In July, Bob and I hosted a big, surprise party for my mom Patsy. Wanting to give her a special memory, we planned the get-together a full month before mom's actual birthday and worked with my brother and sister to invite family and friends we hadn't seen in YEARS.
Then we went into hyper-drive trying to make our house look its very best. Everyday clean simply would not do for the big day. We dusted ceiling fans, lemon-oiled cabinets, squeegeed glass and more. It was EXHAUSTING but simpler than expected thanks to some help from neatHOME's clever Connect and Clean System.
It includes a wide assortment of cleaning tools, each designed to work with extension handles that let you reach high places without dragging out a ladder. Besides being faster, that's a safer way to clean. Just ask Bob. It took three surgeries and more than five years for him to recover from a run-in with a ladder in 2005.
Even better, many of the gadgets are made of microfiber so they have an electrostatic property that grabs dust, dirt and odor-causing bacteria and holds onto them until you wash them out. Since microfiber actually picks up dust rather than just pushing it around, you can clean effectively without chemicals. Now, that's amazing stuff!
Want to make a clean sweep of your home? We've teamed up with the folks at neatHOME by Unger to help you do just that. We're giving away a dust-busting prize package ($102 value) including 10 tools that saved us time and effort last month, including:
2 Telescopic Poles - These handy arm stretchers make it easy to reach tall windows, mirrors and ceilings flat-footed, even if you're only 5' 2" like me. To go to work, you just screw on one of the interchangeable neatHOME attachments and forget about that ladder. (6-foot pole $10.99; 12-foot pole $17.99)
Cobweb Duster - So long spiders! This flagged-bristle duster traps and holds cobwebs but the tips are soft so you don't risk making scratches. Although you can use it alone, I like putting it on a telescopic pole because it seems spiders prefer out of the way places. Once done cleaning, you just rinse the duster, shake it and air dry. It's worked so well at our home in Colleywood that I have my eye on a second one for the ranch, where spiders really thrive. ($9.99)
Microfiber Ceiling Fan Duster - Cleans all sizes of ceiling fan blades safely and easily. You can hold it in your hand or attach it to a telescopic pole for hard-to-reach places like the fans on our 10-foot ceilings. Afterwards, you can say adios to the dirt by removing and washing the microfiber sleeve. ($9.99)
Microfiber Power Duster - This bendable duster head simplifies cleaning and dusting large surfaces like bookcases, tables and walls. Since its microfiber, it picks up seven times more dust than a traditional lamb's wool duster without needing assistance from chemicals. You can also use it with the telescopic pole to extend your reach and the microfiber cover can be tossed in the washing machine. ($9.99)
Microfiber Delicate Duster - Although shaped like a feather duster, this microfiber magnet picks up 25 times more dust than the standard model. It's great for cleaning smaller objects like picture frames, lamp shades and our curvy iron stair rails. Whether used by hand or attached to a telescopic pole, it makes dusting a breeze. ($9.99)
Microfiber Scrubber and Squeegee - This two-in-one cleaning companion has a squeegee on one side and a microfiber scrubber on the other. Used alone, it's ideal for keeping lower windows, mirrors and shower doors sparking clean. Attach it to the extension pole to put taller glass in reach. Once done, you just put the microfiber sleeve in the wash. ($13.99)
Squeegee - Great when you need a squeegee on its own, this glass-cleaning pro ensures a streak-free shine. Like the Microfiber Scrubber and Squeegee, it can be held in your hand or used with the telescopic pole to stretch your reach. ($4.99)
Swivel and Scrub Brush - Thanks to a pointed tip, this must-have for kitchen and bathroom cleaning tackles tight corners and grout with ease. Since the bristles are designed not to scratch, you can use it to deep clean grout without fearing damage and save your toothbrush for your teeth. The rotating head makes tight moves more manageable whether you're using the brush on its own or attached to the telescopic pole. ($7.99)
Carry Bag - The deep purple carry bag comes in handy for toting the many neatHOME attachments. ($5.99)
You can find neatHOME cleaning tools at Target and Target.com. For tips and specials, check out NeatHOME.com and follow neatHOME on Twitter and Facebook.
We're offering one lucky Boomer the chance to win a 10-piece prize package from neatHOME by Unger. Designed to make housework faster, safer and more fun, this approximately $102-value collection of dust busters could help you make a clean sweep ... FREE. It includes:
To enter the contest*, email your name, mailing address (no PO Boxes please) and phone number to Enter@BoomerBrief.com by Sept. 19 and put "Clean Sweep Contest" in the subject line.
Thank you to neatHOME by Unger for providing samples for review and testing.