Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

I am trying to help my son's preschool (we're a co-op) select the best vacuum.  Everyday lots and lots and lots of sand makes its way into our classroom.   The sand has laid to rest an expensive Oreck in less than a year and a lower priced bagless clocks its demise at 18 months.  I lent them my miele canister for a couple of days to see if the teachers like it.  Is a canister the best and if so which one?  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. 

Hi kelizabeth,

About what size is your pre-school and what's on the floor?  If the floor area is of considerable size and bare or covered with low, dense pile carpet -- basically the only carpet solution in this case -- a more commercially oriented canister would be the deal.  The name that comes to mind for me is Nilsfisk.  The U.S. branch of the company provides at least two quiet running canisters, the GM 80 and the GD 930, that offer generous bag size.  Either should be great for bare floors and low pile carpet without aid of a power nozzle. Due to the impressive dust capacity you can can clean a good while before a bag change is called for.  That might also prove a boon as the vacuum could also be used for cleaning tasks in other common areas thus making the purchase even more worthwhile.  I've owned the GS 80 and now own the GS 90 -- now out of manufacture -- and can highly praise the brand by way of hands-on experience.

I also suggest these two canisters as they are mostly metal, pretty durable yet not burdensome to carry when necessary.  Replacements parts if needed are usually just a phone call away.  I'd prefer Nilfisk over the usual hosehold vacuum, even Miele which is certainly good  but meant for regular housekeeping. I've owned.  The two links below will give you opportunity to get a general idea of what either model is like.

GM 80 -- http://www.nilfiskcfm.com/ProductDetail.aspx?m=1

GD 930 -- http://www.nilfiskcfm.com/ProductDetail.aspx?m=15

Nilfisk, like Miele, can be pricey.  If at some point you're inclined to buy this brand, or any other brand for that matter, be sure run a search for the model you have in mind at www.pricegrabber.com. It offers an opportunity to seek out best price.

Hope that helps,

Venson

I greatly appreciate the information.  I've been searching the internet for awhile trying to figure out the answer to our dilemma with very little luck   Thankfully, I somehow I stumbled on to this website.  I am going to take the advice of both responders.  Again, thank you very much.

kelizabeth,

If nothing else, we aim to please.  You're very welcome and good luck.

Regards,

Venson

Hi,all vacuums require service and repairs,some after a very short time,and a few a little longer,your application is considered a commercial setting with more than likely more than 1 person using the machine,I would highly reccomend you deal with a professional floorcare person/establishmet. Find a shop that has has an outstanding repair and service reputation,Anyone can sell cleaning machines,it takes talent to repair them............

MOLE

Just a follow up along the same line as Mole and Venson:  Vacuum manufacturers will not honor their warranty on vacuums used in the type of cleaning environment as yours, which is not considered domestic and/or household use.  The manufacturer's product specifications must specifically say it is made for commercial usage.  You would be are out-of-luck for a warranty with most if not all the big-box retail store vacuum makes and models.

Carmine D.

You should stay away from the residential machines, because they are not built for what you want it for.  Look to a good commercial vacuum cleaner that will handle sand better.  Using a suction-only canister vacuum cleaner is not going to pick up the sand from the carpeting like an upright.  There are even some uprights that will perform better at this task than other uprights.

Look to the Royal Commercial upright like the 1028Z.  It is lite, performs very well for your situation and is constructed to hold up better in the school environment.  The second choice would be a Sanitaire upright like the SC886.  It will perform well.  This vacuum uses a "Quick Kleen" system where the bottom fan chamber can be removed by removing two screws-very easy.  The fan can also be removed easily.  Sand will tend to do more damage to this plastic, but it can be replaced in a few minutes.

Lastly, look at the Koblenz upright.  These uprights will look similar to the Sanitaire and are built to handle the school classrooms.

You want something that will hold up well, that will have little as possible downtime.

I second Venson's suggestion of the Nilfisk canister, GREAT machine.  I'm going to add that a Windsor upright would also be a fine choice.  Both the Nilfisk and Windsor are fairly pricey machines, but the quality is outstanding. 

Now if you cannot get either of those, my opinion would be to stick to a clean-air (where the dirt does *not* pass through the fan) commercial upright that uses disposable bags.  There are many out there at different (reasonable) price ranges; Panasonic, Simplicity, and Riccar commercials to name a few.  Something bagless or direct-air (where the dirt does pass through the fan) would definitely not be a good choice if the machine is going to be picking up large amounts of sand.  While the Sanitaire, Koblenz, and Royal uprights are great machines, they are direct-air so they would not be good in your situation.  While it is true that the Royal has a metal fan (and has been "tested" on various objects including sand), the sand will still put wear on the fan and fan chamber over a period of time.  No doubt that is what killed your Oreck after 18 months.

Reggie;

The above mentioned machines that I listed will do just fine.  The worst one will be the Sanitaire, but like I said, it can be repaired quickly and inexpensively.  The clean air uprights are not going do as well as the "fan-first" uprights w/sand.  The original poster is concerned w/sand.

I believe that the Nilfisk is not needed in this situation.  It is too expensive for a Co-op.  Replacement parts/supplies are expensive also. 

SInce we seem to be expressing a divergence of opinions on vacuum recommendations, I'd like to provide mine too. 

I live in the desert.  Lots and lots of sand.  All over.  I change air cleaners in my vehicles every 3 months and they are garaged. 

I have an English yellow lab who sheds year round.  Two grand daughters just one mile away ages 1 and 3.  and they visit often.  My home is a little more than 1500 square feet with 75% ceramic tile floor and 25 % wool carpet.  In April 2007, I bought an ORECK XL Classic, at the request of my dear Wife.  It performs so well, I gifted one to my daughter (over 3000 square feet home) and Mother-in-law.  Daughter lives in the desert too. 

We all use and love the ORECK's.  In the time that I've owned the ORECK, I replaced the belt after 8 months and it's on the 3rd paper bag.   The ORECK is a daily user in my home.  I also own and use a HOOVER WT Supreme.  The HOOVER does a better job on the carpets for cleaning and grooming than the ORECK.  But ORECK is a respectable second.  ORECK has the added benefit of going easily from the floors to carpets to area rugs quickly and easily.  And the ORECK doesn't have/need a brush roll shut off to do it.

Carmine D. 

Hi Mike,

My first choice, the Nilfisk GD 930 can be found for as low as the $400 range with a little looking.  It's built-in secondary filtration set-up is not only good but provides a larger than uaual area for the job .  As well, yes the standard bags may be a bit pricier than most but do hold 15 litres.  It should take a while for bag changes.

As I have mentioned, I have owned two Nilfisks, the GS 80 and 90 which I still have, and have maintained them well without going broke.  I'll also add that the more expensive GM 80 can be used without bags for those inclined. 

Last point, kelizabeth did not mention the type of flooring used in the area they're taking care of and if it is carpeted, it's probaly low-pile commercial type.  I can't imagine that high or even medium mile carpeting would be put into use in an area where there are children in classroom setting. Lots of dirt, spills, etc.   That said, if indeed there's carpet of teh type I've mentioned, a decent canister will suffice for the job.  I was careful in my mention of that and I know that because I've done that.

I usually give careful thought when I give advice because I can't afford to be known for popping off whatever's at the top of my head.

Best,

Venson