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The Best Vacuum Cleaners for Homes with Children

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The Best Vacuum Cleaners for Homes with Children

Having kids and pets around the house means that you need more than your average, run-of-the-mill vacuum cleaner, since you’ll be picking up way more than just dust; try fur, bits and pieces of paper, large crumbs of food, dirt from the garden ,and who knows what else (children always find a way to bring in a surprise every week). Overall, vacuuming with kids can be summed up by this Pinterest quote: “Cleaning with kids in the house is like brushing your teeth while eating Oreos”.

Like we said, your old vacuum might have been better suited for the job back when there were only a couple of adults living in the house and leaving an adult-grade mess behind, but now you’ll need to find something that packs a little more punch (or suck). Each of these entries has its own pros and cons, but all should prove heavy-duty enough for you.

(Most of these names are a mouthful, so you might want to follow the Amazon links if you wanna check up on prices.)

Oreck Commercial XL2100RHS

Let’s begin with what might be a surprise entry for some. The Oreck Commercial might not figure in most of the “Best Vacuum Cleaners” lists out there, but it more than proves its worth by offering an above-average cleaning capability, inexpensive replaceable bags, and perhaps more importantly, its ability to withstand continued use near and by rough-playing toddlers. It might not be allergy-friendly, but using air filters when you’re vacuuming will more than offset this problem.

You can find the Amazon listing here.

Bissell Powerglide Deluxe Pet w/ Lift-Off Technology

Perhaps the vacuum with the best sucking power out of all the ones listed here, the Bissell Powerglide Deluxe is an impressive, compact little fellow that can work its way through pet fur, food bits both large and small, and even the odd small pebble (although we don’t recommend you steer towards one if you do spot it on the floor). It’s not the smoothest when it comes to maneuvering around, so you might want to reconsider your furniture plan a bit if you go for this model.

Check it out on Amazon here.

Shark Rotator Professional Lift-Away (NV501PR)

One of the better all-around models for many reasons, the Shark Rotator will satisfy even the most demanding of cleaners and housekeepers. Offering great results with minimal effort, this upright vacuum has a large capacity dirt holder, great vacuuming power, long-reach cord, and a super-easy to clean filter that you can just throw into the wash with your mop heads. Perhaps the best, most distinguishing feature of this model is the hard floor tool that comes packaged with the vacuum, which makes it easier than ever to pick up hair and small-bits-filled toddler messes. The downside? It’s definitely a pricier option than any other entry on the list.

Look it up on Amazon here.

Hoover Air Pro Bagless Upright

While it might not be the best at sucking up crafting messes (such as large and small paper scraps), it’s definitely on par with the rest of our list when it comes to overall performance in every other aspect, including pieces of food, pet hair, and such. A very long and flat head means that it will easily go under couches, at least the part closer to the edges, where a lot of sneaky messes are formed, so that means no longer crouching next to every piece of furniture whenever you want to clean around them.

You can find it on Amazon here.

Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal + Allergy

Looking like a gizmo right out of a 50s sci-fi B-movie, this is actually an astoundingly powerful vacuum that will pick up even the largest chunks of discarded snacks and matted pet fur thanks to the strength of its hose. This literal oddball of a cleaning tool features no filters to wash or replace, promising instead that its design captures all the dust that usually clogs such things. It also has a tool that removes allergens from mattresses and upholstery, which is a nice extra. The downsides are its eye-widening price and how much heavier it is than other models.

Find it on Amazon right here.
All of these vacuums will offer you enough sucking power to get rid of most cleaning disasters caused by kids and pets alike, but you might want to consider a professional crew to pick up some of the slack if your hands are too full between work and parenting. It will lower your stress and leave your house tidy and fresh!

What Any Parent Should Avoid When Confronting a Pre-Teen

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What Any Parent Should Avoid When Confronting a Pre-Teen

Most people know from experience that the teenage and pre-teen years can be particularly hard on the relationship between parents and children. There’s no other point in both of their lives where attitudes and opinions differ more, which leads to defiance, rejection and even outright ridicule.

A preadolescent child is no longer the person they were just a year ago. They are changing at an alarming pace, both emotionally, socially and physically. It can be an overwhelming process, but it’s important to know that at this point, they need you more than ever. It won’t be easy, but knowing how to set a strong parent-child relationship while respecting their autonomy is necessary.

Here’s what you should know as a parent to confront your pre-teen carefully.

Taking their independence as rejection

At this age, your children will start relying more on their social circle for everything instead of their family, including your guidance.

So instead of being angry at their new independence, you should understand that it comes from a distance they create to accommodate more people into their life as they grow older.  

The key is to understand that the pre-teen years are the time when children start to actually have their own secrets, and it’s natural that they should want to keep them away from us. Being too inquisitive —or worse, showing low tolerance or a short temper about this— can alienate them from you. If you push too hard, you risk pushing them away entirely.

Expecting the worst every time

Yes, teenagers all through the ages have a reputation for getting in the worst kind of trouble for little (or no) reason at all, but it’s time to look at the role parents can be playing in this. A Wake Forest University study showed that, when you openly expect teens to partake in risky behavior, they are more likely to do so one year later. That is to say; if you constantly fear that your teens to make a mess of their lives and they pick up on this, they won’t feel that you trust them enough to do any different.

Dr. Richard Lerner, director of the Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development at Tufts University, advises parents to focus their attention into their child’s interests and hobbies, reinforcing your positive image of them. After all, a lack of real trust is one of the biggest teenage problems with parents.

Intervening in every little problem

It’s understandable that, as a parent, you want the life of your children to be as free from pain, disappointment, and mistakes as possible, even now that they’re teenagers. The thing is, well, mistakes and disappointment are a big part of life, even for adults! Don’t get us wrong, it is important that you try to teach them how to avoid it where possible, but the world is not going to end because a small problem arose from their own decisions, like a bad haircut, a little love disappointment, or taking ages to clean their room.

This doesn’t mean that you should be.

Ignoring the big problems

No matter the time or age, a parent’s two worst fears when it comes to teenagers are sex and drugs. Each of these subjects is usually part of a “big talk” that we have with our children, but it’s important to know that, even if close together, each teenager develops at their own speed, and we shouldn’t force this information until they are ready.

It’s key that you build a strong foundation with them and that you provide developmentally appropriate information and resources on sexuality, drug abuse and eating disorders instead of relying completely on a “big talk” that comes entirely from you. It will help them know that you have their best interest at heart instead of just denying them something outright.
One thing you should never forget during your children’s tween years is that, well, they won’t last forever! It’s a critical stage, and the way you handle it (and help them cope with it at the same time) will set a foundation for your future relationship that will be hard to change down the line. There’s no real secret on how to be a good parent to a teenager, but knowing hot to communicate is necessary at every step of the way.

The Best Mops and Sweepers for Spring Cleaning

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The Best Mops and Sweepers for Spring Cleaning

If you want a properly clean house, then you should invest in the best tools for the job. Fortunately, there are plenty of great options out there for both sweeping and mopping any type of floor. Prices vary, but you can be sure that you’re getting only the best in each area with any of these entries.

This list gives you the name and most notable features and characteristics of the best mops and sweepers we could find out there, but getting the best deal on them is up to you!

O-Cedar Microfiber Cloth Mop w/ Extendable Handle

A traditional floor mop can be a trusted ally precisely because it doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles since you can just pick it up and get to cleaning in seconds. This is also where the O-Cedar Microfiber Cloth Mop shines brighter than most mops since it’s suitable for all types of tile, but also hardwood, vinyl, and linoleum floors thanks to its very gentle head that can be washed up to 100 times. It’s also a really an affordable option, but don’t expect to use it for heavy-duty tasks.

Shark rechargeable floor and carpet sweeper

This cordless sweeper is very good at getting dust and debris out of carpets and makes the generally not-so-fun chore of sweeping into a very stress-free experience. With a container capacity of 1.8qt, it will take a few rounds of light cleaning before you have to empty the tank, which makes up for its 20-minute battery life. The design makes it very easy to sweep on both carpet and floors, and the edge-cleaning squeegee means that you won’t have any trouble picking up debris from the wall. The only real issue (and we mean that lightly) is that it’s just slightly heavier and louder than the average sweeper.

Twist & Shout Spin Mop

This mop is not only extremely popular and well-recommended mop, but it’s also an actual award-winning tool. Spin mops rotate their heads at high speed to, well, spin water out of them, usually activated through a hand lever; the T&S uses hand wringing action, however, which means there are fewer parts on the mop that can fail after prolonged use. Their absorbent, washable microfiber heads can be used for traditional mopping or for dry mopping, making it also one of the best dust cleaning products. The replacement heads are also very affordable.

SWSMAX Max Cordless Swivel Sweeper from OnTel Products

With brushes that spin at 4000 rpm, this cordless and rechargeable sweeper is a cleaning beast. First; the flat, low profile design makes it an excellent cleaner for those hard-to-reach areas under tables, couches and other furniture, meaning that you don’t have to turn the house upside down every time you sweep. Second; you can remove, clean and reuse the bristles, meaning that you don’t have to worry about cumbersome bags or tanks, and that you won’t have to replace the bristles for a long time.

Bissell 1940 Powerfresh Steam Mop

Both sturdier and finer than most steam mops, the Bissell 1940 more than makes up for its slightly higher price (around $88-$110) with its superior qualities and features. Aside from killing 99.9% of germs, viruses and bacteria without using harsh chemicals, it has a customizable steam control that lets you adjust the cleaning power. The tank is removable and easy to fill, and it includes Febreze fragrance discs that you can use (or not) to give your cleaning a little more punch with a fresh aroma. The Bissell 1940 is still one of the best mops for hardwood floors (if they’re properly sealed) because it prevents the scratching that can come from sweeping them.

LIGHT ‘N’ EASY Electronic Floor Sweeper

An ergonomic and reliable option, the double roller brushes are powerful, easy to use and run quietly, while the adjustable handle pole can be locked at different heights for comfort; this, along with its foot-controlled power button means that you can sweep from start to finish while standing upright. The dust container is magnetically held in place, meaning that emptying it is very easy to do, and a 40 minute of cordless sweeping in one charge means that, depending on how much you use it, you can probably squeeze two cleaning sessions out of it before needing a recharge. Without a doubt, the LIGHT ‘N’ EASY was made for comfort.


Mopping and sweeping are similar, but definitely not the same, and you have to be mindful of what tools you use for each depending on the type of floor or carpet you have if you want to keep it in good shape. The above options are all the all-around top choices in both fields, and will satisfy most people regardless of their cleaning needs, so it’s all a question of how convenient you want your housekeeping to be, since the most convenient option doesn’t even include you doing any sweeping.

5 Tips to Keep Your Car Clean and Fresh

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Chances are that, aside from your house and workplace, your car is the space where you spend most of the day, so it’s better keeping car clean and organized as it always clean and smelling fresh so that time will be as pleasant as can be, right?

The following car interior cleaning tips will help you get rid of bad smells and clutter inside your car, and most of them are little everyday actions that you can pick up and repeat easily. There are no more excuses for driving a messy car!

Use baking soda

Does your car have a persistent bad odor? Get rid of it by sprinkling the interior with baking soda, leaving it overnight and vacuuming it up the next day. The smell should be gone along with the baking soda.

Prevent bad smells with coffee

Not coffee, per se. Coffee beans in a mesh bag will not only make your car smell fantastic, but they will also absorb any bad smells. Just replace the beans inside the bag once in a while to keep the effect going.

Keep things out as much as possible

Remember that any trash you don’t take inside your car, is trash you don’t have to take out later. Start by giving your shoes a good knock every time you go in to keep mud and dirt outside, finish any drink you have with you that’s in a disposable container, etc.

Use a small trash container

Having a trashcan in your car is another good way of preventing waste from building up all over the interior. It doesn’t matter if it’s a simple plastic bag or a travel waste bin, as long as it is a designated place to contain it all.

Clean your mats regularly

Most of the debris and spills inside our cars tend to find their way onto the mats, so it’s a good idea to vacuum and clean them regularly, so they don’t absorb any smells for too long.

Go for a drive with open windows

If the offending odor is not too strong, sometimes all you need is driving a few miles with your windows down, so the interior will get aired out, it works like a charm most of the time. It’s too simple to not give it a shot!

Clean the mess right when it happens

Except when you’re driving, of course, but you should clean up any mess that happens in your car without giving it too long to “settle in.” This way it’ll be easier to avoid stains in your seats and odors from being absorbed.

Eating in the car is a big no-no (or at least a solid no)

Of course, it would be easy to ban any food to be eaten in your car, but the ways of life are wildly unpredictable, and you might find yourself in a situation where you have to eat there. In such cases, it’s good to plan and bring a container that can catch crumbs, preferably one that can be sealed.

Use covers, prevent messes

There are handy covers that will make sure you won’t ever again drop crumbs, loose change, makeup or your phone by dropping it between the console and your seat. They’re made from neoprene and foam, so they’ll fit into the gaps of most cars. Buy a couple, set them in and say goodbye to searching under the seat for anything ever again.

Get those stains out of your seats

Upholstery fabric is frustratingly easy to stain, but this should do the trick. Spray your seats with carpet cleaner, scrub using a small scrub or toothbrush, and your stain is no longer there. You don’t even have to vacuum or rinse it at all, but maybe leave the windows open for a while after you’re done.

Some people think of their car as a second home, while others just like to keep their trips as short as possible. Whichever you are, we can all agree that no one enjoys driving around in a smelly, messy car, so these tips should prove useful to anyone. And now that your car is a tidy, clean space, why not let that spill over into your home?

Spice Up Your Life With These Delicious Homemade Pizza Recipes

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Spice Up Your Life With These Delicious Homemade Pizza Recipes

Pizza is one of the most popular dishes in America, and it’s not surprising considering how it runs the gamut from a gourmet meal to comfort food and everything in between. But when was the last time you felt the pleasure of making your delicious pizza?

We’ll show you how some delicious and easy homemade pizza recipes from scratch, starting with a basic dough recipe and then adding different sets of toppings. Let’s get right to it!

Basic pizza dough

What you’ll need:

1. 1 tbsp of sugar

2. ¼ ounce packet of active dry yeast

3. 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, and extra for brushing the dough

4. ½ tsp salt

First, you’ll have to whisk the sugar in a bowl with one ⅓ cups of warm water, while sprinkling the yeast on top. Set aside for 10 minutes or until foamy, then stir the olive oil in. In a separate bowl, whisk the flour and salt, then make a little well in the center of the mix to pour in the yeast mixture you did before. Stir with a wooden spoon until a rough dough is formed.

Transfer the dough from the bowl into a lightly floured surface and knead until it’s smooth and elastic (this should take no more than 5 minutes), and further fust with more flour if necessary. Separate into two dough balls and set aside. Brush two large bowls with olive oil and add a dough ball into each one. Coat them with more olive oil all around and wrap the bowls in plastic.

Let the dough double in size, which should take about 1 and a half hours, then spread out and voilá, homemade pizza dough recipe.

Homemade Margherita pizza

What you’ll need:

  • 1 dough ball
  • 2 finely chopped roasted garlic cloves
  • 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • ¼ cup of your favorite pizza sauce
  • 8 ounces of mozzarella cheese, sliced
  • 2 of your favorite tomatoes, sliced
  • Fresh basil
  • Fresh ground pepper to taste

Preheat your oven to 475°F (246°C). Mix some olive oil with chopped garlic and brush over your rolled out dough. Push dents into the dough with your fingers, and top with pizza sauce, mozzarella slices and tomato. Bake for about 15 minutes until the crust is lightly browned or the cheese is bubbling.

Remove the pizza from the oven and top with fresh basil and pepper. Slice and serve hot!

Salami, arugula and mushrooms pizza

As before, here’s what you’ll need:

  • 1 dough ball
  • 2 finely chopped roasted garlic cloves
  • 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • ¼ cup of your favorite pizza sauce
  • 8 ounces of mozzarella cheese, sliced
  • ⅛ cup of grated parmesan
  • 9 ounces of cherry tomatoes, sliced or halved
  • 2 flat mushrooms, sliced
  • 6 ounces shaved mild salami
  • ⅓ cup of fresh arugula

As with the last recipe, you start by preheating your oven to 475°F (246°C). Repeat the same olive oil and chopped garlic mix that you’ll brush over your rolled out dough, then create dents into the dough with your fingers. Top your pizza with sauce, but before adding the mozzarella slices, sprinkle your grated parmesan evenly over the pizza. Now you can top with mozzarella and cherry tomato. Finish your toppings with shaved salami and mushrooms, then bake for about 15 minutes until the crust is lightly browned or the cheese is bubbling.

Remove the pizza from the oven and top with fresh arugula and pepper. If you don’t particularly enjoy arugula, you can also use basil. Slice and serve hot!
There you go! These are super simple recipes that even the most rookie pizza chefs can make and enjoy for their next pizza night. If you’re just starting, it’s OK to make a little mess, just have someone ready to clean it up the next day.

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