How to Select a Vacuum Cleaner

Vacuum cleaners are available with many different options, but the ultimate goal is to remove dry soil from carpets. Vacuum cleaners come with many gadgets and accessories that may help you with your household cleaning, but the vacuum's performance is most important. Here are some tips for selecting a vacuum cleaner that meets your needs.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Select a vacuum cleaner that weighs less than 20 pounds. Anything heavier is difficult to carry and manipulate.

2. Look for a vacuum that you can manually adjust the pile level. Those that adjust automatically can malfunction, and those not set to the right selection can damage your carpet or simply do a poor job.

3. Choose between Bag or Bagless. This is a personal choice, but bagless vacuums can be messy to empty. Much of the dirt and dust particles end up back on the floor or in the air which defeats the purpose of the added filtration many models offer.

4. Research some of your favorite models. Many vacuums make claims that are simply not substantiated through research, so specifically look at the vacuum's performance ratings.

5. Make sure the vacuum you select has the CRI seal of approval. This is the carpet and rug industry's own institute that recognizes the performance and establishes standards for vacuum cleaners.

6. Select a model that accommodates stairs if you have them in your home. Also look for attachments that can make cleaning around corners or upholstery easier.

7. Choose a vacuum that has a HEPA filter if you or a family members suffer from allergies.

8. Decide between an upright or a canister vacuum. Upright vacuums work better for carpets that have a thick pile, and canister vacs are better for bare floors. If storage is a concern, most uprights are more compact than a canister.

Tips & Warnings

• Search for a vacuum that is self-propelled. This requires less effort on your part when pushing the vacuum.
• A good vacuum can cost a few hundred dollars, but consider it a wise investment for new carpet.
• Change your vacuum filter on a monthly basis if your model has one.
• If you choose a vacuum cleaner with bags, change the bag before an indicator light comes on. You can squeeze the bag gently to see how full it is.
• Wattage is only the amount of energy a vacuum uses to operate. It has nothing to do with a vacuum's ability to remove dirt and soil. Many vacuums market the amps on the front of the box, but remember this is mostly a marketing tool.