Choosing the Right Vacuum Cleaner

Choosing the right vacuum cleaner involves assessing your cleaning needs and matching them to a vacuum cleaner that will solve your problems.  Since the most important elements of a vacuum are its ability to clean well, the ease with which it can be used, and its durability, consider these all as "must haves."  Who cares how easy it is to use if it won’t enthusiastically suck up all the dirt and dust, or billows most of it back out through the exhaust?  Who wants a vacuum that breaks all cleaning records and then falls apart as soon as the warrantee expires?  How often are you going to use a vacuum that’s awkward to carry, push, and pull, that has attachments difficult to assemble and use, and lacks important cleaning features.  Choosing the right vacuum cleaner means ensuring that it doesn’t fail in any of these areas.

Match the Vacuum to Your Cleaning Chores

When choosing the right vacuum cleaner, decide what is basic and then look for enhancements.

1. Canister vacuum cleaners are ideal for bare floors, and there are great attachments for rugs, upholstery, drapes, and blinds.  If you also have wall-to-wall carpets and a lot of rugs, make sure you have an attachment with a separate power head that has good brushes and a beater bar.

2. Uprights are wonderful for wall-to-wall carpets, and a detachable canister or an extra long hose is useful for stairs.  When cleaning bare floors or using attachments, there should be a switch to turn off the beaters.

3. A central system is the least noisy and very convenient but is, by far, the most expensive.  If you buy a central vacuum, also purchase a little handheld vacuum for quick clean-up jobs.

4. If you want a wet-dry vacuum for the garage, basement, or workshop, buy it in addition to your main vacuum.  Wet-dry vacuums are noisy and bulky.

5. Cordless vacuums are convenient when you don’t have a lot of outlets and for areas where there are none at all, but the suction is usually not as powerful as needed in a main vacuum.

Cleaning Power Is Important

When you compare vacuums, check to see how the power and suction properties are rated in consumer tests, and read a review or two about them.

1. Don’t buy the best suction in the world if you have a lot of rugs and don’t want to see your vacuum try and devour them.

2. Amps are an indication of power but the filter system and the length and quality of the hose and attachments also count.  Forget amps and check the power or airflow rating instead.

Good Features and Attachments Make Life Easier

1. A HEPA vacuum cleaner has the best filtration system, exhausts the least amount of pollutants back into the air, and is the best choice if you want to protect your lungs.  A HEPA bag is superior to all others for the same reason.

2. An extra long cord is useful and so is an automatic or easy wind-up feature.

3. A bagless vacuum collects dirt and dust in an easily emptied bin.  Bags usually hold more dirt and contain it better upon disposal, which is great for your lungs, but you have the ongoing expense and bother of buying and replacing bags.

4. Lightweight and self-propelled vacuums are wonderful if you need to conserve your strength.

5. Check the noise-level rating.

6. Make sure you have all the attachments you need, but don’t get carried away.  Attachments should be airtight and secure when in place.

7. Metal construction is more durable than plastic.

8. Horsehair brushes are superior to nylon.

9. An adjustment for pile height – automatic or manual – is useful.

10. Switches should be in convenient locations.

You generally get what you pay for, but there are inexpensive vacuums that will do wonderful cleaning jobs, and you might find one that is perfect for you.  When listing the pros and cons of each vacuum that interests you, include the warrantee offers on parts and labor.  When choosing the right vacuum cleaner, a comparison of features will help you make the best decision.