A vacuum is an essential tool in the battle to keep your home or workplace free from dust and dirt. However, finding the right one can be a bit of a nightmare, especially now that so many different models are on the market.
In this guide, we will look at what to look for when buying a vacuum. It won’t be long before you have the perfect model, and your floors are sparkling clean and dust-free!
Your Flooring
You should start by considering the type of flooring in your home. If like most people, your home is mainly made up of carpeted floors, then an upright model would be best suited for your needs because of its higher power levels.
On the other hand, if there are hard floors such as tiles or wooden boards covering most of the rooms in your house, then a cylinder or canister model could be a good option due to their lightweight design. Another alternative could be a stick vacuum cleaner, which is upright but slim profile to make it easier to get under low furniture.
Cordless Vacuums
Cordless vacuum cleaners are handy if you are looking for something that can be quickly taken from room to room without having the hassle of dealing with trailing power cables. These models are also a great option if you want one for cleaning up small messes in your car or at work.
However, this type of appliance uses removable batteries, so expect to pay extra for these, and you should also note that they do not have the same suction power as their corded equivalents. You will need to decide how much money you want to spend on your new machine but bear in mind that the cheaper models will not last very long before breaking down.
Upright or Cylinder?
Traditionally, most people have gone for an upright vacuum cleaner as these provide more power and suction than the cylinder models, which tend to be lighter and more maneuverable. They usually consist of a tall upright tube with an attached nozzle with a rotating brush and the suction device at the end. These brushes are specially designed for use on different surfaces such as carpets and hard floors, but they do need regular maintenance to keep them working efficiently.
Over recent years there has been a considerable increase in the number of people using cylinder vacuum cleaners instead of uprights due to being more convenient and usually cheaper than their upright cousins, as they are often lighter too. Most models now come equipped with a detachable hose ranging from about 1.2 to 2 meters depending on the model’s size but don’t worry too much if yours does not have this, as you can always buy an extension hose separately at the time of purchase.
While upright models are suitable for deep cleaning carpets due to having larger motors with stronger suction power. Cylinder vacuums are better suited to hard floors because they are lightweight, making it easier for you to use them in smaller spaces such as around or under furniture.
This is another reason why these machines tend to be favored by people who suffer from mobility problems or arthritis. Their lightweight makes them very easy to use over extended periods without causing you any discomfort.
Functionality
The first thing you should do is check if your preferred model can be adjusted to suit all floor types by using a button or dial on the handle section. This enables you to switch between carpet and hard floor cleaning without needing to change tools over. These interchangeable heads can be helpful when cleanings stairs, too, as it means you only need to carry the vacuum up and down them instead of dragging a different appliance behind you.
Extra tools and Attachments
It is also worth checking whether any extra tools are included with the machine. This could include an extension hose or special nozzle for cleaning delicate fabrics. These can easily be fitted and removed from the end of the hose as and when you need them.
Some smaller models come with all their attachments stored in a compartment inside the machine, which saves having to search for them when needed, but this makes it harder to clean hard-to-reach areas such as under furniture where there is not much room.
Maneuverability
Another thing you should consider is how easy it will be to maneuver this appliance around larger rooms in your home up and down stairs and to reach under low furniture. A smaller model may be perfect for your needs, but it could take ages to vacuum if you have a large living room. This is where having a larger model can get the job done much quicker.
Vacuum Bags
When shopping for your new machine, it may also be worth considering which type of vacuum cleaner bags you prefer. Some models allow the user to attach reusable cloth bags over the top of the dust container instead of buying replacement paper or plastic bags. However, cloth alternatives will need regular washing once they are full to ensure that they are always hygienic for reuse.
Another thing to take into consideration is whether you want your machine fitted with a HEPA filter. This can help improve the performance of the vacuum by trapping microscopic particles such as dust mites and pollen, which are often responsible for triggering allergies or asthma attacks. An added bonus is that it can also make dealing with stale odors inside your home much more manageable.
As an alternative, you could for a bagless model, so no bag is needed at all! However, these can be difficult to empty and keep all the debris in the bag and not back out into the room.
Vacuums For Homes with Pets
When you have pets in your home, it’s really important that you buy a model with enough power to deal with all their shedding. If you find that when you’re trying to clean up pet hairs, they end up getting stuck down in the pile of your carpets or on your furniture, then investing in a smaller handheld model can make things easier.
Finally, Don’t Forget to Check The Warranty
There can be a huge difference in the warranties on offer from different manufacturers, so do check what’s available and what’s covered before making your purchase.
