thoughts on a new vaccum please

[washerboy]

I have decided it's time for a new vacumme cleaner..I bought a cheap-ee kenmore can. about 7 years..for the most part it's worked okay...I have hardwoods and tile...I pull out the old upright for the area rug in the living room from time to time. My house was built in 1924 and I still heat with a floor furnce and window air...I suspect that joined with my two dogs (one is a lab the other hinze 57) and my teenage son is the reason I have so much dust and dander...it's actually embarssing..I can dust on Monday and by Tuesday morning one can write their name on everything in the house. My cousin says I should invest in a water vac..the dust/dirt and hair are filtered through water before the air is discharded back into the house..that seems to make scense..I've just heard that it's a big mess to deal with after vacuuming. So I guess my question is..what do ya'll think?...is the water vac a good investment? Rainbow makes them I've heard but not investiated yet..also saw one made by Euro-pro..anyone have any thoughts on the EP brand?..I have a small EP convection oven..I use in the summer time to bake potatoes or fix a gourmet meal of frozen fish sticks....for what little use the oven gets it works okay..but that's about my experience with EP brand. Advice please/thanks/mark

 

[danemodsandy]

Ahhhhhhhh!

My cousin says I should invest in a water vac..the dust/dirt and hair are filtered through water before the air is discharded back into the house..that seems to make scense..I've just heard that it's a big mess to deal with after vacuuming. So I guess my question is..what do ya'll think?...is the water vac a good investment? Rainbow makes them...

Do yourself a huge favour and read some vac testing in Consumer Reports before considering a Rainbow. The machines really do no better at filtration than other kinds of machines, and they are a huge PITA to empty and clean.

What you need is a canister-style machine with a power nozzle for your floors, and good filtration. TriStar is one machine that's good at filtering, and they last forever. Don't even consider a new TriStar; buy a used one off eBay. New ones run close to $2000; used ones are a quarter of that price, if that. Today's Hoover canisters are also good filterers, if somewhat cheaply-made. Uprights do not generally have as much suction as canister vacs, and their clunky attachment provisions mean that you'll probably vacuum above the floor less often than you would with the easier-to-use attachments found on a canister.

You will also need a small machine with a power brush for upholstered furniture. The Dirt Devils with power brushrolls are my personal favourites here.

Taking care of the machines is the most important part of getting the dust under control. You should change bags frequently, change filters when recommended, and keep the brushrolls of your power nozzles clean and free of dirt, strings, etc. You cannot keep a house dust-free with dirty equipment.

After that, it's just a matter of vacuuming the house thoroughly until you've gotten all the dust, then keeping it vacuumed. You need to vacuum everything the first two or three times, including baseboards, the tops of door and window frames, the walls, the ceiling, everything. Behind furniture, underneath it, the backs of chests and sofas, inside bookcases- it's a job, but worth it. It takes a couple-three times of doing this before a room really becomes noticeably easier to keep dusted.

Do not buy a "bagless" cleaner, whatever you do. These are difficult to maintain so that they don't leak dust back into the room. The least bit of dust on the sealing surfaces of the dirt cup, and you've got a leak.

Whatever vacuum you buy, the most important things are A) Take care of it and B) Get behind it and push. Frequently. The kind of vac (so long as it's a power-nozzle canister) isn't nearly so important as those two things.

 

[nmaineman36]

I have to chime in as well. We bought a Dyson Animal upright and for the most part its OK. That said would I buy it again...hell no. Its very messy to empty and I have to empty it outside in a trash can. Its also very noisy and even though it looks impressive at what you pick up i find that there is alot lacking.in its beater bar. The beater looks like a ruler.
Then I bought this past fall a Miele Ariel canister with a turbo brush. One for the carpet and one for thats handheld for the car and the couch. Its a bagged vac and the bag seems to hold alot more than a Dyson as far as dirt and hair goes. We have 2 cats that seem to drop fur as they walk and I have to keep up with them. Plus this vac has the AirClean system and there are no emissions so the air coming out is cleaner than what went in. Plus its very quiet for a vac. Plenty of suction as well.

 

[volvoguy87]

Vacuums and filtering.

Since you have hardwood floors and an upright for rugs, I would recommend a canister vacuum. For bare floors, you don't need a power-nozzle, straight suction will be perfect. If you really REALLY want water filtration, get a Rainbow and no other brand. Rainbows can be a pain to use because of the filling and draining of water every time, but they do filter very well. If you don't suffer from allergies, water filtration really isn't necessary.

Old Tri-Star vacuums are great, but can be harder to find. Filter Queens are also very good. My pick, however, would be an old Electrolux canister. Old Electroluxes are easy to find, reliable, and parts are pretty plentiful. Also, they are very easy to have repaired.

You would probably want one from the mid 1970s (Super J) or newer, preferably with a metal body, although the plastic bodied Electroluxes weren't bad. I have an Electrolux Super J I paid $30.00 for (well-used) and it is just fine. It doesn't have a HEPA filter or anything, but it gets things clean and has been very reliable. I have used Electrolux canisters as old as 1947 with complete satisfaction.

HEPA filters aren't the best thing in the world. If they are the only filter on the vacuum, they will clog very quickly. HEPA filters also restrict airflow, decreasing the power of the vacuum. If you don't know if a filter is clogged or is restricting airflow too much, look at the vacuum, especially around seals. If there is an obvious coating of dust, the filter is clogged and the dirt-laden air is escaping through weak seals, coating the outside of the vacuum with dust.

Get a vacuum with bags. Bagless ones are messy and have to be emptied frequently.

Keep clean,
Dave

 

[neptunebob]

You may even want to consider a central vacuum system. Central vacs, though they have filter bags, exhaust out of the house and so suck odors away too. They are available with lots of attachments too. It may not cost much more than and expensive canister. Stay away from the water vacs, empyting them is naaasssty.

 

[maytagbear]

No bagless!

Bagless vacs are de-evolutionary. I would never have one.

The March 2008 Consumer Reports (for what it's worth-) has the vacuum test. They liked the Electrolux Oxygen the most, but two Kenmore canisters were nearly as well regarded.

I want the new Hoover Constellation.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[danemodsandy]

HEPA Filters

The dirty little secret of HEPA filters is that they are not necessary for most people; the advertising claims are essentially a scare tactic. For allergy sufferers, they can be a godsend, no argument there.

The sad fact is, this planet is made of dirt, so dirt is everywhere, and there is no repeat no getting rid of it absolutely. If you vacuum now, there will be dust that you missed, and more will settle in nothing flat (house dust is essentially dead skin cells, plus dirt particles that float in and get tracked in from outdoors. You are breathing in some dust and pollen everywhere you are, unless you're in a NASA "clean room". It's much easier to "get over it" where absolute cleanliness is concerned, than it is to render air completely free of dust and allergens.

What HEPA filters do is to filter out extremely fine particles that most people cannot see, and are not bothered by. They are great for filtering out the droppings of dust mites, which are what trigger the dread "dust mite allergy"- the dust mites themselves don't trigger a reaction. Most people just don't need that extra filtration- they need to keep their houses decently clean, and stop worrying that they don't have a $2000 vacuum that will catch such tiny particles.

Unless you are allergic to something, and unless you're certain that that something needs a HEPA filter to be cleaned out of your house, then save your money and just buy good-quality filter bags for whatever vac you have. Filtrete is a good brand, and there are others.

I know a woman with a state-of-the-art Lux Guardian, with the HEPA filter, purchased because she has mild allergies to pollen. Her house is no cleaner than anyone else's (to put it politely), and her allergies are no better than they were before she bought the thing. Why? She's too lazy to use it very often, and she's too thrifty- make that cheap- to replace the $75 HEPA filter the way she should. She'd have done way better and cheaper to get some Filtrete bags for her old cleaner and step up her housekeeping.

 

[cehalstead]

what kind of vacuum?

I have hardwood and tile on my main floor and my basement tv room and bedroom have industrial carpet that is 16 years old and looks like new. My vacuums? An early 70's Electolux (no power nozzle) that I use on my main floor and a late 70's Electrolux (with power nozzle) that I use in my basement on the carpet. I also have a Dirt Devil for the furniture. I have more money invested in a box of bags for the Luxes than I do in the cleaners themselves...I bought both of them at estate sales...the older one cost $35.00 and the newer one cost $5.00. I'll put my level of cleanliness up against June Cleaver's anyday....but to achieve that level, as others have said, you have to use them...they don't run themselves (a Roomba might, but not these ....). My suggestion? Go find a vintage Electrolux for under $50.00 if you can; if not, buy a new Aerus (the real Electrolux..if there is such a thing).

 

[Unimatic1140]

I have a modern Hoover Constellation which I just used this very second to vacuum the living room and dining room. March is here and with the weather beginning to warm rapidly that means Gladys fur coat is gonna be all over this house soon. I really like and highly recommend this vacuum.

 

[gadgetgary]

Got a Hoover Constellation for

VD

Love it. It is wonderful to have an old classic made new. Stainless would have been even better.

 

[tlee618]

I have to agree if you are wanting a "new" vacuum I think you will really like the new Constellations. However the advice to find and older Electrolux is excellent as well.

 

[andyelectrolux]

Washerboy,

Stay away from anything with the Europro name on it. I own a vacuum store, and refuse to even work on them as they are disposable garbage.

Look at Consumer Reports ONLY as a basic guide. Nothing else. The Electrolux Oxygen that they rate numer one is extremely flimsy. They do no durability testing to speak of, and I am constantly explaining this to customers as they replace their fifth burnt out electric wand. They also have several inaccuracies. For example, they docked Miele for not having a suction control to do more delicate things like drapes, which is just flat out incorrect.

As far as used machines go, the advice to get an old Lux is good, but the parts availability is starting to get more limited to non Lux dealers, so make sure you get one that is in as nice of shape as possible. Also a used Compact, Tristar, or FQ would make you a very nice machine. They are powerful, durable, and not too noisy. Most of the parts are readily available. Just be sure you use the best filtering bags you can get.

As far as new machines go, nothing beats a Miele. I sell them to pet owners such as yourself with the charcoal exhaust filter. Any other vacuum with a bag full of dog hair would have a smelly exhaust, but the Miele exhaust is clean and odor free. Also, the company has been around since 1899, is still owned by the Miele family, and they guarantee that parts will be available fifteen years after a machine has been discontinued. With hard floors, you would only need one of the S4's such as the Carina. With the charcoal filter, you would come out under $400.

 

[petek]

Owning two long haired massive shedding Border Collies I know dog hair in the house, it's everywhere in my place. Vacuuming is a daily activity. Naturally since I collect vintage vacs I'm partial to those.. You can't go wrong with a trusty vintage Electrolux in good shape or a vintage Hoover Constellation. Those are the two I use the most currently from a pic of about 40 different in the arsenal.
The Constellation I really like because it's fairly quiet and on the hardwood and tile it just floats along, no tugging. The Electrolux is even quieter but not as easily manouverable in tight spots. I'd get a new model of one of the constellation if you're not into finding something vintage. And the price is right at about $200 give or take.

Stay away from Rainbow.. I had one and while it was fun it was pain in the arse filling it up, emptying it in the toilet, then having to wash out the bowl lest it get stinky, and then leaving it all disassembled until the parts dried.

 

[irishwashguy]

Well..................

I have in the past had a Sanitaire, that is the one that Use at the office which is pretty powerful, however, I love my Miele vacuum, it is quiet and has good suction. I also grew up with a Compact/Tri Star, of which, i have a very old one that i use for the car. I am sure that it is from the Early 50's. You have seen the repair guy stick the hose in the wrong end when I took it to Starks for service, I had to stop myself from laughing, I did not want to wound him. I also have a Filter Queen with a powerhead I keep down at the office for that purpose. It works good for what I use it for there. Personally, you could pick up a Tri Star off of ebay for around 350 if you look. They do a good job, and have affordible bags that you can find on Ebay if you look. It is hard to kill a clasic, plus they are one of the rare vacs that are made in Aniheim, California. just my two cents( runs to get vacuum and dust)

 

[hoover1060]

Water vacuums...

What is not mentioned is once the water is saturated, it will just spew dust...Don't waste your money...
AND no matter what vacuum you use, you will always have some dust to deal with.
From what you've described, I'd suggest a Miele canister with powerhead. MIele's are quiet, powerful, and filter very well. There are several models to choose from, so you can find one that meets your needs pretty well.
Since you have bare floors and area rugs I'd even suggest looking at an Oreck ensemble. An Oreck upright is VERY GOOD for cleaning bare floors and flat rugs, and they do include the little canister for dusting/upholstry/corners and such. The Oreck has a good filtration system too.
Good luck with your search, let us know how it all turns out!

 

[jaxsunst]

What, no Kirby's?

I love my Kirby. I have a G4 that I bought as a rebuild. My house is mostly carpet, I have three floored rooms and the hose with the floor attachment works great.

IMHO, Kirby is the best of both worlds. It an excellent upright, but where most uprights fail is on attachment use. On a Kirby the hose is connected directly to the motor after the power head is removed, so it essentially becomes a canister.

 

[rp2813]

The local vacuum repair/retailer near me has no use for bagless. He has a Dyson sitting outside his front door with a sign offeing a trade-in allowance for anyone wanting to unload their bagless machine for a bagged model.

I have a Kirby G4. It's probably the best machine I've ever owned, but then again, everything I've ever owned before it was a hand-me-down or a vintage machine I had picked up. We have one cat who is mostly outdoors so pet hair isn't a major issue. I think Kirbies are probably overrated, they are most certainly overpriced when sold new, but this one is doing OK for me. My main complaint about any Kirby I've come across is the raspy sound they all tend to develop over time.

 

[danemodsandy]

Advice re: Powerheads

Forgot to tell you:

Today, there are powerheads (power nozzles) and there are powerheads. Since you have doggies, you want an electric powerhead, not an air-powered one, also called a turbo brush. Mieles often come with a turbo brush. Turbo brushes are okay for low-pile carpet that doesn't get too dirty, but for pet hair, you need a really high-powered powerhead that is more aggressive.

Turbo brushes work off the suction generated by the vacuum cleaner. You can tell when a powerhead is a turbo brush because there are no electrical connections to the hose or through it. An electric powerhead has wires in the hose, and also coming out of the nozzle itself.

Do not fall for a salesperson's claims that their turbo brush (whatever brand it might be) is different somehow. Turbo brushes just aren't up to pet hair, no matter the brand. I've had a Miele White Star with a turbo brush, and it was a fine cleaner in many respects, but the ability of the turbo brush to clean up cat hair was downright laughable.

The advice here to get a used Electrolux is good. Electrolux's power nozzles are great. I have two Luxes (a Model L and a Diamond Jubilee) for sale soon, if you're interested. A Diamond Jubilee has a very aggressive power nozzle (the PN-5), plus enough suction to suck dry paint off the wall.

 

[danemodsandy]

P.S. re: Miele

I forgot:

Miele also makes electric powerheads, and they're very, very good. My comments about their turbo brush should not be taken as any kind of negative comment about Miele. It's a fine machine, though pricey. If you had a Miele with the electric powerhead, you would have a machine capable of tackling the hair from a woolly mammoth.