Basic Principles of Vacuums
Vacuum cleaners have come a long way. Now you can choose from a variety of styles and design technology when choosing the right cleaner for you. As advanced as canister and upright vacuums have become, there are still basic principles at play that need to be considered when choosing a new cleaner or understanding how your vacuum works. Does this Spark an idea?
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Airflow
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Airflow is the main cleaning property of a vacuum cleaner. Commonly and erroneously called "suction," airflow is the movement of air from one place to another. Transferring the air from the cleaning head or end of a vacuum's attachment, through the bag or filter, pulls the dirt and other debris from the surface you are cleaning to the dirt collector. Vacuum's have varying levels of airflow based on design and power. The strongest vacuums create 120 cubic feet per minute of airflow while lesser units create approximately 20 to 30 CFM.
Brush Roll and Belt
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The brush roll is the apparatus that spins during vacuuming. The belt is attached to the motor's drive shaft at one end and the brush roll at the other. As the motor spins, the brush roll rotates to provide agitation necessary to displace the dirt and a sweeping motion to pick up surface debris like pet hair. If the belt is in poor working condition or broken, the brush roll will not spin or spin efficiently.
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Canister Vacuums
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Canister vacuums have a main unit that contains the motor and dirt collector and a separate cleaning head at the end of an attached hose. The airflow generated by the canister's motor is lost as it travels farther from the motor, making canister vacuums less effective at cleaning deep down dirt in longer carpets. The canister shines when cleaning above-the-floor targets such as drapes or other upholstery. Canister vacuums commonly are equipped with an array of attachments to clean furniture and fixtures.
Upright Vacuums
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Upright vacuums are designed specifically for carpeted floor cleaning. The motor is a mere inches from the cleaning head, making the most efficient use of the airflow the motor generates. Contemporary upright models are also equipped with above-the-floor cleaning attachments to bridge the gap in cleaning capability with canister vacuums. Like the canisters, the airflow is decreased once you extend the cleaning head from the motor. Heavy carpet cleaners should choose an upright, while those with heavy above-the-floor duties may be better off by choosing a canister vacuum.
Dirt Collection
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You can choose a vacuum, both canister and upright, with a bag dirt collector or a bagless system. Bags have been around much longer but the newer bagged systems have incorporated high-efficiency filtration designs to capture more dirt while maintaining the exhaust essential to maintaining airflow. Bagless vacuums use a series of filters to capture the dirt into a plastic receptacle while allowing the air to pass through the vacuum. The best bagged vacuums allow you to replace the filters often--it's the bag. Bagless vacuums require more vigilance as you will need to monitor the filters and replace them or clean them after they have been used past the point of most efficiency.
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