A pristine, dirt-free home is what all of us aim for. An efficient vacuum cleaner
is a great tool that can help us achieve the objective of having a clean home.
Cleanliness is not just for maintaining neat appearances, it also plays an important
role in hygiene. Keeping homes squeaky clean ensures minimal exposure to allergens
that can reach us through dust mites, pet dander, pollen and other sources.
Know vacuuming terminology
The amount of electricity consumed by the motor in the vacuum cleaner is referred
to as its amperage.
HEPA filters are filters that suck minute air borne particles efficiently.
These filters adhere to US EPA specifications.
Suction is the way your vacuum cleaner picks up dust and whisks it into the
dust collection bag.
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 required
lengths.
When buying a vacuum cleaner…
There are a few things you need to consider when zeroing in on a particular model
of vacuum cleaner that is just right for you. Here’s your checklist:
The filter - how does it work?
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 air borne particles in the air.
The direct result of this is a reduction of allergens in the air.
Check out the kind 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. Having washable filters
reduces the recurring costs involved.
Bagged or bagless, which one will suit you?
One basic choice that buyers have to decide upon is whether their vacuum should
be a bagged one or a bagless one. Bagged vacuum cleaners are cheaper when compared
to bagless ones. However, there is the recurring cost of new bags involved on a
periodic basis. Bagless vacuum cleaners should have easy to clean filters. This
is because clogged filters reduce the suction power of the vacuum cleaner, resulting
in unsatisfactory cleaning. Bagless vacuum cleaners fitted with HEPA filters are
a good choice for homes that have allergy sufferers.
Upright or canister? Analyze your cleaning needs.
The decision to choose an upright vacuum cleaner or a canister
vacuum cleaner should be based on the type of cleaning done.
Upright vacuum cleaners are machines that have a single wheeled unit
housing the motor, hose, bag and beater. Upright vacuum cleaners are ideal for cleaning
carpets and large floor spaces. Some upright models are self propelling, making
cleaning of large expanses easy. |
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In
canister vacuum cleaners, a canister contains the motor and the bag. A long
hose, attached to the canister, does the cleaning job for you. Canister vacuum cleaners
are ideal if you need to clean a lot of stairs, reach under furniture, clean curtains
and other odd corners. If the maximum surface to be cleaned in your home is mostly
hard surface flooring then, a canister model will be ideal for you. Choose one with
a power brush nozzle attachment so that carpets can also be cleaned easily.
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If you have wall to wall carpeting, you will be better off with an upright model.
However do ensure that you get a bare floor cleaning option too. Check the models
for ease of movement, especially if you are going to walk up and down stairs.
When it comes to storage, canister models take up considerably less space. While
checking for the overall weight of the machine, check for ergonomically friendly
design. Some models, though heavy, can be handled easily as the overall shape and
handles are designed to distribute weight in such a way that it minimizes strain
on your back.
Looking for a small, compact vacuum cleaner?
If you have light vacuuming needs and not much area to clean, you will 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
cordless vacuum cleaners are also a good option for small cleaning jobs.
Equipped with wand attachments for cleaning hard to reach corners and agitator
attachments for cleaning upholstery and carpets, these small machines pack quite
a punch.
Need to clean wet surfaces?
Wet/dry vacuum cleaners are very versatile machines. While capable of
doing all that a standard vacuum cleaner does, these machines can be used on wet
surfaces too. Clearing out a clogged sink can be done in a jiffy using a wet/dry
vacuum cleaner. However, these vacuum cleaners make a lot noise.
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Steam cleaning
with a vacuum cleaner.
Steam cleaners use steam to dislodge dirt. Steam cleaners can be used on
carpets, upholstery, ovens, windows and other surfaces with stubborn dirt. Steam
cleaners come with variable steam controls for different cleaning needs.
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Have the money but not the time for a vacuum cleaner?
Robotic vacuums are for you.
Robotic vacuum cleaners are the latest technological advances on the cleaning
scene. These vacuum cleaners save users plenty of time and effort. Robotic vacuum
cleaners are self-navigating, self-powered and self-timing. Apparently they do everything
by themselves! Dirt sensors, automatic height adjustors, time settings and navigation
modules powered by latest technology make robotic vacuum cleaners work. Most of
these vacuum cleaners are bagless, making clearing out of collected dust easy.
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Want to eliminate the noise from the vacuuming process?
Vacuuming is a noisy process; there is no vacuum cleaner
that does not make a noise. The only way to do that is to position the vacuum cleaner
in a place away from where the actual vacuuming is to be done. A garage or closet
can be used for this purpose. This kind of a system is referred to as a central
vacuum system. In this system, 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
a lot of expenditure. As they say, convenience always comes with a price tag.
Cords and hoses - how much is ideal?
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 are
a must, as this is a feature that helps in the handling of a vacuum cleaner. Look
for attachments that make hard to reach corners accessible.
Intelligent features
Features like dirt sensors and full bag indicator
optimize the performance of a vacuum cleaner. The presence of a dirt sensor ensures
that the suction power is increased or decreased automatically as per the amount
of dust sensed. The full bag indicator indicates the level of dust in the
bag which, if neglected, can adversely affect the suction ability of the vacuum
cleaner.
Educate yourself on how to put your vacuum cleaner to best use. Incorrect usage
on the carpet can damage the pile of your carpet. Vacuum cleaners come with an option
of manual or automatic height adjustment. Automatic height adjustment with
the aid of sensors often comes in very useful, especially when cleaning carpets.
Price ranges for vacuum cleaners
For small needs and small budgets, vacuum cleaners are available
in their most basic forms. A price band of $13-$20 can get you small handheld cordless
vacuum cleaners that are ideal for small jobs around the house and in a car. These
battery powered models can run for about 10 minutes when fully charged. They can
be recharged and kept in readiness for the next use. A small 9V motor and around
20W of suction capacity is what you generally get in this price range. Black &
Decker make a few models that fit these specifications. Slightly more powerful models
in the handheld category can be purchased in the $40-$50 price range. Eureka, Black
& Decker and Dirt Devil make powerful handheld models.
If you are looking for stick vacuum cleaners be prepared to spend $50-$70. Compact
upright models can also be purchased in this price range. Dirt Devil, Eureka, Euro
Pro and Shop Vac are the manufacturers to look for in this sector.
Bagged upright vacuum cleaners and bagged canister models, with around 9amp-12amp
motor strength can be purchased for $70-$130. Eureka, Electrolux, Hoover, Bissel
and Dirt Devil among others, make several upright and canister models to fit the
needs of customers in this price band.
If you are prepared to spend in the $140-$200 price range, there are quite a few
models of vacuum cleaners from leading manufacturers to choose from. Eureka, iRobot
Roomba, Hoover, Bissel and Dyson are the top manufacturers making models in this
category. This price band can get you models like an upright 12 amp model with a
30 ft cord, a bagless robotic model, an upright wet/dry model, a 9 amp steam vacuum,
a robotic wet/dry one or an upright model with a headlight.
If you have more specific cleaning needs and are prepared to spend up to $300, there
are feature rich models of various types to choose from. You can get features like
rotating brushes, edge cleaning attachments, and self propelled powerful suction
machines in this price range. Almost all top manufacturers like Dyson, iRobot Roomba,
Hoover, Electrolux and Miele among others make models that fit this category. You
can also get heavy duty bagged canister vacuum cleaners, in the up to $300 price
band. This price band also features several popular models of wet/dry canister models.
If you are willing to spend $400 and more for a vacuum cleaner, plenty of choices
open out in front of you. Some possibilities include the 12 amp upright and canister models from leading manufacturers
like Dyson, Miele and Bosch. You will see a few models labeled
specifically as ‘animal.’ This just means that the model is powerful enough to remove
pet dander. So, if someone in your house is allergic to pet dander, instead of getting
rid of the pet, get yourself an ‘animal’ vacuum cleaner. Long cords measuring 30-40
feet in length make these vacuum cleaners very versatile.
As you go higher up into the elite, top of the line models, you will have a choice
of heavy duty, powerful vacuum cleaners as well as lightweight yet powerful four
stage filter vacuum cleaners. You get the works in accessories like onboard cleaning
tools, enhanced power head, fully electrified wand, and special floor and carpet
brushes. Accessories of this kind enable the vacuum cleaner to be used on any kind
of surface.
Whatever your cleaning needs may be, you can easily find the perfect model to fit
your needs. Evaluate different models and see if the accompanying features are relevant
for your needs.
Top Manufacturers