by John Folding//
We are always looking for ways to make our lives a little easier. That’s why “how to” books and “life hack” videos are so popular — they lure you in with provocative captions and titles. That’s why classic helpful hinters like Heloise are so popular and are an inspiration for this column.
Each issue, I give a few hints on how to make life a little easier — call them “lagniappes.”
Vacuuming: Work smarter, not harder
When vacuuming, the key is not to rush the job, especially if you have shedding pets, small children, or a particularly high pile carpet.
- Dust first!
- Run the machine over your carpet in all directions (north, south, east and west), not just back and forth. This action agitates the dirt up to the top of the pile. Back and forth just mushes the dirt down to the carpets backing and grinds it in.
- Use the attachments. That long “thingie” that looks like a tube is great for reaching baseboards and behind furniture. Use the brush on this attachment for cleaning sturdy structures like windowsills and cabinets.
- Sometimes the attachments aren’t quite small enough to fit in some spots, so use a paper towel tube on the end of the extender attachment. You can fold the tube so it’s just the right size.
- If your beater is getting covered with strings or hair, use a seam ripper to cut through all of that gunk for a quick cleaning.
- If you’ve dropped something small on the floor or carpet, rubber band a small piece of panty hose to the extender. This prevents the item from getting sucked into the bag.
- Keep your vacuum fresh by empting the cylinder often or changing the bag as the manufacturer requires. If the bag isn’t quite full, vacuum up a tablespoon of powdered cinnamon or baking powder to keep the vacuum and your broom closet smelling fresh.
Want more tips?
- Slip a pillow case over the blades of a ceiling fan and slide it off keeping the dust out of your face and inside the bag.
- Use sticky Velcro strips to keep an area rug from slipping.
- To remove pet hair from upholstery, dampen your rubber gloves and rub the cushion or seat back vigorously. The hair will bunch into easily removable clumps.
Got questions? Connect with John at johnfolding245@cableone.net or (228) 243-3271. He is the owner of John D. Folding & Associates (an event and interior design firm) and is the editor of Gulf Coast Weddings magazine.