Finding the right vacuum cleaner can be a challenge. Does the inexpensive model do everything necessary for cleaning? Are the accessories that come with a better model worth the cost? Is the vacuum portable enough to transport upstairs and downstairs easily? With the dozens of brands and models available on the market, how does anyone know which vacuum cleaner is the best choice?
Some savvy shoppers favorite upright vacuum cleaners. These models feature bags, hoses, a beater, and a motor in a compact unit. These usually have different settings for bare floors or shorter- or deeper-pile carpets. Plug in the cord, and start wheeling the entire unit around to vacuum the floor! Be aware, though, that these are difficult to use in closet spaces, and navigating the stairs with them can be a tricky proposition.
Nearly every well-known vacuum brand offers an upright model; many also offer canister vacuum cleaners. These consist of a canister with the motor and bag contained within, which are connected to a suction unit via a hose. These are ideal for bare floors, curtains, stairs, and furniture. Some are more portable than upright vacuums, while others are more difficult to transport.
Certain upright or canister models use disposable vacuum bags, while other models deposit dirt in a canister rather than a bag. These are known as bagless vacuum cleaners, or hard bag vacuum cleaners, and typically contain HEPA filters. These filters act to filter dust, debris, and allergens such as pollen or pet dander from the air while vacuuming. HEPA filters reduce the presence of allergens in a home, and can be very helpful to persons with allergies.
Some lightweight vacuum cleaners are referred to as broom vacuum cleaners, or "stick vacs." These are much like standard upright vacuum cleaners, but lack rollers or beaters. These are ideal for hardwood flooring, curtains, small areas, and furniture. Most of these feature a dirt cup, rather than a vacuum bag, for dirt collection. Some broom vacuum cleaners are cordless, because these vacuums have very small motors that require much less power than standard vacuums.
A few vacuum cleaners are so small and portable that they can be carried around by hand. These hand held vacuum cleaners are convenient and easy to use when only a small cleanup job is needed. These models typically use dirt cups as well, and many include a wand for accessing tiny areas. A few even feature special agitator attachments for use on carpets or furniture.
Ready to try the latest innovation in carpet care? Purchase a robotic vacuum cleaner and have a cup of coffee while the robot navigates around the floor space. These models are usually self- propelled, and are timed to turn off automatically. The latest models use sensors to determine what areas of the carpet might be dirtiest.
Robotic vacuum cleaners can be adjusted to clean hardwood floors as well as carpets with varying pile heights. A number have side brushes that will remove dirt or debris from the corners of the room, as well as the area where the wall meets the floor. These models typically feature bagless canisters that are easily emptied.
Tired of transporting the vacuum around the house? Opt instead for maximum convenience by installing a high-end central vacuum system. A powerful motor, located in the basement, garage, or perhaps a closet, provides vacuuming power to the central system that is accessed through pipes that run through the walls of the home. Attach a vacuum hose to any of the inlets placed throughout the home and the debris will be sucked into a centrally located storage container that can be emptied regularly.
While these models are very convenient, they are expensive and do require professional installation. Not all homes can be equipped with central vacuums, so check with a contractor to determine whether this is an option before purchasing the system.
Carpet Cleaners: Steamers and Shampooers
Sometimes, just sweeping the floor isn't enough. Heavily soiled areas, or areas that have become wet and soiled, many need to be cleaned thoroughly. Carpet steamers are designed to penetrate rug fibers using detergent solutions and steam that will clean and sterilize the carpet. While these are similar in appearance to an upright vacuum, they are equipped with tanks rather than canisters or bags. This tank contains the dirt and cleaning fluids that have been removed from the rug after cleaning. Most tanks feature handles that make carrying and emptying easy.
Carpet steamers use a number of rotating heads. This heads grind dirt from the carpet and help the cleaning solution to penetrate deep into the carpet. A powerful motor then provides the suction required to remove the cleaning solution, as well as the dirt, from the carpet. Extra heavy areas can be pre-treated before cleaning with an accessory that allows cleaning solution to be sprayed directly onto the carpet.
Carpet shampooers, in contrast, use hot water together with cleaning solutions to create foam that can be sprayed onto the carpet. Rotating heads then help to remove direct from the carpet and ensure that the cleaning solution reaches the base of the carpet fabric. After the rug has dried, the residue is vacuumed off. This type of carpet cleaning is much more thorough and effective than regular vacuuming or steam cleaning.
For cleaning and sterilizing floors, most housekeeping experts prefer a hard-surface steam cleaner. These appliances use steam that has been heated to a temperature of 220 degrees Fahrenheit. The steam released by a hard-surface steam cleaner will sterilize a bare floor. These are excellent for cleaning hard floors without using chemicals.
Consider reviewing the variety of products available before making a decision. Evaluate the experiences other consumers have had with different models. This will provide helpful information about which models are most durable or effective. Some models that claim to offer all the latest accessories just aren't all they claim to be, and quit long before Grandma's 50-year-old antique Bissell will - so don't get sucked up into empty advertising - be a smart consumer!