NOW CLOSED: Dyson Digital Slim DC44 Tester feedback review thread – Non testers – you could win a Dyson

[AnnMumsnet]

This thread is for the testers currently putting the Dyson Digital Slim DC44 through its paces this Christmas.

Once you've received the Dyson and have had a play please let us know your first impressions.

Then let us know - across the next couple of weeks - how you're getting on with the challenges (do also let us know if you've invented or discovered any other ways the Dyson helped out!).

Here's what Dyson say about their challenges:

The balance challenge - "We know that often busy parents need to multi task. So can you still vacuum with the Dyson digital slim whilst the other hand is doing something else - carrying the baby, the dog, the phone, cooking, putting things away (you name it)".

The versatility challenge - "how useful are the different attachments in cleaning those hard to reach places?"

The cobweb challenge - "can you reach those high up cobwebs that have been sat there lurking for a while?"

The family mess challenge - "pets, children, mud, crisps, crumbs? what family mess can the Dyson digital slim pick up?"

The 20 minute dash challenge - Guests turning up announced? How much of the house can you clean in 20 minutes with the Dyson digital slim?

You will need to add feedback at least twice - once everyone has added their feedback on the challenges we'll add some questions to find out your overall views.

If you're not a tester, we've persuaded Dyson to give one lucky MNer the Dyson machine of their choice - all you need to do is, on this thread, share your cleaning tips and/or the hardest place you've had to reach when cleaning and you'll be entered into a prize draw to win a Dyson (could be vacuum, an Air Multiplier fan or a Dyson Hot).

Thanks, MNHQ

My cleaning tip: Dry the shower glass straight after you finish showering, it keeps the glass clear and you don't have to keep using that stuff that gets rid of calcium deposits anywhere near as often. We are selling our house and it saves me having to panic clean the shower every time we get a viewing as it is now always looks good.

The hardest place I've got to reach when vacuuming has got to be the top of the stairs. I have a spiral staircase and find the hose is just not long enough to reach the top stair!!

The hardest place to clean is under the seats in my 7 seater. No attachment is bendy enough. Can a manufacturer rise to this challenge ?

I'm not a tester, but my best cleaning tip is lots of storage! Definitely makes the place look cleaner being able to quickly chuck the toys away, and a quick sweep over the rug in hall on way out gives a fresh look when first walk in the house :)

We fitted new radiators a couple of years ago. They look very pretty. They have a normal panel at the front, a grill across the top and a solid panel down either side. The only possible use I can see for these panels is to make cleaning down behind said radiator totally and utterly impossible! If Dyson could make a device to clean down there, I'd buy one in an instant.

The same device would also benefit from a 10' extendable hose so that I can clean the stairwell too please

Best cleaning tip? Don't buy Venetian blinds. Ever.

Hi I'm a very envious non-tester hear who likes the sound of it more and more as I read this thread!

My tip for cleaning is to put on some loud, bouncy music (your favourite bopping tunes) and do fast and furious cleaning - fun, uplifting, satisfying cleaning job done and a work-out of sorts too. It turns chores into fun !

Hardest place to clean is behind the radiators where it is all very dusty.

My top cleaning tip is stolen from Flylady but it does work - set the timer for 5/10/15 minutes and get on with a task, knowing that as soon as the alarm goes off, you can stop. I always achieve so much more that way.

a non tester here - cobwebs in high corners that' s what I struggle with and the top steps on the stairs -Hoover cord never quite reaches !

i love mine for the stairs.
so much easier

hardest place to reach cleaning is under our huge fridge. Its GOPPING

covered with nerf bullets, cheerios and marbles

Another non tester here. My cleaning tip is to put a layer of clingfilm on your fridge shelves after cleaning them. Then if you have a spill or need to clean, you just peel it off and lay down a new layer.

The hardest place for me to clean is the gap between the front seats and the handbrake in my (tiny) car. No hoover attachment will fit in there, and my fingers are too big!

lol at clingfilm - thats NUTS

My tip would be to have a weekly routine so that the chores don't build up and it doesn't become overwhelming.
Have a basket at the bottom of the stairs and pop stuff in to take up as you find them then make one trip upstairs to take all items instead of numerous trips.
Put a glob of veet in the shower and bath plug to get rid of any build up of hair.

I always pop some lemon juice or some vanilla essence in with my soapy water when I clean out my fridge - this makes it smell lovely and fresh and makes the freshness seem to last longer. Lovely! Makes you hungry too! x

Also not a tester, but my cleaning too is to start at the top and work down. That way you won't give up halfway as you'll be doing the 'on show' bits last.

OOps didnt realise it was just hoover tips. My tip is to have a small manual hoover also in case your electric hoover breaks! We have a small tesco bag hoover as we live in a small place, does the trick, but on occasion when there's just a few crumbs, I whip out the Bissell brush and it actually works better on getting up some stuff like hairs / fibres than an electrical hoover!

too = tip.

Tester - I love this Hoover because my 4yo DD thinks its hers so I don't need to Hoover anymore

Not a tester - hardest place my vacuum cleaner has to reach (and fails) is underneath the cocktail cabinet, where 3001 tiny bits of Kinder surprise models or small glittery beads rally.

I am not a tester but have one its great for when you can't be bothered dragging the big hoover upstairs and teenagers seem able to use it even if they think they are luke skywalker in the process!

Hardest place to reach is definitely mezzanine bed deck not fun at all

I'm not a tester but it's good reading all of the feedback and I want the chance to win one

My hardest place to clean is under the bed as it's pushed up against the wall and my upright hoover doesn't get flat enough to get far enough under.

I love the Fly Lady for cleaning tips - the best one I got was start in one corner and don't move on to anything else until you've finished it which sounds obvious but before then i'd clear something from one corner and put it somewhere else then get distracted in the new place!

I am lucky enough to work part time during the week and find that I don't mind doing all my big cleaning jobs on a Friday even when I have to do the whole house if it means that I get my weekend free.

Not a tester but in desperate need for a new vacuum cleaner. I had to fix my current one with duct tape after bits of the plastic broke off the pipe.

My hardest place to reach are the three steps in the middle of the stairs. I can't reach them from the top or the bottom unless I carry the cleaner up (or down) with me which doesn't feel very safe.

I am not a tester but the hardest place has been the nook and crannies inside my car. Breadstick and rice cake crumbs get everywhere. Best tip for cleaning, play music to sing along to, it makes the time go so much quicker.

The seventh step of the staircase is out of reach from top or bottom unless I carry the vacuum cleaner body with me. I tend to forget to do it.
(goes to check. Yes, dirtier).