Vacuum Cleaner Opinions

[TubaTodd]

Update: Since my last post I'd been using an old Hoover Windtunnel that was my wife's grandfather's. It worked great for a while then something got lodged in it and I for the life of me can't figure out what or where it is. Last week I took the plunge and bought the Hoover WindTunnel HEPA. So far I really like it.

[Ace]

I had used a Hoover Wind Tunnel vac for many years. It was very good. Then, I bought a Bissell "Healthy Home" Microban Hepa vac which is proving to be a real winner.

Ace

[snorlax]

A few years ago my spousal unit INSISTED on buying a Kirby G6 because it was so good for the high-piled carpet we had all over the house.

The darn thing has a TRANSMISSION and cost about as much as the first car I owned (a heap, admittedly).

Then she decided to rip up all the high-piled carpet and have the hardwood floor that was underneath it refinished.

[Ace]

A few years ago my spousal unit INSISTED on buying a Kirby G6 because it was so good for the high-piled carpet we had all over the house.

The darn thing has a TRANSMISSION and cost about as much as the first car I owned (a heap, admittedly).

Then she decided to rip up all the high-piled carpet and have the hardwood floor that was underneath it refinished.

LOL One of the funniest posts this month.

Ace

[bloke]

Remove the filter from the back of that Bissell, take it outside, and blow it clean with your leaf blower.

Reinstall it. It'll be great. Save your money.

Otherwise, if you crimped the hose (as happens with these), replace it for about $2X.XX

[iiipopes]

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/vacuum-cleaners.htm

[DonShirer]

Check this out:

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/top-pick ... d=12985601

More details in Consumer Reports magazine (likely available at your local library).

[Tubaryan12]

If it's "bagless," then it has filter(s). As the filters fill up, sucking starts to "suck."

Cleaning the filter(s) helps. Replacing is what they want you to do---if you can find them... Sometimes the price of the filters is as much as a new vacuum...

+1

a new belt and clean filters will bring most bagless vacuums back to life.

[bloke]

Using a leaf blower (as I suggested), I just now cleaned out the filter on my wife's Bissell upright. (Women do not clean or replace filters.) Besides bloke's sneezing and watery eyes, the vacuum cleaner's suction is twice as strong.

[hrender]

I had a Filter Queen for years that was great. I only gave it away after my (then) new wife declared, "I hate your vacuum cleaner." She wasn't into canister vacs. I bought her a new upright which is mediocre in every functional way, but she prefers an upright to any and all canister vacs. They occasionally show up on LeBay for not too much money (don't bother with the ones that go for $$$).

[MaryAnn]

bloke,
I admit I do not clean filters. However I do replace them. Last time I looked I was a woman.

I vote with Rick on the whole-house vacuum that exhausts outside. If I am ever lucky enough to be able to live inside again, I will have the whole-house. I at one point bought a HEPA-vacuum but it made no difference; I have since read that the HEPA must be incredibly well sealed in order to mean anything, and that a well-sealed one is nigh on impossible to find.

MA

[bloke]

I admit I do not clean filters. However I do replace them. Last time I looked I was a woman.

precisely, and that's precisely what I meant. Cleaning a filter saves time and money, but (as high-pressure air is required) also involves getting dust all over yourself. Most women that I know do not like this - even if they are headed straight for the shower, and even if they are already dirty from doing other work.

Changing the subject slightly from house vacs to shop vacs, the filter on my (big) shop vac is original to the machine (purchased new c. 12 years ago). The motor (housed in the unit on top, and detachable from the lid) ingeniously doubles as a detachable blower...like a leaf blower...
so I just take the filter off every so often and blow it clean. Had I replaced that filter ($17 - YIKES!) every time it was full of dirt, I'm sure by now I would have spent way more than the entire shop vac costs on replacement filters.

bloke "thrifty...and dirty"