Since the past decade, steam cleaners have become highly popular among consumers. They are a great alternative to regular mops that tend to create more of a mess. Moreover, to kill bacteria, they use steam rather than soaps and detergents that comprise chemicals that can be toxic to your pets and children. If you are planning to switch to steam cleaners soon, here are few things that you should remember to make the best pick.
Type and application
Currently, you can find a variety of steam cleaners in the market; therefore, check whether they perfectly fit into your requirements before buying. You might find plain steam mops, handheld steam cleaners, or a multipurpose product (mop + vacuum, mop + handheld cleaner). Likewise, you should check which kind of attachments (squeegees, gilders, pads, scrubbers, or brushes) they offer and which kind of surfaces do they work well with. For instance, check if they are right for your floors, kitchen or bathroom tiles and fixtures, vehicles, upholstery, countertops, ovens, and rugs.
Size
You should pick a steam cleaner on the basis of the size of your home. For example, a compact steam mop is lightweight and quickly produces steam, which will be an apt choice for smaller apartments. On the other hand, for a bigger space, a sturdy steam cleaner will be required that can run uninterrupted for a long time. Likewise, if you are buying a steam cleaner for a commercial space then you should look for steam cleaners that are powerful and extremely durable.
Safety
The temperature of the steam produced can go higher than 245-degrees Fahrenheit, which amplifies the chances of getting steam burns. This is especially alarming for a home with pets and small children. Therefore, while shopping for a steam cleaner, make sure that it has features such as automatic overheat shutdown, non-pressurized boiler, child locks, and low-water indicators.
Warranty
The warranty period will differ according to the type of steam cleaner you purchase. For bigger steamer cleaners, the warranty period could be comparatively higher. However, besides warranty period, it important that you scrutinize which repair services included and what are their replacement policies.
If you are planning to buy a steam cleaner, then check out the following popular brands:
- Bissell
- McCulloch
- Hoover
- Shark
- Vapamore
- Sienna
- Steamfast
You can purchase steam cleaners from top retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, Target, The Home Depot, eBay, Wayfair, Lowe’s, Costco and Sears at competitive prices. Steam cleaners can cost anywhere between $60 and $2000, depending on the type and features offered by the product.
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What is an ESA and how to get one
Read moreHaving a dog as a companion can contribute to one’s mental and emotional well-being. Therefore, some canines are trained to officially aid people with disabilities. These dogs are known as emotional support animals (ESAs). People can qualify a dog as an ESA with a few crucial steps. With official evidence, such individuals can be exempted from strict federal housing norms and rules that restrict flight travel with an animal. If you want to know how to register a dog as a support animal or understand the process of getting an ESA, you can follow these steps.
- Register through a trusted ESA service
There are several online ESA services in the country, like the US Service Animals that register a support animal. After entering details about the owner and the dog and completing registration, the ESA service will send the owner a photo identity card of the dog and a certification of registration. This identity card will also contain legal information regarding rights. Having an ID of your dog, along with a certificate, can make it easier to establish the authenticity of the whole process. - Locate a licensed health care provider
Only licensed practitioners can qualify an ESA officially. People usually connect with a licensed therapist via a referral from a trusted doctor. There are online search tools like the Psychologist Locator by the American Psychological Association that may be useful. Simply enter the zip code and practice area to locate an ideal licensed therapist close to the person’s residence. - Ask for an ESA letter
After speaking to the therapist, one has to request for an ESA letter. The letter must state the diagnosis of an emotional or mental disability and that an ESA can help improve the symptoms associated with the mentioned condition. Note that the severity of one’s disability need not be revealed in the letter.
Only an official letter from a licensed practitioner can qualify an animal as an ESA. However, when you register a dog as an emotional support animal with a service, you can show additional documentation to someone who doubts the validity of your ESA.
- Register through a trusted ESA service
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Six tell-tale symptoms of Hepatitis C
Read moreAccording to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have been at least 30,000 reported cases of acute Hepatitis C infection every year. A study shows that around 3.5 million people were detected with Hepatitis C virus in 2015. The Hepatitis C virus causes inflammation of the liver that occurs over a prolonged period. This makes Hepatitis C is one such disease that does not show immediate symptoms.
It has been observed that about 20 to 30 percent people experience Hepatitis C symptoms in the first six months. The symptoms of Hepatitis C tend to resemble those of common flu. Hence, it is quite difficult to detect whether a person has been infected by the Hepatitis C virus or not. If you get the following symptoms, consult your doctor and ask whether you are at a risk of Hepatitis C infection.
- You frequently experience pain in your upper abdomen. The pain usually occurs on the right side. You will also notice a swelling on this part. This happens due to water accumulation. You might also suffer from diarrhea.
- Your urine is dark and you pass light-colored stool. This is one of the clearest symptoms of Hepatitis C. If you observe these symptoms in yourself, rush to doctor and get tests done to determine whether you are suffering from Hepatitis C.
- You have jaundice. Your skin and eyes develop a yellow tint. You might suffer from constant itching.
- You lose your appetite and lose interest in your daily activities. You tend to be nauseous and experience vomiting.
- You are constantly tired. You experience periodic pains in your muscles and joints. Also, you experience chronic body aches from time to time.
- You might also suffer from extreme mood swings with a persistent feeling of sadness and lack of energy and enthusiasm.
Most of these symptoms appear within first three months of infection. These can last for two to twelve weeks. Sometimes, certain subtle symptoms can occur periodically over decades. It can take about six months to ten years to became aware of the virus in the body. Since most of these symptoms are similar to illnesses such as flu or diarrhea and other viral infections, Hepatitis C often goes undetected in most cases. It is only when the liver stops functioning normally that it becomes clear that the person is suffering from Hepatitis C infection. In extreme cases, the person might suffer from a condition known as cirrhosis. If you observe any of the above six symptoms, ask your doctor to test you for Hepatitis C. After all, prevention is better than cure!