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/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl General >> Vacuum Cleaner Forum >> a few questions /cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1171935335 Message started by egloskerry on 02/19/07 at 8:35pm |
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Title: a few questions Post by egloskerry on 02/19/07 at 8:35pm I am looking at Eureka, Bissell, and Hoover. I've heard bad things about Dirt Devil, at least for bagless uprights. I am looking in the <$120 range. I don't necessarily need HEPA. Also, I'd like to know if those powerbrush hose attachments really work, since I'd like to use one to clean the floor of my car. I'm just cleaning a small 4 bedroom apartment, about 1200 sq ft., no stairs or pets. I'd like one with a washable filter as well, since that's easier than one you have to knock dirt loose from. |
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Title: Re: a few questions Post by guess_who on 02/19/07 at 9:24pm Hi egloskerry, First, in this situation the "washable" in washable filter means that you may rinse -- not actually wash -- a pleated filter. The general rule is that you may remove the filter from your cleaner and knock off adhereing dirt and such until such time it becomes so empacted that a noticable drop in performance occurs. Then you take the filter to your sink and rinse it off. However, by no means assume that this will get you back to "out of the box" performance level. To my knowledge very few if any manufactures advocate the use of soap or detergent for cleaning these pleated filters. Best results and longer life with filtering medium of this type is accomplished by cleaning them after each use. As for most of the air-powered turbine run mini nozzles, I find them nice noisemakers. Unfortunately, I haven't found any demons to drive away lately. I prefer the electrically powered version of this attachment which usually make a fair amount of noise too but show more for the effort. YET -- because of your budget you most likely will not find a new machine with this feature. That said, and thankfully being I was born before the invention of some of the junk being pushed as of late, truth be told I have had great results cleaning out cars and doing carpeted stairs with merely an upholstery nozzle. Due to its small size suction gets concentrated and you get a good result. Just requires the brisk movement of the tool. Do note that an upholstery nozzle with a brush built in or an attachable brush is best for getting up fuzzy stuff. I will not do the name game today but would strongly advise that you look around for sales that might enable you to land a decent quality machine at lowered price OR if you need a good all around machine think about investigating re-builts at your local vacuum shops. You may have to go a few dollars above what you have in mind but may possibly land a real deal. Hope that helps -- Venson |
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Title: Re: a few questions Post by egloskerry on 02/19/07 at 10:12pm When I said wash it, I meant rinse it. I'd most likely do that after every use, as well as emptying the dust cup. And as for price, I work at Best Buy, so I get a pretty good discount, usually around 20-30$ off things, which is why I said 120$. My actual price ceiling is closer to 100$ or less, but I'd be willing to buy it at another store if I would pay the same amount for better quality. However, I'm mainly looking at BB's selection. Being as I'm just in college, this isn't a major decision and not something I'd be using for the next ten years. If it were, I'd get the near-best there is, whatever the brand may be. But, for right now, it's just for a few years. |
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Title: Re: a few questions Post by RAT on 02/19/07 at 11:47pm Since you are talking about a short term vac, you might want to consider purchasing used from either a vac store, a thrift store, estate sales, or even yard sales. You might be surprised by how good of a machine you can get cheap. You probably aren't talking about that much dirt, so you might want to just buy a machine that uses bags. |
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Title: Re: a few questions Post by guess_who on 02/20/07 at 12:37am RAT hit the nail on the head. Look for a used machine that uses bags or even a machine with a cloth bag which might be slightly messy to empy but nonetheless not as annoying to fool with as a pleated filter. As for rinsing filters, drying time may be anything from a few hours to a whole day. This leaves the vacuum unassembled for all intent and purpose and out of commission as the machine should not be used without a thoroughly dry and clean filter in place. And again -- most manufacturers do not recommend rinsing filters after each use. That should only be done periodically. You can purchase extra filter or filters to avoid downtime but that can be a pricey deal. Good luck, Venson |
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Title: Re: a few questions Post by Mike_W. on 02/20/07 at 3:30am I was curious what you think would be the advantage of having a bagless vacuum cleaner? Looking at your situation, I would say that you would do fine w/a bagged machine. All you have to do is clean your home and put the vacuum away when finished. The bag would have to be changed periodically. Bags are not that hard to find today. Just keep stocked up. It is very difficult to find a very good machine w/your price limits, but here goes- I would suggest that you go to thrift stores a see what they have. Sometimes one is in luck and finds a decent, everyday vacuum cleaner. If a thrift store does not work, there is always new, budget uprights. Look at Panasonic uprights such as model MC-V7314. Next would be models MC-V7305, MC-V5744. Some may be slightly above your spending limit, but you would be better off. This brand is reliable and cleans the budget-minded home well. If you really had to purchase from your work, look at the Eureka 4870 upright. It will clean carpeting very well and is not really noisey. Belt will last a long time and has a long cord. The downside is that this machine has a heavy "handle weight" and there is not much room to move your hand around the handle. This may only be an issue for individuals w/large hands. My first choice, in your situation, would be the Panasonic MC-V7314 upright. If you have time, you might want to check out ebay. They sell some machines new/used for decent prices. You would have to know how much you want to spend and what the particular brand/model is worth. Many have received very good deals, just do not be the one who did not. |
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Title: Re: a few questions Post by Carmine_Difazio on 02/20/07 at 7:22am Hello egloskerry: I would add one more choice to the mix: http://www.hoover.com/db/xq/asp.hvrProductMain/CatID.1/qx/Upright.htm The HOOVER Tempo Widepath bagged upright. Unfortunately BEST BUY does not carry and sell it (Ask me why and I'll be happy to tell you). It also comes in a bagless mode. But I recommend the bagged. Why? It takes a style Y bag which HOOVER uses it its top of the line Windtunnels. The Y bag comes in a 3M Filtrette paper cloth disposable, which is ideal for a non-HEPA rated vacuum. It gives the same protection as HEPA. This HOOVER is rated number 8 (TOP 10) in the March 2007 Consumer Reports in a field of 65 vacuums which range in price from $50 to $1900. THe MSRP on the Tempo is $60. It is loaded with features that are typically found in more expensive vacuums. And some that are not: i.e., a head light and manual rug height adjustment. It's lightweight at 16 pounds and is made with the same materials and components that the $500 plus imports use. It has a full one year unconditional warranty on the entire product from HOOVER. The only category that CR dinged it on is noise. It got a "Fair" which is the lowest rating the HOOVER got in all the categories tested by CR. In rug cleaning performance and emissions, it received "Excellent." In bare floor, tool flow, and pet hair (a new testing category), it received "Very Good" in performance. IN handling, it received "Good." Also has the Good Housekeeping seal of approval. The UL approval. And the Carpet and Rug Institute of Approval (CRI). And it exceeds and outperforms all the more expensive imports in tests approved by the Amercan Society of Testing Materials. The ASTM is the only entity sanctioned world wide by the vacuum cleaner industry for establishing test standards for vacuums. (CR and CRI use many of the very same ASTM tests and standards). You can purchase a HOOVER turbo tool for about $25 that will fit. But it won't be "on board" for quick use. I like the HOOVER turbo better than the rest. Why? Excellent brush roll and it comes apart easily for cleaning. No tools needed. Compare with the BISSELL and DIRT DEVIL. HOOVER turbo wins hands down and thumbs up. The HOOVER Tempo is not a temporary vacuum. In a few years when you decide to buy a more expensive vacuum for your home, the HOOVER Tempo will still be performing like a 10. And it will have many more years of useful life. Good luck in your search and find. Carmine D. |
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Title: Re: a few questions Post by earthworm on 02/20/07 at 1:04pm RAT wrote:
A man must know what he is doing at the estate sales or auctions. No doubt, spending time here is beneficial... I bought my Electrolux at auction for $0.38, it was so quiet that , I believe no-one could hear it run ! Now it is used to clean the cars and the basement and the Eureka 433 filter..But then I bought another one(a brand X) for $2, and I spent 2 hours cleaning it, the filters were so expensive that I had to throw it away... The same rule applies to used cars and vacuums - have a good source of parts and service or forget it.... The Electrolux uses a cloth filter(its a shop vac), I'll use the little Mitey-Mite for that dirty chore... |
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Title: Re: a few questions Post by egloskerry on 02/21/07 at 1:39am I ended up buying the Bissell Momentum 3910-2. It came to 120$ with the 4 year PSP warranty. I know some people hate them, but I have had them work for me in the past, and at only 16$, I believe it was worth it. I've already used it and it seems to work just fine. I tend to make decisions quickly. Also, I was able to split the cost with my roommate, so it was not really that much money. To answer why I wanted a bagless, it's because my mom has a Eureka bagged and I have noticed that it tends to lose suction pretty quickly. My dad bought a Bissell Cleanview II, and I cleaned my carpet with the Eureka, then with the Bissell, which pretty much sold me on bagless vacuums. |
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Title: Re: a few questions Post by Carmine_Difazio on 02/21/07 at 7:23am egloskerry wrote:
A good choice if you don't mind dumping the dirt cup frequently. And it probably is a "short term" vacuum. It should work very well for your needs and wants. It's a decent performer for $100 at selected retailers. Comes with a turbo tool, 35 foot cord, and HEPA rated. BISSELL's more deluxe version of the MOMENTUM, called the HEALTHY HOME, was rated and ranked number 10 by Consumer Reports in the March 2007 magazine. It currently sells for $249 at most retailers. The BISSELL "Lift Off" which has been around a few years sells for about $170 and is rated and ranked number 27 by CR. And the lightweight BISSELL PowerForce (15 pounds) is rated a CR "Best Buy" at number 30 and costs all of $50. Good luck with your new purchase. Carmine D. |
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Title: Re: a few questions Post by earthworm on 02/21/07 at 4:35pm It would be interesting to see how the Eureka Optima 433 compares with this "lightweight" Bissel.... IMO, most vacuums are too large and too heavy - much like the oversized American car/truck... The $60 vacuum is temporary; I'd like to see a decent one at the same weight for less than $200...... |
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Title: Re: a few questions Post by Carmine_Difazio on 02/21/07 at 4:53pm earthworm wrote:
BISSELL Velocity for $129 on sale this week at Target stores (Before a $20 GiftCard): http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=1-1/qid=1172094640/ref=sr_1_1/601-1076167-1052135?ie=UTF8&asin=B000J67JL8 Carmine D. |
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Title: Re: a few questions Post by Tri-Star_Vacman on 03/01/07 at 4:41pm What type of vacuum r U looking 4 canister or upright? U can check out some good canister vacs on E-bay, they have some Electrolux vacs & their bags are easy to find almost anywhere. |
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