Introduction
- Vacuum Cleaners
Although vacuum cleaners have almost
become synonymous with one particular brand and are known by many as
a 'Hoover', there are in fact many different brands to choose from.
Choosing a new vacuum cleaner can seem
a daunting task, but as long as you are clear on the basic criteria,
you should be able to find the right model for your requirements.
Product Types
The main three types of vacuum cleaner
are cylinder, upright and stick vacuum cleaners, and much of the choice
between the three is down to personal preference.
Cylinder vacuum cleaner
This type of vacuum cleaner has the
motor and bag separate from the vacuum head, which is connected by a
hose and telescopic pole. The motor powers a fan which sucks up the
dirt from the vacuum head and sends it into the dust bag. These are
more compact than an upright model and are more flexible for use on
stairs, upholstery and in cars. It is also easier to vacuum under furniture
with a cylinder vacuum cleaner. They usually come with different attachments
for uses such as upholstery which means that it is easy to clean hard
to reach areas.
Some manufacturers call them 'canister'
vacuum cleaners.
Upright vacuum cleaner
This type of vacuum cleaner has a cleaning
head and motor, with a handle and bag attached. In this type too, the
motor turns a fan which sucks up the dust into the dust bag, however
they also have revolving brushes or beaters which can help to loosen
dirt in the carpet. They can be easier to control, although some people
do find them heavier and bulkier than cylinder models. They are also
less suitable for use on stairs and are less portable than a cylinder
model. The advantage of an upright vacuum cleaner is that they are often
better at picking up pet hairs due to the motorised brush heads. The
wattage is less important with an upright vacuum cleaner as the dirt
does not have to travel as far as with a cylinder model.
Some manufacturers now also offer uprights
with an additional telescopic wand which clips onto the main body of
the unit to give the user the flexibility of a cylinder machine when
it comes to stairs and other hard to reach areas. Also, as technology
has developed, many upright models are now far less bulky and much more
manoeuvrable than previously.
Stick vacuum cleaner
This type of vacuum cleaner is a lightweight,
slim and cordless appliance for small vacuuming jobs and one advantage
over sweeping by hand is that the user does not need to bend down to
sweep up small amounts of dirt. They are generally used as a second
vacuum cleaner rather than as the main one as they do not pick up ingrained
dust and dirt as thoroughly as a full sized vacuum cleaner. Some can
be easily foot-operated which is especially suitable for those with
less mobility.
There are also other types of vacuum
cleaner including:
Wet vacuum cleaner
These are able to clean up liquid spills
as well as normal dust and dirt.
Centralised vacuum cleaner
Some houses are equipped with a central
vacuuming system where the suction motor and bag are fitted to a convenient
central location in the house such as the garage. This means that only
the hose and cleaning head have to be carried around the house as there
are connection points fitted in each room. They are extremely convenient
but they require professional installation and should be installed when
the house is built or renovated as it is difficult to fit this type
of system into an existing arrangement. The price of a centralised vacuum
cleaning system is also very expensive compared to a traditional vacuum
cleaner.
Hand-held vacuum cleaner
This is a small and extremely portable
type of vacuum cleaner for cleaning small areas and worktops, although
the power and capacity is far inferior to that of a full size vacuum
cleaner. They are available as either battery operated or are charged
via the mains.
Robot
vacuum cleaner
Although not in wide-spread use yet,
these vacuum cleaners have sensors which enable them to move around
the room on their own.
Product Advice
Decide what criteria are the most
important and what the vacuum cleaner will be used for, as there are
many factors to take into consideration when choosing a new vacuum cleaner.
Weight, size and storage
One of the most important factors
is the weight of the vacuum cleaner. Many of the vacuum cleaners on
the market today have a weight ranging from 4kg to 8kg. Consider how
easy it will be to move around the house or apartment, especially if
stairs are involved.
Note that on many of the manufacturer's
specification sheets the weight of a cylinder vacuum cleaner is that
of the cylinder only.
Size is also a factor for storage,
as upright vacuum cleaners generally take up more room than a cylinder
model. However a cylinder model can be trickier to store due to the
hose and telescopic pole.
To make cylinder vacuum cleaners easier
to store in a utility room, consider fitting a vacuum hose holder, which
is screwed to the wall. These can be purchased from many DIY shops and
are usually very inexpensive. Alternatively some models now come with
a clip to attach the hose to the main unit for easier storage. If the
hose is to be stored separately from the main unit, some models have
a hygiene cap to prevent dust or odours escaping.
Bagged or Bagless
It will be necessary to choose between
a model which uses dust bags and one that has an in-built container
which needs to be emptied on a regular basis.
Bagless vacuum cleaners are generally
more expensive to purchase but can save money over the life of the machine
as they do not need replacement bags. If choosing a bagless model,
check how easy it is to empty as the design of some models can be less
efficient, spilling dust and dirt back into the room.
Vacuum cleaners that use dust bags
need to have the bags replaced when full, so it is necessary to check
how easily this can be done with any particular model. Some models
also have an indicator to alert the user when the dust bag is full.
Also check the capacity of the bag,
especially if the machine will be used frequently and over large areas.
Some bags are self-sealing which makes the replacement operation easier
and cleaner. If buying a vacuum cleaner that uses dust bags, make sure
that it is easy to buy replacement bags and check how expensive they
will be.
Whether bagged or bagless, the capacity
of the vacuum cleaner is also very important, especially in larger households.
Whilst most models have a 1.5-4 litre capacity, they can reach up to
6 litres. Vacuum cleaners that use bags usually have a higher capacity
than bagless vacuum cleaners.
Attachments
Many cylinder cleaners come with three
basic attachments for different uses - dust brush, an upholstery brush
and a crevice tool for reaching into crevices, tight corners or other
hard to reach areas. These are especially useful for cleaning cars and
furniture such as sofas. Other attachments offered by some models include:
- A turbo brush or nozzle
which rotates quickly to loosen stubborn dirt and pet hairs.
- A mattress tool to remove
dirt and dust mites.
Some models of vacuum cleaner have
storage space within the main unit to store the attachments, whereas
with others you have to store them separately.
Type of Flooring
For wooden, laminate or tiled flooring
a cylinder vacuum cleaner is often the better option, although there
are upright models which are suitable for hard floors. For carpeted
floors either upright or cylinder vacuum cleaners are suitable. However,
for loop pile carpet, ensure that you do not use any turbo roller attachments
as this can damage the carpet.
Many vacuum cleaners have adjustable
settings for carpets of different heights as well as a setting for wood
or tiled floors.
Power
The higher watt machines are more
powerful and can provide more suction, but this is more important on
the cylinder vacuum cleaners as the dirt has further to travel to reach
the bag. The current cylinder vacuum cleaners on the market today usually
have a power of between 1400 and 2400 watts, although lower watt Eco
models are also available from some manufacturers.
Some models have variable wattage,
or suction control, which can be useful for cleaning more delicate
items such as upholstery so as not to damage them.
Wattage is extremely important however
it is not the only criteria for good suction, as this will depend on
other factors and the overall design and technology of the machine.
Some manufacturers use cyclonic technology to maximise the suction power of the vacuum
cleaner.
Features
Some of the features on certain models
can include:
- A full container indicator
to alert the user when the dust bag or container is full.
- A headlight for extra visibility
under furniture and in dark areas.
- Auto cleaning filter technology
to automatically clean the filter without manual intervention.
- Energy efficient mode, so
that less power is used for light vacuuming.
- Sensors to detect when the
floor is dust free.
- Automatic power levels which
adjust to suit the type of floor surface.
In addition, there are some vacuum
cleaners which are designed especially for:
- Allergy sufferers. Some
models have the British Allergy Association Seal of Approval and/or
are certified by the German quality company TUV as being suited for
allergy sufferers.
- Pets hairs. Some models
have an electrostatic pet hair brush or turbo brushes either incorporated
into the vacuum head or as an attachment.
Filters
The filtration system is very important
when choosing a new vacuum cleaner.
Many vacuum cleaners need to have
the filter changed on a regular basis, at least once per year, although
there are those which never need to be changed. Many are also washable.
Vacuum cleaners with a HEPA
or S-class filtration system are extremely efficient, trapping tiny
particles, including pollen and dust mite faeces, to ensure that particles
do not escape back into the room. This is the most suitable type of
filter for allergy suffers and some models have the British Allergy
Association Seal of Approval. Many HEPA filters are now washable. Some
manufacturers rate the performance of a HEPA filter and its ability
to remove particles on a scale of 1 through to 20.
Anti-bacterial filters are also available
on some models.
Charcoal filters have the added advantage
of eliminating odours which can be useful for those with pets.
Buying Tips
- If buying a cylinder vacuum
cleaner, make sure that the telescopic tube is long enough so that you
do not strain your back when using it. It should be the right length
when adjusted to enable you to vacuum with a straight back.
- If buying an upright vacuum
cleaner, some models have telescopic handles, allowing the user to adjust
it to the correct height.
- Some vacuum cleaners are
self-propelled, therefore requiring less effort. The motor system can,
however, make the machine itself heavier.
- Consider how noisy the vacuum
cleaner is. If this is important, some manufacturers offer vacuum cleaners
which are especially designed with quiet operation in mind.
- Many manufacturers offer
a 1 year warranty, however some offer up to 6 years, depending on the
model.
- If you are using the machine
over a large area, the size of the power cable will be important. Machines
on the market today have an operating
radius or maximum reach ranging
from 6m to 15m. Consider also if it has a retractable
power cord, which many users find
useful for easier use and storage.
Brands
Bissell - this specialist cleaning
appliance manufacturer offers a wide range of vacuum cleaners including
uprights, cylinder models, stick vacuum cleaners and hand-held cleaners.
They have models specialising in the vacuuming of pet hairs and allergens.
Black and Decker - as the world's
largest producer of power tools, they also manufacture cylindrical and
stick vacuum cleaners.
Bosch - they offer a range of both
bagged and bagless cylinder vacuum cleaners, including those endorsed
by TUV as being suitable for allergy sufferers as well as ones designed
to pick up pet hairs.
Dirt Devil - specialising in vacuum
cleaners and carpet cleaners, they have a full range of upright vacuum
cleaners, hand-held vacuum cleaners, stick vacuum cleaners and cylinder
(or canister) vacuum cleaners.
Dyson - the colourful and distinctive
Dyson vacuum cleaners feature the 'Root Cyclone' technology for
maximum suction and efficiency, and the 'Dyson Ball' design on the
upright vacuum cleaners for maximum manoeuvrability.
AEG Electrolux - their cylinder and
cordless vacuum cleaners include those designed for minimum noise levels.
Henry - this fun looking range includes
Henry and Hetty hoovers, some with the facility for both wet and dry
vacuuming.
Hoover - this brand is synonymous
with vacuum cleaners and offers a very wide selection of bagged and
bagless cylinder and upright vacuum cleaners, including many designed
specifically for the effective removal of pet hairs.
Miele - this high end manufacturer
of domestic appliances has a range of models including those with automatic
sensors to detect if the floor surface is free from dust.
Morphy Richards - as well as their
vacuum cleaner range, they also market an accessory which fits to the
vacuum cleaners to pick up wet spills.
Numatic - they are the manufacturers
of the colourful range which includes Henry and Hetty vacuum cleaners
in many different variations.
Panasonic - they offer bagged and
bagless upright and cylinder models.
Vax - their range includes those
using cyclonic technology for maximum suction.
Jargon Buster
Cyclonic or cyclone technology -this
patented vacuum technology is designed to extract dirt efficiently without
clogging for maximum suction power.
Cut pile carpet - this is where the
loops that are created in the weaving process are cut to a certain height,
making the carpet feel very soft, luxurious and dense.
HEPA - this stands for 'High
Efficiency Particle Air' and is one of the most efficient filtration
systems, particularly suitable for allergy suffers. It can trap up to
99.97% of particles.
Loop pile carpet - this is where
the loops that are created in the weaving process are left uncut.
Operating radius - this is the
distance that a vacuum cleaner can be used away from the power socket
and includes the length of both the power cord and the hose.
Retractable power cord - the
vacuum is designed so that the power cable automatically retracts back
into the body of the machine when pulled at a certain angle or via a
button, which prevents the danger of tripping on the power cable and
also makes it easier to store.
Suction control - this is the
ability to decrease the suction power if vacuuming delicate items such
as rugs and upholstery, preventing damage and minimising the risk of
items being sucked into the vacuum cleaner.