OT: what kind of vacuum cleaner to buy?

[Beth Y]

I have a Sharp and love it. I don't know much about its longevity, but know that it really gets my carpets and floors clean. In fact, it sucks so hard you have to hold down throw rugs with your foot to keep them from coming up. I was sick and tired of going over and over things to get them clean, and of having to pick up things and through them in the path of the vacuum to get them sucked up. I also was prepared to pay a little extra not to have my vacuum give out after a couple years.

My main advice is to go to a vacuum cleaner store. Not a discount store, not an appliance store, but a store that sells only vacuum cleaners. There is one here in Raleigh where I live and it is so nice to talk to people who know their inventory. They have high quality home models, as well as industrial models. I ask them about brands I see on TV and they say, "well we don't sell those cause they just don't perform very well...found they broke down all the time,...etc...." They have sales, so you can talk to them about your price limitations, the types of floor coverings you have, etc. and get their recommendations.

[This message has been edited by Beth Y (edited 05-01-2001).]

[browneye]

Well, all you smart home-management type people...I have gone through several cheaper, lower end vacuum cleaners, and since the last one bit the dust (or should I say bit the dog hairball) last week, I have decided to splurge and get a good vacuum cleaner. I have about 1/2 hardwood floors and 1/2 carpeted floors in my house. I'd like your recommendations.. I plan to go shopping this week.
TIA

[SandyM]

I have a Royal. It was pricey (I can't remember exactly - I'm thinking around $400), but I've been told by people who own them that I will never need to purchase another one - one person has had hers for over 20 years and it runs like new! Now I find it hard to believe that this thing will outlive me, but I figure if it lasts me 20 years, it will have cost me $20.00 per year (plus the cost of bags, of course) to own.

Just my two cents.

[sneezles]

I recently bought a Kirby. After having Hoovers for many yearr. I had this demo done in my house and couldn't believe the dirt it sucked up from carpet that had only been down 3 months! You'd have thought I hadn't vaccumed in a month never mind I'd done it that morning. I purchased the shampoo attachments, also. I can use it in the car, take the handle off and vaccum couches and mattresses. It has a long wand attachment with an end that swivels for doing walls and ceiling fan blades. It's self propelled on carpet but turns off on the hard floors. It was expensive up front ($1200) but it does so much and I will NEVER have to purchase another machine. My mom had her Kirby for 35 years and one of my sisters got it after she died and it's still going strong!

[browneye]

Hey, sneezles
My ex-husband has a Kirby that his mom had since the 60's. It is still going strong, he took that with him when he moved out. I woulda liked to have kept it myself, but I would have had to have kept him too!!
I think I'll take a look at a new Kirby, and also the other brands mentioned here that I am unfamiliar with- if I can tear myself off this BB and go to the vacuum store, that is...
Thanks for all your ideas...

[Zinnia]

I don't think I've actually seen my current vaccuum on sale or otherwise, since my 15yo son was born, lol! Even though you may never see mine for sale, I believe you get what you pay for. Everyone freaked then when they heard I spent $279 on it.
I have a Panasonic Upright w/ tools, and it adjusts to bare floors-other than it being hard to find vaccuum bags for occ., it has paid for itself over and over and is still going strong.
If/when this one ever kicks it, I'd love to get a Kirby (but I may be dreaming ). IMO it's worth it to buy a trooper esecially when it does sooo much for so long. Good luck, Zinnia

[Vanessa]

I have a rainbow vacumn cleanmer (gift by my parents) because of my allergies. I am used to it and like it since you put water in the tank then basically dust etc goes into the water and you flush it after you are done. My DH does not like my vacumn but I do.

[Laura B]

Zinnia, here is a great source of vacuum bags. I could not find bags for my Panasonic in stores around here, so I looked online. Here is a great source for bags for ALL kinds of vacuum cleaners, including panasonic: http://www.citywidevacuum.com/ And, orders over 30 dollars get free shipping. So, I stocked up!

[philamark]

Like BethY, I have a Sharp and love it. It has tremendous suction power and it really cleans better than my old Eureka.

[browneye]

Thanks, everyone for your input. I went to two vacuum stores yesterday, and saw everything from Oreck to Miele (Sp?)... but alas, no Kirby anywhere to be found. I didn't have time to go to the Kirby dealer, the nearest one was too far away, and the doghair was really piling up!
I ended up with a Royal canister-type vacuum, and brought that baby home last night and it worked great! Perfect for me since I have lots of hardwood and also a big Persian rug- so you can switch it on and off between surfaces and it really is cool. I sucked up a whole bag full of doghair-yuk I couldn't believe how bad my old vacuum really was! It had only been a few days since I'd vacuumed with it. Anyway, thanks for all your input.

[Zinnia]

Originally posted by Laura B:
Zinnia, here is a great source of vacuum bags. I could not find bags for my Panasonic in stores around here, so I looked online. Here is a great source for bags for ALL kinds of vacuum cleaners, including panasonic: http://www.citywidevacuum.com/ And, orders over 30 dollars get free shipping. So, I stocked up!

Thanks for the info Laura, I really appreciate it! I will be ordering from them soon. Thanks again! Zinnia

[Laura B]

You're welcome, Zinnia. That website was a lifesaver for me!