The aim of the video was to show people the many uses that George has, as he is far more than just a wet and dry vacuum.
You can find the video here: George Vacuum cleaner or just watch it below;

We hope you like it and find it useful!

When choosing a small compact dry vacuum cleaner it can almost be a little overwhelming with the amount of choice available.

One of the most common questions we face over the phone is

“Which vacuum cleaner should I buy, the NRV200-22 or the Henry?”

With only a handful of differences between the two vacuum cleaners it often confuses people, as the differences are not immediately obvious. This article will help you understand the differences and choose the right vacuum cleaner for your needs.

If you are a  home user,

Then you need a Henry (or Hetty if you prefer) nine times out of then this is the best choice for home use.

The reasons for this are as follows;

1. The Henry & Hetty Vacuum Cleaners both have AutoSave technology, which can save a great deal of energy in the home environment and thus cost you less and be kinder to environment.
2. They have exactly the same motor system and otherwise have the same capabilities as the NRV200-22.
3. Henry also comes with the same accessory kit, the same cable winder on the head.
4. Quieter, every time you turn it on Henry powers up in “quiet mode” as part of the AutoSave technology, this is much better suited to the home environment.

And for those out there who were wondering what are the differences between Henry and Hetty vacuum cleaners, they are both the same. Well apart from one being pink and called Hetty and the other being red and called Henry.

So why would you even look at the NRV200-22?

The NRV200-22 is basically a commercial henry vacuum and offers benefits If you are a commercial user, there are some very subtle differences between the Henry and NRV200-22 that make it more suited to commercial use.

1. The NRV200-22 has Hi-Lo operation, but unlike the Henry you can permanently select a mode without it automatically defaulting to Lo mode the next time you turn it on. This can save time and be useful in environments where you have to keep turning the vacuum off and on, yet know you need the full 1200Watts of power at your disposal (of course if you want AutoSave then there is the PVR200A which is effectively an NRV200-22 with an AutoSave feature).
2. The NRV200-22 also features a very slightlydifferent drum design to good old Henry. You will notice the NRV200 has a thick protective lip around the lower base of the drum, and also a very slightly different design of the rear wheels. All of this increases the stability of the Vacuum Cleaner and makes it more durable and resistant to knocks and bumps Ideal for applications where he will be used every day for long hours.
3. The NRV200-22 commercial Henry features a longer power cable, that is unnecessary in the home environment, but ideal for the commercial cleaning environment.
4. To top all these features the NRV200-22 also comes with a different nose fitting that greatly strengthens the point at which the hose connects to the body.

Other than this, it is exactly the same machine with just the same accessory kit that has been time tested and proven..

So now you know the differences between the NRV200-22 and Henry / Hetty you can make an informed decision and buy the right vacuum cleaner for you.

You can find both of these vacuum cleaners within our cleaning machines range.

All the vacuums outlined below are of a canister type design. This means the vacuum won’t fall over against the car whilst you’re cleaning. It also means that you have a nice long hose to get into those hard to reach places.

I valet my own car at home, which vacuum cleaner is right for me?

Single vacuum cleaner solution.

George Vacuum Cleaner - If you want a vacuum cleaner that is suitable for valeting your car inside and out as well as deep cleaning interior trim then there really is only one vacuum cleaner for the job. A George vacuum cleaner is ideal for use when valeting your home car.

George can be used to shampoo interior upholstery; he can be used dry to vacuum up leaves, grit and dirt from foot wells. Once you’re done cleaning the car George can also be used to vacuum up water from around the car.

Two vacuum cleaner solution.

Sometimes it can be a pain to keep switching filters to change between dry and wet functions of a single vacuum cleaner when valeting cars. This is where a package of two vacuum cleaners can be vastly better for valeting.
Henry and George - With two vacuum cleaners, Henry for dry work such as sucking up grit, dirt, leaves and crumbs from a car interior, and George for shampooing upholstery and sucking up spills and water you can’t go wrong.  If you want a cheaper alternative to the Henry vacuum a James vacuum cleaner is more compact and cheaper to buy.

Don’t forget that the above vacuum cleaners can also be very useful around the house for general hoovering and deep cleaning of carpet and upholstery.

I valet cars commercially, which vacuum cleaners are right for me?

When valeting and detailing cars commercially you will inevitably be using your vacuum cleaner more often than someone who just valets their home car. This is where durability becomes important especially with the wet vacuum which will usually get more use than its dry counterpart.

Medium duty, Commercial car valeting vacuum set:

CT370-2 and PVR370A – This package includes two commercial specification machines. The CT370-2 is a commercial version of the George outlined above.

The PVR370A has a larger capacity than the Henry specified for domestic use and also has a very useful energy saving feature.  These machines when used together are perfect for valeting cars.

Heavy duty industrial car valeting vacuum set:

CT570-2 and NVQ570-2 – These two machines are designed for heavy duty use. Whether you are valeting a fleet of vans, caravans, or hire cars they will take it in their stride.  Both the CT570-2 and NVQ570-2 feature a tough and durable StructoFoam casing making them ideal for extended and heavy duty use. They also have no metal components exposed so there is little risk of causing damage to bodywork.

With any of these packages you can be sure that valeting the interior of your car will be quicker and easier than ever.

Safety Warning – When buying a vacuum cleaner for use around water we advise the use of a 110V Vacuum cleaner where possible.

Hazardous Dust Vacuum Cleaners

Is your vacuum cleaner killing you?

For the average contractor cleaning up after completing a job is more than likely one of the last things on their mind, and when it does come around the trusty time tested vacuum cleaner is hauled out of the van and put to work, this is where the problem lies. The average vacuum cleaner is not designed to be used with hazardous dust, and this puts the operator in danger.

What hazardous substances are found on the average site and why should I worry?

Many substances found within the modern construction site can be very hazardous to health. Below are just a couple of the hazardous substances found and the health problems that they present.

Asbestos – Responsible for around 4000 deaths a year. As we all know it is carcinogenic (cancer causing) and it is surprising how often the average contractor may come into contact with it. It can be found on almost every site, at schools, factories and even in homes. It can be found within textured coatings, insulation, lagging and even within cement products. The dust released when asbestos is disturbed causes asbestosis that in turn can cause cancer.

Brick and plaster dust – This is a substance that is present on almost every building site across the country. With familiarity often comes complacency; however dust containing fine silica particles such as sand, brick dust and plaster dust can cause Silicosis.  This condition over time damages lung tissue through fibrosis, replacing healthy lung tissue with hard nodules of scar tissue.

So what does my vacuum cleaner have to do with this?

You have finished a long day on site, and the last thing to do is clear up before you leave. You grab the vacuum cleaner off the van and set to work. It is the same vacuum cleaner model that you have been using for nearly a decade, and it has never let you down. This vacuum cleaner however does not have any advanced filtration capabilities and offers no protection against hazardous dust exposure.

Why is my vacuum cleaner not suitable for hazardous dust?

A vacuum cleaner works by drawing in large amounts of air, as this air is pulled into the vacuum cleaner the dust you are vacuuming up is also sucked up. This air needs somewhere to go, as it can’t keep building up inside the vacuum there just isn’t enough room. So the air is filtered and then expelled from the exhaust located on the back of the vacuum.

This is where hazardous dusts really become a problem. In a conventional “standard” vacuum cleaner the filters that clean the air before it is expelled from the vacuum are not fine enough to stop small particles of workshop waste dust, Asbestos and Silica from entering the air. The operator then breathes in this air, normally without even realising it (or thinking about it at least)and this is when the damage begins. We have all seen how much dust floats around in the air on site when a ray of sunlight comes through a window, and how quickly something that has been cleaned gets a fresh coating of dust.

Can I harm others by using a ‘normal’ vacuum cleaner?

By using a normal vacuum cleaner to hoover up hazardous dust you not only put yourself at risk, but those around you. The dust in the exhaust of the vacuum is released into the air where anyone in the area can then breathe it in.

Health and Safety rules will soon be changing and there have already been a few cases where contractors have been prosecuted for exposing co-workers and the general public to hazardous dusts.

So what vacuum should I be using?

When there is any likelihood that hazardous dusts are present an advanced filtration or cyclonic hazardous dust vacuum cleaner should be used. These vacuum cleaners incorporate filters with an efficiency rating of 99.97% (Hazardous Dust Vacuum Range). These vacuum cleaners can also multi task, so in one machine you effectively have an Asbestos Vacuum Cleaner and a brick dust vacuum cleaner.

Hazardous dust vacuum cleaners really are a necessity rather than an optional item for every contractor out there. The necessity for a hazardous dust vacuum cleaners is not contractor specific either, school workshops, concrete plants and anywhere else that fine dust is present there is a necessity for an advanced filtration vacuum cleaner.

Further Reading on the health risks that hazardous dusts present can be found on the following links:

• Asbestos – http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/index.htm
• Silicosis – http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/silicosis1.shtml
• MDF / Workshop Dust- http://www.hse.gov.uk/woodworking/woodnig/woodn16.pdf

If you found this article useful please feel free to share it through the following links.

The thing to first consider is where in the school the vacuum will be used?

Classrooms and Hallways

For the everyday carpeted school classroom and hallway then a standard dry bagged vacuum cleaner will be sufficient.  A standard Hetty or Henry Vacuum Cleaner, or their Commercial alternatives the NRV200-22 & NSR200A (energy saving). These machines are all very portable with adequate capacity for the average school user. They feature a long cable that can be wound back into the unit for easy storage.

Workshops (art Classrooms, Resistant Materials etc)

Not many people realise that even within a school there are many items that are a potential hazard to health. MDF dust within workshops is carcinogenic, asbestos can often be found, and clay dust within art rooms can cause health problems. For this reason it is essential to use a vacuum cleaner that can safely collect these particles safely without releasing them back into the air. The vacuums to look at are the HZQ200-2 which features four stage Hepa Filtration giving a 99.997% efficiency rate. If you need a larger capacity machine these can be found here – Fine Dust Vacuum Cleaners

Changing Rooms & Wet Areas

Charles is the man for this job, with special filters this vacuum cleaner is ideal for hoovering wet changing room floors, he will happily suck up mud and debris bought in on football boots. As well as being able to use this wet Charles the vacuum cleaner can be used dry. If you feel Charles may be a little small you can find larger capacity wet Vacuum cleaners here.

All the vacuum cleaners specified above are compact and easy to store and use. Ideal for schools, however should you need anything a little bigger please browse the cleaning machines category.

Still not sure or have a specific question as to which vacuum cleaner will suit your needs?

Then please feel free to phone us on 0800 9788 499 for free advice and guidance.

Why go for a Green Vacuum?

As a Company -

Save Money - Switching to a NSP vacuum and running it in AutoSave is the energy saving equivalent of switching off 7 x 100W light bulbs when compared to a standard 1200W machine, this saves you money every time the the machine is turned on. The PSP & PVR range offers savings of 6 x 100W light bulbs when similarly compared.
Reduce your carbon footprint. – By using less electricity this machine will result in less fuel burned at the power station. Also as the machine is made in the UK there is less fuel wasted through transportation.

As the User -

Lower noise. - All these energy saving vacuums produce less noise with their NTS technology. So this will save your ears by working in a quieter environment.
Quick change cable – The mains cable can be unplugged on all PSP and NSP machines making it easy to replace should it ever become damaged.
Clean Air. - The whole range feature H10 Hepa filtration, improving air quality by 30% over non Hepa Vacuums.

What Commercial Energy Saving Vacuums Are There?

The commercial Range of vacuums also incorporates other technologies not found on the AutoSave Domestic Energy Saving Vacuums.

NSP180A & NSP200A
The NSP range of energy saving vacuum cleaners all feature a distinctive green colour and they are built to Numatics ‘compact’ format making them easy to store. The NSP range of ‘green’ vac’s incorporate AutoSave and NST sound reduction technology. The NSP vacuums run in AutoSave Mode at 500Watt of power, when turned to HI mode they power up to 800Watt.

NSR200A
The NSR200A features AutoSave (800/500W) along with the retractable power cable seen on a Henry Style machine, giving you energy saving and convenience.

PSP180A, PSP200A & PSP370A
The PSP range of energy saving vacuum cleaners feature all the technology of the NSP range but incorporate a higher power motor for slightly heavier applications. Using AutoSave mode when they power up they turn on at 600W, when put into HI mode they power up to 1200 Watts. Incorporating an easy to replace mains cable, NST sound reduction and an easy carry handle. The PSP is the contractors choice.

PVR200A & PVR370A
The PVR range of commercial vacuum cleaners are the commercial equivalents to the Henry. They feature NST, AutoSave (600 / 1200W) and look similar to the NRV200-22 and Henry Vacuum. They are available in two sizes the PVR200A and PVR370A.

PVT390A
This is a PVR370 with a built in trolley system for easy storage of cleaning equipment. An energy saving vacuum cleaner for daily contract cleaning use. Ideal for hotels.

Still not sure?

Call us today on 0800 9788 499 for free advice on Commercial Energy Saving Vacuum Cleaners.

When looking for a ‘green’ vacuum cleaner the main thing to look for is an A suffix in the model number (e.g. HVR200A) This indicates that the vacuum cleaner incorporates Numatics AutoSave technology.

What is AutoSave Technology?

Numatics AutoSave technology is a clever energy saving feature incorporated within their vacuums that ensures that energy is not wasted. When the vacuum is turned on the AutoSave feature powers the vacuum up at 50% power. When running in AutoSave mode the vacuum is powerful enough for most cleaning duties. When more power is needed you can simply press a button on the vacuum and power is increased to 100%. This allows the vacuum to cope with heavier duty cleaning requirements.

AutoSave technology ensures you only use the extra power when you need it, thus saving you energy and money.

Energy Saving Domestic Vacuum Cleaners

Within the domestic vacuum cleaner range you will find a number of energy saving vacuums featuring AutoSave technology.

Henry and Hetty – HRV200A & HET200A
Both these vacuum cleaners feature Numatics AutoSave energy saving technology. They are ideal for home use on hard floors and short pile carpet.

James – JVP180A
James is a compact vacuum cleaner that also features AutoSave technology. He is suitable for the same duties as Henry but just a little more compact making him easier to store.

Henry Xtra – HVX200A
The Henry Xtra is ideal for people who have slightly longer pile in their carpet. It features an Aero-Brush that is specially designed for carpet care.

Harry The Pet Hoover – HHR200A
Harry is an energy saving pet hoover, designed for people who keep pets at home and need an energy saving vacuum that can remove pet hairs from their carpet. Harry also incorporates an activated charcoal filter that neutralises pet odours from within the vacuum.

Still not sure which energy Saving vacuum cleaner is right for you?

Call us today on 0800 9788 499 for free advice on Energy Saving Domestic Vacuum Cleaners.

In the next part of this article we will cover Commercial Energy Saving Vacuum Cleaners.

This is why we have done a little guide on how to remove limescale from your taps as easily as possible using Selactive E014, which is a specialist bathroom sanitiser, deodoriser and general cleaner.

As you can see these taps are clean, but limescale has been allowed to build up in areas that water settles on.

What you will need:

1. Rubber Gloves
2. Selactive Washroom Sanitiser
3. Two Cloths ( We used Dish Cloths, but any cloth will do)
4. A Plastic Bucket

1. Put some of the Bathroom Cleaner we are using selactive into a container, and add the recommended amount of water, The Selactive container recommends using 1 part Selactive to 40 parts water for general cleaning. If you are using an alternative cleaner the manufacturers guidelines should be followed.

2. Add 40 parts more water to the container to dilute the bathroom cleaner for general use.

3. Wet one of your cloths and use this to wipe the taps over so they are wet all over.

4. Rinse the taps off so they are clear of all cleaner residue, this should leave you with only the most stubborn limescale remaining.

5. Then apply the cleaner directly to the cloth neat, using a finger wipe the cleaner onto all stubborn deposits.

6. You Should be left with blobs of neat bathroom cleaner on all the limescale deposits. Leave this for around 15 minutes, enough time to have a cup of tea, or do another cleaning task somewhere ells.

7.  Wipe all the foam off and the limescale should come with it, some of it may need a second application but 99% of it will wipe off or flake off. (depending on how bad it is obviously, the deposits on our taps took two applications in the worst affected areas.

Rinse the tap again with clean water, and then use your second cloth to dry and buff the taps.

Thats it, Simple. Our taps came up great, considering they where 10 years old. You may find as we did that the limescale has actually held fluid that damages the stainless, which can leave some small marks behind. But the small blemishes are nothing compared to the limescale.

But as you can see, the overall effect is pretty impressive for such a small amount of work.

We carry a wide range of chemicals for cleaning washrooms and bathrooms in our shop. We do carry some heavy duty lime scale removers as well as our more home based ranges.

We supply Microtex cloths which are manufactured by Robert Scott as part of their Microfibre Cleaning Range.

How they Work:

Microfibre Cloths are made up of 1000′s of tiny fibres all of which are finer than 1/100 of a human hair. Each of these fibres is also split into 16 – 17 micro segments by chemical treatment during the manufacturing process. Once the fibres are complete they each weigh in at less than 1gram per 10km! These fibres have such a large surface area that they trap any dirt and grime they come into contact with within the fibre. It also makes the cloths super absorbent by giving them 40 times more surface area than a normal cloth.

These cloths are very effective cleaning tools, and when used correctly can almost eliminate the requirement for cleaning solutions. There are two main ways that the the microfibre cloths can be used, Wet, or Dry.

To use these cloths wet simply follow these instructions:

1. Remove all Packaging from the Microtex cloth.
2. Wet the cloth in warm water, and wring it out thoroughly, so you are left with a cloth that is damp.
3. Fold the Microtex cloth into four, to give you a small square. This will give you eight fresh surfaces to clean with.
4. Apply pressure and wipe the cloth in a circular motion over the surface to be cleaned.
5. Most marks should be lifted by this but any that are more stubborn can be removes by applying more pressure and more water.
6. Once all marks are removed, if necessary use a dry cloth to buff any remaining marks away. This is especially effective on glass.

The Cloths can also be used dry, by using the same principal, folding the cloth into four provides plenty of fresh surfaces to clean with. The fine fibres within the Microtex cloth provide static which acts like a magnet for dust, and traps it within the fibres, allowing dust to be lifted off surfaces with ease, and without being deposited back onto the surface.

Microtex Microfibre Cloth Maintenance:

To Keep your cloths in top condition, its important to wash them. Most soiling can be removed by submerging the Microtex Microfibre cloth in water and rubbing it against itself, the fine fibres then release any dirt and dust that they are holding onto. Sometimes however it is necessary to machine wash the cloths, this can be done in a conventional washing machine, it is very important however that NO Bleach or Conditioner is used. These chemicals will either destroy the microfibres or block the pores rendering them no more effective than a normal cloth.

If you want to know why they are supplied in so many colours, see our Colour Coded Cleaning Supplies and Hardware guide

On all of our items where a colour can be chosen you will see a selection box within the listing page, from this drop down menu you can select either: Red, Green, Blue, or Yellow. Once this selection is made if you click onto the “add to cart” button the quantity chosen of that colour will be added to your basket.

Here is a general guide to what colours should be used where:

Of course some company’s will have different colours for different zones, but the above is generally accepted as the standard colour coding.

Main Reasons for Implementing a Colour Coded Cleaning System within your work place:

Preventing Cross Contamination -The Distinctive colour coding between different zones ensures that you wont have your cafeteria table accidentally cleaned with a cloth that has been used to clean a toilet. Following the colour coding guides means germs are not spread from one area to another, and low risk areas wont be contaminated by high risk areas.

Preventing Accidents and Property Damage - By using our Colour Coded Spray Bottles and colour coded mops you can be sure that a chemical destined to clean a bathroom counter in a Red bottle wont be accidentally taken and used on a floor in an office or reception where it could potentially cause a slip risk. In the same way a mop with Degreaser on it from being used within the kitchen can not be accidentally applied to a hardwood floor and damage the finish.