Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Hi,

Who thinks the day will come, and how long will it take, when the "vacuum cleaner" will generally be accepted as just a hole in the wall that we plug a hose into? No more cyclones, water baths or super-duper filtering for alllergy sufferers.  No thought over buying canister or upright and what warranty length is.  No more concerns about cord length or operating noise levels.  I'm not just talking central vacuum system but also of a possible change in our view of practicality.  The day is not that far away when our computers will also be our telephone and TV among other things.  Come to think of it they are now though not widely employed.  Does anyone feel central vacuum systems may one day be provided in apartment buildings and other multiple dwelling as a given as well as in individual private homes?

Thanks,

Venson

From a Canadian stand point, at least in our area pretty much any house that is being built gets a rough in for a central vacuum. It is generally no longer an option but a standard feature.

Dusty

Yeah guys . . but do you think a central vacuum system would or would not be a practical choice for an entire multiple-dwelling facility like an apartment building or even a hotel?  Not everybody lives in a private home. 

All the scenarios that come to mind strike me as expensive and therefore would not be of much interest to the average developer.  Dishwashers and other electrical amenities, type as usuallly supplied, can be gotten cheaply by developers and contractors but, though it can be done, costs to accommodate the installation of a central vacuum system for not one but many families  is another story.

Venson

The reason I wouldn't see a CVS working in a multi-unit dwelling is: 

Have you ever seen how some people live?  The same people that would use a Kirby to try to drain the kids pool are the same ones that would use the apartment's CVS system to clean the fish bowl.  These are the same people that let the dog go poo on the new carpet and then try to suck it all up and make it go away with a communial vacuum.  YUCK, just YUCK.  But you repair guys out there know it happens.

Can you imagine the insides of some CVS used to clean up restaurants?  Yuckus! 

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:
Been there, serviced those, haven't eaten there again.  Blah!

Dusty

The worse of the worse.  Some fastidious diners won't eat somewhere until they check out the cleanliness of the restrooms.  I say, first check out the vacuums!

Carmine D.

Just wrote:
Thanks Just.  That was priceless AND I believe it.

Venson

Hi.

Got a new question for quick survey of sorts, if you will.

How many of us regularly use our vacuums for above-the-floor tasks like cleaning walls and ceilings, blinds and draperies, mattresses and upholstery, fans and light fixtures, woodwork, etc. There used to be umpteen tools and options provided by many vacuum manufacturers for those tasks back in the day. I'm wondering if there's been a radical change in the manner in which we clean and if our vacuums' possible potential is less recognized or considered despite the higher cost of many machines.

Best,

Venson

Venson asked: How many of us regularly use our vacuums for above-the-floor tasks?

I have always used the attachments on the vacuum. My grandmother did with her model 510 Kirby, and continued to do the same with her Rainbow D. Mom, at 75, still uses the attachments for her 517 and Classic Omega Kirbys. This tendancy was passed on to my sister, though to a lesser degree, and is totally missing in my mom's sister and 5 nieces. They are the vac killers. The couple I clean for purchased, at my behest, a Sanitaire MightyMite with HEPA filter. We all refer to it as 'the baby Electrolux' I have a Filtex metal rug tool with felt pad, great for the hardwwod floors and the synthetic rug in the morning room. I use a late Model 50 rug tool on the delicate oriental rug in the library, a Lux flipover tool on the kitchen floor and scatter rugs, an above the floor tool with white bristles for dusting and upholstery. Finally, for the stairs I have a Rug Rat and a model 30 upholstery tool. With the exception of using the wide brush exclusively for walls and the telescopic wand, the original tools are relegated to the garage for the concrete floor and the vehicles. Let's see...oh, and a long hoover crevice tool, a plastic wand and a small articulating dusting brush for high moldings and ledges, a plantation blind and shutter brush, That's it. The differences in using the appropriate tool for each surface are substantial in thoroughness, time and effort exerted, and the finished appearnce of the various rugs and floor surfaces. The habit of using the attachments is learned early in one's life, or likely not at all.

Trebor

Venson wrote:

Funny you should ask Venson.  Always, tho I generally separate the two tasks: Rug cleaning and tool cleaning.  On some occasions I'll do both concurrently.  Depends.  Just bought 2 new round dusting brushes from my local vacuum store.  $5 each.  One inside the house.  One for the garage.  He took new ones out of KIRBY tool boxes.  Still in the plastic wrap. 

Carmine D.