Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

I started the thread about lead cleanup and the Eureka sealed-HEPA system...

I'm now looking at spending the extra dollars to purchase the Simplicity Synergy.  The price tag alone makes me worry that the Eureka sealed HEPA isn't as impressive as the marketing makes it sound.

Again, I know a vacuum cleaner alone isn't a solution to a lead-paint chipping problem but I am venturing to guess that the right vacuum cleaner (with a sealed HEPA system) will improve the situation while the wrong vacuum cleaner (an inexpensive Bissell or Eureka) may actually make the situation worse. 

I cringe to think that every time I'm vacuuming I'm just blowing more lead dust up into the air and making the environment more hazardous than it was to begin with.

The Simplicity salesman I spoke with told me that the Synergy air filtration was "hospital grade."  I also remember reading on here that "hospital grade" is not necessarily a good thing.  Can anyone elaborate on this?

Is $700 a reasonable price for a Synergy (this is marked down $200 with a trade-in). 

I've seen the Minuteman Lead HEPA for $625 here.  Any opinions on if the filtration of the Synergy would be equal to or better than this Minuteman Lead HEPA?

I also forgot to ask the Simplicity salesman about canister vacuums- would these be less expensive?

He did confirm that a bagless vacuum is not the way to go- I will not be purchasing one of these.

Thanks again,

Tech

You made a good decision to purchase the Verve.  It is a very good cleaner, w/a lot of features.  I favor the larger S36/S38, but was glad that Tacony came out w/a smaller version.  A lot of women want a smaller, and powerful machine.  The Simplicity Verve/Riccar Pristine is it.

The four swivel wheels do make it very easy to move the machine around.  You may sometimes find yourself pushing the vacuum cleaner to the side.  You cannot do this w/a vacuum cleaner that has two stationary rear wheels.

The filtration on you Verve is excellent.  Just because one company tests their machines does not mean other companies market bad machines.  The Verve has very good filtration if you use the HiFlow “HEPA” bags and the filters.  You will find very little to no dust in the bag compartment when it comes time to change the bag.

Canisters are very good for those who do a lot of vacuuming around the house. They clean areas like rugs, floors, furniture, walls, drapes, etc.  You might want to give your house a thorough vacuuming.  Vacuum everything.  Vacuum furniture, mattress, under bed, furniture and even the walls.  You said, “We've also noticed quite a bit of dust in the air here,,.”, which would help me to believe that you, like everyone else, have dust mites.   It is no big deal unless you have an allergic reaction to their allergens,  Vacuuming w/a very good vacuum cleaner will help.

I have a saying, “Take care of your vacuum, then your vacuum will take care of you”.

techphet wrote:

Great choice David, congrats.  You and your dear Wife will enjoy vacuuming with the Verve which BTW means lively and animated spirit with vigor, enthusiam, and vivaciousness!  Just what the house doctor ordered for your old dwelling! 

You found an excellent vacuum store with a smart owner/operator.  And you did your research and homework before hand.  Very smart.  

I would do the same: Carry dysons for those customers who specifically ask by name and provide caveats about the limitations of the product.  And to be a warranty dealer for parts and service.  I would offer all other vacuum brands too and not specialize in one.  Why?  People are like finger prints:  They are all different.  Give them choices and they can decide what will make them happy and satisfied vacuum customers.  Just as you and your Wife did.

After vacuuming and using awhile, come back and tell us what you think.  And if you have the time and inclination, there is a link on this site for posting reviews of vacuums.  Just click on the reviews tab at the top of the page.  Your review may assist others shopping for a new vacuum.

Carmine D.

Mike, as you said, I have already found myself pushing the canister to the site.  Very nice.

Carmine, I will definitely post a review after using the Verve for a while. 

I hate to "Dyson bash" but before doing research I thought Dysons were the top-of-the-line.  I do have to wonder why Simplicity and Miele do not have advertising campaigns as large as Dyson does.  Perhaps they are a bit more ethical about their marketing

I mentioned that I liked how the powerheads move similar to what I saw when looking at the Dyson Ball in the commercials- just seeing the idea a few months back made me think "well, that's innovative."  The salesperson said she thinks she would have carpel tunnel if she used the Ball. 

I didn't take her very seriously at first since I wasn't even trying it but after pushing the small canister powerhead around for a while I think I understand.  It's not that it is difficult but it certainly isn't as easy as I first expected.  I can only imagine what it would be like with an entire upright attached to it. 

Tech

Hi Tech,

Congratulations on your purchase.  Simplicity is a very well-made brand that will last for many years to come, so plan on keeping the machine at least 15 years (as I've seen).  And with the sealed HEPA system you won't have to worry about picking up lead paint chips, either.

Regarding Dysons, even as a Dyson fan I do not put them in the high-end category, they are more of an upper mid-priced cleaner.  Contrary to popular belief, Dyson is far from the most expensive vacuum cleaner out there, just one of the more expensive vacuums sold in big-box stores.  If everyone were to buy a Dyson from an independent dealer they would not have to pay as much and possibly get additional accessories.  There is a reason for the aggressive marketing campaign.  Dysons are built for performance and performance alone, and for those who might be willing to sacrifice a bit of convenience for that.  It is not trying to be the Mercedes of vacuums, it is the Corvette.  To me, the Ball was not necessarily designed for comfort or ease of use, but rather to enable vacuuming crowded rooms to be done in half the time it would take with a regular cleaner (due to constant maneuvering around furniture, etc.).  A few simple turns and that's it.

Were you pushing the Dyson's power nozzle with the cleaner running?  It could be due to the type of carpeting in the store.  On the right pile of carpet (or going with the pile not against it), the Motorhead should pull itself along nicely. 

-MH

Mike_W wrote:
I spent a few hours vacuuming half my house.  I took a look in the bag compartment and I was a bit surprised at what I saw.  What do you all make of this image?  Perhaps I am not using the HiFlow HEPA bag?

I removed most of the dust by hand.  The majority of it was clumped up on the motor filter. 

The exterior of the vacuum itself looks pristine.

Also, is the vacuum supposed to ship with an instruction manual?  I found an opened bag at the bottom of the box that the vacuum was in and although the box did not seem to have a second layer of tape on it or anything it seems as though the vacuum may have been lightly used before.  Not a big deal to me but I would like the manual if there is one (I checked the website and did not find a PDF).

I'll give the store a call tomorrow.

Tech

techphet wrote:
From the looks of things I'd say you have either a previously used machine or the bag wasn't seated properly into the bag holder.  There is no other reason for that amount of dust to be in the chamber, not even after a year of household use.  The machines do indeed come with a manual and registration card.  I'd be making a return trip back to the dealer to find out what's going on.

Dusty

techphet wrote:
Looks like the bag was not attached properly in the store.  Not even a Eureka H bag (notorious for leaking dirt) did that on the first use!  You definitely don't want that happening when vacuuming up lead paint shavings.

At any rate I would take the vacuum back to the store and inquire about the machine.  Hopefully you did not get "burned" from a less-than-reputable dealer but there are plenty of them out there and that does happen.  And at least now you have a good excuse to upgrade to the cloth Filtrete-style bags!

-MH

Motorhead, I'm unfamiliar with the cloth "Filtre style" bags.  These are better than the Simplicity "HEPA bags" I take it?  I'll inquire when I'm at the store. 

I'm hoping they will not have an issue exchanging this unit for a brand new one.  I'm quite unhappy to have paid as much as I did for it only to have one use make it dirtier than it would be after a year of use.  I guess I'll see how my dealer's customer service is. 

Tech

The bag in the picture of the machine was a Simplicity High-Flow HEPA.  These bags are made from the Filtrete material.  Filtrete and High-Flow HEPA are the same.

It looks to me like the bag coupling collapsed , was there a new bag installed in the machine when you got it?, did you install the bag ?Did the thermal switch shut the machine down after 10 minuets of use.

I smell a rat, maybe self induced sabotage?

Your not fooling me, Are you on DYSONS payroll too

mole