apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Clean the dust out of small appliances with compressed air.

Book I haven't yet read, but based on the linked review, it sounds provocative and worthwhile: The Suburbanization of New York.

Lady J, some of the cans of "air" are very NOT GREEN. Please make sure that the ones you buy are environmentally-friendly.

Mr Green, can you be more specific about what to look for in / on these cans that indicates what's environmentally friendly (or what is not)? Thanks!

On the green tip - we should all switch to CFL bulbs for a myriad of reasons but one of them to keep your apartment cooler. I live in a small space and until I switched bulbs I never realized how much heat the standard light bulbs were giving off. I feel cooler in more ways than one for going green.

MrGreen, tell us the tip. How do we tell the difference?

Whoops - JDog's comment hadn't yet appeared on my screen when I was writing mine above.

Canned "air" is usually hydrocarbons or chlorofluorocarbons. Some of it is flammable. Inhaling most of them gets you high and can be deadly:

http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/dustoff.asp

It is better (and much cheaper) to use a vacuum cleaner attachment: http://www.vacsew.com/xcart/vacuum/mini-attachments.html

Using a vacuum sucks dust OUT instead of forcing it IN deeper. You can kill a computer with canned "air".

If you must use canned "air", try to find one that is mostly nitrogen or at least choose a brand that is labelled "ozone-friendly".

I always vacuum with the brush attachment which gently agitates the dust accumulated dirt to be deliciously sucked up and tossed when I'm done. By the way, that brush attachment is terrific for sucking out recessed lights, sky lights, lamp shades and just about any surface including wall corners where cob webs tend to grow. I love my crevice attachment almost as much at the brush ones. Happy cleaning.

It's an 8" fan, for heaven's sake. Believe me, the air forced the dust out. I had dismantled it to clear the bunnies from the interior but couldn't get the casing off. Air saved the day in about 10 seconds of blowing.

It was worth it since I rarely use any sort of aerosoles. And that dust was killing me on many levels.

Lady J, I actually take my fan, unplug it, spray it with soap in the sink, let it sit for a while, and then rinse it under the faucet. Nothing like soap and water to get something clean.

I have never heard of washing the interior of an electrical appliance. In an effort to use it again, I opted to scrub the blades and grill with a toothbrush and handle the dust with an old backbrush. But that was pushing the dust into the motor. So I dismantled it and wiped it with a dust rag which helped a lot but still left some bunnies beyond my reach. Then I brought in that handy air.

More power to the green types, but since it is my house and my stuff, I'll clean my way.

Lady J, I would be the last person to try to stop you from inhaling deadly fumes and dust. Enjoy your evening!

CharlesandHudson,

Can you suggest a brand of the CFL light bulbs and where one would purchase them? Thanks.

I have a dyed wool rug that is over 75 years old. I just had it cleaned professionally. My dog then urinated on said rug (I had to work very late that night so it wasn't her fault). How do I remove the odor? I tried baking soda. I don't want to have it cleaned, again. Also, I would prefer a non toxic approach. Any suggestions?

gmculp-
try vinegar. that was the only thing that would take the smell my dog left behind in a rug. but it didn't get rid of the stain, so first try it on a small spot and dilute it if necessary.

Thanks, brand-eye!

Pet spots... I've got plenty!! 2 little dogs and a hairy old cat live in my house - we've got spots! My first attack is Natures Miracle available at pet supply stores. Flush the area and blot, until the spot is diminished THEN I saturate one more time and cover with a folded towel. This product works with enzymes which digest those little scent molecules, leaving it wet for a bit allows the magic to occur. It's worked on urine as well as vomit. My littlest dog will sprinkle urine (mark) anywhere the cat has left a hair ball if he can smell it so I know it works - when no after marking occurs. If you rug in on a wood floor you will want to put an impermeable layer between rug and wood to protect your floor while you treat the area.

Thank you, Alice!

Normally I don't like screensavers, but there's one that is a Swiss railroad clock, so it's functional:

http://mct.sbb.ch/mct/en/screensaver.htm

There's also a Swiss railroad clock widget there if you're a Mac person.

gmculp,

I keep a bottle of Natumate enzymatic cleaner for stain and odor. When my pup was a baby and she was in mid-potty training, she had some oops moments on an old wood floor that just RETAINED smells. The only thing that worked was this cleaner. It took the odor away, and it's odorless itself, so there's no harm to the puppy.

Thanx for the screensaver Mr Green!