Vacuum Cleaner Buying Guide

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Vacuum Cleaner Buying Guide

Staff Writer · Apr 6, 2010

Cleaning carpets is a chore that must be done for sanitary and health benefits, and buying the right vacuum cleaner will help you complete the job with little hassle. The cheapest is not always the best fit for you, and the expensive ones may be more than you need. Comparing prices on vacuum cleaners is important, but so are the types and features.

Upright Vacuum Cleaners

You probably grew up with one of these in your home. It’s still the most widely used type of vacuum cleaner, compared to a canister vacuum cleaner. An upright vacuum cleaner is easy to handle when vacuuming. You can also expect your carpets to be cleaned more thoroughly with an upright vacuum cleaner. However, they do weigh a lot more than canister vacuum cleaners, as much as twenty pounds more.

Canister Vacuum Cleaners

If noise is an issue, you should consider buying a canister vacuum cleaner instead. These are quieter than uprights. Unlike an upright vacuum cleaner, a canister is easier to use on stairs if you have any in your apartment. You won’t have to strain to lift it as you clean each stair’s carpeting. When it comes to cleaning draperies and other upholstery, a canister is better than the attachments you would use with an upright. You have more control of the canister as you clean the fabric, whereas the attachments on uprights tend to suck so hard in spots that you’re constantly pulling out the material from the cleaner. This interruption slows you down and you may get frustrated cleaning that way.

Bag vs. Bagless

Whether to go bagless or not is mostly a decision based on finances. You save money with a bagless vacuum, because you have to keep buying bags for a vacuum cleaner that requires one. You have to budget for this and spend money monthly, which does add to what you spend on apartment cleaning. For this reason, it’s better to choose a vacuum without a bag when you can. You’ll miss out on a few benefits that a vacuum with a bag has to offer. For example, it holds more dirt so that you don’t have to stop and empty it out as much while cleaning. You’ll also have fewer contaminants in the air because you can just trash the bag, rather than shaking a bagless container to empty the dirt.

High Efficiency Air Filters

A high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, is more effective than regular filters for retaining particles in the vacuum instead of them seeping out into the air. These are the best filters on the market, and they can make all the difference in the world if you suffer from allergies or asthma. The dust particles released in the air can irritate your lungs and respiratory system, and you’ll avoid cleaning your carpets because of this discomfort. You’ll have to pay more money, but when weighed with the health benefits, it’s worth it.

Buying a used vacuum cleaner is one option to reduce costs. However, you run the risk of it not working for long, and you won’t be able to return it or take advantage of a warranty.

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