An efficient vacuum cleaner
is a great tool for keeping a clean home, but they can also play an important
role in hygiene, minimizing exposure to allergens including dust mites, pet dander, pollen, and more.
Vacuum terminology
The amount of electricity consumed by the motor in the vacuum cleaner is referred
to as its amperage.
HEPA filters are filters that trap minute airborne particles efficiently.
These filters adhere to US EPA specifications.
Suction is a vacuum cleaner's intake of air as it picks up dirt and debris.
Bagged is a term used to denote that dust is collected in a disposable
bag placed in the vacuum cleaner.
Bagless indicates that the dust container can be removed, cleaned and replaced.
The use of the term ‘On-Board Tools,’ refers to the presence of tools that
can be contained in the main body of the vacuum cleaner.
A stair cleaning attachment is an attachment that can be used to clean stairs
while keeping the vacuum cleaner stationary at one place.
Telescopic tubes are a range of attachments that can be adjusted to enhance reach while cleaning.
Vacuum Cleaner Types
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Upright vacuum cleaners are machines that have a single-wheeled unit
housing the motor, hose, bag, and beater brush. Upright vacuum cleaners are ideal for cleaning
carpets and large floor spaces. Some upright models are self propelling, making
for easier handling. If you have wall-to-wall carpeting, you will be better off with an upright model.
Many models offer bare floor cleaning options as well. Check
for ease of movement, especially if you are going to move the unit up and down stairs. |
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In
canister vacuum cleaners, a canister contains the motor and the bag. A long
hose collects dust. Canister vacuum cleaners
are ideal if you need to clean stairs, reach under furniture, clean curtains,
and odd corners. They are efficient on hard floors. When it comes to storage, canister models take up considerably less space. Check for the overall weight and ergonomically friendly
design. Some models, though heavy, can be handled easily as the shape and
handles are designed to distribute weight efficiently.
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If you have light vacuuming needs and not much area to clean, you may find broom/stick
vacuum cleaners a good option. Equipped with small motors, they do not
take much power to run. Small dirt cups collect the vacuumed dust in an efficient
manner. Broom/stick vacuum cleaners are very small and lightweight and also come
in cordless models.
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Handheld and
cordless vacuum cleaners are also a good option for small cleaning jobs.
Many come equipped with wands for cleaning hard-to-reach corners, and brush
attachments for cleaning upholstery and carpets.
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Wet/dry vacuum cleaners are very versatile machines. They perform the tasks of a standard vacuum cleaner, while adding the capability of cleaning wet
surfaces.
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Steam cleaners use steam to dislodge dirt and can be used on
carpets, upholstery, ovens, windows and other surfaces. Most steam
cleaners come with variable steam controls for tackling a number of cleaning tasks.
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Robotic vacuum cleaners are the latest in vacuum technology. Robotic vacuum cleaners are self-navigating, self-powered/self-timing, and feature dirt sensors, automatic height adjustors, time settings and navigation modules. Most of these vacuum cleaners are bagless.
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In central vacuum systems, a vacuum cleaner with a powerful motor is connected
to a few inlets placed throughout the house. The vacuum cleaner can be used by connecting
a hose to any one inlet. A central vacuum system needs expert installation and involves
greater expense.
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Vacuum cleaner features
Vacuum Cleaner Filters
Removal of allergens is thorough only when your vacuum cleaner is equipped with
HEPA filtration. HEPA is an acronym for High Efficiency Particulate Air and is the
US standard for removal of particles that measure 0.3 microns or more. Vacuum cleaners
that use HEPA filters reduce the amount of small airborne particles and allergens in the air.
Note the type of
HEPA filter that is installed. If the filter is a disposable
one, you can replace it periodically and maintain the performance of your vacuum
cleaner. Some models come fitted with washable HEPA filters that can be removed, cleaned, and reused.
Bagged vs. Bagless Vacuums
Bagged vacuum cleaners tend to be cheaper when compared
to bagless ones, but consider the recurring cost of new bags.
Bagless vacuum cleaners should have easy to clean filters, as clogged filters reduce the suction power of the vacuum cleaner, resulting
in poor performance. Bagless vacuum cleaners fitted with HEPA filters are
a good choice for homes that have allergy sufferers.
Vacuum cleaner attachments
Always make sure that you get long electrical cords and long hoses with your vacuum cleaners. The generally preferred cord length is more than 20 feet and the preferred hose length, at least 5 feet. Retractable cords can help in the handling of a vacuum cleaner. Look for attachments like corner tools,
upholstery brushes, and
extension wands.
Intelligent features
Features like dirt sensors and full bag indicators
optimize the performance of a vacuum cleaner. The presence of a dirt sensor ensures
that the suction power is increased or decreased automatically depending on the amount
of dust sensed. A
full bag indicator indicates the level of dust in the
bag which, if neglected, can adversely affect suction.
Vacuum cleaners come with an option
of manual or
automatic height adjustment. Automatic height adjustment with
the aid of sensors is very useful, especially when cleaning different types of carpet.
Top Vacuum Cleaner Manufacturers