Get the most out of your Vacuum Cleaner
You may think that there isn't much to talk about when it comes to vacuum cleaners, but with all the different models on the market - this couldn't be further from the truth!
09/01/2020
Why the heck would you want to write an article about vacuum cleaners? Well, the truth is that there is more to vacuum cleaners than you think. If you have pets, for example, you need a vacuum cleaner that can handle pet hair, if you have a combination of tile and carpets in your home - you should buy a vacuum cleaner that can deal with both of these. And not only that, but there are ways to ensure you get the most of our your vacuum cleaner for a healthier, cleaner home.
What Type of Vacuum Cleaner
Nowadays there are all different types of vacuum cleaners, for almost every task. There are upright, cylinder, cordless, robotic, bagless, cyclonic and more, but how do you know which vacuum cleaner is the right one for you? We take a look at some of the more popular vacuum cleaners and how these perform.
dyson
Forget about brand names for the time being, and let's take a look at the different types of vacuum cleaners on the market. Once you know what's out there and where it can be used, you will already have cut down on the list of those to check out before you buy. And obviously, price plays a major factor in the equation since there are some pretty techno vacuum cleaners out there that keep a home clean in a breeze - but also come at a price.
Locally, there are 3 main types of vacuum cleaners out there - cylinder, upright or handheld. These three models can also be broken down into even more categories: corded or cordless, and bag or bagless.
miele
If you live in a multi-level home, you are going to want to look at vacuum cleaners with more portability - a model that you can carry upstairs or to different levels - with ease.
• Bagged or Bagless Vacuum Cleaner
You'll also want to consider whether to go with bagged or bagless options. A family home, for example, will have plenty of dirt to clean up and you may end up constantly emptying the machine if you opt for the bagless model. The same can be said if you run your business from home, especially if you're into crafts, hobbies or DIY. These may generate a fair amount of debris that needs to be cleaned up daily. However, the downside of using bags in a vacuum cleaner is that they need to be replaced from time to time.
• Corded or cordless Vacuum Cleaner
The major difference between a corded and cordless vacuum cleaner is portability. A cordless vacuum cleaner is lighter and less bulky than a corded model. However, a cordless vacuum is not generally recommended for a larger or family home, since the usage time can be substantially less than the corded version.
Size and Power of Vacuum Cleaner
A home that is small in size is far easier to maintain and you don't need to shop for an industrial-size vacuum cleaner, but you still need a vacuum that has enough power to handle the job. Many cheaper models out there do okay for the average home, but I have found that most have an air outlet on the body of the machine that makes cleaning tricky.
Today's models generally offer anywhere from 1200W to 3000W for a corded model and 20W to 200W for a cordless model. While wattage should be taken into consideration, even cheaper models can have a higher wattage but poor suction. This is where the brand name comes into play and the more you know about the manufacturer the better. I have previously owned a well-known - but cheaper brand vacuum cleaner with a wattage of 1500W and a well-known but slightly more expensive brand with an output of 1200W where the suction was far superior. Like they say: you get what you pay for!
Type of Vacuum Cleaner
As previously mentioned, there are 3 main types of vacuum cleaners, being cylinder, upright or handheld. For this article, we won't include handheld since these types of cleaners are generally for occasional or small cleaning jobs.
• Cylinder or Upright Vacuum Cleaner
There is a huge difference between an upright or cylinder vacuum cleaner. The main difference being that a cylinder vacuum cleaner (shown below) is far easier to manipulate around the home; it is great for stairs, under furniture, curtains and textiles, etc. An upright vacuum cleaner is mostly used over large areas and the design allows for ease of use without any back strain.
Another advantage of a cylinder vacuum cleaner is the attachments that come with the machine. If you decide to go for a cylinder vacuum cleaner, check out the attachments that are included before you buy.
Getting the Most out of your Vacuum Cleaner
We offer some practical tips to ensure that you get the most out of your vacuum cleaner, whatever the model or type.
1. Take the time to read the Instruction Manual. This will have information regarding the machine, as well as any accessories and attachments that are included. Once you've read the instruction manual, put it in a safe place should you need it in the future.
2. Always have an empty machine before you start, even if you are using a bagged version. Your vacuum cleaner will have far more suction when the machine is empty.
3. If the machine has a power setting (and many don't) be sure to set this correctly for the type of flooring: tiles, laminate or carpet.
4. Work from the centre of the room outwards, so that when reaching the perimeter you can start using attachments for around the skirting boards, windowsill, curtains, etc. Using a vacuum cleaner is very much like painting a wall, using forwards and backwards strokes in a straight line to start and then moving into a slight overlapping 'W' to make sure the flooring is clean.