Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

No area rugs, carpet what so ever. Just wood floors... What would you suggest?

CarmineD wrote:

Hi Carmine,

I know but, personally, I can't think of many I'd recommend besides -- unless the user has to make really drastic compromises regarding storage space -- a good canister is not a bad thing to have around.  You never know what you may need it for.

Back in the day (here I go again) when a good price was $29.95 stick vac were not only less expensive but generally of good power.  They had Regina, a very popular lightweight that was the sole vacuum of many living in small spaces,  to compete with.  Remember when they even added on a powerhead in the '70s?  Hoover either preceded or followed Regina with the idea -- but I bought the Hoover.  It cleaned carpeting and bare floors quite well.  Had it not been for my purist leanings I'd probably never thought about buying another machine.

The Euro-Pros pack a lot of power plus attachements but their pleated filters clog up quickly and generally price at the cost of a low-end straight-suction canister anyway.  The $250 and up range that Miele and Emer sticks sell for isn't a practical buy for someone simply looking far a one-task vac.

I don't know much about the Hoover Flair, et al.  but just haven't found myself to be overly enthused.

Best,

Venson

Venson:

Today is my scheduled day for using the FloorMate on my ceramic tile floor.  About 1000 sq feet maybe more.  I've experimented with various vacuums for dry vacuuming first before I wet wash and dry clean.  Even the HOOVER Floormate itself for dry cleaning.  Whatever I use to vacuum the floors first, inevitably I find dirt, dust, debris and dog hair in the dirty water container, Floormate filter and the moving parts of the washer brushes.  Except one vacuum.  The Oreck upright.  When I use the Oreck to vacuum all the rugs and floors before proceeding with the wet washing, I don't get any dirt, dust and dog hair remnants in the machine and dirty water bin.  Just dirty water from the floor washing.

BTW, the HOOVER FloorMate is holding up well with my using every week.  Once per week for me.  Once per week for my daughter.  Purchased in August 2006.  With all the extras for $160 at Sam's Club. 

Carmine D.

The regina was the first 'electrik broom' [stick vacuum] followed by others including the HOOVER Lark.

Interesting to note that these stick vacuums were floor/rug cleaners but did not use the traditional barefloor

brush design of the cann and tank tools.  Using a suction nozzle with wheels and a brush

that could be adjusted for floor and rug use.  I do recall the power brush nozzles too on the Regina sticks which were used for carpet and bare floor cleaning. 

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

Hi,

Keep in mind that during that time -- the '50s, '60s even the '70s and probably to date -- if you suggested that someone purchase a vacuum the immediate response from those who didn't employ carpeting in their home decor was, "What do I need one for?  I don't have any rugs.  It would appear that it was more intend as replacement to thecarpet sweeper.  Small, light and easy to pop in and out of the closet.

If I recall correctly, though the Regina was intended for rugs but the early ones had a piece -- can't remember if it used felt or bristle -- that snapped on to the nozzle for cleaning hard flooring.  Later came the dial adjustment for carpet and hard flooring, at one point a nozzle designed to vibrate ala the Eureka Vibra-Beat and I can't recall how many more spins on new ideas.  Nonetheless, the Reginas produced enough suction to be satisfactory enough to some to serve as their only vacuum. 

Bissell even produced standard and manufactured one stick vac with power nozzle in the mid-70s I believe.  Eureka had sticks that were real screamers.  Sunbeam made a couple of rather elegant looking ones -- the top of the line had an optional tool set.  Though General Electric produce a stick and also a floor washer, I've no idea how they sold. The Shetland-Lewyt stick was another loud number but sold rather well.

Venson

Venson wrote:

Many Regina buyers and users did so on carpets.  But ........as the name so poignantly stated:  "Electrik Broom."  It was intended to be used as an electrified broom, not a rug cleaner.  Wherever you used a broom, you would use the Regina electric broom.  Regina was thrilled that it's use was expanded.  It's flaw was the dirt was picked up and went through the motor first to the cloth permanent bag.  Later models like the HOOVER improved on the design by putting the bag first and the motor on top.  Still people loved the Regina and many were sold despite the drawbacks and limitations.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

True Carmine but do you think the Regina would have done as well without the well-advertised dust cup?  You just shook the bag and dumped the dirt in the trash.   No disposable bag of course but hassle as you wuold have had emptying the cloth bag on a standard upright vacuum.  Essentialy the idea Regina used is the same as age-old Kirby's.

Venson

Venson:

No doubt, the Regina dust cup was a convenient feature and nice touch.  Even see thru at one point.  [Sound familiar?]  Yes, modeled after the Kirby.  Both messy. 

Carmine D.

The regina electrik broom ,my my my i think that anyone that was in this business made at least a weeks pay just repairing these,It seems like my Dad was trying to punish me by making me fix these things.Did the origional head have the clip on felt pad, and the combo was the brush in the front and the felt pad in the back,?The best thing was trying to wire the 3 speed switch into this machine,it had more wire nuts than any other machine i've ever seen.It seemed like the dust cups always lost their seal,sort of reminds me of the bagless vacuums of today,the dirt goes everywhere but where it's suppose too.................

MOLE

Just a comment on the Oreck for floors debate.  If memory serves correctly (and I may be out to lunch on this) some Orecks incorporate a squeegee blade behind the roller while others do not.  If that's the case, would it not be the reason there are two completely different experiences regarding the same machine? Squeegee prevents dirt from being thrown, no squeegee provides low flying projectiles :-)

Dusty

mole wrote:

Hi Mole,

Thanks for the personal history.  Just to look at one, you'd never think that there was all that much in one. 

 I was never aware of the Electrik Broom's repair record.  Matter of fact, I thought it was probably cheap enough to be deemed the "disposable" appliance of the day. Yet, please tell us how much your dad charged for the repair of one.  

I never actually owned a Regina stick but was aware of the modifications they kept coming up with to make them interesting to the public.  Regina was only second to Eureka when it came to a flow of new gimmicks.  Please note that I say that most respectfully.  The Regina stick vac statyed basically the same, except for the model with power head., and chankges to the straight suction nozzle always kept shoppers thinking they were a little different than the last.  Did you ever form an opinion as to what percentage of the people your shop served had the Regina stick as their only vacuum?

Correct me if I'm wrong but the only real competitors Regina sticks had were Hoover and Shetland.  Right?  Hoover sticks used the "clean air" method but the Shetland stick also used the old fashioned fan in air stream. 

Venson