Latest news with #MelissaMaker
New York Times
2 days ago
- General
- New York Times
Here's How to Clean an Outdoor Rug That's Seen Better Days
1. Remove dirt and debris. If your rug is small, you can shake it out or hang it over a railing and give it a few good thwacks with a tennis racket or carpet beater. Otherwise, Melissa Maker, the founder of the YouTube channel Clean My Space, says a vacuum cleaner, leaf blower, or broom work just fine. (Maker is currently part of an ambassador program with Procter & Gamble; the products she recommended for this article are not affiliated with the company.) 2. Lay the rug on a clean surface. If possible, lay the rug down onto a sloped surface, like a driveway, so, once you start washing, water can drain away as you work. If you don't have access to a driveway or other sloped surface, working on any clean, flat surface is fine. 3. Spot-treat stains. Before you clean the entire rug, spot-treat stains by scrubbing some dish soap or stain remover, such as Folex (which Maker recommends), into the fibers of the rug with a firm-bristled brush. Let the pretreatment sit for at least five minutes and up to 24 hours, depending on the severity of the stain. If you're concerned about the colorfastness of your rug, Maker recommends testing your chosen spot treatment on an inconspicuous area first. 4. Saturate the rug with water. Once you've spot-treated stains, give the entire rug a good rinse using a hose, pressure washer, or buckets full of water, saturating it completely. If you use a hose or bucket 5. Add a few drops of soap per gallon of water to a bucket. Mix with the scrub brush to create a sudsy mixture. Dip the scrub brush into the bucket and work the mixture over the wet rug in circular motions. Repeat as needed to get the rug coated in the soapy water. You should always read the labels of the cleaning products you're using outside, as certain surfactants, phosphates, and other chemicals can be potentially harmful when washed into the wastewater system, according to Barbara Sacks, the executive director at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester County in New York. Follow your local laws around stormwater drainage, and if you're unsure about using a particular product in your yard, Sacks recommends contacting your local cooperative extension. 6. If you're using a hose, opt for a flat stream setting on the nozzle to protect your rug. A stronger setting may be too rough on the rug's fibers. Work your way over the rug from the middle out, pushing dirt and debris out and away from the rug as you go. Hold the nozzle about 12 to 18 inches away from the rug to prevent damage. 7. If you're using buckets full of water, similarly work your way over the rug from the middle outward. 8. Continue to wash and rinse until you're satisfied with how clean your rug is. You can also flip it over and repeat on the back side to loosen up any dirt that's settled into the fibers. If you use a pressure washer 5. Load your pressure washer with a concentrated detergent. You could use Simple Green Oxy Solve Total Outdoor Cleaner, which is formulated to be mixed and diluted with water as it comes out of the pressure washer. If your rug has a buildup of mold, mildew, or algae, Maker suggests using a dedicated product for mold and mildew removal instead, like 30 Seconds Outdoor Cleaner Concentrate, to break these stains down. According to 30 Seconds, its cleaner breaks down once rinsed into the soil — just be sure to rinse foliage or grass within 10 minutes of exposure. It should not, however, be introduced to drinking-water reservoirs, lakes, or streams, so the brand recommends minimizing overspray as much as possible where it could potentially enter bodies of water. 6. Switch the spray setting before proceeding. To protect your rug, use a wide spray, low-pressure nozzle on your pressure washer. (For example, Ryobi, the manufacturer of our top-pick pressure washer, recommends using the soap nozzle.) 7. Spray down the rug. Work your way over the rug from the middle out, pushing dirt and debris out and away from the rug as you go. Hold the nozzle about 12 to 18 inches away from the rug to prevent damage. Olan suggests avoiding the outer edges of the rug as much as possible to prevent damaging the binding. 8. Continue to wash and rinse the rug until you're satisfied with the results. You can also flip it over and repeat the process on the back side to loosen up any dirt that's settled into the fibers. Rinse the rug and let it dry 9. Rinse out the cleaning solution. Using a hose, pressure washer (sans soap), or buckets full of water, rinse the rug a final time until the water runs clear. 10. Allow your rug to dry completely. Ideally, you can hang it over a railing and in the sun. To speed up the drying process, use a wet/dry vac to remove excess water, or roll the rug up with towels and squeeze. To make the job easier next time, show your rug a little proactive love by bringing it inside during severe weather, squeegeeing it after downpours, and regularly sweeping it clear of debris. Your bare feet will thank you. This article was edited by Megan Beauchamp and Katie Okamoto. For a stained outdoor furniture cushion: Vacuum it, wipe it, stain-treat it, sun it. Even if you're not handy, a wet/dry vac is an incredibly versatile tool. Here are six ways it makes quick work of otherwise onerous chores indoors and out. New pressure washers are getting smaller and quieter, with plenty of scouring power for outdoor surfaces.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
How Often You Really Need to Wash Your Car (Inside and Out), According to a Cleaning Expert
You can typically tell how dirty your car is just by looking at it. There's usually caked-on mud on the exterior and maybe some sandy grit on the interior's carpet. While cleaning your car only when it becomes noticeably messy is technically fine, that doesn't mean it's ideal. We spoke to a cleaning expert to learn how often we should actually be cleaning our cars and the impacts it can have when we don't do it Maker, cleaning expert and founder of Clean My SpaceMelissa Maker, cleaning expert and founder of Clean My Space, says cleaning your car regularly is very important. 'It's best to try to clean the exterior of the car once a month,' she says, or on an as-needed basis depending on the time of year or how often you use the car. 'In the winter, you typically want to clean your car more regularly,' she explains. 'There's dirt building up on the vehicle's exterior,' which can be very transferable to your jacket or pants. The same thought process goes for when you take a road trip during the summer. 'The sides of your car get really dusty or covered in bugs,' says Maker. 'That's when you should increase the frequency of washing.' How often you should clean the car's interior will also depend on how often you drive. Maker states you can clean it seasonally with detailing products—or even twice a year if you aren't driving too much or going on any long trips. She adds vacuuming the interior regularly is a good idea while also doing a quick garbage check to keep things tidy. 'Whenever we leave the car, we take everything inside with us,' Maker states. 'Whether it's garbage or whatever the case may be, nothing stays in the car.' Related: 7 Things You Shouldn't Store in Your Car If you don't wash your car often, there can be some issues down the road. 'The downside of not washing your car regularly is that salt, dirt, acid, and dead bugs can wear down the paint,' says Maker, causing the exterior to dull. 'If you really care about your car and you want it to sparkle, make sure that you wash your car to get rid of that buildup.' Maintaining a clean car also cuts down the risk of rust build-up and corrosion, which may affect your car's performance and overall "health." 'Whenever you're washing your car, whether it's by hand or at a car washing service, you don't want to do it on a sunny day,' says Maker. That's because soap or any other cleaning products you use can dry quickly outside in the sunlight and leave behind a filming residue. The most ideal time of day to wash your car is 'either first thing in the morning or at dusk,' says Maker, or on a cloudy day. But washing a car indoors in a clean garage will also do and you won't need to worry about the time of day. Read the original article on Real Simple
Cision Canada
25-06-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
BuyCanadianGroup.ca Announces First All-Canadian Online Department Store
TORONTO, June 25, 2025 /CNW/ - Canadians eager to support local now have a new way to discover and buy home–grown products. is the country's first online department store featuring exclusively Canadian brands. Shoppers can explore a curated catalogue of Canadian products and complete a one–click, multi–brand checkout—knowing every dollar stays in Canada. Early momentum is strong: new brands are joining every day, including Pluck Tea, Maker's Clean by cleaning expert Melissa Maker, and Indigenous–owned Cheekbone Beauty. Thousands of Canadians have pre–registered, and leading domestic investors have already provided seed funding. "Eighty–five percent of Canadians are actively looking for Canadian alternatives. Catalogues and directories aren't enough. Canada needs a new department store—one that features all Canadian brands," said Dave Lazar, Founder of Buy Canadian Group. "We give shoppers an easy way to fill their cart and know they're buying Canadian." Product discovery is supercharged with Buy Canadian TV, a shoppable video destination where Canadian personalities and creators help shoppers discover Canadian alternatives in live streams and replays with on-screen shopping. Brands, meanwhile, can connect with consumers who are now looking to discover Canadian products. Powered by Canadian live shopping platform Stage TEN, launch shows feature Melissa Maker (Clean My Space, 2.1 million YouTube subscribers) and Harley Morenstein (Epic Meal Time, 6.7 million subscribers). Partnerships with Digital First Canada and Andromedia Distribution will soon make 8,000 + hours of Canadian video fully shoppable with Canadian products. is currently welcoming applications from Canadian–owned brands of all sizes and offers one–click onboarding for the more than 110,000 Canadian Shopify merchants. About Buy Canadian Group is building the first all-Canadian online department store to make it easy for Canadians to discover and buy Canadian goods in a single checkout experience. SOURCE Buy Canadian Group Inc.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
BuyCanadianGroup.ca Announces First All-Canadian Online Department Store
TORONTO, June 25, 2025 /CNW/ - Canadians eager to support local now have a new way to discover and buy home–grown products. is the country's first online department store featuring exclusively Canadian brands. Shoppers can explore a curated catalogue of Canadian products and complete a one–click, multi–brand checkout—knowing every dollar stays in Canada. Early momentum is strong: new brands are joining every day, including Pluck Tea, Maker's Clean by cleaning expert Melissa Maker, and Indigenous–owned Cheekbone Beauty. Thousands of Canadians have pre–registered, and leading domestic investors have already provided seed funding. "Eighty–five percent of Canadians are actively looking for Canadian alternatives. Catalogues and directories aren't enough. Canada needs a new department store—one that features all Canadian brands," said Dave Lazar, Founder of Buy Canadian Group. "We give shoppers an easy way to fill their cart and know they're buying Canadian." Product discovery is supercharged with Buy Canadian TV, a shoppable video destination where Canadian personalities and creators help shoppers discover Canadian alternatives in live streams and replays with on-screen shopping. Brands, meanwhile, can connect with consumers who are now looking to discover Canadian products. Powered by Canadian live shopping platform Stage TEN, launch shows feature Melissa Maker (Clean My Space, 2.1 million YouTube subscribers) and Harley Morenstein (Epic Meal Time, 6.7 million subscribers). Partnerships with Digital First Canada and Andromedia Distribution will soon make 8,000 + hours of Canadian video fully shoppable with Canadian products. is currently welcoming applications from Canadian–owned brands of all sizes and offers one–click onboarding for the more than 110,000 Canadian Shopify merchants. About Canadian Group is building the first all-Canadian online department store to make it easy for Canadians to discover and buy Canadian goods in a single checkout experience. SOURCE Buy Canadian Group Inc. View original content to download multimedia: Sign in to access your portfolio
Global News
01-05-2025
- General
- Global News
Smart solutions for a cleaner home this National Pet Month
The Curator independently decides what topics and products we feature. When you purchase an item through our links, we may earn a commission. Promotions and products are subject to availability and retailer terms. From shedding fur to surprise messes, our beloved pets can leave behind quite a trail! In honour of National Pet Month, cleaning expert Melissa Maker joined The Morning Show to share some simple, smart tips to keep your home fresh and fur-free–featuring powerhouse products from Shark. 'Shark has a whole bunch of innovative products for floor care and home care for both pet parents and non-pet parents alike,' says Maker. Read on for her top picks. Shark NeverChange™ Air Purifier MAX 'Soft surfaces hang onto odours–that's one part of the problem,' says Maker. 'The air is the other part of the problem.' That's because dander, pet hair and dirt that comes off your pet's paws can carry odour-causing bacteria. The Shark NeverChange Air Purifier Max essentially 'scrubs' the air. It's filtration process pulls out large particles like dust and hair, and blows out fresh smelling air so your home smells fresh. Plus, you don't have to change the filter for five years. $349.99 on Amazon $399.99 at Shark Story continues below advertisement Shark® CarpetXpert™ HairPro® Pet with StainStriker™ The best way to get rid of stubborn pet hair around the house? 'Solution number one and only is to vacuum,' says Maker. Unlike ordinary cleaners, this one deep-cleans carpets, destroys pet odours, and tackles every fur-filled corner with zero clogs, zero stress, and zero-touch cleanup. $494.99 on Amazon $399.99 at Shark Shark® PowerDetect™ Cordless Stick Vacuum This Shark vacuum features two brush rolls, allowing you to clean any floor surface in both forward and backward motion. The best part? It has a self-charging station and is self-emptying. 'It's so much more hygienic because you only have to empty that larger canister much less frequently–every 35 to 40 days,' shares Maker. It's easy to use and has fantastic reviews. $599.99 on Amazon $579.99 at Shark Story continues below advertisement You may also like: Pet Hair Remover Roller – $29.99 BISSELL Professional Stain and Odour Remover for Carpet and Upholstery – $14.43 OUAI Fur Bébé Pet Shampoo – $43.50 Earth Rated (A Canadian Company) Pet Grooming Wipes – $39.99 Dog Teeth Cleaning Finger Mitt – $29.99
