Latest news with #cleaner
Free Malaysia Today
05-08-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Hong Kong police investigate mangled body found on street
The man was found dead under a tree in an affluent part of Hong Kong's Wan Chai neighbourhood. (AFP pic) HONG KONG : Hong Kong police launched an investigation today after what appeared to be a headless body was found on the street during a heavy rainstorm. A 54-year-old foreign male living on Kennedy Road, an affluent part of the Wan Chai neighbourhood, was found dead under a tree outside his home just after 7am today, according to police. The case was reported by a cleaner at the same address. 'Following preliminary investigation, it is believed that the subject fell from a flat at the address,' police said, adding a note written by the deceased had been recovered. The cause of death remains to be determined by autopsy. Uniformed officers were spotted combing the street during a torrential downpour to search for the man's head and left leg, local media earlier reported. The leg was later found across the road in front of a high school, while the man's head was suspected to be pushed into his body, newspaper Sing Tao Daily reported, citing sources at the scene.
Malay Mail
05-08-2025
- Malay Mail
Hong Kong police investigate mangled body found on street, search for missing body parts
HONG KONG, Aug 5 — Hong Kong police launched an investigation today after what appeared to be a headless body was found on the street during a heavy rainstorm. A 54-year-old foreign male living on Kennedy Road, an affluent part of the Wan Chai neighbourhood, was found dead under a tree outside his home just after 7am today, according to police. The case was reported by a cleaner at the same address. 'Following preliminary investigation, it is believed that the subject fell from a flat at the address,' police said, adding a note written by the deceased had been recovered. The cause of death remains to be determined by autopsy. Uniformed officers were spotted combing the street during a torrential downpour to search for the man's head and left leg, local media earlier reported. The leg was later found across the road in front of a high school, while the man's head was suspected to be pushed into his body, newspaper Sing Tao Daily reported, citing sources at the scene. — AFP
Health Line
11-07-2025
- Health
- Health Line
Vinegar: The Multipurpose, Chemical-Free Household Cleaner You Should Know About
Vinegar is a powerful multipurpose cleaner that you probably already have sitting in the pantry. Learn more about its benefits as a household cleaner and common uses around the home. Multipurpose cleaners are convenient because they're usable on many different surfaces. But while effective, some of these cleaners aren't exactly healthy or environmentally friendly. Vinegar, on the other hand, is nontoxic and eco-friendly, making it the ultimate multipurpose cleaning solution. And the best part? It's super cheap. Keep reading to learn what types of vinegar to use, along with nine ways vinegar can be used to clean and disinfect your home. Benefits of vinegar as a household cleaner You probably have a bottle of vinegar sitting in your cupboard right now. But like so many, you might only use it as a salad dressing or a marinade for vegetables, meat, poultry, or fish. Made from acetic acid Vinegar isn't only useful for cooking — it also makes a great cleaner and disinfectant because it's made from acetic acid. Acetic acid is a colorless organic compound that gives vinegar its sour taste and pungent smell. It's also an ingredient in some store-bought household cleaners. The acidic nature of vinegar is so powerful that it can dissolve mineral deposits, dirt, grease, and grime. It's also strong enough to kill bacteria. Different types of vinegar include: apple cider vinegar white distilled vinegar balsamic vinegar red or white wine vinegar Best type of vinegar to use White distilled vinegar is considered the best vinegar for cleaning because it doesn't contain a coloring agent. Therefore, it won't stain surfaces, which can occur when cleaning with a darker-colored vinegar. Plus, distilled white vinegar has about 5% acidity, which is also similar to the acidity level in many everyday multipurpose cleaners. About that vinegar smell The strong odor of white vinegar can be unpleasant, so you can use apple cider vinegar instead. It has the same cleaning properties as white distilled vinegar, but since it's made by fermenting apple juice, it also has a slightly sweet scent. Apple cider vinegar is darker in color, so dilute it in water before using it as a cleaning agent. If you're using vinegar as a cleaner, the scent may linger for about an hour or so. However, this might be a small price to pay for a cleaner that's nontoxic, natural, and environmentally friendly. You can mask the smell by adding a few drops of essential oil, such as lemon oil, lavender oil, or peppermint oil, to a spray bottle containing a vinegar-water solution. Or, open a window and let some fresh air in to help remove the scent quicker. Here's a look at a few common uses for vinegar around the home. 1. Glass Consider using vinegar to make your own glass cleaner. Combine 1 part water with 2 parts vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray the solution on glass surfaces and wipe clean for a streak-free finish. 2. Countertops Because vinegar is a natural disinfectant, it can clean and disinfect countertops after food preparation. For tough stains, try adding a few drops of soap to 1 part water and 2 parts vinegar. Vinegar can also remove odors from countertops, but it shouldn't be used on granite or marble. Use a natural stone cleaner instead, as the acid in vinegar can diminish the luster of natural stone. Vinegar can also deter ants that may scour countertops at night in search of food scraps. 3. Faucets Combine 2 teaspoons of vinegar and 1 teaspoon of salt to remove calcium deposits on faucets and fixtures. This solution can also remove hard water stains from showerheads. To get rid of stubborn stains, try spraying fixtures and faucets with vinegar and then tying a bag around them overnight. Scrub and rinse the next morning. 4. Showers and tubs Thick soap scum and mildew can be challenging to remove. Spray undiluted white vinegar over tub and shower walls. Let the vinegar sit for several minutes, then scrub and rinse away. Or, combine baking soda and vinegar to create a paste and scrub away tough grime. 5. Toilets Pour 2 to 3 cups of undiluted vinegar into the toilet bowl and let it sit for up to 3 hours. Scrub with a toilet brush and flush. This helps eliminate rings around the bowl and deodorizes the toilet. 6. Floors Vinegar also makes a great floor cleaner, but only on certain types of floors. You shouldn't use it on hardwood floors because it can dissolve the finish and leave watermarks. The natural acid in vinegar can also damage natural stone floors. However, you can use vinegar on no-wax linoleum. Add 1/2 cup of vinegar to 1/2 gallon of water. To clean ceramic tile, add 1/2 cup of vinegar to 1 gallon of water. 7. Dishwasher To break through soap scum in a dishwasher, add 1 cup of vinegar to the rinse compartment and let the dishwasher run for an entire cycle. 8. Appliances To eliminate odors in your microwave, place a bowl containing a 1/4 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of water inside the microwave and heat for a couple of minutes. This solution can also loosen any stubborn stains. Vinegar is also great for cleaning the inside and outside of appliances, including stainless steel. Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle, then spray down appliances. Use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe away the solution. Don't use abrasive pads, which can scratch the surface of appliances. 9. Laundry Distilled white vinegar is also a great choice for removing fabric odor and stains. Don't use dark vinegar, or you might stain your clothes. Add 1 cup of vinegar to the wash cycle.
Tom's Guide
22-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge vs. Shark HydroVac Floor Cleaner — which one wins?
BISSELL CrossWave OmniForce Edge Not only can this Bissell vacuum and mop hard floors and area rugs, but can switch to vacuum-only mode. This also comes with an anti-tangle brush head, zerogap edge tech, and a self-cleaning/charging feature. It's also easy to use with intuitive controls and LED display to show real-time information. Shark HydroVac MessMaster This 3-in-1 floor cleaner can vacuum, mop and self-clean at the same time. It also has the option to clean area rugs. With its powerful suction to tackle dirt and debris, wet messes, and stains in no time. It also comes with an antibacterial brush roller and odor neutralizing solution to eliminate lingering smells. When it comes to ensuring our floors are clean and spotless, having one of the best vacuum cleaners is essential. And if you have mainly hard flooring, wet-and-dry vacuum cleaners can do all the hard work for you, saving you the back-breaking task of traditional mopping. As Homes editor at Tom's Guide, I've tested my fair share of wet and dry vacuums, including the Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge and Shark HydroVac MessMaster 3-in-1 Floor cleaner on my hard floors. And while these are both popular brands on the market, which wet-and-dry vacuum is better? In fact, choosing between the two will all depend on your needs and budget. And despite only having a $100 price difference, you'll find that both have unique functions. The Bissell stands out for having a separate vacuum-only mode, while the Shark HydroVac MessMaster has odor neutralizer technology. Both have self-cleaning functions which are always handy for hygiene, convenience and long-term maintenance. To help you decide which wet-and-dry cleaner is right for your home however, here's our Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge vs. Shark HydroVac Floor Cleaner verdict. The Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge cleaner is available for $399 on Amazon. In contrast, the Shark HydroVac Messmaster currently costs $249 on Amazon and on Shark's website. That's not a huge price difference, however, so you'll need to consider both specs, and types of flooring. Also, look out for deals, as these models are often on sale. Shark HydroVac Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge Price $299 $399 Weight 8 pounds 10 pounds Water tank capacity 0.38 quarts 1 quart Battery runtime Up to 35 minutes Up to 30 minutes The Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge has a sleek, slimline design and smallish floorhead. It comes with a motorized wet/dry roller heads that pick up liquids and debris. The handle is easy to grip, with four push buttons that include the power, dry-vac mode, hydration mode and self-cleaning cycle. There's also an intuitive LCD screen that gives you real-time information about when to fill the water tank, levels of hydration and battery indicator. Perhaps, the only downsides are that the CrossWave OmniForce Edge doesn't come with extra accessories, such as a spare brush roller —just a charging pad. And it doesn't have any smart features. However, this isn't a real deal breaker. Despite its slim appearance though, Bissell's vacuum is heavier than the Shark HydroVac, weighing in at 10 pounds. On the other hand, the Shark HydroVac cleaner has a more attractive, sturdy design with a nice rose-gold color. It also comes with two, antibacterial brush rollers, and there's an odor neutralizer feature to banish lingering odors. Like all wet-and-dry vacs, both come with a two-tank system — one for clean water and the dirty water canister. Bissell's tank is noticeably larger than the Shark's, which you might want to consider if you have a lot of heavy-duty cleaning to do. What's more, they both have a self-rinse system, that ensures the vacuums remain clean and always in top-notch condition. This also means you'll never have to get your hands messy, when handling dirty water. In addition, it's simple to detach the brush rollers should you need to deep clean or replace. In terms of who wins, however, the Shark HydroVac MessMaster floor cleaner is certainly more eye-catching, and appealing. Winner: Shark HydroVac MessMaster Setting up the Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge was super easy, and took just minutes. You simply detach the water canister from the vacuum body, fill to the line with clean water, and add the cleaning solution that is provided. The power button on the handle turns on the LCD display that gives you basic indicators like the battery indicator, hydration levels and when to fill or empty the water tanks. It also took me by surprise with its signature "chime," as you power it on and off. Unlike the Shark floor cleaner, the clear, dirty tank is located at the front of the cleaner, and it's easy to detach the tank and empty out after use. The Shark HydroVac is also easy to set up with a simple click-and-lock. Bear in mind the water tank is located at the front of the cleaner, and it also comes with Shark's own multi-surface solution to add. Similarly, the power button on the handle turns on the LCD display's handy indicators like the battery level, but lacks any advanced settings like hydration levels or Max mode in comparison. What's more, the Shark HydroVac felt more comfortable to handle and tilt back with ease. Perhaps, my favorite feature is the HydroVac's self-propelled function, that gives it a little "boost," making it easier to push across hard floors. The Shark HydroVac is also lighter to carry around the home compared to the Bissell — which is ideal for those with stairs. Winner: Shark HydroVac MessMaster I'll admit, this was a close call, as both models had sufficient power to clean my hardwood and tiled floors. However, which cleaner ultimately out-performed the other? Firstly, the Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge has the edge (no pun intended) of including an option to dry-vacuum only, which is a good selling point for me. This meant that I could use it for sucking up heavy-duty messes (without making a sopping mess), before deep washing the floors. While I was impressed that the CrossWave OmniForce was able to remove light dust, dirt and minor marks, it struggled to remove stubborn stains like dried mud from the yard,or even a coffee stain. I found that I often needed to go over these areas a few times to ensure they were spotless. In any case, its "Zero Gap" edge cleaning, tackled the edges of baseboards and along kitchen units better than expected. Plus, the cleaner didn't leave behind any dirty streaks. Perhaps the only caveats are that the Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge lacked a swivel head mechanism, and struggled getting into awkward angles. And it's noisier than the Shark HydroVac (and louder on Max mode). For that reason, you might have to consider the time and household members before cleaning your floors. On the other hand, the Shark HydroVac swivel head and self-propelled feature made it far easier to maneuver across floors, easily tackling marks and dirt with minimal effort. In comparison, it seemed to give a quicker clean, removing dirt and stubborn stains in less time. In just one or two sweeps, my white tiles were looking spotless and brand new. Again, the Shark HydroVac didn't leave behind any dirty streaks, and floors were dry in less than a minute. Another feature I liked was that the Shark HydroVac comes with odor neutralizers and an antibacterial roller to eliminate germs, and musty lingering odors in the air. I also preferred the model's "refresh" mode to clean my bathroom rug thoroughly, without soaking it. That makes it a convenient feature, especially if your rugs are not machine washable. Since both have self-cleaning features, this process takes about a minute. However, the Shark HydroVac's was noisier while in operation — so it's best to refrain from having a conversation! Still, it's a small sacrifice to make for refreshed floors. Overall, I was impressed by the Shark HydroVac cleaner's performance and versatility at tackling heavy-duty dirt on all types of flooring. As for drying time, both didn't leave behind wet streaks or patches, and floors seemed to dry fast. Winner: Shark HydroVac MessMaster For those with mainly hard flooring, both of these wet-and-dry vacuum cleaners prove to be great contenders. The Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge scores top marks for its pick-up power, dry-vacuum mode, and versatility. But while it did a decent job for light clean-ups, it struggled with heavy-duty mess and tricky corners/angles. However, the Shark HydroVac impressed me with its power and speed at quickly removing stubborn, sticky stains. It could also handle ridged tiles with ease, and did a great job at cleaning area rugs. What's more, it is lighter to carry around the home, and looks stylish, too. Bear in mind that neither floor cleaner comes with an app or smart features. But if these are things you're after, the Tineco Floor One S5 Extreme is a good option. However, if you're simply after a powerful clean, and fuss-free operation, I'd recommend the Shark HydroVac Floor floor cleaner to get the job done well. Winner: Shark HydroVac MessMaster
South China Morning Post
21-06-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
Old, alone and barely getting by: the plight of Hong Kong's most underprivileged seniors
Auntie Ha left her village in mainland China and moved to Hong Kong to join her son and his family. But not long after, they emigrated and left her alone in the city. To support herself, she got a job as a cleaner and she rents a subdivided flat in Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong's poorest neighbourhood. Although in her 70s, Auntie Ha is unable to retire, because Hong Kong's basic old age allowance and social assistance are not enough for her to live on. Her story is one example of the lack of support and services for elderly people in the city, who live alone and must continue to work just to get by. Advertisement
