Exciting news for anyone who likes picking up a bargain…
Today at 11.00am and 5.00pm, you’ll be able to tune in to QVC and see our Never Loses Suction Vacuum Cleaner (73411) in action, and if you like what you see, you’ll be able to pick one up for just £164.88.
If you’d like a preview, have a watch of the video below.
The Supervac 2 in 1 Vacuum Cleaner
Following our blog post last week about the Supersteam steam mop and cleaner, we now give you a sneak peak of the second product in our upcoming Super Clean range – the Supervac, which is available from the middle of September from the Morphy Richards website.
The Supervac is a handy, versatile two in one product. Firstly, it’s a lightweight upright vacuum cleaner suitable for all floors, with a swivelling head that makes it fantastically manoeuvrable around your home.
It's great across hard and carpeted floors
Secondly, it houses a detachable handheld vacuum cleaner for cleaning other less accessible areas such as car interiors and upholstery.
Its detachable handheld vacuum is great for apholstery and other hard to reach areas
It’s completely cordless so you don’t need to worry about getting tangled up as you work your way around the house. It comes with a charging cradle and its collapsible handle means that you can store it away easily even if you’re tight on space, so it’s perfect if you own a holiday home or caravan, and it’s really quiet so you won’t need to worry about disturbing others.
Its collapsable handle means you don't need a massive amount of storage space
It’s available from our website from mid September for £119.99 and we’ll let you know more next month! To check our our existing floor care range, click here.
Here at Home of the Houseproud, we’re incredibly interested in the changing roles of men and women around the house and how couples work together to share the workload (or not as the case may be).
An article in the Daily Mail today reports that men are finally catching up in their contribution to household chores, which is great news. Over the last thirty years, men have increased the amount of time they spend on domestic duties by more than 60 per cent.
The average woman now works five hours and 55 minutes a day on employment and chores, while the average man spends five hours and 37 minutes, with women having on average 14 minutes more sleep a night. On the domestic front, the gap is significantly larger though, with employed men spending two hours and 28 minutes on chores while women spend an average of four hours and 40 minutes a day.
You can read the online article here. What do you think? Are men’s roles truly changing or are they the same as they have always been? How do you split the chores at home? We’d love to hear your thoughts.
Earlier this week, we spotted a heart warming story on the Daily Mail’s website, and it got us thinking about the strange things that end up being vacuumed up when people are in a cleaning frenzy.
A forgetful mother lost her engagement ring after taking it off while giving her daughter a bath during a holiday break, not wanting to scratch her skin, and only realised that she hadn’t put the ring back on once she’d got back home. A woman’s worst nightmare. Gulp!
After phoning the holiday camp fearing the worst, the ring was miraculously located in the dust bag of one of the holiday camp’s vacuum cleaners, the only one out of 30 that hadn’t been emptied that day! What are the chances? (you can read the full article here)
The kind folk at the holiday park posted it back to the relieved bride-to-be and it was as good as new, and everyone lived happily ever after (you can read the full story here).
So Morphy fans, have you ever vacuumed up anything strange or valuable? Let us know, the wierder the better…
We got in touch with top tech journalist and blogger Dan Sung about our Vorticity vacuum cleaner, and he jumped at the chance to do a hands on review.
Dan has been getting involved in some serious spring cleaning action back at home so he’s given the machine a real run for its money. In his review on gadget blog, Pocket-Lint, he explores everything from its suction power and ease of maintenance to its sleek and intuitive design. You can read his thoughts below or click here to hop on through to the original article
Not quite so well known for its vacuum cleaners as its kitchen appliances, Morphy Richards threw Pocket-lint a bit of a curve ball when the company sent over its top of the line Vorticity Plus Bagless Cylinder Vacuum Cleaner to test out. Fortunately, we’re always curious to see exactly what bits and bobs they’re putting in top kit of all sorts these days and, more importantly, Chez Lint also happens to be a very dusty place right now and in need of some serious Spring cleaning.
Out of the box the £169.99 Vorticity Plus is nice and simple to set up. With snap together pieces reminiscent of those close up shots in action movies where ex-marines assemble their weaponry for the big fight, it’s almost quite fun were it not over all too quickly. Cylinder onto machine, hose into cylinder, handle into hose, telescopic arm onto handle and head into telescopic arm. Job done. Well, nearly. Naturally, a vacuum cleaner wouldn’t be a vacuum cleaner if it didn’t come with all those alternative attachments for the head that you’ll never use and Morphy Richards are kind enough to include a Mini-Floorhead (just like the big one but smaller), Brush (for upholstery) and a Crevice Tool (not for that crevice).
Now, the clever thing that MR has done here is recognise that most of these accessories get left in the box and stuffed up in the attic, so there’s a rather nice bit of design along the handle and tubing with little brackets where you can fit the alternative heads so that they stay on-device for when you need them. It’s an excellent idea but, sadly, the fact that we’ve still managed to lose them speaks volumes. Fire the thing up though and you’ll have very few complaints.
It’s wildly simple to use in – sorry Morphy Richards but we have to say it – Dyson-like style. Any buttons of relevance are colour coded orange and you’ll have down what each one does within a minute without so much as having to pick up the manual. A swift kick of the power pad on the cylinder and the 22 mini-cyclone system comes to life. The deal there is that instead of relying on just the one main hole on the underside of the head to do the work, the Vorticity Plus adds a system of mini-holes along the width. What that means in practice is that it does actually suck up the dirt and fluff of the whole area you’ve just passed over without having to go back and do it again. Given that vacuuming isn’t at the top of most people’s favourite activities list, that’s a very good thing.
The suction works well throughout use and the machine never seemed to drop bits back through the head and onto our clean floors. It hasn’t deteriorated from the day it arrived and nor does the fullness of the cylinder seem to affect performance either. Once it is jammed full of dust and fluff though, it’s nice and obvious to see with very clear fill levels to indicate when it’s time to unclip. Then comes the most satisfying moment of all when you hit the second button on the case – and make sure you’re over a bin bag when you do so – and the bottom opens up dropping all of the detritus where it needs to go without dumping any back on the floor. A quick shake and a bump seemed to remove just about all of it with too much of a problem.
Once you’re done with the work, tug on the flex and the plug whips back into the housing on the case with much the same action as you might expect on a window blind. Aside, running the filter under a tap once a month or so, that’s pretty much all there is to it and we were generally very pleased with the functionality and design of the unit from top to bottom.
The only really question for us was over the heaviness of the head. It’s not heavy at all. That might sound like a good thing, and it’s certainly not all bad, but what that tends to mean is that you have to lean into it a bit more to ensure that it stays on the ground all the time. Invariably, that results in bending over and pressing on the tube a bit more which doesn’t quite make for the seamless, open-windowed, glass of wine experience that most commercials would have us believe that vacuuming is. It’s not a major flaw and it’s not like it’s going to cause you spinal problems or to hate the machine any, but don’t be fooled into thinking that the Vorticity Plus means that doing your floors isn’t a chore. It’ll still require some elbow grease.
The final thing to mention is the price. It’s not cheap. You can pick up a lot of cylinder vacuums offering the same kind of size and pack away convenience for a lot less. In fact, Morphy Richards makes some itself. At the end of the day, spending £169.99 on something like this is going to be around £100 more than a lot people want to. Who wouldn’t rather spend the difference on a better TV? But after pushing round some old heaps that double your work time and break down more often, it would be hard to feel that the Vorticity Plus isn’t money well spent.
Many of us have put off the big clean-up and de-clutter in favour of catching the April rays - we Brits need to make the most of any sun that we can get I suppose. In any case, we’ve put together these quick tips to inspire you to pick up your feather duster and delve into your wardrobe in the hope of domestic perfection.
We know that most of you don’t have time to set aside a week for an intense scrubathon, which is why our suggestions are designed to help you achieve maximum house beautification without crippling you in the process.
Preparation is key
First of all, here’s a few general tips to consider before you begin
1. Formulate a Plan of Attack
Before jumping right in there all mops and brushes blazing, take the time to prioritise which areas of your house need most work, and draw up a list of five, ten or fifteen mini-projects. That way you won’t get overrun and disheartened once you get down to the nitty gritty. To make it even more manageable (and super efficient), you might want to draw up a daily cleaning schedule so you can do a bit a day, and most importantly reward yourself afterwards.
2. De-clutter each area before cleaning
There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to deep clean an area of your house while navigating old magazines, assorted bric-a-brac and kids’ toys, moving them from place to place as you go. Do yourself a HUGE favour by clearing out each area of the house beforehand.
3. Delegate, delegate, delegate!
In her guest blog post earlier this month, top author Danielle Raine emphasised delegation as one of the keys to a successfully managed house. So whether you need to bring in professional help for the really tough bits, bribe incentivise your children with pocket money or sweet treats, or get your partner to pitch-in in the name of matrimonial harmony, it could make a massive difference to the amount of time you spend and how well you do it!
No time? Blitz these areas!
Freshen up your floors and carpets
A clean carpet can be the difference between a snug, spotless living room and a dirty, dank den, and they can look particularly worse for wear after winter, accumulating months’ worth of filth and grime.
Around 80% of carpet dirt and dust is loose and can be removed with a good quality vacuum cleaner, such as our Vorticity. You should vacuum your carpets at least once every couple of weeks to keep dust and dirt levels to a minimum, and more regularly if you’ve got pets. A spring clean is a great chance to vacuum areas that you often overlook, such as under sofas, beds, in crevices and corners, in storage spaces and spare rooms.
A deeper clean is often needed to get rid of those stubborn marks and stains and many people use their spring clean as a chance to get their carpets shampooed, whether that’s done professionally or by themselves.
Upholstery
Your furniture is likely to have taken some stick over the winter too and, with all that festive partying, probably more than a few spills. However, with a little care and attention over one afternoon, there’s no reason why you can’t have it looking like it’s fresh out of the showroom.
First of all, take all your loose cushions outside and give them a good beating to remove any excess dust. Set them to one side and then use your vacuum cleaner to clean up any crumbs and loose dirt on the top of your sofa and all those pesky bits that drop down the sides of the cushions.
Use your cleaner’s crevice tool to get into those tight areas, and around the base of the sofa where dust accumulates. If you’ve got leather sofa’s then it’s best to use a soft tool, such as the Vorticity’s dusting brush, to avoid any damage.
Curtail your curtain dirt
Curtains are one of the things that are often neglected when cleaning the home, mainly because all but the most domestically efficient aren’t in the know about how to clean them safely and properly.
They can be an expensive investment and you should give them a clean every year to keep them looking fresh and to prolong their lifespan. Make sure you give your windowsills, doors and blinds a good scrub too. When curtains rest against these surfaces, which are often damp, they can accumulate mildew, which can damamge the fabric.
Not all curtains are washable, but if they are, you’ll be able to use your washing machine (on a delicate setting) and iron them at home. Let them dry naturally outside, where they can be hung straight and iron them when they’re slightly damp, as you’ll get significantly better results.
So what are you waiting for? Give it ago, and let us know how you get on! Whether it’s a spring cleaning success story
or a nightmare experience, we’re all ears.
The lovely Danielle Raine, author of Housework Blues: A Survival Guide and Make Peace With Housework (we’re giving away 6 copies on the blog here) has spent years battling with the physical and emotional strain of housework and is on a one-woman mission to help domestically challenged women everywhere become one with their homes.
In the following guest blog post, exclusive to Home of the Houseproud, she explores delegating tasks to make your home life easier.
However much you love your home, and however much you enjoy taking care of it (or not, as the case may be…), there are bound to be days when housework is not top of your list of Fun Things To Do. But housework does not like to be ignored and will seek its revenge by rapidly multiplying. So, what is the best way to cope on the days when housework blues strike? Or even better, how can we reduce or even prevent Domestic Overload in the first place?
Time for a brief foray into the business world….
In any successful company, it’s very unlikely that one person will do all that needs to be done. All the best managers know that it makes perfect sense to get help. In this way, they not only get more done, but it gets done more efficiently and very often to a higher standard. No one person is struggling and juggling all the balls (and possibly dropping many of them). Delegation, it seems, is a happy route to success and accomplishment.
Well, why not use this principle within the home? Keeping a home is also a considerable managerial task and the same rules of human productivity apply. So, if you’re feeling swamped or disheartened by your workload, it may be time to call for reinforcements. Now you may be all for the idea of sharing your workload, yet not convinced that it is an option. But there is more than one way to avoid housework delegate. And if you take these steps, where possible, it will free up more time for you to cope with the work that can only be done by you. (Until your ship comes in and you can hire an army of maids…)
So, if you’re the CEO of your home and you’re up for lightening your domestic load, allow me to introduce…
5 easy ways to delegate some of the domestic stuff
Hired help
This is the obvious one. It is also very effective, even if only on a psychological level. There is something very comforting about knowing that you’re not alone in the domestic battle, that you have someone on your side, even if only for a couple of hours a month. If you feel that your struggling on your own, knowing that you have a little bit of back up can provide a much-needed boost.
Of course, there is the financial impact to consider. Though if housework is beginning to effect your relationships (been there!), please bear in mind this fabulous book title which sums up the bigger picture quite nicely: A Housekeeper is Cheaper Than A Divorce. Depending on the severity of your housework blues, it may help to weigh up the costs as a justified investment in your family’s well-being.
Internet
Mouse power. The internet can be an amazing opportunity to offload some of your least favourite chores. The most obvious one is grocery shopping. Setting up a weekly or monthly shop may be quite time-consuming the first time you do it, but after that – just think of the hours you’ll save. Unless you particularly enjoy this aspect of housekeeping, delegating the weekly shop could reclaim precious hours that you would previously have spent in the supermarket. Plus no more heaving heavy bags from store to door, not to mention the reductions in fuel costs, parking hassles, back strain and those perfectly-timed toddler tantrums.
Appliances
Compared to previous generations of homemakers – we have never had it so good! Not that long ago, whole days were devoted to laundry or baking. Our grandmothers would look at all the appliances at our disposal and consider us thoroughly spoilt. So why not take full advantage of this type of delegation? Making full use of your dishwasher can save you hours at the sink. Soupmakers. breadmakers, coffeemakers, slow cookers, steam ironing systems, robot mops and vacs – anything that reduces or eases your workload is a valuable investment in your day-to-day life. As they say in the business world, work smarter, not harder. By making the most of the technology available, you can put a serious dent in your housework schedule, simply by flicking a switch. So, if time, energy or inclination is lacking – set up your own small army of electronic helpers. Haul your housework into the technological age and put your appliances to work.
Children
In business, it makes sense to utilise existing resources and the business of homemaking is no different. Children undoubtedly add to your workload (to put it mildly) but they do reach an age where they can and – in the interests of churning out considerate members of society - should, pitch in. Maria Montessori, founder of the brilliant Montessori Education System, claimed; ”You should never help a child with a task at which they feel they can succeed.” So, by encouraging children to take care of themselves and their home, you are instilling a sense of responsibility and independence that will stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives. (And their future spouses will be eternally gratefully!) Plus, making a contribution can be a real self-esteem boost, so your children may even feel happy and proud of their efforts. How’s that for smart delegation!
(NOTE: Children (like adults) work best when they can see some kind of tangible reward for their efforts. It’s a rare child that wants to hang their clothes up just because it’s the right thing to do. So reward charts (i.e., bribes) are a great idea, as is attaching pocket money to certain regular tasks, such as emptying the dishwasher or sorting the recycling. Obviously you will need to match the chores to your child’s age and ability – if it is too challenging, they will become discouraged.)
Partner
This is a tricky one because all relationships vary on who does what. What works for some may not work for all. The best way is usually the one both you and your partner are happy with (regardless politically correctness). However, it’s a good idea to clarify these terms within the relationship. If one partner thinks the housework is your sole responsibility, yet you feel differently, there is likely to be constant friction until this is resolved. Going through this process is valuable in terms of your relationship but it may also work a little magic on your workload. For example, you may find that your partner is happy to take on certain chores that you loathe or struggle with. It’s a yin yang thing. So why not open up the conversation with your partner? You may find that helping hands are closer than you expected.
***
So, there you have a few ideas to kick-start your delegation programme. There is even more magic at work here, though. Thanks to the way our brains work, once you start looking for ways to delegate and become more efficient in the home, you’ll find more and more opportunities to do so. What better reason to start now? There’s an old proverb that says; “Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength.” So, cast an enquiring eye across your homekeeping timetable and look for the ways and means to relieve some of the pressure on you. Then all you need to do is work out how you’re going to spend all that lovely time off…
If you are an allergy sufferer, then help is at hand!
It’s National Allergy Week this week, which focuses on raising awareness of new allergy management programmes, how allergies affect the lives of sufferers and on how those affected are impacted by the lack of allergy services.
Allergy UK, our partner in this arena, is the leading medical charity for people with Allergy, Food Intolerance and Chemical Sensitivity. Not a bad partner to have, don’t you think?
Lindsey McManus, one of their experts, has kindly agreed to be a guest contributor on ‘Home of the Houseproud’ and will be blogging top advice on managing allergies around the home.
In her first post, she explores the various tasks that cause allergy sufferers trouble round the home and how to minimise these problems.
The kind of household tasks that cause most difficulties for allergy sufferers are varied depending upon the allergy. Vacuuming, dusting, making beds, can all cause allergens such as house dust mites, pollens, pet allergens and moulds to be redistributed into the air causing problems for sufferers of asthma and allergic rhinitis. Whereas contact eczema can be aggravated by household cleaners, such as washing up liquids and strong detergents.
Beds can be the source of millions of house dust mites, in fact the average bed is home to over 2 million of them, and is the ideal breeding ground as it is a warm moist environment.
However it’s not only beds that are the problem, carpets, soft furnishings, clothes and even hard surfaces can harbour allergens that can be the cause of hayfever-like symptoms and asthma.
There are several ways a good cleaning routine can help lessen allergen exposure in the home. In the bedroom, anti allergy mattresses, quilts and pillow covers will help prevent housedust mites from establishing their home. Damp dusting of hard surfaces will also help remove allergens rather than redistributing them in the air.
Blinds and hard floors are easier to keep clean than carpets and curtains and a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter not only effectively helps remove or reduce allergens from carpets and soft furnishings, but also prevents them from being blown back into the air as they can be with a vacuum clear that doesn’t have a HEPA filter.
As allergens can also be found in sofas, curtains and even in soft toys, these should also be vacuumed regularly. A crevice tool and upholstery tool will help get into all the nooks and crannies.
If soft toys can be washed at 60 degrees this is also a good way of removing allergens, if they can’t be washed at this temperature put the toy in the freezer overnight and then wash at a lower temperature. Having lots of soft toys in a child’s bedroom should not be encouraged if a child suffers from allergic rhinitis or allergic asthma, so just keep to one favourite toy where ever possible.
Cleaning should be carried out at least twice a week to keep indoor allergens under control.
For details of products that have the Allergy UK Seal of Approval for removing or reducing Allergens, click here
The Vorticity vaccuum cleaner contains a HEPA filter that traps and retains the dust allergens that make your life difficult, rather than releasing them back into the atmosphere. To find out more, check out the product’s dedicated website, or if you’re thinking about buying one online, click here to go to the Morphy Richards website.
Top mummy blogger ‘Rosie Scribble’ (who blogs here and tweets here) has been putting the Vorticity vacuum cleaner through its paces over the last few weeks. She loved it, so much in fact, that she thinks it’s the best vacuum cleaner she’s ever used. Check out her review below or click here to read the original post on her blog
If Carlsberg made vacuum cleaners
If Carlsberg made vacuum cleaners they would probably be the best vacuum cleaners in the world. They would be a dream to use, they would suck up the entire contents of your carpet except for stray pound coins which they’d safely deposit next to the missing ear-ring they found earlier, and when the job is done they would make you a cup of tea, give you a foot massage and then prepare you a meal, from scratch, with only fresh organic produce, without you having to lift a finger.
The Vorticity isn’t made by Carlsberg so it lacks the ability to produce a hot meal; it doesn’t make tea, nor does it give you a foot massage, but apart from that it is exceptional.
If I don’t like a product, I say so. This. Product. Is. Outstanding.
It is without doubt the best vacuum cleaner I have ever used. It’s also the most expensive, but you get a lot for your money (and I have a 20% readers discount code at the end of this post).I’ll buy a vacuum cleaner if it does the job well with the minimum of fuss and if it gets positive reviews. I don’t particularly spend a lot of time looking at all the product details but here are a few things about the Vorticity you should know based on my one-month experience:
- It’s bagless
- It’s very easy to empty and easy to clean
- It is quieter compared to all the previous (albeit cheaper) vacuum cleaners I’ve used
- It comes with a handful of attachments that help reach those tricky corners that often get missed
- We haven’t tried it on pet hair but it picked up long human hair instantly and we’ve never achieved that result up until now
- The head of the vacuum manoeuvres brilliantly and is suitable for all floor types
- The Vorticity works by having two cyclones in the canister and a further 22 in the floor head
- The results are excellent.
For those who do like reading all the product details, they are featured on Morphy Richard’s product page.
The main downside is that it takes up quite a lot of storage space, but that is something we can live with. It isn’t particularly lightweight but I didn’t have any major problems lugging it upstairs.
It is also expensive at £149.99 but I think it is excellent value for money nevertheless.
Readers can get 20% off the 71082 Vorticity Vacuum Cleaner by purchasing from the Morphy Richards website and using the voucher code RS8220 when you check out.
Morphy Richards has also launched a social community ‘Home of the House Proud‘ featuring recipes, product reviews, competitions and a list of House Proud Friends you might recognise.
We were sent the Vorticity from Morphy Richards free of charge to review. You have permission to hate me a little bit now.
Mummy Reviews is an independent product review site run and written by some of the top mummy and daddy bloggers in the UK, who voice their opinions on anything from books and toys, to days out, to things that are useful around the house, which is where we fit into the equation.
They recently put our Vorticity vacuum cleaner to the test and this is what they thought. You can read Alex’s original review post by clicking here
The Morphy Richards Vorticity is a bit of a change for us at Mummy Reviews Towers. We’ve been using a Miele Cat & Dog (or rather “Child detrius”) for the last 6 years, so when Morphy Richards offered us a Vorticity to review, we jumped at the chance.
The Vorticity uses a cunning head with 22 mini cyclones in it for superb deep cleaning but uniquely it doesn’t weld itself to the carpet with the power of it’s suction. This means we can clean our rug without having to weigh it down with a child at each end because the Vorticity doesn’t suck it up.
It’s a bag-less cleaner, which is great for us since with two little kids we’re forever changing bags on our existing vacuum. With this one, all we have to do is empty it out over the bin.
There are plenty of other good features too. The pole is telescopic, so it extends easily for taller people to use. In fact the word easily applies to quite a lot of the features of the Vorticity. It’s very easy to assemble from the box, the buttons are easily operated as they are big and chunky with an audible click when pressed and as its very light, its easy to drag around after you.
If I had to pick out one shortcoming, it would be that the very clever head doesn’t clean right up to the edge. This is probably due to the technology but what it does mean is you have to take the head off to clean right up against the wall. It’s by no means a deal breaker but does make cleaning a little more fiddly than it has to be.
That’s a small niggle though, other than that we’ve been very pleasantly surprised with our Morphy Richards Vorticity. It’s smart, stylish, sucks up dirt like nobodies business but leaves the rugs and fittings where they belong in the process. I would recommend this cleaner for even heavy duty cleaning. It sucks up cornflakes like there’s no tomorrow!
A quick look on Google does reveal a number of different models. We reviewed the Vorticity with a model number of 71083, should you want to look further.
To learn more about the Vorticity’s features and benefits, you can visit the product’s dedicated microsite, or if you fancy purchasing one online, click here to visit the Morphy Richards website.
The Ideal Home Show, Britain’s biggest and best loved home event, returns to Earls Court for its 103rd year and we’re lucky enough to be there!
The event is taking place between 11th and 27th March and brings together over 600 top brands from all over the UK showcasing products for all areas of the home – interior design lovers , foodies, green fingered gardeners and home gadget enthusiasts are all catered for. You might even spot the odd celebrity guest if you’re lucky!
If you’re planning on coming along , then why not drop by our stand to say hi? We’d love to have a friendly chat over a cup of tea or coffee.
And if you’re not lucky enough to have a ticket, there may still be hope. We’re giving away three pairs this week through our Facebook fan page and twitter feeds, so keep your eyes peeled!
According to a study by the website www.betterbathrooms.com, the average couple argues 312 days a year – that’s nearly every day – and mostly about the state of the house.
Such arguments inevitably arise, but we think it’s a real shame that the home, such a vital part of any couple’s life, is the subject around which relationships hit the rocks most often.
The study’s key findings include the following:
You can read the full story on on the Express’s website here
So is the key to a harmonious relationship a clean, well organised home? Probably not, but it’s certainly a good start. We’ll be following up this post with some tips to keep an argument free household, but in the meantime, we’d love to hear your thoughts.
What do you and your partner disagree about round the home? How do you work together to prevent arguments? Feel free to drop us a comment…
A busy Christmas period is liable leave your carpets, upholstery and surfaces caked in dust, dirt and grime and it’s often a mammoth task to get your place looking ship shape afterwards. Our new friend Nadine Hill put our Vorticity vacuum cleaner to the test on her festive mess and kindly took the time to share her thoughts on her blog, Time Management Mum.
She writes about time management, getting things done, personal development and empowering other women, so after you’ve read her review post, make sure to check out the rest of her blog. Maybe you’ll pick up some useful tips that you can apply to your own lives.
We’ve reproduced her review below, but you can read the original entry here.
Review: Morphy Richards Vorticity Plus a Massive 50% off for my Readers!
Welcome! To get started, read this to learn more about me and this post shows you the pictures!
**This is a Product Review Post**
Product Name: Vorticity Vacuum by Morphy Richards
Buy Online Here: See at the end of the post for a special discount!
Here’s a link to the general product site www.vorticityvacuums.com
Price: £199.99 or £219.99 depending on the spec
Star Rating: 4 out of 5 starsThe blurb: It’s a vacuum cleaner called Vorticity and it differs from other vacuums on the market in that it uses air in a completely different way. It’s defining feature is the floorhead, which uses the power of 22 mini cyclones to draw in ambient air and force it down, dislodging particles of dust, dirt and other undesirables from in between carpet fibres and floorboards. This means that even dirt that is stuck on gets sucked up.
This vacuum will make the cleaning less of a chore and should dramatically speed up the process. Work-at-home mums and business owners don’t want to be bogged down by housework when they should be getting other things done and investing in a good quality vacuum cleaner could help minimise time spent doing this.Initial Thoughts: Well – I love a good challenge so when I read that this vac will suck up even stuck on dirt, this was my focus! I started glaring at my carpet with a beady eye to find dried cat vomit, the kids discarded pez sweets or some muck from my builder husbands boots’ to tackle – all of which are usually staples on my living room carpet. But on the day I wanted to trial the vac, there was nothing! Only the usual carpet dirt- biscuit crumbs and bits of shredded tinsel from my daughter’s cheerleader pom poms – this wasn’t a challenge! This was dirt that moved! Anyway FYI – the Vorticity sucked it up! There was also a gobstopper sized bit of artificial Christmas tree that one of the cats had pulled off and was using as a play toy. Normally I would pick up any larger bits of debris before running the vac over the rest of the floor, but today I wanted to throw something at the vac, and it just swept over the bit of tree and neatly sucked it up – no getting stuck in the tubes for this vacuum!! Result!
I Liked: I loved the way the vacuum looked. I know it shouldn’t matter what something looks like as long as it does the job, but it was a bit trendy, which made me happy! The floorhead nozzle with the cyclones in it was really easy to manoeuvre, especially in awkward places and I could get right under some of my higher furniture that shows the carpet, which I couldn’t do with my usual upright vac without having to dismantle it to use the hose attachment. The vac itself was a little heavy to carry, but when you have it in the room, the hose is long enough to do what you need to without moving too much, and it is on wheels too so it follows you round. It is just if you carry the vac upstairs for example, it’s heavy, but I suppose most vacs are. I loved how easy it was to empty and I was amazed by how much dirt was in the chamber. Now before you cast me as a sloven housekeeper who never cleans, and therefore has loads of dirt, I should say that I have a cleaner who comes weekly, so the house is kept up to standard!
I wasn’t Keen: I trialled the vac on my kitchen floor too, where there were a few bits of dried on dirt. Some crusty Weetabix dropped by my 3YO and some other dried up spill, but I have to say this was where I was a little let down by the Vorticity. It wouldn’t pick up these bits and it was a wooden floor – I’d imagine, a lot easier to collect from than a carpet. I had to dislodge the bits of dirt with my fingernail before the Vorticity sucked it up. To be fair, dried on Weetabix is like cement, but my dishwasher copes with it on bowls so I was kind of hoping the Vorticity would win on Weetabix too, sadly it didn’t.
Overall: This vacuum was really good. It did the job quickly and neatly and was easy to use. There was just one thing I was confused about when setting it up in the first place. I clicked all the parts into place according to the instructions, but on the bit where the hose meets the body of the vac, it didn’t ‘click’ into place, just sat there so I was unsure if I’d done it right! Everything worked ok and nothing fell apart whilst cleaning but I would have liked a satisfying ‘click’ when I pieced it all together! The things that please some people eh? But R&D people – if you are reading, this would have made me feel more satisfied.
Time management is a big passion of mine – I love to get things done more effectively and with less fuss – especially boring things like cleaning. Let’s face it – who would rather clean the house than snuggle up with the kids on the sofa watching a Disney DVD with a bowl of microwave popcorn? So products like this help me create more time to do what I really want to be doing. I love how we are living in more enlightened times now where big companies listen to us mums who are using their stuff, and not just pushing products onto us in a ‘sell, sell sell’ mode. The nice chap who does PR and Social Media for Morphy Richards, Tom, told me about their blog and social community portal www.homeofthehouseproud.com which I have ‘Liked’ on Facebook. I want to hear what other real people think and any tips, and you can get that here so if you want a nice home, check it out!
PLUS…..
I’ve negotiated a fantastic 50% discount on this vacuum for the readers of Time Management Mum! There are two models of this vac, and here are the links to each and the codes you use at the checkout…For the 71080
http://www.morphyrichards.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Product=71080
Use the code TMM8050AND
For the 71081http://www.morphyrichards.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Product=71081
Use the code TMM8150
Christmas is approaching, signalling a revolving door of friends, relatives, their children, and potentially lots of mess. Everyone wants their home to look its best at this special time of year, but in between all the shopping, eating and celebrating, it’s often difficult to find any time to devote to the all important task of domestic beautification.
Our cleaning experts had a long chat over a mulled wine last night, and they’ve devised a list of top tips to make things that little bit easier to manage.
Clear some space
Less is more in the Christmas home, so before each room becomes stuffed with presents and decorations, why not clear away some of the clutter that is usually on display. You’ll need all the extra space you can get to accommodate your guests, and if people are staying the night, make sure you de-clutter the guest rooms too!
Implement a day by schedule
Cleaning the house in one sitting is too much to handle for all but the most accomplished of domestic goddesses. Why not tackle the big clean up a day at a time, a task at a time? Day one could be devoted to de-cluttering, day two to dusting down surfaces and decorations, day three to vacuuming from top to bottom and so on. Even the kids can help. Remember, delivering a magical Christmas is a team effort!
Make your house smell like Santa’s Grotto
The mixture of food, alcohol and sweaty bodies can make your house smell stale. It’s worth investing in some festive fragrances to give the whole house a lift.
Tackling red wine spills
Burgundy stains are an ever-present burden on the festive home. White wine neutralises the colour and makes it easier for you to lift it off the carpet, so make sure you have a cheap bottle of Chardonnay on hand at all times.
Persisting with pine needles
If you’re lucky enough to have a real Christmas tree, getting pine needles out of the carpet can be a real chore. Rather than leaving them to pile up, try to address the area every few days. We’ve heard a number of painstaking solutions, including handpicking needles out of the carpet, or applying duct tape to the area, but using a good quality vacuum cleaner is the most efficient solution. With 22-mini cyclones built into the floorhead, the Morphy Richards Vorticity directs air into the carpet fibres, dislodging embedded pine needles before sucking them up
To learn more about the Vorticity vacuum cleaner visit www.vorticityvacuums.com
Dealing with dirty footwear
After all that work you’ve put in to buffing your kitchen floor and vacuuming that beautiful cream carpet, the last thing you want to happen is to discover dirty footprints. If you’ve got lots of people coming and going, it’s often useful to put a clearly marked blackbag at the door to deposit soggy wellies, trainers and shoes.
If you’ve got any festive cleaning tips of your own, we’d love to add them to the list. Drop us a note in the comments box below!
We got chatting to blogger and freelance journalist Ellen Arnison about her housework strategy and she was keen to put one of our “fancy pants” products through its paces. She’s been giving the Vorticity the family treatment over the last week and you can read her thoughts below (or see here for her original post).
In some ways it’s been a happy week domestically…
For one, the Panther of News was off work. His notion of idle afternoons saving a virtual universe didn’t quite match the reality, but on the other hand, my vision of having my own husband-shaped Nigella/Miss Moneypenny sorting out the household Stuff wasn’t quite reality either. Still, while I was out cutting a rich seam at the coalface of truth (If you don’t believe me, read about how The X Factor stars were spotted in Airdrie) it was jolly nice to find the homefires had been stoked.
And for two, a very nice man called Tom from Morphy Richards came by the Palace of Bundance and read my post about Housework Half Hour. He said he had a fancy-pants vacuum cleaner (can’t use the H word) that was better than all the others (even the one that begins with D) and that we could have a go for Housework Half Hour.
Much excitement when the box containing the Vorticity arrived. Boys One and Two helped unpack and assemble, or at least they did until they clocked on to the fact it was for them to use. By then though, Boy Three had fallen in love. He wouldn’t let anyone else have a look-in. Great, you’d think, but toddlers are only any good at cleaning one smallish patch of floor for long periods at a time.
So while I like the Vorticity very much – it nippy and light but seems to suck like a good ‘un. We can only use it after Boy Three is in bed, luckily it’s quite quiet and gets the job done fast. Boy Two likes the way the flex winds itself up and Boy One is unnaturally fascinated by the whole vortex thing.
In case you care: Vorticity is a concept used in fluid dynamics. In the simplest sense, vorticity is the tendency for elements of the fluid to “spin”.
Not quite sure how that applies to the dry stuff that goes into the cleaner, but however it does it, it does it well.
But nice man Tom, how are you going to help us solve our new problem of Boy Three’s passion for your machine?
At Morphy Richards, we’re fascinated by the continuing debate over work-life balance and the shifting roles of men and women in the household. It’s a topic that’s incredibly important to our customers and one which lies at the heart of our thinking.
The latest instalment in this discussion is a study that claims Fathers are happiest when they share domestic chores, spend more time with their children and have partners that spend as much time at work as they do. So ladies, forget making your man dinner, doing the shopping and bathing the kids every night. Getting your partner involved will cheer him up!
The study, called ‘Work Life Balance: Working for Fathers?’ was carried out by Lancaster University Management School and commissioned by the charity Working Families. Over the two year project, researchers spoke to 1,100 working fathers about how they combine their working and family lives, hoping the findings would make employers re-evaluate outdated gender stereotypes in the workplace.
You can read the Guardian’s analysis here, but we’ve summarised some of the findings below:
We’d love to hear what you think. Do these findings match your experiences with work-life balance and sharing the housework and childcare loads? Does your man seem happier when he’s running around after the kids or is he happier with a bottle of beer and Match of the Day? Does your boss understand your need to balance a career with parenthood? Why not leave us a comment in the box below…
Since giving the Amazon Vine community a taste of the new Vorticity vacuum cleaner, we’ve had some fantastic feedback from their trusted reviewers. Here’s what J. Aitken, from Glasgow, thought after taking it for a test drive:
I am a bit of a technophobe so when reviewing I have to err on the practical side. The machine was easy to assemble and the instructions clear, though orange against white is not the best colour combination for this purpose. It is easy to transport around the house, fairly lightweight and easy to store. It is much quieter than my previous machine but has a much better level of suction. Carpets were cleaned in no time, and the cleaning out of the cylinder was very easy. All in all this is a first rate product which was streets ahead of my previous vaccuum cleaner, and I can recommend it unreservedly. Potential purchasers might note, that once bought, if you register on line you get a free 5 year guarantee, which is an additional advantage.
Paddyette was impressed with the sleek design of the product as well its convenience, functionality and suction power:
When recently choosing a new vac I was initially after a Dyson (just due to the reputation usually attached). I decided to have a look at the rivals first and came across the Morphy Richards Vorticity. I’m so glad I opted for this now as it has proved to be a brilliant product. I liked the styling of this vac – having something stylish to look at helps to take the pain away from the chore of hoovering! It was very straight forward to assemble when it arrived. The instructions were very easy to follow. It’s easy to manoeuvre – the design allows you to turn corners with ease. There are attachments to suit every household need eg; stair tool. It suits all floor types. And the new technology of suction power is very powerful. It is also very easy to empty. All in all a top quality vac that I would 100% recommend.
Here’s a link to the Vorticity 71081 DC’s Amazon page, where you can read the full set of reviews and buy the product.
If you’re a blogger and you would like to review our Vorticity, please let us know commenting on the post or by using the contact form in the ‘Get in Touch’ section. Alternatively you can submit a review through by clicking on the ‘Write a Review’ button, or if you bought it on Amazon like these guys, why not share your thoughts there?
At Morphy Richards, we love mummy bloggers, and it’s great to know what they think of our products. We sent out a Vorticity to busy mum and top blogger Carol Smith, who writes at New Mummy and her product review blog New Mummy’s Tips .
She took it for a test drive and rather liked it – this is what she thought:
I love twitter, I really do, you meet great people and get the best pitches from people!
One day I was complaining about housework (nothing new there) when I got sent this great tweet
@Caroljs If ur ever in a housework mood, we’ve got new products that could make life easier. Wld you consider reviewing this sort of thing?
OK so it’s not quite “we’ll send a team of cleaners over” but I was intrigued. The tweet from a very nice man who was running the @MRLoveYourHome account, which is the twitter account for Morphy Richards and their blog Home Of The House Proud.
This is what they sent me….
The Vorticity Plus Bagless Cylinder Vacuum Cleaner.
This is what Morphy Richards say about the Vorticity….
At Morphy Richards we know people regard vacuuming as a chore. People have less time these days for housework, but still want excellent results. So we have developed Vorticity; a new spin on vacuum cleaners. With its intuitive and simple design it really does give our deepest clean ever.
This bagless vacuum cleaner comes with a groundbreaking floorhead which uses the power of a cyclone where you need it most. It uses the power of 22 mini cyclones to gently dislodge dust and dirt with ease. And Vorticity’s unique new head design glides across any floor surface for our deepest ever clean.
This brand new technology means there is the power of a cyclone where you need it most.
Sounds pretty great doesn’t it? Well actually it is.
Apart from being on the heavy side (my excuse for not cleaning the stairs) I found that myself really liking this vacuum.
It is really powerful, its picks up everything first time which means no going over the same area. The head swivels slightly which means it vacuums right up to the edge of the wall without having to switch to the attachments. You can tell the difference when you move from wood flooring to carpet, you can feel the power.
The handle extends really easily and the head fits under my sofa perfectly which means again no taking the floorhead off and adding the attachments. I have never found vacuuming so quick and easy.
Other features I like is the handle clips onto the front of the vorticity so it keeps nice and tidy, the cable automatically retracts and is a decent length. The attachment clips on to the handle and doesn’t fall off!
It has a 2.75 litre capacity which is rather large and to empty it you just twist and pull the canister off and empty it, so simple. It’s pretty quiet for a high power vacuum.
It’s not cheap at £219 .99 but sometimes it pays off to invest in decent equipment, and this is a good investment.
Would I buy it? Yes
NM X
Here’s a link to the original post on her blog.
If anyone else would like the opportunity to review the Vorticity, or any of our other products, give us a shout, either as a comment or by using the contact form.
Vacuuming the house from top to bottom can be a thoroughly tricky business – all those nooks and crannies, stairs and upholstery can be a nightmare to navigate, and because of this they often get avoided.
We had this in mind during the Vorticity’s design process and, by developing a number of intuitive attachments, we’ve made the vacuum cleaner and its accessories extremely versatile and simple to use.
See below for a short overview of each of the tools and what they are useful for.
Crevice tool
We know how difficult it is to navigate hard-to-reach areas like corners, skirting boards and coving, and these areas often accumulate large amounts of dust and dirt. The Vorticity’s crevice tool can be added directly to either the hose or the handle to improve stability and allow you to tackle these areas with ease.
Dusting brush
Shelves, tables, benches, lampshades, keyboards – these areas and objects all accumulate dust and dirt, but require a more delicate touch to keep them looking great. The Vorticity’s dusting brush features soft bristles so you can keep objects and surfaces dirt and dust free without any damage.
Mini-floorhead
Stairs and upholstery have to take a lot of wear and tear in the home, particularly if you have a large family. Vacuuming regularly will not only help to keep these areas looking great, it will also help to make them last in the long run.
The Vorticity’s mini floorhead is the ideal tool for this job and uses the same unique technology as the main floorhead, but on a smaller scale. Air is drawn into cones creating mini cyclones in the floorhead which agitate and dislodge dust, dirt and hair from the depths of the carpet and from in between the floorboards.
Bleed valve
Lighter suction is advisable to avoid wear and tear on delicate upholstery. By rotating the bleed valve on the handle, you can reduce suction to tackle areas like these carefully and thoroughly.
Where can I find out more?
To learn more about the Vorticity, check out the product website here. You’ll be able to explore its features, technology, more hints and tips, and if you like what you see, you can buy one online.
Collecting is an innate desire for many of us and you often see it from an early age – kids collect action figures, dolls, models and even football stickers. Yes, I have fond memories of standing in the playground with a group of friends frantically making deals in the hope of being the first to adorn that year’s booklet with the full set of Premier League stars!
Of course adults do it too. I have a friend who collects rare comic books and my dad’s got a friend who collects drinks coasters from bars and restaurants. And I’m sure everyone knows of at least one stamp collector.
And what do we do with our prized collections? We display them – whether it’s in a glass case, a booklet, or products in their original packaging.
Scientists think it’s a throwback to an earlier time in our evolution when we used to hoard food. Maybe it is…or maybe it’s just a matter of personal pride. An extensive collection can show off how long someone has been in a given field of expertise, how well travelled they are, or how much drive and commitment they have.
We’ve been noticing that there’s a big community built around collecting household items, especially in the US. For example, today @niffur Tweeted us this video of a 12-year-old boy who has one of the largest collections of vacuum cleaners in the entire world!
He’s a member of the Vacuum Cleaner Collectors Club and you can find their online home here. It’s full of pictures of people’s crazy collections and geeky insights into the world of vacuum cleaners old and new. Unfortunately there’s no UK equivalent on the web, but we’re sure there’s a thriving UK community out there somewhere…
So if you’ve got a collection of household appliances, or simply have a few old items lying about, please get in touch. We’d love to hear what motivates you and see what you’ve collected over the years.
We'd love you to like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter. Feel free to write on our wall or drop us a Tweet - we'll answer any questions or queries that you may have about one of our products. We also have regular competitions, promotions and we often share delicious recipes!
Here at Morphy Richards we have some of the best designers and engineers in the business to help us be 'More Innovative', but we can't make good products on our own, we rely on help and advice from our customers and experts in their fields. That's why we're working closely with 15 bloggers, experts in the fields of food and all things parenting.
To view all of our videos, go to our YouTube channel.
Are you looking for a new recipe to try using your Morphy appliance? If you are, then you've come to the right place.
Are you a coeliac sufferer? Are you looking for the ultimate resource with help, advice, information and recipes?
If you are, you've come to the right place! We've teamed up with Juvela to provide you with everything you need.
Meet the people at Morphy that work tirelessly to ensure that our products are the most innovative on the market.
Karina BaconHome Trial Team Senior Assistant
James Meddick Design & Innovation Engineer
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