Category: How To

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    How to Easily Get Crumbs Out of a BOB Stroller Mesh Pocket

    If you own a BOB stroller or any stroller with mesh pockets, you know how stubborn those crumbs can be. They love to settle into the corners, making cleanup a chore. But don’t worry, here’s an easy way to get rid of them and say goodbye to those stale cheddar bunny crumbs!

    BOB strollers are known for their durability and convenience, but the mesh pockets can easily collect crumbs and debris, especially when your little one is snacking on the go. Those crumbs seem to find their way into every nook and cranny, making it challenging to keep your BOB stroller clean and fresh. Luckily, there’s a simple solution that will make cleaning your BOB stroller mesh pockets much easier and more effective.

    While a vacuum crevice tool might seem like the answer, it often ends up sucking up more of the side fabric than the actual crumbs, which can be pretty frustrating. It’s also a common issue that turning the BOB stroller over and shaking it out doesn’t help much, as the elastic around the pockets can be tight, preventing debris from escaping. This means that even after multiple attempts, those annoying crumbs can still be stuck in the mesh pockets.

    After many BOB stroller cleanings, I’ve found a simple and effective trick that makes cleaning BOB stroller mesh pockets much easier. This trick is especially useful if you’re tired of struggling with traditional methods that just don’t seem to work.

    The Trick:

    Start by smashing all the crumbs in the pocket into tiny pieces—small enough to fit through the mesh. You can use your fingers or a small tool to gently break down the crumbs until they are small enough. Once they’re broken down, use a vacuum hose on the outside of the pocket to suck the crumbs right through the mesh. It’s quick, effective, and works every time. By vacuuming through the mesh, you avoid the frustration of the vacuum sucking up the fabric, which can often make the cleaning process more difficult.

    This method is not only efficient but also saves you time and effort. Instead of getting frustrated with the vacuum and wasting time, simply break down the crumbs first and then vacuum them through the mesh. This approach works perfectly for BOB stroller mesh pockets, and it will leave your stroller looking cleaner and fresher.

    Maintaining a clean BOB stroller is important for your child’s comfort and hygiene. Regularly cleaning out the mesh pockets can prevent buildup and keep your stroller in great condition. So next time you notice crumbs building up, remember this easy trick. Save yourself the frustration of fiddling with the vacuum and get those crumbs out of your BOB stroller with ease. Happy cleaning!

    Want to schedule a deep cleaning of your BOB Stroller? Book here!

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    Banish the Funk from Your Football Pads

    It’s a well-known, albeit rarely spoken, truth among football players: football pads can develop a serious funk. This odor can be so overpowering that your pads might end up banished to the trunk of your car, never allowed indoors. But worry not, the days of smelly gear and embarrassment are behind you. Here’s how to keep your football pads fresh and germ-free, ensuring they don’t become a breeding ground for bacteria that could sideline you.

    Let Them Breathe

    Germs thrive in dark, moist environments. Storing your gear in a closed duffel bag creates the perfect breeding ground for bacteria like staph and E. coli. This not only leads to bad odors but also increases the risk of infections. Remember, a bad smell is often a sign of germ overload.

    Post-game or practice, it’s crucial to air out your gear. In dry climates like Las Vegas, simply placing your pads and helmet outside for a couple of hours (direct sunlight and heat aren’t necessary) can do the trick. The aim is to dry out the sweat, depriving germs of the moisture they need to survive.

    Natural Sanitizing Sprays

    Once you’ve dried your gear, it’s time to sanitize. While there are many chemical sanitizers available, they often fall short for several reasons: they’re more expensive, less effective in penetrating fabrics, contribute to the development of superbugs like MRSA, and can be harmful to your health.

    DIY Alternatives

    Creating your own natural sanitizing spray is easy and effective. You’ll need a spray bottle and one of the following mixtures:

    • Vinegar Solution: Mix 1 part vinegar with 3 parts water. The vinegar odor dissipates quickly.
    • Essential Oils: Add 1-2 drops per ounce of water for a pleasant scent.
    • Probiotics: Combine 0.5 ounces with 32 ounces of water. Probiotics remain active for days, continuing to protect your gear.

    These natural alternatives not only combat germs but also help reduce odors more effectively than chemical sanitizers.

    Professional Deep Cleaning

    At least once a month during the season, consider getting your gear professionally deep cleaned. Opt for services that use natural cleaning methods to avoid any harmful side effects. In Las Vegas and the San Francisco Bay Area, Germz Be Gone offers steam and probiotic cleaning for sports gear, providing a thorough and safe cleaning process. They even offer the convenience of mobile service and team discounts.

    A Routine for Healthier, Odor-Free Gear

    Implement these techniques after every use of your pads:

    • Air Out: Always let your gear dry out after use.
    • Spray Down: Use your homemade spray for added protection.
    • Professional Cleaning: Get a deep clean monthly during the season with Germz Be Gone.

    Imagine a locker room where everyone maintains their gear in this manner. The air would be fresher, the risk of infection lower, and the team healthier, especially during flu season. This could lead to a more successful and enjoyable season.

    Charge forward to victory, with fresh, clean, and healthy gear!


  • A Few Tips For Parents With Kids Who Get Car Sick

    A Few Tips For Parents With Kids Who Get Car Sick

    Those dreaded words are hurled from the backseat, “Mom! My tummy hurts!”

    Before you can take your eyes off the road, you try to imagine what the issue could be. You run down a list of questions to ask your child as your vehicle cruises down the street:

    • Do you have to poop?
    • Do you have to burp?
    • Would you like some fresh air?
    • When was the last time you had a sip of water?
    • Do you have to throw up?

    Remembering you let your child watch their tablet to entice them to get in the car seat without a fuss, you glance in the review mirror and gently advise them to put the tablet down and look out the window. Half a minute goes by, your child’s tummy feels better, and disaster is averted…for now.

    But what happens if your go-to technique doesn’t work? Here are a few tips to help with being car sick (for your child or any one else). No matter the case, if your child has frequent bouts with car sickness, go to the dollar store and load up on plastic buckets (plastic bags are a hazard!).

    Tips To Help With Motion Sickness

    Look Out The Window – staring at the horizon helps quite a bit. If your child is too small to see the horizon out of the window, have them pick a cloud to focus on.

    Crack A Window – who doesn’t like a little fresh air when feeling “off.” Sometimes the caress of fresh air can settle the mind and body.

    Chew Some Natural Gum – natural because there’s no toxic chemicals to make matters worse. Gum for the chewing action to help resolve the conflict between vision and balance.

    Carry Ginger Water To Drink – I know what you’re thinking: “who carries around ginger water?” If you have a Filipino mother-in-law like I do, you’d be surprised. You should probably carry drinking water with you at all times any way (I live in the desert). To make a tasty, sugar-free ginger drink simply cut a knob off of some fresh ginger (it doesn’t take much) and toss it in your water. The flavor will infuse throughout the day. To expedite the infusion you can simply boil water with ginger, reduce it down to concentrate the flavor, then use the concentrate to flavor water in the future. Voila! Sugar-free ginger water.

    Dissolve A Ginger Drop In The Mouth – no water, just carry some ginger drops with you.

    Acupressure – you can probably learn a few different acupressure points to use in your everyday life. Here are a few neat links about the acupressure point for car sickness.

    Get Professional Help

    If, however, your attempts to prevent motion sickness are unsuccessful, you can always hire this amazing, professional service which specializes in cleaning car seats, strollers and other gear that sees life’s unfortunate events.

  • How To Keep Your Hockey Gear From Stinking

    How To Keep Your Hockey Gear From Stinking

    There is one thing that every hockey player knows for sure, but will not admit outloud to themselves nor their teammates for cause of embarrassment: your gear gets funky! Your pads get smelly enough to where they have to ride in the trunk of the car and are not allowed inside the house. Your days of embarrassment are over. Here are a few ways to keep your gear from smelling like a barnyard and also keep germs at bay that can cause infection and keep you out of competition.

    Air Out

    Germs love dark, damp places–that’s where they do the most multiplying. By zipping your gear up in a bag all you’re doing is giving germs like staph and e. coli their favorite environment. When enough bad germs are present that’s when your gear starts getting funky and you can get sick. I know it’s easier to toss your pads and skates in a bag and let them marinate in your sweat until the next time you need them, but that is not a good habit to get into to. A simple way to remember it: bad odors equal a ton of germs. After each game or practice it is critical to let your gear air out. Since we live in Las Vegas, and the air is dry, just place them outside for an hour or two (direct sun not required). The goal is to evaporate your sweat to give the germs nothing to eat and survive on.

    Spray Down

    After evaporating your sweat from your pads, you are now ready to spray your pads down with something antimicrobial. There are number of chemical sanitizing sprays out there, but I highly recommend against them for a few reasons: 1) ounce for ounce, they cost more than natural sprays, 2) they simply don’t work–they will not penetrate fabrics before they themselves evaporate, 3) they have proven to be contributing factors in the growth of superbugs like MRSA and 4) they are hazardous to your health–their own warning labels say so!

    Alternatives I strongly encourage are natural antimicrobials like vinegar or essential oils then use probiotics for healthier equipment. To make your own spray you just need a spray bottle, water and mix in one of the following:

    • vinegar – 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water – the vinegar smell goes away in a few minutes
    • essential oils – 1-2 drops per ounce of water – essential oils smell great
    • probiotics – 0.5 ounces to 32 ounces of water – probiotics can reduce ATP and stay active for several days, so they are still working even when you put your gear back on.

    Each alternative works great and will keep your gear from harboring germs a lot longer than chemical sanitizers will, plus they’ll cut down on the odors that spring up from your pads.

    Go Deep

    At least once per month, during the season, you should get your gear professionally deep cleaned. Look for a company that specializes in cleaning sports gear using natural methods. That way you won’t suffer in the long run from doing the healthy thing by getting your pads cleaned and deodorized from time to time. In Las Vegas, the only company I know of that cleans sports gear is Germz Be Gone. They use steam and probiotics to sanitize and deodorize your gear naturally. For the ultimate convenience, they are a mobile service and come to you. They even offer team discounts. Check out their prices. For $5 off for first-time customers use code: SAVE5.

    Bad Odor = A Ton Of Germs

    Whether you play hockey or any other sport where you sweat in pads the above techniques can be used to help save you embarrassment and keep you healthy and active. Please use these techniques every time you take off your pads. Remember to air out, spray down and get your gear professionally cleaned every now and then.

  • Top 4 Natural Allergy Relief Remedies

    Allergies can make life challenging, especially during the holiday season. Whether it’s dust mites, pet dander, or pollen wreaking havoc on your sinuses, taking natural preventative measures can make a world of difference. Improve your health this winter with these four natural ways to combat allergies:

    1. Dust Regularly
    Dust is a common allergen that can quickly accumulate on surfaces throughout your home. Dust surfaces with a microfiber cloth, including blinds, picture frames, electronics, and behind the TV. It takes just a few minutes and can significantly reduce dust mite and allergen levels.

    2. Vacuum Frequently
    Dust mites, pet dander, pollen, and dead skin cells can settle deep into your carpets, rugs, and upholstery. Make it a habit to vacuum frequently, ideally daily, using a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter. This will help trap even the smallest particles. Avoid using a broom, as it tends to kick up allergens into the air instead of removing them.

    3. Open Your Windows
    Even if it’s cold outside, opening your windows for a few minutes each day can refresh the air inside your home and reduce the concentration of indoor allergens. Bringing in fresh air also introduces beneficial microorganisms from the outside environment that can support a healthy microbiome within your living space.

    4. BioBalance Fogging Services
    Take comprehensive allergy relief to the next level with Germz Be Gone’s BioBalance Fogging Services. Our unique two-step process starts with a thorough disinfectant fogging treatment that targets and eliminates common allergens like dust mites, mold spores, and pollen. This is followed by a probiotic replenishment fogging that introduces beneficial microorganisms, restoring balance and promoting a healthier environment. The combination provides long-lasting relief, keeping your home or workspace fresh, clean, and allergen-free.

    By incorporating these simple natural remedies into your routine, you can make your living environment healthier and more comfortable. If you’re ready to take allergy relief to the next level, contact Germz Be Gone today to learn more about how our BioBalance Fogging Services can benefit you.