VACUUM CLEANERS

Vacuum Cleaners

Vacuum cleaners come in a wide range of models, all claiming to perform wonders with your carpet... so just how do you decide what vacuum cleaner is right for you?

Firstly, you need to consider the areas you have to clean.


Do you have large open areas which will make having a wide attachment useful?

Upright cleaners have good suction, work well in open areas, and are easier on your back. They also can take larger dust bags usually.


Do you have lots of small nooks and crannies and hard to reach areas, that might need special attachments, or long hoses to get into them?

Barrel type cleaners may be best here, as they are easier to use in tight areas. Or have a small hand-held *dustbuster* type model for the tight spots.


Do you need to take the cleaner up stairs?

A lighter, more easily maneuovered model may be needed.


Do you have pet hair?

This is especially hard to remove, and may require a vacuum cleaner with a more powerful motor and a special attachment.


Will you only be cleaning carpets, or will you vacuum hard floors as well?

Look for a cleaner with brushes and an adjustable height head.


How powerful does your vacuum cleaner need to be?

If you have pet hair, or heavy duty carpet use, or very long pile, you may need a more powerful cleaner to have sufficient suction to get your carpets clean.


Would you prefer a reusable or disposable dust bag/collector?

Reusable are more environmentally friendly, but do need emptying, while disposable have the benefit of just tossing away the vacuum cleaner dust bag.


Do you intend to clean furniture as well as carpets/floors?

In that case, you will need one with upholstery attachments.


Do you want a vacuum that also shampoos carpets?

There are a few cleaners that will do this- Vax being one- and they are adequate if your carpets aren't too dirty. They can be fiddly though, as certain elements need to be changed over for the shampooing process.


Other useful vacuum cleaner features to consider are a retracting cord, an extra long cord, bag full indicator, blow option and HEPA filter (especially good for allegy sufferers).


How much do you want/ need to spend?

Vacuum cleaners can vary from well under $100 up to ten times that amount. At the very low price range, you probably "get what you pay for", however, spending the most does not necessarily guarantee getting the best. Some of the mid range vacuum cleaners will perform as well, if not better, than the most expensive ones, and some of the more gimmicky extras are more trouble than they are worth.


Ask for a demonstration of the vacuum cleaner- especially picking up the kind of material you will need it to do- as fancy claims and advertising, higher prices and higher voltage does not necessarily mean a better cleaner for your particular needs. For instance, voltage just shows how much power it uses, not necessarily how much of that energy is converted to suction power. And all the extra additional fancy heads may just be more stuff for you to store... and never use.

Look around online at what makes and models have what to offer, then head off to your local electrical appliance store to see them prove their worth in real life!