Been trying to think about how to keep the house clean without electricity. my main concern of course is vaccuming.Pretty much everything else can be taken care of with a bucket of Murphy's oil soap and a rag but what about all the ash left on carpet after cleaning out wood burner? I don't know about you guys but we would have quite a mess in our frontroom after a continuous week of burning without vaccuming no matter how hard we tried not to make a mess.I am going to get one of those little battery operated deals that people use for their cars but I need real power.Does anyone make upright battery vacs? thank you in advance. You are all so kind.

-- tress (tress59@aol.com), November 28, 1999

Answers

try an commercial grade carpet sweeper ... like they use in restaurants ... only power required is elbow grease! Available at most janitorial supply companies.

A home grade unit can be purchased at WalMart or K-Mart.

-- hiding in plain (sight@edge. of no-where), November 28, 1999.

Howdy--

As a bachelor dude, I have found that you can use an ordinary broom to sweep your carpet. Just have your dustpan handy. Ashes, however, will be tough. Think of it as exercise to keep warm.

Best to all,

-- William in Dallas (bcheek@onramp.net), November 28, 1999.

Hi, Tress...Is it possible that you might be able to put a light- weight rug down in front of the fireplace, that you could take outside and shake the ashes out of?

-- Margo (margos@bigisland.com), November 28, 1999.

Well Tress, I have worried about the same thing and came up with the only alternatives I could think of:

1. Bought a carpet sweeper www.bissel.com

2. Bought 2 antique pump vacuums (1911 & 1914 models) www.ebay.com

3. Have 3 different kinds of brooms on hand for carpets

4. If we have to go for a very long time without elec, then take up the carpet.

Any other ideas??? Thanks guys

-- Sammie (sammiex0@hotmail.com), November 28, 1999.

How about putting one of those plastic mats that are used under office chairs in front of the hearth? They'd be just about the right size.

-- Jill D. (jdance@mindspring.com), November 28, 1999.

thank you all so much. I didn't know you could buy those push vacs.any more.I do have a fire rug in front that i can shake out[good suggestion, Margo]My son has allergies to dust but because i dust and vaccume alot they aren't too bad. I have visions of jumping out of bed somr night in January at 2a.m. to run the vac when a sudden power surge of electicity come on. I figure I will always leave it plugged in on ON and if i hear it in the middle of the night i can get it done.Am i nuts or what?It's amazing some of the things i think about now.I guess you do to Sammy!thankyou Hiding and the rest.

-- tress (tress59@aol.com), November 28, 1999.

Fuller Brush has a wonderful carpet sweeper that is better than a Bissel. We have kept one in our moterhome for years. I keep a second one in the house for quick pick-ups. The kids love to use it. You can call the Customer Service line at 1-800-732-1118 and they will put you in touch with a dealer in your area.

-- Homeschooling Grandma (mlaymon@glenn-co.k12.ca.us), November 28, 1999.