DYSON DC47 Animal Ball Canister Vac

Dyson has a new canister vacuum and it's....well, I have to say this, it's super cute.  It's very compact, so it's kind of like a baby vacuum.  It may be adorable, but it packs a punch and I'm amazed at what a good job this little vacuum did on my floors.

My house is small and open concept, so the shorter cord worked fine for me.  It probably wouldn't make sense for a large home, but an apartment or studio or small place like mine would be ideal.  I have bamboo floors and wool rugs and it glided over all surfaces with ease.  The ball makes it very maneuverable and it's light weight saves your back while vacuuming stairs. 

The good looks set this far apart from other vacuums, it really is nice to look at with a vibrant violet top and charcoal gray body.  I would not recommend this for anything other than small jobs.  Nothing hard core.  This vacuum does not have the suction and power I've known in other Dysons, if you're sucking up things larger than lint, dust bunnies, and dirt, then stuff can get trapped on the way to the canister causing you to stop and empty it out.  So for smaller jobs, yes, but heavy duty--go with a bigger Dyson. 

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AIR-O-SWISS AIR WASHER HUMIDIFIER

Indoor air quality during the winter can be problematic.  Air can become stale and heaters tend to create dry air in your house.  A humidifier is a great solution to this, helping with dry skin as well as typical cold symptoms that come along during the winter.  If you're sick, the moisture created by the humidifier can help make it easier for you to breathe and give releif to irritated sinus passages.  It can also help with coughing and dry sore throats.

In the past, I'd only used the warm mist type humidifiers.  You know the kind that have a steady stream of steam coming out?  I'd never heard of cool mist humidifiers before, but my recent experience with the AIR O SWISS AIR WASHER has me very impressed.

For one, you don't get that condensation all over your stuff that can happen with the other style.  The other thing I love is how easy it is to use.  It's very intuitive and straightforward.  You take it out of the box, remove the cardboard that's inside protecting the discs, fill up the water tank and turn it on.  It's that simple.

I love that there are no filters to replace.  You just take the discs out and clean them every two weeks or so (depending on your water quality) and clean out the insides.  It's easy.  The directions recommend using a product called EZ Cal for decalcification, and a sample is included for your first cleaning. 

If you'd like to add some fragrance (I think eucalyptus would be great for when you're sick), you just put some essential oil on a cotton ball and insert that into the little tulip shaped holder (seen in photo).

It's very quiet if you want it to be.  There are three speeds and on the lowest speed you can barely hear it.  I prefer the middle speed as I like the moderate white noise and find it soothing at night for falling asleep.

The machine itself is very good looking, in fact I don't think I've ever seen a humidifier that looked this cool. 


The only thing I wasn't crazy about is the location of the opening where you are to fill the tank.  It's on the back and it's awkward.  I found it easiest to fill it in the bathtub.  It's also impossible to get all the water out of the tank because of this poor location.  If the hole were on the top of the tank so that you could refill with a pitcher, and just turn it upside down to drain, that would be perfect. 

All in all, I really like the Air Washer.  They equate the machine to having a similar effect as rain and I'm excited to see how it will help with the pollen that drives me nuts in the Spring.  If you need a reliable humidifier to see you through the winter, check this out HERE.



Review Disclosure

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AUSTIN AIR Allergy Machine Air Purifier

Is the pollen getting you down?  Are your eyes bothering you or do you wake up with sneezing fits?  As beautiful as Spring is, it brings with it a host of potential irritants.  This year my eyes were inflamed and it was really hard to wear contacts, and mornings were fraught with sneezing.  My five year old has also been a little sneezy.

Here is my solution to a good night's sleep when allergens are high--the Austin Air Allergy Machine.  Sleeping with the Allergy Machine on allows a more restful sleep and the absence of waking up stuffy and sneezy.  I have been using this for the last couple of weeks and there is a noticeable difference in how I feel upon waking and throughout the day.

Austin Air purifiers are medical and military grade, they're hard core.  They are great for people with asthma, and other chronic respiratory issues.  The HEPA filter removes 99.97% of airborne particulates larger than 0.3 microns, including pollen, dust, smoke, mold, spores, dust mite allergens, and pet dander which can be hard on the immune system.  We've all heard the stats that indoor air pollution is worse than outdoor, here is a great solution to that.

The Allergy Machine has three speeds, the highest sounds like a fan and the lowest is barely detectable.  I've been putting it on high for about an hour before bed time and then lowering it to medium.  I find the white noise soothing and helpful to block out external sounds, enhancing sleep.  The machine cleans the air in my bedroom four times per hour.

The appearance, as air filters go, I think is attractive.  It's just a simple box shape and I love the casters which allow for easy maneuverability.  They come in several colors to match your decor, they are energy efficient and come with a five year warranty.  The air filters are designed to last five years with normal household usage.  From my research, I think they are one of the more economical air purifiers out there with the most bang for your buck.

We filter our water, why not filter our air?  I think it's particularly important for the hours that we are sleeping.  This is when our bodies are rejuvenating and taking care of business. It just makes sense to me to give our immune systems a break so that our bodies can function optimally. Find the Allergy Machine HERE. 

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Dyson Turbinehead Canister Vacuum. Function Meets Design.

Why can't all appliances be this sexy?  Seriously, this Dyson Turbinehead DC23 looks like a piece of modern art.  Everything that comes into your house should be aesthetically pleasing to you.  Why not?  I wish other appliance makers would get this simple concept. Why shouldn't our mundane utility items be beautiful?  That is what I notice first with this Dyson, it's good looks.  It's charcoal gray body, cobalt blue canister and modern design are striking and pleasing to see around the house.

The next thing I notice is that it's intuitive and easy to maneuver.  The head is thin enough to slide under furniture easily, the telescoping wand is simple to adjust for height, and the canister is easy to remove.  I Love Love Love the retractable cord, the on off button is located right next to the retractable cord button, everything is easy to find.  The vacuum is lightweight enough to carry around the house with ease.  The handle is ergonomic and actually pivots while on the floor or when cleaning furniture and stairs or dusting.  Everything is very simple and straightforward.

One thing that is wonderful about Dyson is that there are no bags.  You simply remove the canister, press a button and the contents go right into your garbage.  I recommend doing this frequently, after each use or every other use.  There are also no belts and no filters to have to keep up with, you only have to maintain the filter by washing it occasionally.  This is both convenient and saves money.

Another thing I love about Dyson is that they are wonderful for people with allergies and asthma.  Dyson vacuums are certified asthma and allergy friendly from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.  There's no funky smell or particles floating around--you know how sometimes vacuums seem to stir up more stuff than they vacuum?  Not this.

There are several attachments, making upholstery cleaning and getting into nooks and crannies easy and the suction is great for both my bamboo floors and carpet.  I Love this vacuum, highly recommended!  Find it HERE. 

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