Latest news with #cleaning
Gizmodo
4 hours ago
- Business
- Gizmodo
Roborock Q5 Max+ Robot Vacuum Hits Its Lowest Price, 53% Off Deal Live Now as an Early Prime Day Offer
Amazon Prime members get all the best deals right now, with a massive 53% off of this incredible robot vacuum. You've had enough with vacuuming, and you should say it. In an ideal world, none of us would have to vacuum at all, but we're not there yet. The good news though, is that those of us who can afford it can escape the slog of vacuuming daily, and instead palm it off on an adorable disc-shaped friend in the form of a robot vacuum. They can be pricey though, so you'll generally want to make the most of deals when you can find them. See at Amazon Speaking of which, if you're an Amazon Prime member, you can currently get your hands on the exceptional Roborock Q5 Max+ robot vacuum and dock for just $280. That's a massive 53% off the normal price, and that's one heck of an early Prime Day deal. If you're not an Amazon Prime member, you can still save $100 on it right now too, but the difference in price is notable. Suck It Up There's a lot to love about this robot vacuum. The most obvious thing is the pure power of it. It has a 5500 Pa suction rating, which means it can not only handle all manner of floors, but also do so with aplomb, even managing to get out pet hair and other tough bits of small debris. It's just nice to know it can get the job done. It also uses LiDAR navigation to create a full 3D map of your home and then learn where it needs to go the most often to be as efficient as possible. The dock means it can self-empty too, which means you don't even need to do maintenance all that often, making it feel like an even bigger help compared to many other robot vacuums. That's the kind of off-hand greatness you need in a good robot vacuum. The battery life is impressive as well, lasting up to 240 minutes at once. You can even control it with your voice if you need to, or use the app if you'd rather. It just does everything you could want from a high-end robot vacuum, but for just $280. The discount is one of the big draws here, because saving yourself $320 (-53%) on a vacuum of this quality is a chance you shouldn't miss out on. Make sure you're quick if you do want it though, because there's no way of knowing how long the deal will last, and you'll be annoyed if you miss it. See at Amazon
Washington Post
4 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- Washington Post
Join our low-lift cleaning challenge with our Clean Start newsletter
Looking to tidy up your living space? Feeling frustrated that you don't have time to dedicate to a deep clean? Wishing you had some basic tips for how to integrate small, easy cleaning tasks into your daily routine? Well then, good news! We have a six-day, low-lift cleaning challenge for you. It's called Clean Start, and you can sign up here. No, we don't expect you to scrub down every inch of your home. We're not asking you to deep clean your fridge or color-coordinate your entire closet. (But more power to you if that's your passion!) Instead, we're combing through The Washington Post's cleaning coverage from over the years and offering some bite-sized tips for how to achieve small cleaning victories each day. We'll focus on six different topics: supplies, the dishwasher, time management, laundry, clutter, and everyone's favorite, the toilet. Hopefully by the end you'll have made some small gains — and maybe cleaned some spots you didn't even know you should be regularly cleaning. Come wade through the clutter with us! It'll be … fun?! See you there. Sign up for the Clean Start six-day newsletter course here.
CNET
16 hours ago
- General
- CNET
Stop Shoving Your Fitted Sheets in the Closet and Do This Instead
My linen closet looks picture-perfect at first glance. Pillowcases are stacked neatly, comforters are folded just right, and extra pillows sit in an orderly row. But hidden in the back corner is the one thing I can never seem to conquer -- my fitted sheets. No matter how many tutorials I watch, they always end up looking like a wrinkled lump of frustration. If you've also given up on folding fitted sheets the "right" way, you're not alone. They're notoriously tricky, and most of us just shove them into a corner and call it a day. But with the right visual guide and a few simple moves, you can finally fold a fitted sheet like a pro and bring real order to your linen closet. CNET The reason why fitted sheets are so dang hard to fold is that they have stretchy, rounded edges. It's obvious how to fold a square object, but folding a rounded one? That's a little tougher. Many people think folding a fitted sheet is an impossible task that takes a team (or at least several hands) or some kind of crazy gymnastics to accomplish. But if you're hoping to get ahead on your cleaning, you're in luck: We'll show you a foolproof, less complicated way to fold a fitted sheet. For more tips, learn how to best wash your sheets and bedding, and learn about these laundry symbols or you might ruin your clothes. How best to fold a fitted sheet First, lay the sheet out on a flat surface like your bed or the floor. Then, grab one edge and tuck it into the edge directly across from it. So, if you grab the right edge, tuck it into the left edge. It doesn't matter if you're tucking horizontally or vertically -- just don't tuck diagonally. Also, as you tuck, make sure the corner seams line up. Tuck it in, smooth it out. Alina Bradford/CNET If you do this part right, the elastic will be folded down and the new edge of the sheet will be smooth, right angles. Do the same thing to the bottom corners. When you're done, your edges should look something like this. Alina Bradford/CNET Final steps The hardest part is now over, and you just need to smooth out the edges and corners. If the sheet won't lie perfectly flat, don't panic. The bumps will be hidden by the time you finish folding it. Now, you should have a rectangle-ish shape to work with. Fold the sheet in half so that the elastic edges are hidden, smooth out the corners and fold the sheet in half again. Keep folding it in half until you have a nice, neat bundle. This will probably take some practice -- it definitely took me a few times to perfect. Give it a few tries and you'll have folded linens that you can easily store without all the hassle. A tidy fitted sheet can be achieved. Alina Bradford/CNET Bonus: A quick shortcut There is another, albeit lazier, way. You can just fold your sheets however you want, then stuff them into a matching pillow case. Your linen closet will still look tidy and no one will ever know. More laundry tips and tricks
CTV News
21 hours ago
- General
- CTV News
Our Guide To The Best Vacuum/Mop Combos In Canada In 2025 (And Where To Get Them)
Clean your floors completely in one pass with our guide to the best vacuum/mop combos in Canada. We've reviewed top models for dual-action cleaning performance, ease of use, and versatility. Whether you live in a large house or a small apartment, with a large family or by yourself, floor cleaning is probably a chore that needs to be done too often. Whether it's pet messes, kid messes, kitchen spills, or daily dust and hair accumulation, it can take a long time to vacuum, sweep, and/or mop your entire home. Luckily, there's a more efficient way to get things done. Vacuum/mop combos, also commonly referred to as wet-dry vacuums, can revolutionize the way you clean your floors. Since they can vacuum and mop at the same time, your hard floors will only need one pass to be perfectly cleaned. Plus, they're compatible with area rugs, too, so you won't need a separate carpet cleaner for your rugs! If a vacuum/mop combo sounds like the floor cleaning solution you've been waiting for, we're here to make sure you choose the best one for your needs. Vacuum/mop combos will vary in things like price, weight, tank capacity, power type (corded vs. cordless), and more. To find the best fit, every feature deserves some thought. This comprehensive guide will investigate the best vacuum/mop combos in Canada right now and outline the criteria you should consider while making your purchase decision. Let's dive right into our top five products. The Best Vacuum/Mop Combos Right Now Our Top Corded Pick for The Best Vacuum/Mop Combo Bissell 3515B CrossWave HydroSteam Plus Multi-Surface Wet Dry Vac Review What We Think of the Bissell 3515B CrossWave HydroSteam Plus Multi-Surface Wet Dry Vac We are super excited to introduce you to the Bissell 3515B CrossWave HydroSteam Plus Multi-Surface Wet Dry Vac. We love a well-rounded cleaning machine, and the affordable price is a huge bonus. This thing does an amazing job on both hard floors and area rugs, so you'll be able to keep your entire home looking (and smelling) brand new with just this machine. It's great if you live with pets, too, because its roller brush is designed to be tangle-free when it encounters pet hair. Brilliant. It has LEDs on the front to make sure you get every speck of dust and don't leave any wet messes behind, which we really appreciate. Since it offers a steam clean function as well, it's even better at cleaning sticky messes and pulling up deep dirt than other options. Of course, this vacuum/mop combo won't be a good choice for anyone who gets annoyed by cord management since it isn't a cordless machine. However, it's an easy thing to look past once you test it out for yourself. The only other potential downside is the lack of smart features, but those aren't super important for floor cleaning, right? All in all, the Bissell 3515B CrossWave HydroSteam Plus Multi-Surface Wet Dry Vac was an easy choice for our top corded pick this year. It tackles every kind of mess you could make in your home, and it's easy to keep clean and perform at its best. What more could you want? Performance: 5/5 Usability: 4.5/5 Price: 5/5 Quality: 5/5 What Reviewers Are Saying About the Bissell 3515B CrossWave HydroSteam Plus Multi-Surface Wet Dry Vac Reviewers are very happy with the Bissell 3515B CrossWave HydroSteam Plus Multi-Surface Wet Dry Vac. It works very well on hard floors and carpets—they're amazed at how much extra hair and dirt comes up with this compared to a regular vacuum. They appreciate the addition of a steam clean function, and the LEDs are a nice touch for darker spaces. Bissell 3515B CrossWave HydroSteam Plus Multi-Surface Wet Dry Vac Pros and Cons Buy If… Steam cleaning is right for your home You live with pets You like to keep your area rugs fresh You don't have the best lighting in some areas of your home Don't Buy If… You'd prefer not to be limited by a power cord Smart features are important to you Bissell 3515B CrossWave HydroSteam Plus Multi-Surface Wet Dry Vac Specifications Weight: 12.5 lbs Power Type: Corded Cord Length: 25 ft Self-Cleaning: Yes Warranty: 1 year Our Top Cordless Pick Tineco Floor One S7 Pro Smart Cordless Floor Cleaner Review What We Think of the Tineco Floor One S7 Pro Smart Cordless Floor Cleaner We are very impressed by the features offered by the Tineco Floor One S7 Pro Smart Cordless Floor Cleaner. One of its most unique functions is the self-propulsion system. It'll sense which way you're moving the machine and kick in with some power of its own. Isn't that helpful? Since it can also sense the mess volume/debris load and match its power accordingly, it'll be the most efficient floor cleaner you've ever used. We also really like the display screen. Yup, it has a display! It'll provide cleaning tips and real-time updates on the machine's stats and performance. How's that for excellent communication? Edge-to-edge cleaning is also a guarantee with this machine. It misses only 0.2 inches on each side, so you won't have to do a manual clean along the baseboard or furniture later. The main issue you'll run into with this one is the price. It's much more expensive than the average vacuum/mop combo, so if you're shopping on a budget, you'll likely have to pass this one by. Another potential dealbreaker is the fact that it isn't compatible with carpeted areas—if you're interested in deep cleaning your carpets and area rugs, this won't do the trick. All in all, the Tineco Floor One S7 Pro Smart Cordless Floor Cleaner is a fantastic choice if you're looking for something easy to move around. It's highly efficient, too, and guarantees a spotless clean from wall to wall. Doesn't it sound perfect? Performance: 5/5 Usability: 4/5 Price: 3.5/5 Quality: 5/5 What Reviewers Are Saying About the Tineco Floor One S7 Pro Smart Cordless Floor Cleaner Reviewers are very happy with the Tineco Floor One S7 Pro Smart Cordless Floor Cleaner. They absolutely love that they don't need to vacuum before mopping anymore—it's a lifesaver for busy parents, especially. The self-propulsion system makes movement much easier, and they haven't run into any issues with tank capacity or battery life. Tineco Floor One S7 Pro Smart Cordless Floor Cleaner Pros and Cons Buy If… A movement-assist system sounds awesome Efficiency is a priority You're looking for edge-to-edge cleaning You'd appreciate a cleaner that communicates with you Don't Buy If… Affordability is a concern You want to clean carpets/area rugs, too Tineco Floor One S7 Pro Smart Cordless Floor Cleaner Specifications Dimensions: 10.2' x 10.2' x 43.7' Weight: 11.2 lbs Power Type: Cordless Battery Life: 40 mins Tank Capacity: 850 ml Self-Cleaning: Yes Warranty: 2 years Our Upgrade Pick Tineco Floor One S7 Stretch Ultra Cordless Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner Review What We Think of the Tineco Floor One S7 Stretch Ultra Cordless Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner The Tineco Floor One S7 Stretch Ultra Cordless Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner is an easy one to admire. With highly effective edge-to-edge cleaning, you won't need any other tools to finish the job, and it's useful in every space. How so, you might be wondering? Well, since it can lie flat (a full 180 degrees!), it can get underneath coffee tables, raised display units, and more. Convenient, eh? One of the other features we really like is the anti-tangle brush roll. It has a two-tier system to make sure the brush can't get wrapped up in pet hair or human hair, and it cleans off dirty water and hair, too. It'll always be working at its best. The self-cleaning function on this one is also superior to other options—it washes and dries itself, so you won't have to do much by hand. Thank goodness. The only thing we'd change about this vacuum/mop combo is its compatibility with different surfaces. It's only usable on hard surfaces, unlike other options that can also clean carpets and area rugs. Something to keep in mind? The only other potential concern is the price—it isn't the most budget-friendly option. All in all, the Tineco Floor One S7 Stretch Ultra Cordless Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner is one of our favourites of all time. We would prefer that it could clean carpets, too, but it still offers tons and tons of value for hard floor cleaning. It's very user-friendly, too, and that can't be overrated. Performance: 5/5 Usability: 4/5 Price: 3.5/5 Quality: 5/5 What Reviewers Are Saying About the Tineco Floor One S7 Stretch Ultra Cordless Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner Reviewers have a very high opinion of the Tineco Floor One S7 Stretch Ultra Cordless Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner. Their favourite feature is how well it lays flat to get under tables and other raised obstacles, but they frequently mentioned its easy maintenance and effective anti-tangle brush as well. They would all choose this one again and recommend it to friends and family. Tineco Floor One S7 Stretch Ultra Cordless Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner Pros and Cons Buy If… You don't want to do any home cleaning with other tools You'd love a vacuum/mop combo that can get underneath raised furniture easily You'd love a machine that thoroughly cleans itself An anti-tangle brush roll is essential for your home Don't Buy If… You're shopping on a budget You want to clean carpeted areas, too, not just hard floors Tineco Floor One S7 Stretch Ultra Cordless Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner Specifications Weight: 9.9 lbs Power Type: Cordless Battery Life: 50 mins Tank Capacity: 1 L Self-Cleaning: Yes Warranty: 2 years Our Pet Pick Bissell 2306Y Crosswave Pet All-in-One Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner and Mop Review What We Think of the Bissell 2306Y Crosswave Pet All-in-One Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner and Mop The Bissell 2306Y Crosswave Pet All-in-One Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner and Mop is by far the best addition to your cleaning routine if you live with pets. The main reason for this is how well it deals with pet hair. It's been tested to be tangle-free with hair as long as eight inches, so your pet's hair will not be a problem for this machine. Luckily, the dirty water tank has a hair strainer so you can easily separate the pet hair from the water before it's poured down the drain. Smart, isn't it? Another thing you'll love is being able to clean your carpets and area rugs with this machine, too. It isn't only good for hard floors! Throw in a highly affordable price tag, and it sounds pretty perfect, doesn't it? There are only a couple of shortcomings that will affect whether this vacuum/mop combo is right for you. The first is the lack of a self-cleaning feature. You'll need to clean this machine entirely by hand, and this can be both challenging and time-consuming. The second potential issue is the power cord—if you want to move freely around your home, a cordless option might be a better fit. Overall, the Bissell 2306Y Crosswave Pet All-in-One Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner and Mop is our top choice for pet owners by far. Whether you're dealing with a lot of shedding, muddy footprints, or both, this machine will change the game when it comes to cleaning. Performance: 5/5 Usability: 4/5 Price: 5/5 Quality: 5/5 What Reviewers Are Saying About the Bissell 2306Y Crosswave Pet All-in-One Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner and Mop Reviewers are very pleased by the performance of the Bissell 2306Y Crosswave Pet All-in-One Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner and Mop. Even homes with many shedding pets are able to use this machine easily—it picks up every hair and never gets tangled. They love that it also works on their area rugs, so they don't need a carpet cleaner, too. It can be really difficult and time-consuming to fully clean the machine, though. Bissell 2306Y Crosswave Pet All-in-One Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner and Mop Pros and Cons Buy If… You want to deep clean your hard floors and area rugs You have multiple shedding pets in the home An affordable price tag is important You don't want to put a bunch of pet hair down your drains Don't Buy If… You'd prefer a machine that can clean itself You don't want to deal with a power cord Bissell 2306Y Crosswave Pet All-in-One Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner and Mop Specifications Dimensions: 10.5' x 12' x 46' Weight: 11 lbs Power Type: Corded Cord Length: 25 ft Self-Cleaning: No Warranty: 1 year Our Budget Pick Tineco iFloor 5 Breeze Complete Wet Dry Vacuum Cordless Floor Washer Review What We Think of the Tineco iFloor 5 Breeze Complete Wet Dry Vacuum Cordless Floor Washer The Tineco iFloor 5 Breeze Complete Wet Dry Vacuum Cordless Floor Washer strikes the perfect balance between affordability and effective cleaning. It has one of the lowest price tags you'll see connected to a cordless vacuum/mop vacuum, but it still offers amazing cleaning power right to the edges of your space—you won't have to clean a single inch by hand. We're really happy with the self-cleaning feature, too. Machine maintenance can be one of the main detriments of this type of cleaning tool, but this one can wash and dry the entire system to keep things smelling and functioning at their best. It stays clean while it's working, too, thanks to a separate clean water tank and a scraper that keeps hair and dirty water off the brush roll. Perfect. There are two reasons why this won't be the ideal cleaning companion for everybody. First, its runtime is only 30 minutes, so if you have a really large home or just don't want to charge it after every use, a different cordless machine might be better. Otherwise, the lack of carpet compatibility might be the only reason you choose to go in a different direction. Overall, the Tineco iFloor 5 Breeze Complete Wet Dry Vacuum Cordless Floor Washer has a lot to offer when it comes to hard floor cleaning. It won't be able to tackle your rugs and carpets, too, but it's still a great machine for the price. Performance: 4.5/5 Usability: 4/5 Price: 5/5 Quality: 5/5 What Reviewers Are Saying About the Tineco iFloor 5 Breeze Complete Wet Dry Vacuum Cordless Floor Washer Reviewers have a good opinion of the Tineco iFloor 5 Breeze Complete Wet Dry Vacuum Cordless Floor Washer. It cleans itself so well that they never have to get involved, and it's always ready to go when they need it. It cleans along edges brilliantly, and they love that it's always using fresh water and a clean roller. They highly recommend it for others. Tineco iFloor 5 Breeze Complete Wet Dry Vacuum Cordless Floor Washer Pros and Cons Buy If… You don't want to be involved in machine cleaning at all You want to always clean with a fresh brush roller You'd appreciate a vacuum/mop combo that can get right along the edge A low price tag is what you're after Don't Buy If… You want a machine that can clean carpets, too A short runtime won't work for your space Tineco iFloor 5 Breeze Complete Wet Dry Vacuum Cordless Floor Washer Specifications Dimensions: 12.2' x 12.2' x 43.5' Weight: 14.6 lbs Power Type: Cordless Battery Life: 30 mins Tank Capacity: 800 ml Self-Cleaning: Yes Warranty: 2 years Why Trust Shopping Trends? At Shopping Trends, every product we review goes through rigorous hands-on testing to ensure we're recommending only the best for Canadian households. With over a decade of experience in product evaluation and consumer reporting, I personally oversee each test and comparison. Our process is transparent, methodical, and grounded in real-world usage. Whether it's a cordless vacuum, a 4K TV, or a hammock for your next camping trip, we evaluate items the way you'd use them at home. When needed, we also consult Canadian industry experts to offer context and help readers make confident, informed decisions. Every 'top pick' featured in our guides has earned its spot through careful analysis, not sponsorship. How to Properly Choose Your Vacuum/Mop Combo Price Some vacuum/mop combos are as affordable as $300, others cost close to $1,000. Generally, more expensive models will have larger water tanks, will be powered by a battery instead of a corded connection, and will offer smart features like Wi-Fi connectivity, real-time stat tracking, and sensors that automatically adjust cleaning performance. Tank Capacity The tank capacity of a vacuum/mop combo will generally fall between 800 mL and 1,000 mL. Larger tanks will offer more cleaning time, but they'll also make the machine heavier and more difficult to move around or carry between levels. You'll have to decide what's right for you. Self-Cleaning Vacuum/mop combos can be quite difficult to clean by hand, but luckily, many of them offer a self-cleaning feature that can rinse out the whole system to prevent mould growth and bad smells. Some can even dry the brush roller for better cleanliness overall. Power Type Vacuum/mop combos can be corded or cordless. With a corded model, you have unlimited runtime, but you also have a limited reach and need to be aware of obstacles so you don't get tangled. Cordless models are a lot more convenient and maneuverable, but you'll have to watch the battery life. They're also more expensive than corded options. Extras Some vacuum/mop combos offer extras like LED headlights, smart features (display screens, Wi-Fi connectivity, etc.), self-propulsion systems, and more. These features will likely raise the price, but they might be worth it.
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
I Tried the Viral 'Actually Take' Method To Cut Back on Everyday Stress
This article may contain affiliate links that Yahoo and/or the publisher may receive a commission from if you buy a product or service through those links. In most aspects of my life, I'm great about not procrastinating. Still, there are a handful of chores and tasks I tend to put off until the end of the day — or, worse yet, for months. When that happens, the chore can feel bigger and more daunting as time goes on, until I really don't want to do it at all. Recently, though, I found a method that eases the pressure that inevitably comes with procrastinating doing a household task. It's called the 'actually take' method. I came across this video from creator Christi Newrutzen, which is part of her series titled 'How long does it actually take?' in which Newrutzen times herself to see exactly how long it will take to complete a household chore she's been procrastinating. In this TikTok, Newrutzen takes seven minutes to clean her shower drain (which she had never cleaned before!) and 25 minutes to clean the rest of the shower for a total of 32 minutes. Most people tend to put off chores and tasks because they don't want to or can't put in the time they think it will take. When you time yourself actually doing it, more often than not you might find that the thing you've been dreading because you thought it would take an hour really takes 15 minutes (or less). Knowing how long it actually takes to do something relieves some pressure so you can get on with your day without guilt, and it can help you build momentum to get more things done because it won't feel as daunting. I decided to give this method a shot. I timed how long it took to do a few tasks on my to-do list that I dread the most and procrastinate nearly every time. Doing the laundry has always been my favorite chore, and I even put most of my clothes away immediately — except for a few things that take extra effort. For example, all of my bedding is in a storage bag under the bed, and my workout clothes go on the top shelf of my closet (which requires me to get out the double step stool from the utility closet). In other words, these items sometimes live on top of my dresser for weeks. When I set out to clear off my dresser using the 'actually take' method, though, I discovered it only took 5 minutes and 39 seconds to put these things away in their rightful place and be able to see the top of my dresser once again. I love getting into a freshly made bed with clean sheets, but I don't love making our California king bed by myself. If my husband is busy with work, I typically get too lazy to change the sheets without his help. After timing myself, however, I learned that it only took me 2 minutes and 50 seconds to strip the bed, and 4 minutes and 31 seconds to make the bed with fresh sheets (including the time it took to get the quilt from under my bed), for a total of just 7 minutes and 21 seconds. Calling to make any kind of appointment seems like a thing of the past, but every now and then it's a must. My dentist doesn't have an online scheduler, which means I have to call. Although I've always known this doesn't take a long time, it's still something I constantly put off. Calling to reschedule my appointment only took me 1 minute and 20 seconds, which made me feel silly for procrastinating in the first place (I've been putting this off since February!). All I had to do was rip off that proverbial Band-Aid. I can see myself putting off these tasks less and less over time because I now know exactly how long they take. This method also helped me snap out of the 'I don't have time' mindset, as most of these items on my to-do list actually take less time than an episode of my favorite sitcom. In turning these chores into a bit of a competition, I realized they weren't as big of a deal as I'd been building them up to be, relieved myself of the stress of not doing them, and gave myself the satisfaction of finally checking them off my list. An Event Planner's Tips for Hosting a Winning Game Night Home: Where Your Story Starts The Best Modular Sofas and Sectionals Reviewed Sign up for Apartment Therapy's Daily email newsletter to receive our favorite posts, tours, products, and shopping guides in your inbox.
