Best Vacuum Cleaner For Home Use
Choosing the best vacuum cleaner for home use is not as simple as it sounds.There have been much advancement in the industry in recent years, but with those innovations comes variety. Now I don’t consider myself to be an expert on vacuum cleaners, however, I do have extensive experience using many different brands and models.
The first thing to keep in mind is the size of your home.
Vacuum cleaners come in a variety of sizes and weights. While a mid size vacuum cleaner is able to do an effective job on most homes, some larger houses will require a full size machine. Choose a weight and size that you are comfortable with.
Consider all the attachments:
Dust can get everywhere, especially in hard to reach places, so you should also take a very close look at the attachments on the vacuum cleaner you are considering. Some vacuums cleaners will have more attachments than others, however your machine must include, at least, a soft bristled dusting brush, bare floor, upholstery and crevice tools.If you are a pet lover,a pet brush attachement should be a must.
Suction:
No matter how many bells and whistles your vacuum cleaner has, if it falls short on its primary function then it’s an inferior machine. Many vacuum cleaners have a suction control switch which should be available at your finger tips, allowing for easy operation. Vacuuming carpet requires more suction than vacuuming drapes, for example, hence the great need for suction control.
Cord Length:
Few things are more annoying than being half way through vacuuming your floors only to have the power cord to your machine yanked from the power outlet. When shopping for your vacuum be sure to factor in power cord length. (Min 25 feet is typical). It is also a good idea to choose a machine with an automatic retractable cord.
Canister vacuums:
Canister vacuums allow for an easy transition from carpet to bare floors. They are also very easy to maneuver when compared to an upright. Canisters also work on stairs very well and come with a myriad of on board tools. The trade off for all that versatility however, is slightly less suction power, especially on carpets. I find canisters a bit clumsy to store and will take up more storage space than an upright. If you have a mix of carpet and bare floors I recommend investing in a full sized canister vacuum cleaner.
Upright vacuums:
An upright will provide you with more suction for less money compared to a canister but they are rather heavy and a bother to move around. Uprights are compact, providing easy storage. A majority of upright vacuum cleaners lack a fully sealed or post motor H.E.P.A filtration system. Uprights are perform poorly when trying to reach in tight spaces and under furniture and my even damage delicate carpets and rugs. If you use your vacuum cleaner primarily on large open spaces or in hallways then your best choice would be an upright.The larger bags on uprights allows for less bag replacement when compared to canisters.
My professional recommendation would be to choose a canister vacuum cleaner over an upright everytime.You just can’t go wrong with the versatility and superior filtration they provide.
The H.E.P.A filtration system:
H.E.P.A stands for ‘High Efficiency Particulate Air”. If you are an allergy sufferer you should seriously consider spending the extra money on a vacuum cleaner with a true H.E.P.A filtration system. A “true” HEPA filter vacuum will trap all particles up to 0.3 microns in size with an average efficiency rate of 97.97%. That is truly amazing, considering the standard vacuum is only capable of sucking in particles 30 to 50 microns in size, spitting the smaller particles back into the air. Most airborne particles are 2.4 microns in size. Allergy sufferers are affected mostly by the smallest particles, about 0.3 microns and should also use a H.E.P.A air cleaner to trap airborne allergens.
A HEPA vacuum is needed to get rid of those particles that have settled on furniture and on carpets preventing them from being stirred up and becoming airborne. If you use a professional cleaning service be sure to request an H.E.P.A vacuum cleaner and non toxic cleaning products.
More factors to consider:
Noise Level
Rotating power nozzle for canisters
On/off rotating brush for uprights
Long flexible suction hose
Adjustable telescopic wand for canisters
Carpet height adjustment.
I hope these tips will aid you in selecting the best vacuum cleaner for your home
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