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Dyson

Is it Time for an Upgrade?

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There are things I upgrade all the time.

My cell phone. My handbags. My hi-lites, patio cushions and iTunes collection.

I love to be on the up-and-up of the newest technology, the latest trends, and of course, the most sought-after products of the moment. It may not be your cup of tea, but that’s what makes everyone different, right?

But, how often do you upgrade your small appliances – like vacuums? Conventional wisdom says, “As long as it’s working, why do you need a new one?” And I’m not here to find ways to empty your wallet; rather, let’s have a congenial discussion on some of the reasons you’d want to make the investment.
dysonTime. Older technology small appliances like humidifiers, fans and vacuums often take longer to get the same job done. How many times have you pushed a hand vacuum over the same area multiple times, or cut the same area of lawn twice? While it’s tempting to make do with an older product, the smartest thing to do is place a value on your time spent. What could you be doing if you weren’t fussing with an inferior machine?

Performance. Closely related to time, the performance of a small appliance is one of the main reasons consumers tend to upgrade in the first place. Imagine if we all used manual washboards, or made coffee with a French press! With technological advances comes improvements in performance and automation. And when a product performs well, your quality of life improves. …

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Yes. I’m Giving Away a Dyson DC43. #Giveaway

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Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

Like the title of this post? I thought it was aptly named. Because after telling you how much I love Dyson here (Dyson DC35 review) here (Dyson Air Muliplier review) and here (Dyson HOT review) – I’m finally giving my awesome readers the chance to win one of their very own. Squee!

So here’s the deal: you let me tell you once again how Dyson has knocked my socks off, and I’ll put up a nifty contest for my Canadian friends.

This time around, I had the pleasure of receiving the Dyson DC37 Turbinehead Animal for review. While we don’t have animals, we do have two toddler boys – who literally create a path of destruction (sand, dirt, styrofoam fluff, cookie crumbs, crushed Cheerios… etc, etc) wherever they go.

Having only ever used an upright – my beloved Dyson DC14, a relic now! – I was quite taken with the idea of trying out a canister vacuum. Super light, a myriad of attachments, NO BAG, and no loss of suction – what’s not to love? And so, I soon proceeded to fall in love with my new DC37, Dyson’s first canister vacuum cleaner with Ball technology….

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4 Words: Dyson Giveaway Coming Up.

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I’m thinking you *may* want to stop by my blog this week.

But, only if you want to win a Dyson DC43 Animal, valued at $699.99.

“Dyson DC43 Animal is a Dyson Ball upright vacuum with the latest Radial Root Cyclone technology. It generates the strongest suction power at the cleaner head, to powerfully remove dust, dirt and pet hair from the home. Includes a Mini turbine head to clean pet hair and stubborn dirt from upholstery, stairs and the car.”

So, see you on Tuesday?

I Love It: Dyson Air Multiplier

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If you’re a regular reader of my blog, you’ll know that I don’t often indulge in excess: I’ll never try to convince you to purchase a $1,100 stroller (rolls eyes), would rather wear Joe Fresh than John Galliano, and really do believe that extreme couponing should be an Olympic sport. Therefore, the fact that I’m about to endorse a $$$ fan should tell you that it’s pretty.damn.awesome.

Well, okay – it’s not just any fan. It’s the famed Dyson Air Multiplier: the revolutionary, stylish new blade-less fan. You’ve likely seen the commercials, or the products on display at your local Home Outfitters or Future Shop, and thought… I want that fan.

And so you should.

“Dyson Air Multiplier fans work very differently from conventional fans. They use Air Multiplier technology to draw in air and amplify it up to 18 times, producing an uninterrupted stream of smooth air. With no blades or grille, they’re safe, easy to clean and don’t cause unpleasant buffeting.”

Now I won’t get in a huge discussion about the technology behind the fan, but here’s AM101:

Up to 27 litres of air per second is drawn in by an energy-efficient, brushless motor. A combination of the technologies used in turbochargers and jet engines generates powerful airflow. Next, airflow is accelerated though an annular aperture. It passes over a 16° airfoil-shaped ramp, which channels its direction. Air behind the Dyson Air Multiplier fan is drawn into the airflow, through a process known as inducement. Finally, air around the machine is also drawn into the airflow, through a process known as entrainment, amplifying it 15 times.

(If you just got excited by that tutorial, you may be a dude.)

Why the Dyson Air Multiplier Rocks:

1. It’s Safe. Having two curious little boys – who are especially attracted to fast-moving objects – I can’t tell you how relieved I am to have a child-friendly option. Because the Air Multiplier is sans blades, I don’t have to stress over wayward fingers, toes or heads being hacked off. And please don’t get me started on the “safety grill” of conventional fans. As a child, I stuck a crayon inside said grill and literally blanketed a room in wax confetti. Considering that a crayon is the same width as a child’s finger, there’s a very relevant reason why no traditional fans will ever see the inside of chez Lena.

2. Easy to Clean. See that simple, ergonomic circle? Yup, just a simple wipe and you’re good to go. None of that dense, chunky dust settling into blades or grills, because let’s be honest, moms don’t need another reason to clean.

3. No Choppy Air. Before owning this fan I believed “buffeting” was the art of visiting buffets and leaving without loosening your belt or buttons. Turns out it actually refers to an annoying, choppy motion that traditional fans employ (ie. throwing air at you in hypnotic waves). The airflow from the Air Multiplier is smooth and covers an area unheard of by those bladed buffeters.

4. Touch Tilt. Have you ever tried to angle a regular fan? Took your back out, didn’t cha? The Dyson Air Multiplier pivots on it’s own center of gravity, so a simple touch gives you the control and direction you need. The fan also has an incredibly low center of gravity, which means that the heaviest components are positioned at the bottom for increased stability.

The table fans (10 and 12″) retail for $379.99 and $399.99 respectively, and the tower/pedestal fans will set you back $549.99. They’re now available online at Dyson Canada, and at your local Home Outfitters, The Bay, Sears, Future Shop, Best Buy and Canadian Tire.

But why should YOU buy this fan? Well, I’ll be frank. I didn’t buy it; the Pedestal model (AM03) was very generously sent to me for my Reno-cation. Before testing it out, I likely would have laughed at the probability of buying a $500 fan – but, now that we’ve had it for about a month, I honestly think it’s one of the best investments a family can make.

Think about it – you can always use a little extra cool air, right? And when you consider the enviable safety aspects of the fan, it just makes sense to invest in a quality product. In my home, I’ve theorized that twenty little fingers over ten years is $2.50 per finger, per year. Yes, I could certainly make that investment for my peace of mind and the comfort of my family.

So heck ya, I’m endorsing this product. If you’ve had your eye on it, you won’t be disappointed.

Here’s a picture of my husband sticking my baby through the fan while in operation. (Note to Child Protection Services: it’s completely safe! Read the above review.)

Click here to visit Dyson Canada.

Dyson DC35 Digit Slim: Review

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Remember this post? I Want It: Dyson DC35 Digital Slim. Well, I got it. And it’s pretty darn fabulous.

Since I’d been lusting after the NEW Dyson DC35 Digital Slim, I was pleased as punch when the good folks at Dyson asked me to test drive their hot little multi-floor vacuum. Now I normally don’t jump to review household products (Lena + Cleaning = Avoidance) but I just couldn’t resist the call of the new DC35:

“No clean up is too big (or out-of-reach) for Dyson’s latest technology. Condo, closet and clean-freak friendly, Dyson introduces DC35 – the most powerful lightweight vacuum. And, it’s cordless!”

Yes please!

The vacuum features Dyson’s famous power-efficient, high performance digital motor (which runs 3 times faster than conventional motors) and even has a “Dual Power” mode that allows you to adjust suction power. Since I have two little boys that create really big messes, I switched to MAX Power indefinitely to help pick up leftover snackin’s. Here’s a quick video of my DC35 making Cheerios disappear in just over 10 seconds:

(I actually made my husband do this a few times, as the little ones were clamoring to be in the video. They love the vacuum too.)

Of course, the vacuum does much more than rescue wayward Cheerios – it also boasts a detachable long-reach wand to clean up high, down low and into awkward gaps (think in between stair spindles and above window frames). The DC35’s motorized floor tool is a wizard on hard floors and carpet, with absolutely zero loss of suction. Detach the wand to use it as a handheld vacuum for spot cleaning, upholstery and inside the car. Genuis!

If you’re a condo owner, this vacuum could conceivably replace more expensive models while being an efficient space-saver. The vacuum performs as well as most stand-up vacuums: with its anti-static carbon fiber brushes for hard floors, stiff nylon brushes for carpets and ability to maintain constant floor contact, the DC35 will change the way you look at cordless vacuums. Click here for more details on the motorized floor tool.

I used the vacuum for cleaning up under couches, beds and the dreaded stairs. While my husband was hesitant to sing its praises as a Cheerio-collector alone, he was quickly converted once he started wielding the detachable long-reach wand. When was the last time you cleaned under your bed with a cordless vacuum?

Some people have opined that once charged, the vacuum retains a very short lifespan before a re-charge is necessary. I must admit, I did not perform a dedicated test to measure the battery life. But I will say this: I was able to vacuum my stairs, in between spindles, under the bed, around the kitchen and over a few window frames for good measure – all in the same battery cycle. So for day-to-day routine tasks, I’d say the battery life is more than adequate. I love this vacuum!

The DC35 is now available at The Bay, Home Outfitters, Bed Bath & Beyond, Future Shop, BestBuy.ca and all Dyson authorized independent retailers for $349.99.

You can also shop online at Dyson Canada.

I Want It: Dyson DC35 Digital Slim

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Now I know I’m in trouble – I’m obsessing over a vacuum cleaner instead of shoes.

But surely you’ll see my point if you catch a glimpse of the NEW Dyson DC35 –

“Dyson DC35 Multi floor is a Dyson Digital Slim cordless vacuum cleaner for multiple floor types- carpet, ceramic, vinyl and wood. It features a detachable long-reach wand and a motorized cleaner head. Powered by the Dyson digital motor, it’s the most powerful cordless vacuum cleaner.”

I sweep Cheerios off the floor approximately 3 times per day. Imagine how much easier life would be with this awesome cordless vacuum?

The vacuum features Dyson’s famous power-efficient, high performance digital motor (which runs 3 times faster than conventional motors!) and even has a “Dual Power” mode that allows you to adjust suction power. And my husband will just do cartwheels when he learns that the DC35 has rotating nylon brushes it its detachable motorhead to annihilate ground in dirt.

You’ll also notice that its incredibly sleek and stylish – the kind of vacuum you just have to whip out to show off to guests!

(Okay, perhaps that’s only something I would do. But you can’t fault my enthusiasm.)

So… Dyson over Dior? Yes please!

The countdown is on – just in time for spring cleaning, the DC35 is available on March 1st online at Dyson.com, and at The Bay, Home Outfitters, BB&B, Future Shop, BestBuy.ca and independent retailers for $349.99.

Dyson.ca: Refurbished Vacuums

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Perhaps the only Dyson you’ll ever come across for less than $100.

Right now at Dyson.ca, you can grab a refurbished DC16 handheld vacuum for just $99.99 (regularly $179.99). According to Red Flag Deals, where I came across the deal, “the DC16 is powerful with a 21.6 volt lithium-ion battery, but be forewarned that the battery only lasts for 6 minutes on a full charge.” Dyson is also offering their DC17 at just $329.99 ($599.99 new).

(Dyson offers FREE shipping on both machines!)

A note about Dyson Refurbished:

Upright and canister machines come with a 2 year manufacturer’s warranty on parts and labour. Handhelds come with a 1 year warranty on parts and labour. Each one meets Dyson’s high standards and comes with a full set of on-board tools.

We cannot guarantee a particular colour. Other special offers or promotions do not apply to refurbished products. All sales are final.

Click here to begin shopping at Dyson.ca.