, curtains, lampshades, and to turn the air blue from all the cussing about the cord...
For me, a commercial dust mop is more economical than a Swiffer duster, but I'm one of those frugal gals. I can certainly understand why someone with a small kitchen or bath would want a Swiffer. They are very handy.
I don't buy the swiffer cleaning clothes unless I find a really good sale. Flannel or old t shirts pick up lint and dust and pet hair just fine, and terry cloth makes a good wet mop. They attach easily to the swiffer apparatus. I like the thing because its light weight and stays clean.
I say "swiffer" the same way I say "kleenex". There are other brands that work on the same principle.
I don't buy the swiffer cleaning clothes unless I find a really good sale. Flannel or old t shirts pick up lint and dust and pet hair just fine, and terry cloth makes a good wet mop. They attach easily to the swiffer apparatus. I like the thing because its light weight and stays clean.
I say "swiffer" the same way I say "kleenex". There are other brands that work on the same principle.
For 'dusting' the floor, a regular size paper towel with a light spritz of Endust or even just water, does a fine job.
A spray bottle of whatever squirted on a dirtier floor and any old rags, as mentioned above, or old towels
cut to fit, reduces the need to give the kitchen/bathroom floor a good wash to seldom.
Grouted floors, especially light colors, are still a stand-up job with a Shop Vac.
Also, some true Dollar stores carry a decent enough substitute to the Swiffer cloths.
The problem with the swiffer and the regular mop is I still have to get down on hands and knees and maneuver the danged thing this way and that in the far reaches under the bed (because of the space configuration, I can only access under the bed from one side). The handles on anything are never long enough and so I reach my arm (shoulder along with it) way forward and even more, trying to get the spots that are actually unreachable. I've tried tying an additional handle to the mop handle but there's no control. Then I pull the mop out and dust is floating in the air into my lungs. Back to the vacuum, down on hands and knees, etc.
I think I have a solution, but it's a pricey one. Just now I thought of the discussion of pull-down Murphy beds on another thread in this forum. I'm going to go visit some showrooms and see what I can find. Perhaps I can get someone to build me one for less.
The problem with the swiffer and the regular mop is I still have to get down on hands and knees and maneuver the danged thing this way and that in the far reaches under the bed (because of the space configuration, I can only access under the bed from one side). The handles on anything are never long enough and so I reach my arm (shoulder along with it) way forward and even more, trying to get the spots that are actually unreachable. I've tried tying an additional handle to the mop handle but there's no control. Then I pull the mop out and dust is floating in the air into my lungs. Back to the vacuum, down on hands and knees, etc.
Why not just close off "under the bed" yourself ?
Build a plywood rectangle that fits under the bed frame on the floor, smaller than your bed frame so you won't bang your feet against it. Paint it the same color as your frame.
One trip to Home Depot with your measurements and they can cut the plywood right there for you.
And it can be the light plywood because it's not really holding up anything.
I can't tell you how proud I am to be the author of the 100th post on this thread!
Just think: 100 posts about dust under a bed!
Who says retirees don't lead exciting and vibrant lives?!
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