Things You'll Need:
- Paper
- Pencil
- Time to study up
-
Step 1
Canister vacuum with attachments.The first thing to consider is your flooring. Do you have hard-surfaces or carpet? What type of carpet do you have? For hard surfaces such as tile or wood flooring, a canister vacuum would work best. Canisters usually feature a wand that switch between heads and long hose that connects to a body on wheels. The brush attachments will facilitate getting into those tight areas. Upright vacuums usually contain some type of beater brush. While perfect for carpeting, this can damage wood or laminate flooring. Carpeting also requires more suction, which is provided for in the upright vacuums. Make sure the height of the upright vacuum can be adjusted for different types of carpeting.
-
Step 2
Ergonomics are important when choosing a cleaner.Height is a factor as well as weight. When vacuuming the proper ergonomic position is to be standing completely upright with shoulders back. If you are bent over the handle, it’s not right for you. The power cord and switches should be easily accessible without having to move other pieces to get to them. The handle should be clear of all other obstructions. If using an upright, it should be easy to push and pull, self propelled is best. The purpose is to eliminate as much wear and tear on your body as possible. Weight should also be a consideration. While many of the better upright vacuums offer more features they are heavier and may be more difficult to use. Cannister vacuums are pulled along the floor and only need to be picked up when traversing up and down stairs. Most of the bells and whistles are located in the attachments.
-
Step 3
Hepa filters.Allergen protection is the new hot topic in vacuuming circles. Each vacuum on the market today is rated as to the effectiveness of their cleaning capabilities. Hepa filters, contained in many vacuums are part of the filtration system and can remove at least 99.97 percent of airborne allergen particles. This is extremely important for any asthma or allergy sufferer as the filter traps fine particles like pollen or dander. A vacuum cleaner with a Hepa filter will have a more powerful motor in order to work properly, as well as having been designed to eliminate any air leakage.
-
Step 4
Vacuum cleaner bags are a choice to consider.To bag or not to bag, that is the question. While a lot of the vacuums on the market today are going away from them, the bag vacuum cleaner still holds the respect of many users. While both good and bad points can be sited for each, the largest decision rests on one factor. A bag cleaner vacuums the dust, dirt, etc from the living area, and after filtering, sends it spiraling into a bag, where it resides until the bag is changed and thrown away. A huge benefit is that the person changing the bag doesn’t have to touch the debris that has been picked up. A bagless system uses filters to trap dirt and debris into a “cup” that is then emptied. At the time the cup is emptied, most vacuums have filters that must also be cleaned, which usually requires putting it into a plastic bag and shaking it until the trapped leftover debris is released. This can cause smoke like blowing of the dirt you just picked up back into the air and is therefore best done outside. Both machines need the same type of maintenance, filter replacements, etc.
-
Step 5
Upright vacuums can offer features not found in cannister vacs.Last but not least, understand the features available on the vacuum cleaner possibilities. Edge cleaning, suction, amps and airwats are all good indications on the power of the cleaner. Maintenance and warranties are also important considerations. Make sure the service rules are spelled out and that they can be followed easily to guarantee the warranty will not be revoked. When you have finally chosen the vacuum of your dreams, one last check with Consumer Guide or Consumer Reports for a rating and unbiased review can be a good verification of your decision (see Resources below).
