Is Your Vacuum an Animal? Learn how to TAME that wild, wayward creature!

If you are up to date on television and printed advertising, and/or a fan of the Home Shopping Network, you may believe that an "Animal" vacuum is the long-awaited solution to your challenging home cleaning routine! Perhaps you already own one and sing its praises every day. Perhaps you own one and feel like chucking it out the window for the amount of trouble it gives you.

For those of you in the market for a new machine and eyeing up those aforementioned "Animal" vacs - pay close attention! There is a lot of misconception and blatant misinformation out there regarding the best machines for pet-owning households. We will work on straightening some of that out right now! And if you already have a vacuum you're generally pleased with, yet often struggle to keep it performing like you expect, you'll enjoy the helpful tips laid out in this article too. 

  

WHAT EXACTLY IS AN "ANIMAL" in the world of vacuums?

If it is a Dyson brand vacuum, that means it's PURPLE. That's right, color is the only real difference between any Dyson of the same model series. The main body, motor, filters, brush roller; all the same! What do change are the accessories packaged with it. A Dyson DC65 "Animal" will have an additional turbo tool and possibly a low-reach, bare floor tool (versus a standard DC65 model.)  There's nothing at all wrong with that setup, per se. Most other brands follow this naming pattern. An "Animal," "Pet" or "Cat & Dog" model vacuum will usually come with a special set of tools to remove pet hair from challenging surfaces like upholstery and stairs. The issue is that most consumers are under the false impression that the vacuum has more suction, a bigger motor, or better filtration; not necessarily true.

For example, a Miele C3 series Cat & Dog, Marin or HomeCare canister vacuum would ALL handle pet hair incredibly well. Why? In addition to a large capacity filterbag, these "siblings" are also power-teammodels. That means that in addition to raw suction power they are equipped with a robust electric power nozzleto deep clean carpets and rugs. But with the "Cat & Dog" you'll also enjoy a BONUS handheld turbo brush to easily blast through embedded fur on above-floor surfaces like upholstery, auto interiors, pet beds and more! Lastly, instead of the standard HEPA media exhaust filter (used for allergen control) the Cat & Dog's filter cartridge is chock-full of odor absorbing activated charcoal to combat stinky dog smells. All C3 series canisters are otherwise the same size, with the same motor and suction power. See the pattern?

 

Why does your vacuum behave like an errant puppy?

Your particular vacuum may not be an "Animal," but it sure may act like one sometimes. Has yours ever chewed up a delicate carpet, eaten your shoelaces or puked stuff back out on the floor? Regardless of the brand or type of vacuum you have it is bound to misbehave at some point.However, more often than not, it's not really the vacuum's fault. As the owner, YOU are in charge of keeping your vacuum healthy and giving it what it needs at regular intervals. If you don't take your dog outside in time he's likely to have an accident inside. Similarly, if you don't change your vacuum's bag or filter in time, it will clog and spit debris out. Develop good habits of "grooming" your vacuum's brushroller to remove excessive hair and string. Also, don't run your vacuum where it doesn't belong. Many vacuums are too powerful and aggressive to safely clean delicate area rugs or bare floors. You wouldn't take your Rottweiler through a stroll through a nursery....not worth the risk, right? Also schedule to bring your vac in for regular, professional checkups (with yours truly) or at the first sign of "illness!"

CONCLUSION

Sure, you may feel disappointed or even cheated that an "Animal" model isn't any different than its relatives. Trust me; the special tools packaged with one can make all the difference in pet hair removal. But they're only helpful if you use them. AND you still must maintain the vacuum as required in order to keep it working at peak performance, Animal or not! 

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Let's Play a Game: What's THAT For?! Today's Puzzle: Vacuum Attachments

HELLOOOOO America!  I'm Vax Muucav and welcome back to the hottest new Game Show on VacTV where we ask you....
"WHAT'S - THAT- FOR?!"

Our three challengers have raced the clock and each to guess what today's"Mystery Items" are used for. Can YOU guess?

This is our final round. Tina, you're in the lead. Contestants, are you ready?

Here's today's Mystery Item...

Now tell me, "WHAT'S - THAT - FOR?!"

MYSTERY ITEM: What's THAT for?

BUZZZ!

Vax: Yes, Rick? 

Rick: That clearly is for spreading frosting on icecream cake.
Vax: Oh, I'm sorry, that is incorrect.

BUZZZ!

Vax: Stan! Tell us, what's that for? 

Stan: That is for raking patterns in Japanese ornamental rock gardens.

Vax: Oh no, that too is incorrect, Stan.

BUZZZ!

Vax: Tina! For the win, can you tell us - what's that for? 

Tina: Um, like, I think that is for sucking the cat fur and dust off the furniture?

Vax: COOORRRRECT!

Vax: Now Tina, for 10 Bonus points, can you tell us what's it CALLED? 

Tina: Um, a "couchy suckmeister?"

Vax: Oh, good try, but that is incorrect.

That, America, is an upholstery tool! One of three typically-standard attachments that come with most vacuum cleaners, this flat, somewhat wide tool may come with or without bristles. Either way, it is designed to maintain a gentle amount of suction over a wide, relatively flat area. It is perfect for pulling dust and allergens out of soft surfaces like upholstered couches or car seats, carpeted stairs or even your mattress. Equipped with short, stiff bristles or flocking (like a lint brush) it will pull up stubborn lint and pet hair. Do YOU have one at home? If so - and now that you know what it's for - are you using it?!

Vax: Congratulations Tina, you are today's big winner!  

Let's show America the amazing prizes you've earned today... 

(Curtain Draws Back)

...A lifetime supply of premium Vacuum Cleaner Bags!

 Tina:  Um, wow. Thanks. But there are only 10 bags there...how will that last a lifetime? I have 2 hairy dogs.

Vax: Knew you'd ask.....

(Curtain #2 draws back)  

That's because you've also won a Brand New... Hairless Cat! 

Get rid of those tired, hairy mutts and bask in the love and easy upkeep of this designer feline. With no fur, it'll take forever to fill those bags!

Thanks for watching, America! And remember, the next time you encounter a peculiar object, ask yourself "W-T-F?"..... WHAT'S THAT FOR?! 

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To Warranty or NOT to Warranty? Using our "CSI" skills to decipher your vacuum's eligibility...

To be perfectly honest, warranty is not a fun topic to discuss. It is a wildly misunderstood part of our industry and often makes for cranky customers...Imagine you buy a $500 vacuum and within 3 months it is up in smoke and inoperable! So let's clear up the confusion.  What is warranty, how does it work and how can you get the most out of it? (Keep in mind - this applies to lots of products, not just vacuums!) 

What is WARRANTY?

When a manufacturer produces product, it makes a promise to the consumer that the product will work, as intended, for a given period of time. They are usually a "limited warranty" meaning that there are reasonable exclusions. It is NOT a "100% Guarantee" and it is timely! It's very logical, really. And luckily your entire warranty contract (as well as maintenance requirements) are all included in your owner's manual. Yes - you must read your manual! You run the risk of poor performance, permanent damage and voiding warranty if you don't follow the "rules."

What IS covered? 

"Defects in materials and workmanship"...That's it. The company protects you from defects in their manufacturing.Things like burnt-out switches, bad computer control boards or batteries that won't charge are typically covered. Occasionally, a plastic clip, cuff, bracket or internal valve cracks. But clogs, broken belts, filters, damage by animals or falls, sucking up water are a few examples of excluded issues/items.  A true defect is usually easy to spot. It's something that a consumer in no way could cause to happen!   

Although your car may encounter potholes, it's not meant to drive into them.Your auto dealer cannot cover damage from hitting a pothole under warranty. If the fuel pump relay went, sure. Similarly, cracking your vacuum's housing on the coffee table or sucking up wet cheerios or socks is not coverable.  

So really, how do you tell a defect from accident/abuse?

        ...This is where we get all "CSI" on your vacuum!!

Simply put, the forensic evidence speaks for itself. Remember, we fix things for a living and we see it all. Little details speak volumes especially when compared to the bigger picture. Ever look carefully at a broken piece of plastic or metal? Excessive bending and wear make distinctive stress marks near the break. A defect in the tempering of the metal will result in a break that looks totally different. Similarly, we can tell exactly what caused a vacuum's belt to break just by looking at it: Brushroller bearings seizing, something got stuck in brushroller, vs crooked installation.  

How did WE get in the middle of this?

Manufacturers make things, but most of them can't fix a sandwich. They need authorized third parties repair facilities like us (nearby their customers) to perform the repair work when something goes wrong. We maintain warranty contracts with nearly every major vacuum manufacturer (Hoover, Dyson, Dirt Devil, Bissell, Miele, etc.) So if you call Dyson because your DC50 upright won't stand up, they'll send you to us!

We are the manufacturer's eyes and ears, but we follow their rules of warranty eligibility. We are bound by a strict contract! They send us customers in need of help. If the vacuum's age is still within the period of time offered in the warranty (usually at least 1 year) we must then perform a lengthy, multi-point inspection and submit our findings in a paper or digital claim. We must order/buy genuine repair parts in advance, repair the vacuum in good faith, and submit for reimbursement (at a rate lower than I care to discuss.) It's quite a process. For the customer it is all done for free, but it (understandably) takes a bit longer than a regular service repair.

Don't shoot the messenger! 

We sometimes encounter problems that the manufacturer does not cover nor pay us for. The customer must pay if these are to be remedied by our staff. But we always call with an estimate and thorough explanation before anything is done or charged!Folks can still get pretty miffed about this, but trust is the "glue" in this whole process. We are here to be a fair, expert, impartial party between the both of you! Read your owner's manual and understand the warranty. Take good, careful care of your machine and that will make it easy for us to decipher any genuine defects that may arise over time. That makes processing warranty a snap, saving us all time, money and frustration!

>> CLICK HERE for is a detailed yet concise printable form explaining warranty! 

WARRANTY HANDOUT (printable PDF)

VACUUM ADOPTIONS Give a great old vac a new life in your home!

Now is as good a time as ever to time to talk about the virtues of rescuing old stuff! Every so often stores like ours get make a little elbow room by turning over some overstocked merchandise, seasonal goods and otherwise unloved or overlooked items. It's our duty to find these products good homes and give our customers a great deal they can't refuse - on stuff you can really use! I know you're going to ask - but sorry, new Miele vacuums, cannot, and will not ever be "discounted." They are price protected from the manufacturer and deviation from that contracted price results in account termination - serious stuff! We do sell these vacuums at the absolute lowest allowed price every single day. (We don't jack prices then have a sale.) This ensures the product and brand integrity, making sure that the seller and manufacturer can survive to maintain this product for a lifetime. But we ARE allowed to pay customers a credit for trade-ins, and sell off our retired demonstration machines after a few years. Many folks would love the discount on a machine they know has only been ran and maintained here in our store. But these are a RARE breed!!  Why Buy Retired or Refurbished Vacuums?  Let's start off with an analogy.... Kittens and puppies get adopted pretty easily, right? So beautiful, adorable and exciting! But what about the older dog or cat? Maybe old "Duke" has a creeky hip or a blind eye. You probably wonder why that dog is up for adoption anyway...what kind of bad habits must he have? But did you ever consider that maybe Duke wasn't bad, that perhaps he was a bad fit for his old home? They bought him as a cute, tiny puppy but were shocked at the sheer size and exuberance of an adult hunting dog! (They should've opted for a Teacup Yorkie.) But if you don't adopt Duke....well, I don't want to talk about what happens then. You can feel good about giving him a new lease on life. He will serve you well as a fierce protector, playmate and a loving, grateful companion. Maybe he'd be a great friend for your other dog who's lonely and acting out! But a vacuum...So what? An needlessly overfilled landfill is what! Not only should your ecological conscience be screaming at the thought of discarding a vacuum that's only a few years old, but your wallet is shouting too! Buying a good vacuum up front and properly maintaining it is always the best and most economical way to go. (You should adopt a pet that fits your lifestyle and keep it healthy with regular vet visits, right?)But sometimes folks come in with the best intentions, bringing in their old Hoover, Electrolux, etc. for repair then "life happens" or their home circumstances change. This is how we end up "refurbs!" Vacuums that are repaired and never claimed, rejected or just abandoned start their new life here with us. We evaluate, clean up and restore these poor, unloved vacs to good working order and put them out for adoption in our showroom!  Don't forget our own personal workhorses, those in-store demonstration vacuums. Once their model or color has changed in the manufacturer's lineup these beauties are eligible for retirement. Again, they are random, rare and not quite as discounted as lower-end refurbs, but still a GREAT fit for the right new owner!  What Can You Do With a Refurb? Refurbs and Retirees make a great home care companion for someone on a budget, a student or someone "just starting out." These are also great to have as a "backup" in case your main vacuum breaks down. Homes with multiple levels are best served with a flooring-specific vacuum on each story. Refurbs are also great to use for dirty jobs, garage or basement duty, or for the odd time when your experiencing household renovations. Not a great idea to abuse your good vacuum in situations like these.  Is there any reason you couldn't rescue a great older vacuum or other cool products? Tell your friends or think of others in need of help. Stop by to see us ...Rake in some serious savings and do a good deed for the planet and your wallet!  SEE YOU SOON! Visit Our Website

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Queen for a Day? Learn simple ways to feel like the Queen of your Household EVERY day!

Gentleman... although so many of you who are wonderful, loyal customers this newsletter is dedicated to the ladies...our "Queens of the Household!" Don't worry though. As always, much of the advice found here can be used by anyone and applied to areas of your life far beyond your house and vacuum!

 

Most ladies would probably not describe their life as glamorous, let alone regal. Most probably do not live in castle or mansion with a full wait-staff. But that's okay! Life can be trying and full of dull responsibilities,but there's no reason that we should not still cherish the home we have, feel in control, and be proud of the skin we're in.

 

Men and women have their ways of divvying up keeping the house clean, organized, relatively sane and paid for. But women are typically still in charge of the cooking, cleaning, shopping, laundry, jockeying kids around, etc. The responsibilities are endless and none of them are very glamorous. There was plenty of all that work to be done back in 1955, but now the majority of women work outside the home too! How does she do it??!! So, is there any way we can truly improve the quality of our lives, save money AND feel a little more "royal?" I whole-heartedly believe so...

 

Have more with LESS!

Call me old-fashioned, but I think there is something to be said for a simpler, more humble lifestyle. It may sound contradictory, but I think it's the number one way to live a truly "rich" life.  A smaller house, less clothes, less activities, less cable channels, a used car...What?!!  A more humble life doesn't mean that you can't still feel like a Queen! It costs less to maintain less, and subsequently takes less time. You and your home can be fabulous and efficient! It's all about having and using a few really good things that you love, rather than lots of so-so stuff you never use or appreciate. Below are some of my favorite tips on how to achieve this type of fabulous, frugal, efficient life...

 

Strategically FABU-LIZE your Life:

Clothes -  Dress for success by paring down your closet and dresser drawers! Get a trusted friend to help you weed out and donate any item of clothes that you do not love, fit perfectly and/or make you feel great. Only if needed, buy a few articles of better quality, very well-fitting staples like a pair of jeans and slacks, black skirt, blouses and/or blazer, etc. See what you can find on sale or at a store likeMarshall's. Keep the items mostly neutral and mix-and-match-able with a few snazzy and/or colorful accent pieces. Look for inspiration on Pinterest or and in magazines. Take good care of them. You will ultimately spend a lot less than if you bought tons of "eh" clothes on sale that you barely wear. Your clothes won't wrinkle if they're not smashed together and you'll be able to find what you want faster!  You will look and feel amazing! 

 

Beauty Routine - A Queen always looks her best. Put your best face forward by getting help to develop a routine! Do you need to spend 2 hours glamorizing and look like Liz Tayor to feel fabulous? NO! But 10 extra minutes in the morning can change the way you look and feel about yourself ALL DAY, every day! Rather than wasting time and money buying random products (from either the drug store or prestige counter) and struggling to put together a look that's easy and flattering, take advantage of a complimentary consultation and try products before you buy. For instance, Mary Kay Cosmetics offers prestige-quality skincare and makeup at about 40% less cost, with a 100% money back guarantee. The best part is that a consultant (like me) takes the time to analyze your skin type and features for free. In just a brief hour or so, we develop a streamlined, customized skincare routine and color look that flatters your complexion as well as lifestyle. We also teach you how to recreate this FAST, fabulous, go-to look...a priceless gift that boosts your confidence and saves countless hours of frustration! LEARN MORE >> http://www.marykay.com/RachelDecker

 

Tools - Take better care of your "castle" and make your work easier by investing in quality appliances and implements. For example, do you really

Make HIM do it :-)

need a $10,000 refrigerator? Probably not. But a good blender, mixer, or vacuum can make a world of difference in your day-to-day life. If you love baking or do a lot of it for your church or kids, get a KitchenAid mixer and good quality cooking pans. Find good used ones on ebay if you can't afford new. And every home MUST have a quality vacuum cleaner. Of course you'd expect me to say this ;-) But with 13 years of professional experience I've learned that this is not an area that one can afford to compromise. A really good vacuum (like Miele) will last for decades. Plus, it will thoroughly, gently and easilyextract dust, fur and allergens from all types of flooring and above floor surfaces like couches, mattresses, window treatments, shelves and electronics. Your whole home's atmosphere transforms into a pleasant, fresh, healthyplace that you are proud to share. Let professionals (like us) help you weed through the "rif-raf" of junk vacs out there and select a model with the correct features for your needs!

By the way, the same principle applies the cleaning products you use. Be very careful... Aim to use products as natural and gentle as possible for the sake of your lungs, skin and furnishings. RESIST the scary dollar store potions! See our "Queen's Cleaning Tips" Board on Pinterest and/or YouTube channel for recommendations!

 

So, what makes you feel like a Queen?

For me, looking my best, achieving some sort of goal and working efficiently makes me feel awesome! Call me vain, but I just feel down when I look dowdy. I simply must take a minute to at least put my hair up and slap on some mascara. Setting a goal helps me be sure I focus energy on things that are important and that improve my quality of life. And I feel less stressed if I achieved my goal in an efficient, orderly fashion. (Usually that efficiency is aided by a good, trusty tool that I don't have to weed through clutter to find!) Good tools and systems also improve the likelihood that you'll replicate your success and that someone else can help you (like the roommate, husband or kids!)  Queens are calm, majestic and in control of their circumstances, right?! So aim high, ladies!!  Strive to look your best, be healthy, have a positive attitude and be kind. Then recruit help to invest carefully in your clothes, beauty products, furnishings and appliances. "Shoot for the moon... Even if you miss you'll land among the stars."

 

I wish I could treat each and every one of you ladies to a spa day, shopping spree, makeover and luxurious lunch; a much-deserved treat to really make you feel like a Queen for a day! (Well, the makeover part I can help with.) But all I can actually offer are the bits of advice in this newsletter. I hope it will challenge you to take a look at your circumstances and see where you can make small but meaningful improvements that stretch your time and dollars toward the things that really matter!

Epic VAC Battles of History! Can you see past the fierce advertising and find what's really best?

I don't watch much TV, but boy do I love YouTube! BTW - hopefully you've checked out our QueenVac YouTube channel! It's a little rough in its infancy, but we're always improving and our gears are always turning with new ideas. Even though I try to keep my YouTube consumption reigned in I can't resist parodies and generally well-made videos. They're so creative, inspiring, and of course, entertaining. All too often I pause to jot notes as my mind distorts the video into some vacuum-related concept! I've developed a similar annoying habit with songs and commercials. In any case, one of my favorite channels, ERB, combines history and music into hysterically funny parodies called "Epic Rap Battles of History."  

Who will win? You decide!

ERB videos include match-ups like Bill Gates vs Steve Jobs; Wright Brothers vs Mario Brothers; Myth Busters Vs Ghost Busters; Darth Vader vs Hitler. See the pattern?  How could I stop my mind from imagining blockbuster battles like Hoover Windtunnel vs EurekaWhirlwind; James Dyson vs David Oreck; Dyson Animal vs Miele Cat & Dog? Oh goodness, the endless possibilities! But considering that videos (even as rudimentary as mine) take days to make, you'll have to settle for this article and a few photoshopped graphics to envision these rivalries...for now!

Oreck Advertisement

James Dyson

The major vacuum manufacturers do a pretty fierce job of "battling it out" in the real world. The money some brands spend on advertising probably tops the GDP of a small nation. Others prefer to invest far more in product development and quality manufacturing than on ads. Regardless, it's easy for a consumer to get lost in the hype; mis-led into buying products that are a poor fit for their needs, or don't do not perform like they seem on TV.  

So how do you navigate this "battleground" of vacuum advertising to get the product that's right for you and will be worth your investment?
 Here are a few simple tips:
 

1)   Look at the key words in the advertising claim. Are the terms clearly definable and provable? Do they even seem like an accurate method for measuring the vacuum's cleaning performance? If it seems too good to be true, it just might be.

2)    Investigate instances of repair. Check with experts like us; a business that sells and repairs vacuums. We are authorized for so many brands that we see how they hold up in real life and what types of issues they come in for under warranty. Online reviews can be helpful too, but look for ones that were written several months (or even years after it was bought.) Many vacs work just fine out of the box and for a month or so. But often they break, fail or require more maintenance than you're willing to perform. 

3)    Is it the correct format for your household? The demonstration of that snazzy bagless upright vacuum on QVC might have shown it making mincemeat of glitter and cereal crumbs on berber carpeting. But will that machine well suit your bare floors or shag area rugs? And although it looks so easy to empty that "convenient dirt bin," can your allergic children tolerate the dust cloud left behind in the kitchen when you empty it at home? 

  

So what are our lessons today? Let the manufacturers battle all they want. In fact, sit back and enjoy the show! Just don't believe everything you see on TV or a vacuum's packaging (at least not without doing a little research first!) If you rely on an advertised feature working exactly as claimed, please consult an expert (like us) to make sure that it can live up to your expectations. And someday soon you may even have the pleasure of watching our own "Epic VAC Battle" production on youTube!  We feel information should be administered honestly and fairly, yet with a healthy dose of humor! So we're always excited to produce videos and articles that are not just educational, but quirky and fun. Please keep your suggestions coming for questions and topics and "contestants" you'd like us to feature. Now, go enjoy the shows!

 

Since I've blatantly plagiarized their name, you should at least check out ERB's YouTube channel! Warning - It's addictive!

Diaperless Babies?! What can we learn about vacuums from this child-rearing trend?

What do diaperless babies have to do with vacuum cleaners? Hopefully nothing, directly. But there is an increasingly popular potty-training method that has a peculiar parallel to trends in the vacuum world! "Elimination communication."  Perhaps you've heard of it?  You may find this information enlightening or possibly disturbing. Either way, we hope it just gets you thinking. 

From Wikipedia:"Elimination communication, or EC, is a practice in which....using timing, signals, cues, and intuition...caregivers try to recognize and respond to babies' bodily needs and enable them to [eliminate waste] in an appropriate place (e.g. a toilet)... The term...was inspired by traditional practices of diaper-less baby care in less industrialized countries and hunter-gatherer cultures...Because EC lessens families' reliance on diapers, this helps reduce the environmental impact of discarding disposable diapers and/or washing cloth diapers, and saves families hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in disposable diapers."     **CLICK HERE for a humerous review of "Elimination Communication" from Stephen Colbert ** 

So now I'll let you in on the analogy/inside joke that we've used for years:"Bagless vacuums are like diaperless babies."  How can we make such a bold and repulsive comparison? Because we fix vacuums for a living!  (BTW - If you currently operate bagless, pleeeease do not be offended. We simply hope you consider our expert opinions carefully and

utilize the constructive tips we offer.) 

If you've subscribed for any length of time you are well aware of our company's feelings on bagless vacuums..."YUCK!" If you're a newcomer, the main reason we have such a poor opinion of bagless machines is because of their high demand for cleaning/maintenance and the unsanitary condition that presents. The second greatest issue is that (versus bagged equivalents) we see an incredibly high rate of clogging, breakage and catastrophic failure that lead to their premature "death" and disposal. Most folks are misled into believing that bagless vacs are " practically maintenance free", "great for allergies" and/or "economical." I've written countless articles in the past exposing the erroneous rational behind each of those claims, in great detail. (Click each respective link to see a corresponding article or video from our archives, or visit our Articles Archive to see more.)

Of course bagless vacuums have certain advantages. Most bagless owners quote a great sense of gratification from actively seeing how much dirt they retrieve while vacuuming. They also mention feeling relief from the burden of having to "run out and buy bags" and love how cheap most are to buy up front. Unfortunately, most people discover that these blessings turn into a curse in the long run. 

 Now back to our analogy. It's easy to see the likeness between disposable vacuum cleaner bags and disposable baby diapers. So the converse must be true, right? Let's see what similarities we can find...  
 The more you look at it, babies (diapered and not) and vacuums (bagged and not) have a lot in common! And each style has its particular advantages and disadvantages. Which format is right for you depends on your priorities and preferences. 

Start by deciding what your end goal is, then work backward. Framed within the bigger picture, you'll want to consider the finer details like costs; up-front and long-term expenses. Also think about the effects your choice may have on your lifestyle, both positive and negative. Again, the majority of this deliberation requires some gazing into the future!

If it's your baby, your goals may be for her to reach potty independence sooner and to save on the cost of diapers. But you must be available and willing to take her to the restroom as soon as she gives the cue - and be prepared for the accident in case there are no facilities nearby. Could all that be a game-changer?

Similarly, a bagless vacuum from Wal-Mart may suit your budget right now and seem convenient. But do you have the facilities to empty the bin and wash the filters in a sanitary location? Do you have the desire, time and space to wash the filters and let them dry (or money to replace them if required?) Can you afford the long-term expense of replacing the entire vacuum almost every year? Would it bother your ecological conscience to know the severe negative impact you'll make in the landfill?  Babes or bags, reach your goal by making sure that you have the equipment and wherewithal to take the necessary steps - ones that actually go in the right direction!

The bottom line?  Using the EC potty training method can unquestionably reduce the quantity of diapers in the city dump. If you were hand-washing cloth diapers to reduce the bulk of trash, you would still be using a considerable amount of water and detergent, something not entirely without environmental impact. There are plausible environmental and (possibly developmental) advantages to these child care methods over the typical "Pamper-ed" lifestyle. But the question is whether you, as a parent,would be willing and able to be so "hands-on?"The same question can be asked of the bagless vacuum owner... Bagless has its benefits, but be prepared for some extra, hands-on maintenance and a lot of hidden costs! 

If you are a newer subscriber, you've missed a few years worth of incredibly FUN and helpful TIPS, product reviews and advice! Visit our Newsletter Articles Archive Today!