Latest news with #springcleaning
The Verge
a day ago
- The Verge
Eufy's X10 Pro Omni mopping robovac has returned to its best price to date
Now that warmer weather is here, spring cleaning duties are likely falling by the wayside. But the good news is you can enjoy the outdoors and clean your home with zero effort by letting a robot vacuum do the hard work for you. For that, we recommend a versatile model like the Eufy X10 Pro Omni, which is currently on sale at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy to $549.99 ($250 off), matching its all-time low. The X10 Pro Omni, one of our favorite midrange vacuum / mop combos, boasts an array of features to help it tackle daily messes, including oscillating dual spinning brushes capable of cleaning dried stains. An onboard water reservoir means the robot vacuum can clean for longer without having to refill its tank as often as some alternatives. Plus, when it's finished mopping, a heated mop drying function helps prevent the base from smelling like dirty laundry. Unfortunately, however, it lacks a heated mop washing feature. In addition to mopping, the X10 Pro Omni features 8,000Pa of suction, which enables it to perform well on both carpet and tile surfaces. It also offers excellent AI-powered object recognition, allowing it to avoid pet messes, cables, and toys. That said, we did encounter a few navigation issues during our testing, with the vacuum unable to escape from a corner. While it did get stuck a few times, its lidar-powered mapping is fast and accurate, laying out multiple rooms correctly on the first try. To round out the Omni's capabilities, support for the Eufy Clean app allows you to set schedules, establish no-go zones, create virtual boundaries, and more. It can also automatically empty its dust bin and refill its own water tank, so you can set it and forget it while it does its thing.
CBC
13-06-2025
- General
- CBC
Retired soldier gets his medals back after accidental donation
It started with spring cleaning. Kelly and Margaret Grant, both retired from the military, filled some boxes with things they no longer needed and took them to local charities. They included suit jackets that were hanging in the closet. What the couple didn't realize was that Kelly Grant's military medals were still pinned to one of those jackets. Seven medals, earned over 30 years from tours in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Cyprus and Yugoslavia, had been accidently donated. "I was hoping they were in the house, so we were looking and looking and searching, and we couldn't find them anywhere," said Grant, who retired as a master warrant officer. WATCH | 'A series of unfortunate events that led to a really good outcome': The search for 7 missing medals from a long military career 3 hours ago Duration 4:00 Originally from Saint John, Grant was first posted in Calgary, then Winnipeg and Victoria, before his final posting at Base Gagetown, where he retired as master warrant officer. Among the lost medals was his prized Member of the Order of Military Merit. The Canadian Armed Forces criteria for the medal reads: "Appointment to the rank of Member of the Order of Military Merit recognizes outstanding meritorious service and demonstrated leadership in duties of great responsibility." At the end of last year, only 3,768 of those medals had been issued since the honour was created in 1972, according to the Armed Forces website. "Remembrance Day came and went, and I had to go to the service without my medals," Grant said. "It was very different standing with all your peers when they're displaying their medals, and I didn't have mine to display." Just looking at his medals brought him pride. Losing them weighed on him. "It was very saddening," he said. After Remembrance Day, he said, he accepted that his medals were gone. Not wanting to go through another ceremony without them, Grant commissioned a set of replicas. Those cost $500. A year later, Grant was still bothered by his medals' disappearance. He and his wife concluded they must have accidentally gone to one of several organizations that received their donations of clothing and furniture. Earlier this month, Grant posted on Facebook marketplace, writing: "I'm sad to say that my wife and I may have donated my military medals [along] with some clothing by accident. If anyone has found them can you contact me please, ty." Included was a photo of the medals he took from a framed portrait of him and his wife posing in their uniforms. "I had several people reach out to me saying they may have seen my medals at the Hospice House," Grant said. Hospice House is a 10-bed residential facility providing end-of-life care for terminally ill residents in downtown Fredericton. The charity operates on some provincial funding, and a lot of donations, including from sales of donated items. In this case, those included the accidently donated medals. "Someone had bought them," Grant said. On a Sunday afternoon, Terry McCormack, a collector of military memorabilia, received a message from a friend directing him to Grant's plea for his missing medals. "Within about 15 minutes I had contacted him," said McCormack, a former reservist of 35 years and Hospice House volunteer. "I said, 'Look, I've got your medals. Let's meet.'" Within half an hour, the two me were at Tim Hortons. "I was shocked and happy," said Grant, who had confirmed the medals were his after he was sent a photo of them. McCormack said he was pleased to reunite the former soldier with his accolades. He did request Grant pay him the amount that he'd paid the charity for them. "They weren't free," Grant told CBC News. "He had a receipt for $600, and that's what it cost me to get my medals back." Grant was just happy the medals were in his possession again. "I'm ecstatic to have them back," he said. "I promised these to my granddaughter, and now it's nice to say that she's going to have them." Charity response On learning what Grant had been through with his missing medals, Cindy Sheppard, the CEO of Hospice House, said she contacted him to let him know the charity was sending him the amount he paid to regain his medals. "Once he told me the story, I certainly offered Kelly his $600 back, for purchasing his own medals back," said Sheppard, whose organization operates Hospice Boutique. "He shouldn't have to pay for the medals he earned through service." Sheppard and McCormack both told CBC News that when the medals were first donated, staff tried to double-check if it was an accident, but because the Grants' donation was made anonymously, they didn't know what to do. After holding them for a while to make sure no one was looking for them, Hospice House eventually sold them to McCormack. And back again But the exchanges don't end there. Grant said that after Sheppard called to send him the $600, he had a conversation with his wife. "That was very, very, sweet of her to do," Grant said. "Now, knowing what the Hospice House stands for ... we're donating that money back to Hospice House." "It's an all-around good story," Sheppard said. "A series of unfortunate events that led to a really good outcome." Sheppard said any future medals sent to Hospice House will be passed on to the local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion to ensure nothing like this happens again.
Auto Blog
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Walmart is selling a ‘durable' $190 outdoor storage box for $77, and shoppers say it ‘has a large amount of space'
The Walmart, Inc. logo appears on a smartphone screen in this illustration photo in Reno, United States Autoblog aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission. Have you been procrastinating on your spring cleaning? While many of us focus on dusting, vacuuming, and deep cleaning our homes, it's also important to reorganize and prepare your outdoor space for the warmer months. One of the easiest ways to do this is by adding the Seizeen Outdoor Storage Box to your home. Right now, the handy storage solution is on sale at Walmart for just $77, saving you 60%. Seizeen Outdoor Storage Box, $77 (was $190) at Walmart Measuring 44.35 inches long, 19.72 inches wide, 21.44 inches high, this storage box can fit in your garage, on your deck or patio, and anywhere else you need a little bit of organization. The structure is made from a durable plastic that is water-resistant, weatherproof, and UV-resistant. Plus, it's fully sealed to protect your items from bugs and inclement weather. One shopper wrote, 'Spacious enough to fit all the basketballs, rackets, and toys, while still slim enough not to take up so much space underneath the carport. I would recommend this storage bin!' A second customer said, 'Perfect size. Not too big, not too small. I love that it locks and has wheels to maneuver around [the] patio.' Another added, 'Feels very strong and has a large amount of space.' With a slatted wood-effect finish, the storage box is available in black or gray colorways to match your outdoor furniture and decor. It weighs about 15 pounds and features portable handles on each side, two wheels, and a lockable lid for easy movement and added security. Its 75-gallon capacity can fit anything from patio cushions and pool toys, to power tools and gardening equipment. A fourth reviewer wrote, 'It is durable enough to be sat on, and despite the torrential downpours of the past few weeks, it remains as dry as a bone inside. Assembly is effortless. It is also equipped with metal links that allow for the attachment of a padlock.' Add this outdoor storage box to your yard for just $77. You'll instantly feel organized and ready to enjoy your outdoor space without clutter. About the Author Victoria Garcia View Profile
CNET
01-06-2025
- Business
- CNET
You Can Recycle Your Old Computers and Printers for Free. Here's Where
Summer is almost here, but it's not too late to get that last bit of spring cleaning done. And though it can be difficult to get rid of that old laptop, desktop or printer you've got sitting around -- even when it's been over a decade since you last plugged it in or switched it on -- recycling old tech is important, and it can free up a lot of space in your home. A recent CNET survey found that 31% of US adults are still holding onto unused old devices, including laptops, because they're unsure of what to do with them. The survey also found that 19% of respondents just toss old devices in the trash -- which is actually illegal in many states and can draw hefty fines -- while 29% use a recycling service to dispose of old tech. But there are easy and sustainable ways to clear out all that ancient tech. Recycling computers and printers can be as easy as bringing them to major retailers such as Best Buy, Office Depot and Staples. Some stores will even give you credit for offloading your old devices, as hard as it might be to let go of them. Here's what you need to know about recycling your old tech. For more, learn how to recycle your old phones. What to do before recycling your old computer Wherever you choose to take or mail in your items to be recycled, you'll want to protect your data by removing it as best you can. One way to do this is to perform a factory reset on your computer. Our guide walks you through the process. Where to recycle computers and printers Some retail stores will accept computers and printers for recycling, but it's not always a free service. Policies vary by company. Apple Store You can recycle your old Apple computers, monitors and peripherals, such as printers, for free at an Apple store, but there's a costly catch. According to the Apple Free Recycling program, you must also purchase a qualifying Apple computer or monitor to receive this service. Need another option? A third-party company called Gazelle buys old MacBooks to recycle them. After accepting Gazelle's offer, you print a prepaid label or request a prepaid box and ship the machine to them. Read more: Phone and Laptop Repair Goes Mainstream With Push From iFixit Best Buy stores Best Buy generally accepts up to three household items per household per day to be recycled for free, including desktop computers and printers, as well as other items ranging from e-readers to vacuum cleaners. While three is the limit for most items, there's a higher standard for laptops -- Best Buy will take five of those per household per day. Note that rules for dropping off monitors vary by state, and it's not always free to do so. Best Buy also offers a mail-in recycling service for select items, but that's also not free. A small box that holds up to 6 pounds costs $23, while a large box (up to 15 pounds) costs $30. Office Depot stores Office Depot and OfficeMax merged in 2013. The retailers offer a tech trade-in program both in-store and online where you may be able to get a store gift card in exchange for your old computers and printers. If the device has no trade-in value, the company will recycle it for free. Office Depot also sells its own tech recycling boxes that you can fill with electronics to be recycled and then drop off at the stores, but they aren't free. The small boxes cost $8.39 and hold up to 20 pounds, the medium ones cost $18.29 and hold up to 40 pounds, and the large boxes cost $28 and hold up to 60 pounds. Staples stores You can bring your old desktop computers, laptops, printers and more to the Staples checkout counter to be recycled for free, even if they weren't purchased there. The retailer also has a free at-home battery recycling box which, according to a Staples rep, has led customers to recycle thousands of batteries per week, up from an earlier average of 50 per week. Here's a list of everything that can be recycled at Staples. Read more: How to Factory Reset a MacBook, Windows Laptop or Chromebook How to find an electronics recycling center If you don't live near a major retailer or would rather take your computers and printers to a recycling center, you can locate places near you by using search tools provided by Earth911 and the Consumer Technology Association. Earth911 recycling center Use the recycling center search function on Earth911 to find recycling centers near your ZIP code that accept laptops, desktops and printers. Note that the results may also turn up places that accept mobile phones and not computers or printers, so you may have to do a little filtering. Greener Gadgets recycling center Consult the Consumer Technology Association's Greener Gadgets Recycle Locator to find local recycling centers in your area that will take old items. The search function also allows you to filter the results to separately hunt for places that take computers versus printers.
CNET
29-05-2025
- General
- CNET
15 Filthy Spots That Survived Your Spring Cleaning Rampage, According to an Expert
CNET Look outside and you'll see that flowers are blooming and pollen is flying. That means it's time to start spring cleaning -- or finish, according to a professional we spoke with. The professional in question is Angie Olive, owner of Alliance Building Services in St. Louis and she just happens to be my mom. She's been in the cleaning business for 25 years and says there are more than a dozen spots in the home that almost everyone misses. "Most things are out of sight and out of mind," said Olive, owner of . "If your outside surfaces are clean, you think everything is clean. It's no fault of your own that the stuff that slides down the side of your stove goes unnoticed until you move out." "If you maintain cleaning your house throughout the year, you should still consider hiring a professional cleaning company to come in at least twice a year for a deep clean," she added. So, if deep cleaning your home is part of your spring routine, here are 15 places in your home that you shouldn't forget. 1. Shutters Built-in shutters can accumulate a lot of dust over the years. Although it seems the only solution is regular dusting, I have found a tool that makes it slightly easier: a blind cleaner duster brush. Built-in shutters can often hide dust. Corin Cesaric/CNET (Tip: I also use this tool to clean my window AC unit, and you can also use it on blinds, too.) 2. Door frames The top of door frames is another area known for almost always being dusty. You can use a duster, microfiber cloth or vacuum to clean that area, then with warm, soapy water for the rest of the frame. 3. Baseboards Cleaning baseboards is typically on the list of least desirable chores. On Reddit, many users ask for tips on how to make this one easier on themselves -- and their backs and knees. One user suggested knee pads, while another advocates for using a vacuum with a brush attachment. If you have pets or there's a lot of foot traffic in your home, you'll want to clean your baseboards at least twice a month. FotoDuets/Getty Images Olive suggests that after deep cleaning your baseboards once, you can maintain them by using a damp mop on them when cleaning your floors. "As long as you're not using harsh chemicals, it won't damage your paint," she said. 4. Under the couch and bed For this chore, a robot vacuum may be the best -- and easiest -- option for regular upkeep. (CNET chose the Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo and the iRobot Combo J7 Plus as the best robot vacuums for 2025.) 5. Ceiling fans It's good to occasionally clean the entire ceiling fan, including the bulbs, but the blades typically need the most attention. If your blades are heavily covered in dust, use a vacuum cleaner with the wand attachment on them first to minimize the amount that falls onto the ground -- or worse, in your face -- before dusting them clean with a duster or microfiber cloth. You can also clean the pull strings and bulbs with a microfiber cloth, but make sure the light switch is turned off and the bulbs have completely cooled before touching them. If you're deep cleaning your home, don't forget to look up to find the areas you may have missed. BackyardProduction/Getty Images 6. Grout When I moved into my apartment a few years ago, I could never get the tiny bathroom to feel clean — until I scrubbed the grout and unveiled its true color. I used Zep Grout Cleaner and a grout brush and was amazed at the difference, as were many on TikTok who used the same product. When I was halfway done with cleaning the grout, I was already extremely satisfied with the results. Corin Cesaric/CNET I poured the solution on the grout and let it sit for two to three minutes before using the brush to scrub the grout, then wiped the area clean. I now deep clean the grout about every six months and regularly mop. 7. Remote controls Although most people touch their TV remotes every day, it's often forgotten that we need to clean them, too. "They might not look dirty, but they're usually full of germs," Olive said. You should aim to clean and disinfect the remotes in your home about once a month.A quick way to clean your remote is to use a disinfectant wipe and then let it air dry. 8. Tops of cabinets When you cook on your stovetop, the smoke, steam and food particles travel up and often settle on top of your cabinets. This leaves a thick, sticky residue if you forget to clean the area. "Regularly clean with a degreaser on top of the cabinets," Olive said. "Once you get the build-up gone, you can maintain it." Another way to protect the top of your cabinets from the buildup is to line them with parchment or wax paper. 9. Doorknobs Doorknobs may not look dirty but most are teeming with germs. Fotosearch/Getty Images Doorknobs are another high-touch area that can be forgotten about. Use a disinfectant wipe or Lysol to clean them, especially during cold and flu season. (Tip: Clean your light switches at the same time you clean your door knobs since they're typically near each other.) 10. Stove knobs Stove knobs can get the same greasy residue buildup so it's important to deep clean them as well. Take the knobs off and soak them in warm, soapy water and scrub them if needed, then rinse, dry and replace. 11. Side of the stove As your stove knobs are soaking, you can deep clean the side of your stove, too. Pull out the appliance and use a cleaner of your choice to get rid of any food buildup that may have accumulated. "As you're cooking, you don't realize what you're spilling between the appliance and the countertop," Olive said. "Once you pull out your appliances, you'll find a lot of places that you need to clean." If you'd prefer to prevent spillage rather than clean it, you may want to invest in a stove gap cover. 12. Oven After you tackle the outside of your stove, it's time to clean the inside of the oven. You can try this chemical-free cleaning method to get your oven to look brand-new. Read more: Your Oven's Bottom Drawer Has a Secret Purpose -- Here's What It Actually Does Plan to clean your oven about four times a year. Jevtic/Getty Images 13. Walls You don't have to clean your walls every day, but they're not immune to getting dirty, especially the ones in your kitchen and bathroom, and for me, the one behind my dog's food and water bowls. You can start by dusting your walls, then using a Magic Eraser on them to get any marks, scuffs or splatters off. 14. Behind the refrigerator This area can be easily forgotten about, because most people don't routinely pull out their refrigerator. But when you do, you're almost certain to find dust and build up. You can clean the floor underneath your fridge and the wall behind it, then focus on the back of the fridge itself. First, unplug the fridge, then use a microfiber cloth or vacuum to dust the coils. Dust and hair can even find its way to the back of your fridge.15. Houseplants It may seem odd at first, but yes, you should be cleaning your houseplants, too -- even fake ones. The leaves on houseplants can collect a lot of dust. You can use a microfiber cloth or a duster to keep them dust-free. Plants with large leaves are especially likely to get dust buildup. Polina Sergeyeva/iStock/Getty Images Expert advice: Create a routine that works for you While it may seem overwhelming to keep every part of your home clean and free from dust, grease and buildup, don't overwork yourself. "Work out your own routine and do a little each time," Olive said. "Don't try to tackle everything at once."
