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Activeion Ionator Hom

ActiveIon’s Ionator HOM is a battery operated cleaning machine that is a green alternative to the everyday chemicals people use in cleaning.  It ionizes the water by giving it a slight electrical charge. Intended as a replacement for endless bottles of spray cleaner, the device converts regular tap water into an ionized mist that lifts dirt off of surfaces and kills bacteria. There are no chemicals involved. It is really an excellent way to completely make you’re cleaning chemical free… if it works.

For two months we’ve been putting it through its paces in both a home and commercial environment to see how it stands up. Can regular tap water clean what normally you use Windex, or any other general purpose cleaner around the house.

Activeion Ionator Hom Review

Activeion Ionator HomThe ionater has a refillable reservoir which you fill with normal tap water. The receptacle holds about a cup and a half, or 350mL, of water; you fill it up with regular tap water, pop it back into the spray bottle and you’re good to go. There’s no instructions necessary and the shape of the receptacle means it only fits into the gun one way. I found the spray bottle to be designed well; it’s more sturdy and stable than any standard spray bottle.

Activeion Ionator Battery Life

I have found the charge lasts a very long time, hours and hours of cleaning in fact.  There is an LED light that glows green when it is being used, letting you know it is working properly, and it glows red when it needs a charge or it is not working properly.  It says that if you put anything in the reservoir other than water it will not work.

Using the Activeion Ionator

Once it’s charged and filled, you just hit the trigger button and spray the watery mist over whatever you need to clean. It raises dirt, grease, fingerprints etc. up off the surface, and then you simply wipe it away.

I used it on all the surfaces where I would use glass cleaner or general purpose cleaner. Glass, mirrors, counters, stove top, tables, switch plates, door jams, doors, toilet seats and edges.  It pretty much did the job that every cleaner I had in the house did except inside the toilet bowl.  Since the bowl is already full of water it could not clean the bowl, so I still used the standard bowl cleaner and brush.  But I have to say I was impressed that it pretty much has the ability to reduce the amount of chemicals in the house to just one, my toilet bowl cleaner.

My Favorite Things About the Activeion Ionator

What I liked about it as well since we are just talking ionized water, I also used it as a hand sanitizer.  So after cleaning I would just spray my hands and rub around for several seconds and dry.  Also by keeping it under the sink it was a back up hand sanitizer for the kids as well if they didn’t clean up before a quick lunch break etc.

No Chemicals

To me, the complete lack of chemicals is the best thing about the Ionator. I can spray it all over my cooking surface, cutting boards and knives without having to worry about dousing them in chemicals I’ll later ingest. The Ionator leaves behind no residue or chemical scent. With the added bonus of never running out of cleaner, as long your battery is charged.

What I didn’t Like About Activeion Ionator

The base is stable and the design is solid, the only issue I had was a couple of times the unit was not upright went stored and I noticed the water from the reservoir leaked out of the reservoir and in between the plastic the protects the computer control panel. So water was inside the actual unit and my perception is that if I operated the unit that the computer panel might have shorted out.  So I drained the water out as best as I could and let it dry out completely before using (a few days).  The plastic housing is clear which is cool because you see the computer control panel so you know you are using a high tech devise, which was good otherwise I would have never seen the water inside.  It might be better if this computer control panel was water tight in future designs.

It does spray a lot of ionized water, so you have to have lots of good cotton or microfiber cleaning cloths on hand to effective clean and polish.

Some Final Thoughts…

Every time you hit the button to spray, the water receptacle glows green with an “okay” light. If it glows red, something is wrong with the ionizing mechanism concealed in the body. The company says the device will effectively ionize for about three years. Since we only tested it out for two months, we have no way of confirming this.  So I am not sure if you have to replace it every three years or you just use it until it always glows red when you use it.

My hope is it last longer than three years, my guess is that it would save about $50 per year clean cleaning chemical for an average family living in an average three bedroom home.  So it would have to last at least three years to get your investment back.  Although it seems like there is a large benefit to cleaning your home with no chemicals that you can’t put a price tag on.

In my case my wife was diagnosed with cancer early in the year, and while I am certain she didn’t get cancer as a result of our cleaning chemicals that fact that she is a 40 year old woman getting cancer just makes you realize that we sort of life in a toxic world.  I think that if you can do even a very small thing to reduce the amount of toxic residue when we live our day to day life, it is hard to imagine that not helping.

From a practical point of view having someone in the house going through Chemotherapy the Ionater has been excellent as well since keeping the house clean is very important since her immune system is compromised as well as she has sensitivity to smells and the unit produces no smells when cleaning.

Activeion Ionator: My Verdict

The Ionator’s hefty price tag may dissuade some; but we hope people won’t be swayed into not buying one out of sheer scepticism at its tap water fuel source. The device cleans fantastically, as well as or better than household cleaners in our opinion, and we find the chemical-free nature of it to be a huge plus. I highly recommend this product.

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Computer Screens Cleaning

How to clean your Computer Screen

Tools & Chemicals:

Soft cloth, anti-static cloth, water, specialized screen cleaner

Technique:

1. Conventional wisdom is that you should only clean a computer monitor screen with a damp cloth, as many computer screens have an anti-glare coating that you risk damaging if you use a harsh household cleaner. Even traditional window cleaners can damage some coatings and screens, especially on laptop computers screen. Always check your manual.

2. Screen wipes are also available which are also great for the keyboard and general cleaning. Wipe your screen first, then the keyboard, mouse, and casing. Stop your computer from getting dirty in the first place by having them handy to wipe the grease off your fingers after eating junk food.

3. If you are using just a damp cloth to wipe the computer screen, be sure to dry it off as well to prevent streaking.

4. When cleaning the monitor casing use a soft cloth with your cleaning fluid. Always spray onto the cloth, not the equipment!

5. Antistatic sprays and other specialty cleaning chemicals are very common, and are formulated so they will not cause damage to even the most sensitive screens. Their effectiveness is questioned by some, but others swear by them. The theory is that as the product cleans it leaves a neutral charge, whereas a positive or negative charge will attract dust. The effectiveness is likely more a result of environment, but considering the insignificant cost it is probably worth it.

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How to clean your computers CPU

How to clean your Computers CPU

Tools & Chemicals:

Soft cloth, Computer cleaning fluid, compressed air, pre-treated computer wipes, vacuum cleaner, and special cleaning attachments.

Technique:

1. It is best to store the CPU off the floor, on a solid surface to minimize dust and permit proper cooling (carpet will not allow for airflow beneath unit). Vacuum all cooling slots. Do not use compressed air on these openings, as it moves large amounts of dust inside the CPU, which is akin to pouring fine sand into the processor. Conversely, if you are trying to kill your computer, this, water, and blunt impacts are the quickest methods. Keeping the vents clean maximizes airflow for cooling, which is very important for the longevity of the CPU. Processor failures are most commonly associated with the expansion and contraction of connections and components. By keeping the overall operating temperature low, the extremes between operating and shut down temperatures is reduced, lowering the magnitude of the cycles, and increasing life span. Wipe down the casing with a soft cloth dampened with a specialized computer cleaning fluid or plain water. Never spray any cleaner directly onto your office equipment. Always spray the cloth and wipe the equipment.

2. If you feel you need to remove the casing and clean inside, use compressed air only. A slightly errant brush, cloth, or vacuum can cause permanent damage, and without even touching the boards, a zap of static electricity can destroy a processor. Check your warranty before taking any office equipment apart.

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Computer keyboards

How to clean a computer keyboard

Tools & Chemicals:

Soft cloth, Computer cleaning fluid, compressed air, pre-treated computer wipes, vacuum and computer vacuum attachments. Before cleaning the keyboard, shut down your computer, and unplug the keyboard.

Technique:

1. Turn the keyboard upside down and shake so loose dust, dirt, and food crumbs will fall out. Spray between the keys with compressed air or vacuum the keyboard. If you are vacuuming the keyboard, leave it key side up and work in a well lit area. Specialized vacuum attachments are available that slip onto a regular sized vacuum hose which reduces it to a very small opening with a variety of dusting and crevice attachments. This is the most efficient method because the vacuum becomes not only more powerful, but you will actually remove the offending debris as opposed to redistributing it with compressed air.

2. Wipe down the keyboard with a soft cloth dampened with your specialized computer cleaning fluid or plain water. Never spray any kind off chemical directly onto your office equipment, always spray a clean cloth and wipe the hardware. Use a cotton swab to clean between the keys. For hard to remove stains such as ink, use a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol or an alcohol saturated wipe.

3. If you spill cola or coffee in your keyboard the first thing to do stop working. Save your data using the mouse instead of key stroke commands, if possible, and quickly turn the keyboard upside down and unplug it. Allow as much of the fluid as possible to drip from the keyboard, and wipe it down as described above.

4. Although not recommended for the faint of heart, there are more extreme measures you can take to rescue a liquid saturated keyboard. Unplug the keyboard and borrow a co workers for the next couple of days. If the keyboard has an old, or dried spill, you must first saturate the dried liquid. This means submersing it (yes, completely underwater) in a pan of water for a few hours, press any sticky keys to help loosen the dried material. When the dried spill has dissolved into the pan of water, or if the spill is fresh, rinse off the keyboard with distilled water. Use distilled water, as tap water contains minerals that can affect performance even after it is dry. Allow the keyboard to air dry for at least a day or two.

5. Sssssingle sssssticky keysssss can be removed on most keyboards. Just use a small flat head screwdriver to pry the offending key off and after cleaning they snap right back on. Use the corner of a soft cloth or a cotton swab and to clean the key socket as best you can, using a special computer cleaner, rubbing alcohol, or distilled water. If you remove more than one key, remember where it belongs! In fact, it was someone cleaning a typewriter decades ago who wasn’t paying attention, that left us with the jumbled Qwerty mess that we have today.

6. Remember keyboards are inexpensive and plentiful, with each upgraded computer there is usually a lonely unused keyboard sitting in a box in the IT department.

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Gung Hey Fat Choy – a New Year greeting meaning

Gung

Hey

Fat

Choy

Gung Hey Fat Choy (a New Year greeting meaning “May you become prosperous.). The year of the Rabbit starts on February 3rd according to our Western calendars. While the western world celebrated year 2001 according to Gregorian calendars, the traditional Chinese are celebrating the coming of the 18th year in the 78th cycle of a repeating 60 year calendar. The long and short means that this is Chinese new year 4638 since the introduction of this calendar in 2637 B.C.

Well, now that everyone, including me, is thoroughly confused I can get to the cleaning bit. My wife is Chinese, and I can say there are more traditions, superstitions, and things to do with ‘luck’ than I can ever hope to remember.

The big one for us on Chinese New Year is to do with cleaning. The last week or so of the Chinese calendar is spent cleaning the home. Not just vacuuming and dusting, but heavy duty cleaning. We are washing away the last year, getting ready for a fresh start.

That seems reasonable, but part of the reasoning is that when the new year arrives, you should NOT do any cleaning. This is so you don’t sweep out any of the good luck that arrives with the new year. I thought wow! This is a great way to start a new year, considering when hung over, the last thing you want to do is scrub the toilets. My glee subsided when I was caught on a bit of a technicality. Apparently bathing, brushing teeth, doing dishes, and normal regular cleaning are acceptable, but just nothing ‘extra’.

I know the ‘extra’ thing is subjective, but it is nice being held to your own opinion of what is acceptable. We have even carried over this ‘tradition’ to the western New Year, and on the 1st of January our duster and vacuum stay in the linen closet, right where we put them at the end of December.

By Ken Pukanich

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Fabric Softener, Dryer Sheets

Why use fabric softener or dryer sheets? To soften your fabrics and protect them from getting static cling. Liquid fabric softener has to be put into your washer during the rinse cycle.  Not before or after, doesn’t work well for me since I never am sitting beside the washer to time it correctly. Or dryer sheets, these are specially coated paper with fabric softeners that are released in the heat of your dryer to soften your clothes and protect them from static cling. Dryer sheets are available in a variety of brands and scents. Whether you buy a name brand, store brand or bargain brand dryer sheet only matters if you are interested in some of the added benefits they offer. Some dryer sheets also provide added stain protection to your clothing or an anti-wrinkling agent that will reduce the need to iron. Once your clothes are dry don’t throw that dryer sheet away! It still has many uses.

Used dryer sheets are great for dusting. They are useful on surfaces that attract static electricity, such as your computer or television screen. This will help keep the dust from resettling because of the ingredients in the dryer sheet that prevent static cling. They can also be used on any surface that can be dry dusted and you can just throw it away when you are finished. They are great for blinds, the inside of your car and wood surfaces as well (use dry). Another great way to use them is for picking up cat hair. One unique way to reuse a dryer sheet is to dampen it and rub it over your pantyhose. It will keep your slip and/or skirt from clinging to your legs! Used or new dryer sheets are great on any surface you want to eliminate static.

Eliminate odors with your new and used dryer sheets! They can be used in drawers or cupboards. You can even hang one up in your closet to keep it smelling fresh. Just place a few used dryer sheets in your sock drawer and it will help your drawer and clothing stay smelling dryer fresh.  You can also put a used or new dryer sheet in your laundry basket to keep the dirty laundry from smelling bad. They are great for stuffing into stinky sneakers too. Keep a used dryer sheet in the bottom of your wastebasket can to eliminate trash odors. It’s also a good idea to put a dryer sheet in your suitcases to keep out musty odors while they are stored.

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Baking Soda Uses for Odor Control

Baking soda Uses neutralizes odor by turning them into inert crystalline salts over time.  That’s what the crust is over the top of the baking soda in the fridge etc.  Changing the box frequently is best (every 1-3 months), you can then use the baking soda when making basic home cleaning solutions to clean sinks, counters or garbage cans etc.  My favorite is the sink, and kitchen garbage can.  That way I know I am keeping up on some of the detailed kitchen cleaning by giving my kitchen garbage can and stainless steel sink a through cleaning once a month when a change the baking soda in the fridge.

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Toilet Paper…what to look for when buying recycled paper products

There are two sources of recycled content, PCW (post consumer waste) made from resources already used. Flyers or newspapers you have read and have recycled etc keeping it out of the garbage.  The other is pre-consumer waste, printing over runs, trim from newspaper etc. still good but not as good as keeping paper out of the landfill from material we have used already.  The PCW content varies from 10% -100% so check the label.

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Car Paint Care and Cleaning Products

What is the best product to use as a car wash? The correct answer is use what you like the best. There are some drawbacks to certain products and advantages to others. Dish detergents (Ivory Liquid, etc.) may be used, but realize that these products are designed to remove animal or vegetable fat from fired ceramic. They look at your nice coat of wax with the same hungry eyes. If you enjoy washing and rewaxing weekly, then dish detergent is for you. Wax retailers love people who use Ivory Liquid (they send the Ivory Company Christmas Cards every year).

Below are the listings of manufacturers and exporters of car care products.

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Car Cleaning Detail Tips

Washing your car several times per month, or even once a week, can keep your cars body in tip-top shape

Before you start washing your car, you will want to gather all the necessary supplies and car care cleaning products. You’ll need access to water- usually through a garden hose or pressure washer, a bucket, soap, sponges or soft cloths, scrub brush, glass cleaner, paper towels (or newspapers) and any other cleaning materials you may wish to use.

Once you have everything together then follow the following step to clean your car in an organize way

  1. Fill up the bucket with soap and water, making it really sudsy. Be sure to use a soap that is made to wash cars- shampoo and dish soap really won’t do the job.
  2. Choose a shady area to park your car, so as to avoid direct sunlight. Direct sun tends to dry the car prematurely, in turn leaving splotches on it. At the same time, make sure to keep the car away from trees that drip sap or drop leaves. But if you do find some sap drippings, don’t forget you can use WD-40 to remove tree sap from cars.
  3. Close all the doors and windows of your car and set all the cleaning equipments at your side.
  4. Fill a bucket with water and add car wash soap, as per directions given in the bottle. Keep another bucket full of water.
  5. Hose off the car, to remove excess dirt, starting from the roof to the tires. Be careful not to use strong jet, as that can rub grit over the paint and leave scratches.
  6. Lather a wash mitt or sponge in the soapy water and wipe your car with it, starting from the roof. Spray off the excess soap, after the entire roof has been cleaned.
  7. Wash the car section by section, washing one full side at a time, including the windows and fenders, and rinsing it with the hose, before going to the next one.
  8. Frequently get off the dirty water out of the sponge, by rinsing in plain, clear water.
  9. As you progress with the various steps, keep the entire car wet. It will ensure that the droplets don’t dry on the paint, leaving water-spots.
  10. The dirtiest and grimiest part of a car is its lower body and wheels. So, make it a point to scrub and clean them last. Use a different sponge for those parts.
  11. For cleaning the openings of the wheels, use a long, skinny wheel brush. To clean the tires, make use of steel-wool-soap pads, one for each tire.
  12. To dry the car, use chamois leather or towel and set it flat on the surface. Drag it along the surface, starting from the roofs and moving down to the tires. Make sure to pick up every water spot.
  13. Use rag, soaked in plain water, for cleaning the windows. After cleaning, dry them with a dry rag. Alternately, you can also use window cleaner and pieces of balled-up newspaper for both, the inside and outside of the windows.
  14. If you have spare time, clean and arrange the interior of the car as well.
  15. Take time out every week to make your car spotless, by following the tips on how to wash a car, as given above.

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