After scrubbing my house from top to bottom after the move, the skin is literally peeling off my hands from all the chemicals. This has made me think about getting a steam cleaner, maybe one of these. I like the idea of cleaning without chemicals, and I've used a handheld one long enough to know that if you get the pressure up, they really seem to do the job. Since I'm moving to another Victorian house with elderly tile, etc., and I'm kind of obsessed by cleaning things like baseboards, it's very tempting.
On the other hand, it seems very pricey--how much can I really save on soap with one of these? And do they actually work, or just look good in the commercials? Can anyone comment?
Second bleg is for a friend, who wants a nice digital camcorder that can double as a webcam. Not super-extravagent, just solid and easy to use. Any suggestions?
Copyright © 2009 by The Atlantic Monthly Group. All rights reserved.
Megan - I highly recommend a steam cleaner...A hundred bucks is a small price to pay for not having to screw around with chemicals (or go to clean and discover you're all out) and, as you say, steam works great.
As far as a Camcorder, first I would point out that all new computers come with webcams either installed or as add-ons. If your friend wants to buy a hand-held for other uses, a few recos: 1) DON'T get one of the off-brand cheapies that are offered on Ebay. They seem like a great deal because they are half the price of the ones they compare to in their ads, but they are crap and break quickly. Spring for a brand name. My personal favorite is the Canon line. (I work in the film business and have tried several varieties from different manufacturers.) You didn't list a price range, so I have trouble making a specific recommendation, but tell your friend to look for the following: # of CCDs and CCD size. (CCD stands for "charge-coupled device" and, without getting technical, it's what allows for image capture) This is the most important feature for consumer cameras in terms of image quality, particularly in low light situations, which virtually every normal (without special lighting) situation is. Get a 3 CCD camera if possible, rather than a 1 CCD. If 3-CCD, minimum size should be 1/4-inch, if 1-CCD, minimum size should be 1/3-inch. Again, these are minimums, more/bigger is better. Apart from that, your friend should simply look for the features that fit his/her projected usage. For simple recording and webcam, just look for an easy button interface. If he/she wants to make amateur movies, look for a camera with a variety of frame rates/capture modes. (These have names like 1080i and 24p) Hope that helps!
Megan - I highly recommend a steam cleaner...A hundred bucks is a small price to pay for not having to screw around with chemicals (or go to clean and discover you're all out) and, as you say, steam works great.
As far as a Camcorder, first I would point out that all new computers come with webcams either installed or as add-ons. If your friend wants to buy a hand-held for other uses, a few recos: 1) DON'T get one of the off-brand cheapies that are offered on Ebay. They seem like a great deal because they are half the price of the ones they compare to in their ads, but they are crap and break quickly. Spring for a brand name. My personal favorite is the Canon line. (I work in the film business and have tried several varieties from different manufacturers.) You didn't list a price range, so I have trouble making a specific recommendation, but tell your friend to look for the following: # of CCDs and CCD size. (CCD stands for "charge-coupled device" and, without getting technical, it's what allows for image capture) This is the most important feature for consumer cameras in terms of image quality, particularly in low light situations, which virtually every normal (without special lighting) situation is. Get a 3 CCD camera if possible, rather than a 1 CCD. If 3-CCD, minimum size should be 1/4-inch, if 1-CCD, minimum size should be 1/3-inch. Again, these are minimums, more/bigger is better. Apart from that, your friend should simply look for the features that fit his/her projected usage. For simple recording and webcam, just look for an easy button interface. If he/she wants to make amateur movies, look for a camera with a variety of frame rates/capture modes. (These have names like 1080i and 24p) Hope that helps!
"the skin is literally peeling off my hands from all the chemicals"
A pair of $5 rubber gloves might be the easiest way to go.
Steam is useful at times but steam doesn't eliminate the need for elbow grease.
Any digital camcorder with firewire in/out will double as a web camera.
The biggest impediment to utility in consumer camcorders is not having them with you when you want them. Your friend should get something they don't mind toting around.
It must be nice for the pro-Financial Bailout, anti-Auto company bailout to buy such expensive products.
Let them eat cake I guess is her motto.
I wore gloves, but the latex isn't so good for my skin either
Where I live, you can rent steam cleaners from the grocery chain. I'm sure hardware stores also have them for rent.
Make sure you also wear a mask. You're killing brain cells!
And gloves of course.
"I wore gloves, but the latex isn't so good for my skin either"
Nitrile.
Ms Megan
Don't buy a steam cleaner. That is not where your talents lie. Hire someone who has the desire to excel in that type of work, and pay them accordingly. That is what makes the economy grow.
I agree, nitrile if the latex bothers you're skin. I had the older version of that cleaner and can't say that I was very happy with it. I've heard that the industrial, will take your skin and soul if not used properly, steam cleaners do a great job but that little one did not.
1. it doesn't clean everything. I was still breaking out chemicals all the time.
2. It did a good job on a lot of jobs but I was constantly waiting for it to build up steam again. Much like your hand held one, you need it to be really hot before you start.
3. Steam can damage some materials!!! be careful.
re:webcam - If your friend is a Mac user, I can recommend a Sony cam with firewire. We've had good experience with ours for 6 years, now. Windows machines often don't have firewire although a board or dongle can easily be added.
Megan - My wife uses the cleaner and loves it.
The people who work with chemicals all day with no other option invest in these things called "gloves."
It lacks the ritz of a steam cleaner, to be sure, but it's a lot less idiotic.
The people who work with chemicals all day with no other option invest in these things called "gloves." It lacks the ritz of a steam cleaner, to be sure, but it's a lot less idiotic.
Ehm, you might want to review the prior comments before building further on that one.
And read the rest of you morons? No thanks. I'd rather say what's already been said.
Oh, and, nitrile.
and rubber
and sheep skin
and saran wrap
and mouse, by god, you're dull.
and mouse, by god, you're dull.
Yeah, the medications do that. My plans to take over the universe were getting out of control again. Plus, I've been cutting the coffee back to eight cups or less per day. If you don't have your health, etc.
And read the rest of you morons? No thanks. I'd rather say what's already been said.
Now let's discuss your medications.
You bring up medications and mental stability A LOT.
It's telling.
Now, let's return to the realm of ideas. Clearly, we each think each other ridiculous. Of course, I believe that you're ridiculous because you have stated, (or agreed with and hence stated by proxy) your ideals and I find them ridiculous.
You, on the other hand, find me ridiculous for simply ridiculing you. You have not a clue what I believe other than that I clearly believe that what you believe is heartless and simplistic.
It has been said that the mark of sanity is simply that one can accept that there are viewpoints other than one's own. I accept this, thought your viewpoints don't fall into that category in my book.
The fact that you find me ridiculous simply for disagreeing with you (the only fact about me of which you're certain) speaks more to your level of sanity, open-mindedness, and objectiveness than it does of mine.
Simply put, you guys have lots of critics and yet NONE of them ever make you sway in the slightest. This means that you think you're right ALL THE TIME. You're, obviously, not.
So, why not listen to your critics occasionally? You might learn something.
Or continue to be an asshat. Whatev.
aMouseforallSeasons v NutellaonToast? I love this blog!
That's old hat. We argue all the time. It's cause we're secretly in love.
For serious scrubbing you don't want to use cheap disposable latex or nitrile gloves (tho some of the nitrile glocves are pretty durable)you want something like these - http://tinyurl.com/5s8usk
-Neoprene with knit lining
I can't see steam being that useful for baseboards or floors. It would merely sanitize whatever is there, perhaps loosening it enough for you to remove it by hand.
I suggest cotton liners under rubber gloves for max hand protection.
Spend the money on a good clothes steamer and save on dry cleaning and dryer usage, or something like the Rowenta steam generator irons that can do double duty.
i have used a steam cleaner for several years. it is one of the best products i have ever purchased. it works best on floors and baseboards. It is easy to use and after i am done i dont have to worry about my pets walking on a floor of wet chemicals. Nor do i track cleaning fluids across my house and into my bed with my bare feet. go with the steam cleaner. you will be very happy. especially when you can literally see the amount of dirt that gets removed.
oh! and the person who said get a good clothes steamer instead, nonsense! a clothes steamer will not deliver the steam with the proper pressure to remove dirt. a clothes steamer will just give you wet, hot, and dirty baseboards and floors.
get the proper steamer.
Nitrile gloves are the way to go in most cases. Latex gloves will fall apart if they get oily/greasy like when you are cleaning the stove or when they are exposed to alcohols. No one has been helpful about where to get nitrile gloves. They are usually on the same rack as the disposable latex gloves. Either nitrile or vinyl gloves. Chain drugstores will almost always have them too with other medical supplies - usually in boxes of 50 or 100. The powder on disposables may be what's irritating, try a batch of powder free gloves.
If you want something longer lasting than disposables, try a good hardware store. The big box home improvement centers usually have a good selection too. If you go with reusable gloves be sure to keep them clean inside as well as outside.. and dry when you aren't using them.
When did water stop being a chemical?
@bob9999
Please don't point out such things.
It only causes confusion among the environmentalists.
Water is a "natural" chemical quite unlike all that man-made stuff like carbon dioxide, or sodium chloride, or ammonium nitrate, or...
Several folks I know really like the "Flip" digital videocams; they're cheap, small, easy to use, decent quality, and did I mention cheap? Serious camera nuts may scorn the video quality, but it's plenty good enough for most use, and I suspect if your friend was in that category they wouldn't be asking you...
For under $200, you can probably afford to get a dedicated webcam as well (those are also pretty cheap) and not fiddle with cables and alignment each time you want to use it for that.
Sure, I'll be your friend who wants a camcorder. No problem. Just shoot me an e-mail
Josh, I don't think you'll do. I've heard you're super-extravagent...
white vinegar and baking soda, salt and lemon juice, dish soap and a green scrubby, knee pads and playtex rubber gloves, keep my house clean but works best on a daily basis rather than weekly.
Yes, yes, I love the "Ban Dihydrogen Monoxide" flyers as much as the next gal.
However, solvents etc. are bad for you in much lower doses than water, and also, cost a lot more money. And if you get a good steamer, you can allegedly clean with less scrubbing.
They are just great, grab one, but how comes they cost a couple of hundreds, whereas in France you can grab one for 100 EUR?