Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Not everyone in need of a vacumm can afford to buy the more costly niche brands. Though vacuums with big names may perform well and have special features, there are less costly machines that can perform as well or better.

However many of these carry merely one-year warranties. To that I say, such is life -- buy what you can.

That said, do keep in mind:

1. Your vacuums has a voice -- listen to it. Note the sound of your machine when its bag and/or filters are clean. Also note the sound of your machine when its half to almost full. Think ahead, Do not let your vacuum's inability to pick up be the deciding factor for changing bags, emptying or cleaning filters -- or checking for clogging.

2. Be nice to it. Don't yank your canister or upright vac around furniture to move it toward you. The two seconds it takes to pick it up and set it down where you need it may save you more than a few bucks on hose repair or replacement. Do not yank on the cord to disconnect the cleaner from an electrical outlet.

3. Yes we're all waging war on dirt but most vacuums aren't Sherman tanks. Depending on type some vacuums dealing with surface litter, the odd lost coin or marbles, spilled dry cereal and, come Christmas, pine needles fare better than others. Use of a good old broom and dust pan to quickly gather up large amounts of debris that can lead to clogging or damage to the machine should be a first course of action.

4. Regularly check filters, bags and belts and also keep a decent supply of "consumables" tucked away so that you don't get caught short at crunch time -- like when you you have to spruce up your place on short notice.

Keeping these things in mind will add to the longevity any vacuum and make the cost of your investment, whether a couple of hundred bucks or a thousand, all the more worth it.

Venson

You need to be careful if you are using a hair dryer as too much concentration on one side of a cup with a bonded filter to it can start to melt; many years ago I did that with an old Electrolux dust cup in my Super broom (a nasty low powered stick vac, suction only in the UK). That's why an electric tumble dryer is easier as the air circulates around the whole filter when placed in a pillow case and towel.

WRT filter maintenance, especially for bagless brands, as they are washed and dry [whether by air/delicately by hair dryers on low and cool air settings] the filtering capacity diminishes.  If your brand boasts "lifetime" filters and you are like me, slightly OCD about keeping $20-$40 dollar filters clean and fresh, the lifetime will fall off considerably.  Filter shrinkage, which allows unfiltered air with dirt, to leak past.  Opening of filter pores which does the same. Etc.  Hence, the reason vacuum makers add the caveat not to wash cloth bags and filters but to lightly brush and vacuum clean only.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:
Hi Carmine,

I agree and that is why I did not include filter washing in my original post. Unless the manufacturer specifically suggests washing -- brushing filters clean, suction cleaning them or using the blower outlet if your vacuum has one is usualy the wuser thing to do.

Best,

Venson