Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

I just found this site. I really need to get a new vacuum cleaner. Right now I just have a Eureka Mighty Mite with a HEPA filter. I have recently taken in a long-haired chihuahua and a cat (for a friend who is not able to care for them any longer). I am allergic to (and have also grown very fond of) both the cat and dog and I also have quite bad dust, mold, and pollen allergies. I live in an older split level house: the two upper floors are bare wood with no rugs and the lower two floors are covered with wall-to-wall very-low-pile commercial carpet. The cat (bless her) is generally content to voluntarily stay in the basement all of the time with the exception of just one or two very brief morning strolls each day to the next two higher floors. She sheds what seems to a cat neophyte like myself to be an enormous amount of fur but I'm told by friends who are cat owners that it is a normal amount. The chihuahua just wants to be in the same room with me although I have kept her out of the bedrooms and bathroom on the top floor. I have looked at quite a few vacuum cleaners from the very inexpensive to Miele and Lindhaus and I still am unsure of what to get. I've never had to deal with pet hair and dander before. What would work best for pet hair and dander on low-pile commercial carpet and still be good for bare wood floors and have a good filtering system for allergens? I do know that I would like the self sealing type of bag that is in the Miele (and perhaps other brands?) because of my allergy problems. I can spend up to $850 if I have to but it would be much better for my budget to spend less. I'm sorry for the long-winded description. Advice would be very much appreciated. Thank you.

mole wrote:

Hi MOLE:

Great price.  At 18 pounds not really heavy.  I'd buy for myself and may!

Carmine D.

Are you guys trying to make me feel bad about my Miele Tango?

The Pro-Team does look like a really nice machine. First thing I noticed was the Electrolux-like self-sealing bag. A good thing.

Venson

Hi Venson, yes the bags are the type U lux bags, The filters are in the bags ,so every time you change the bag you also get a fresh set of filters,Did you know ELECTROLUX in 1950 introduced the first multi filter self sealing bag,and in 1952 introduced the automatic shut off system and till this day still do.

The PROTEAM uyprights are the same as the aerus/electrolux commercial uprights,except that the tools are onboard,and just little tweaks here and there, This product has a storied history behind it, If my application called for an upright the proteam would certainly be in my own home........

regards

MOLE

B.T.W look how in expensive the high filtration bags are 8.88 for 12 bags.Such a deal''.

mole wrote:
Hi MOLE,

Yes indeed I do. I even recall that they were at one point referred to as "dust wrappers" or something to that effect.

The multi-ply lining actually did work in that it kept a lot of dirt off the outer bag wall and helped to sustain performance. Though the bag used for the LX, G and later models was considered somewhat small you could get a lot of cleaning done before time for a bag change due to the lining plus the design of the bag chamber. Electrolux was doing "omni-flow" 60 years before the name was invented.

Even at the stated regular price of $14.99 for 12 decently sized high-filtration bags I think it's still a deal.

Best,

Venson

Hi Venson,I know how much you like your MIELE tango,its no dought an excellent  cleaning and super clean running upright, The cloth blown fleece high filtration bags are the best on the market,  , I remember when miele used the paper treated bags and was one of the first to use the  cloth like bags another thing is the burst strength is dynomite

I find it very strange that the perfect lux comes standard with the filtrete bags, but no automatic shutoff.This machine is the old diamond jubille lux with updates ,the prices are really coming down.Do you know anyone that uses a PERFECT LUX?

MOLE

mole wrote:
Hi MOLE,

To be honest, I have not met anyone who owns one nor have seen any in the indie shops in my neighborhood even though they turn up easily enough online. Being the Perfect Lux, by my understanding, is not affiliated with Aerus/Electrolux maybe they aren't allowed licensing to use the shut-off mechanism.

Nonetheless, don't forget that Elecrolux sold a heck of a lot of non-automatics along side the top-of-the-line models to people who felt they were still getting quality minus a doo-dad or two all on account of the Electrolux name.

Though better on price than a new Aerus/Lux, Perfect Lux prices could have been a bit nicer to start with I think. Nice look, good build 'tis true but some practical folks might find it a lot cheaper just to go out and get a rebuilt or a good used Lux a lot cheaper.

Another issue for Perfect Lux here in New York City is that Aerus/Electrolux besides being well-known is a relatively visible presence. It has two franchises or shops in Manhattan and at least one in each of the other boroughs. If you want other niche brands like Filter Queen, Rainbow or even Kirby you really have to go looking.

Best,

Venson

Mole and the rest of the gang, I agree that the pro-team upright is an excellent choice for the price.  It's like a lux semi-clone, without the high price!  In regards to who owns a perfect lux canister, none other than yours truly!

Vernon

Vernon wrote:
Hi Vernon,

Did you find yours in a shop or online?

Venson

Mm strange. Having owned the Felix for some time the S Class system (also HEPA identifable) is hospital grade so it could well be that whatever you tested had an old wrap around filter that needed replacement; particularly if it is an demo model you tried.

Also.. you could consider the older Sebo X model but bear in mind that it doesn't have a beater bar stop function. I've used a delicate floor brush bar on mine for marble flooring.. now how precious are your hard floors, Nette? The X is reasonably good at most things but doesn't swivel like the Felix. Optional filters consist of a charcoal embedded S Class filter but I have a sneaky suspicion that the U.S get totally different Sebo filters. Having spoken to the MD of Sebo UK he confirmed that the U.S prefer the paper pleated filter cartridges but they proved to be less than successful in Europe. I know some dealers in the U.S that sell the S Class charcoal filter though in lieu of the yellow cartridge placed in the Sebo X.

As for the Prochem featured here, I have another hunch that it has Sebo components which should mean extra longevity.