Author Topic: Vacuums  (Read 6105 times)

Deano

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Vacuums
« on: May 31, 2015, 11:35:58 AM »
Hi everyone, I did a quick search but nothing came up.

My house is mostly hardwood, with some area rugs (it's cold in Canada) but I am in need of a vacuum. Any thoughts? Buy for life? Go cheap? Trust a used? Is there any advantage to a high-end vacuum?

I have a toddler and 4 non-mustachian pets. Things get furry and dusty around here. Thoughts would be appreciated!

ivyhedge

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Re: Vacuums
« Reply #1 on: May 31, 2015, 12:57:44 PM »
Consumer Reports has tested multiple vacuums over the years. A trial subscription, trip to the library, or an electronic review ($) will yield a surfeit of results. Keep in mind that the most expensive units often, though not always, disappoint.


What is a "non-mustachian" pet? Same thing as a "non-mustachian" kid? :)


Full disclosure: We are pet parents of a shiba inu (aka "doge" and "foxcat"). Full double coat; full 2x-3x shedding per year. Our Costco iRobot pet series mops up after His Doge Highness like the cleaner bots in Wall*E!

Prepube

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Re: Vacuums
« Reply #2 on: May 31, 2015, 02:50:54 PM »
Yes, follow the recommendations of consumer reports... Can't go wrong there.  BUT, as an owner of three large breed significant shedders (I'm talking really significant amounts of hair, everywhere, all the time; in my food, in my bed, in my mouth, in my clothes, Everywhere), I would recommend that you NOT get sucked in by vacs that say they are intended for pets. Save the extra they charge for that because they are really no different than a quality, regular machine you can buy on Craig's list.  Don't get a dyson.  My current is a shark, and it is every bit as good as every other vacuum I've killed since deciding to have Newfoundlands in my house back in 1991.  5 newfies and at least five vacs later, I now just get the cheapest one recommended by CR because I know it'll die before my dogs do (even though newfs don't live very long).

bobechs

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Re: Vacuums
« Reply #3 on: May 31, 2015, 03:21:34 PM »
Why hasn't someone come up with a vacuum cleaner that can be operated by a dog or cat?

Then, with a modicum of training -maybe too stern for the American pet coddler- the problem could become a part of the solution.

You're welcome.

KungfuRabbit

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Re: Vacuums
« Reply #4 on: May 31, 2015, 06:25:30 PM »
In my experience dysons have a lot of bells and whistles that just break.

My oreck is as simple as it gets, and has been a champ for 5 years and counting.

FIRE me

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Re: Vacuums
« Reply #5 on: May 31, 2015, 08:50:04 PM »
Hi everyone, I did a quick search but nothing came up.

My house is mostly hardwood, with some area rugs (it's cold in Canada) but I am in need of a vacuum. Any thoughts? Buy for life? Go cheap? Trust a used? Is there any advantage to a high-end vacuum?

I have a toddler and 4 non-mustachian pets. Things get furry and dusty around here. Thoughts would be appreciated!

I'm very happy with my cheap Hoover upright that I bought 10 years ago at Wal-Mart for under $100.

ShoulderThingThatGoesUp

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Re: Vacuums
« Reply #6 on: June 01, 2015, 04:56:32 AM »
Our house is a lot cleaner due to our Roomba ownership than it would be otherwise.

And it can be operated, sort of, by a 1-year-old.

sabertooth3

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Re: Vacuums
« Reply #7 on: June 01, 2015, 06:59:48 AM »
You should really check this guy out- really good information on buying a vaccuum.

https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/2ldfs3/iama_vacuum_repair_technician_and_this_is_the_1/

use2betrix

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Re: Vacuums
« Reply #8 on: June 01, 2015, 07:14:19 AM »
I read recently that a rubber squeegey works very good for pet hair. I just ordered one. In addition, just a cheap small vacuum for the rest of the stuff.

lizzzi

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Re: Vacuums
« Reply #9 on: June 01, 2015, 09:32:11 PM »
Miele's look incredible. I have a real yen for the S8590 Alize, but good grief….$649 on Amazon…with free shipping on my Prime. But I really need it--my house is dust-a-rama city, and mostly hardwood and tile, with three flat pile area rugs. But did I mention it is $649? My Hoover upright is not good on all these uncarpeted floors, plus the bag less canister is a big dirt tornado every time I go in the garage to empty it. I'm probably gonna get black lung disease from that thing. But $649…..maybe I can look at Craigslist. Anybody own a Miele? Worth it? Do they really last 20 years?

hodedofome

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Re: Vacuums
« Reply #10 on: June 01, 2015, 09:45:54 PM »
We love our Shark and it didn't break the bank. Our friends that have bought Dysons have said the Shark is just as good but a 1/3rd of the price. Other friends and family members with an Oreck have loved those as well. But they aren't cheap.

Monk like

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Re: Vacuums
« Reply #11 on: June 02, 2015, 01:47:55 AM »
Get a used Kirby with the attachments. I used to sell them putting myself through school. Powerful, you can disengage the belt and use the upright to clean your bare floors. Engage the belt and clean your carpets. Use attachments for everything else. The shampooer is great! I saw many 20-30 years old and could not get owners to trade them in.

Hoberto

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Re: Vacuums
« Reply #12 on: June 02, 2015, 06:18:28 AM »
I bought a refurbished Dyson from Woot! back when Woot! wasn't just stuff available on Amazon. Right now I have 3 shedding machines and the Dyson does a great job.  I do have to clean up the brush every other month or so, but this isn't nearly as frequent as I've had to do with vacuums in the past.  It's also much easier. I have wood floors and throw rugs so the dog doesn't have to slip and slide all over.

MandyM

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Re: Vacuums
« Reply #13 on: June 02, 2015, 06:56:10 AM »
Why hasn't someone come up with a vacuum cleaner that can be operated by a dog or cat?

Then, with a modicum of training -maybe too stern for the American pet coddler- the problem could become a part of the solution.

You're welcome.

I have to store my roomba in a closet because my cat likes to turn it on. I would be happy with him running the vacuum every day, but he just likes to get in its way so that only one corner gets swept before the battery dies. I was really hoping that kitty would prefer to ride on it and become a youtube star. My dreams dashed again...

Mikhial

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Re: Vacuums
« Reply #14 on: June 02, 2015, 07:04:31 AM »
I have a couple rugs with mostly hardwood so it didn't seem necessary to by a full (priced) vaccuum. I bought a $20 sweeper and so far it works great. I don't really need anything more. For the wood, I'm still using a broom and mop. Below is the model I got.

http://www.amazon.com/Bissell-Sweep-Up-Cordless-Sweeper-21012/dp/B002CMXI9Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1433250065&sr=8-2&keywords=sweeper