Vacuum Cleaners

As the most recent addition to our line of vacuum cleaners, Soniclean vacs are powerful and economical. With both uprights and canisters available, here's a quick rundown of the two sets.

The Soniclean uprights consist of two models, the Galaxy and VT Plus. Both work well on carpet, are very lightweight, and use Soniclean's patented sonic technology. A sonic bar vibrates hundreds of times per second, and it is this rapid vibration that helps to dislodge stuck-on dirt and debris. Powerful suction then removes dirt and allergens and stores it in an H13 HEPA filterbag. While the Soniclean Galaxy is a bit more in terms of price, it does offer a longer warranty, both in terms of parts and labor as well as on the motor. The VT Plus, though, is likely a better buy. Despite a shorter warranty period, as an AchooAllergy.com exclusive, with the purchase of a VT Plus upright you also get the Soniclean handheld vac for free.

The Handheld vacuum is a small canister style vacuum that also uses a HEPA filterbag. It is lightweight and fits over the shoulder with a strap. Included with this model are two wand extensions, a smooth floor tool, a handheld turbobrush (think PowerPaw), and three mini accessories - upholstery tool, crevice tool and dusting brush, all neatly stored away in a tote bag. You can literally fit everything (hose, wand, attachments, and tools), except the vacuum itself into the tote. This compact handheld unit is the perfect addition to either upright since it provides all of the above-the-floor cleaning ability that the uprights lack. Free with the purchase of the VT Plus, the handheld unit is great for quick spills in the kitchen, dusting through the house or simply as the perfect vacuum for garage projects.

In addition to the uprights and handheld model are two canisters. These use a filterbag, sealed system and separate HEPA filter to trap allergens and dirt. Keep an eye out for product reviews now that in-home testing is complete.

For anyone considering a powerful, lightweight and economical vacuum, Soniclean is well worth a look.

To see all Soniclean vacuums.

The Miele Topaz has recently received a make over. Gone is the almond color that has helped to define this unit for over a year. Instead, the new Topaz comes in Tayberry Red. A cross between raspberry and blackberry the Tayberry is a sweet fruit named after the River Tay in Scotland. The new color of the Topaz is deep and rich, the ideal compliment to this top-of-the-line Miele S6 canister vacuum.

With two included floor tools, the Topaz is ideal for most homes or apartments. The SEB 217-3 offers powerful cleaning ability on most types of carpet while the Twister is the signature Miele floor care tool for all types of smooth flooring. This powerful, compact vac also comes with a sealed system and can easily be upgraded to a HEPA or Active AirClean filter. Seal-sealing FJM bags make replacement a cinch and ensure that debris and allergens collected stay trapped. Lightweight, the Topaz stores easily and is a convenient solution to multilevel homes.

The Topaz is now available in the Tayberry Red color and comes with Free Second Day Delivery included (continental US destinations). To learn more about the Topaz or to view the entire line of Miele S6 midsize vacuum cleaners.

Author: KevvyG

Yesterday we rolled out the updated Staff Pick's of Miele vacuums, and today we're highlighting the Consumer's Choice Top Picks. Factoring in reviews, sales and overall interest in each unit, we've compiled the list of the top five most popular Miele vacuums. As a note, the S8's are the newest of all Miele vacuums and have only been available to the public for a relatively short time. Despite this, they are still well represented here.

1. Miele Onyx - First on our list in the Miele Onyx. Most people who are considering the Onyx find that it is perfectly suited for home with mostly smooth floors with some low to medium pile carpet and rugs. Quiet, powerful and economical, the Onyx is an easy choice for most.

2. Miele Callisto - An old mainstay, the Callisto is the most awarded Miele vacuum cleaner in history. Consistently ranking well in consumer reporting surveys, recipient of numerous Best Buy awards, the Callisto is a balanced HEPA vacuum cleaner that fits the cleaning needs of almost any home. Though it is retiring, the Kona is a direct replacement model. Though a new model, the Kona's features, price, and performance are all almost identical to the Callisto.

3. Miele Quickstep - Compact, lightweight and priced right, the Quickstep has been THE choice when it comes to having a second vacuum for the kitchen or laundry area. The slim design, ability to assemble and reassemble the handle, wand and body allow the Quickstep to go from an upright to handheld in seconds. Small apartment and loft dwellers love this compact vacuum.

4. Miele Alize - Though only available for a few months, the Alize has quickly become a very popular vacuum. Completely unique features like the sound-reducing DynamicDrive casters and Integrated Spotlight set the Alize apart while these features and the included floor tool makes this an ideal vacuum for anyone with smooth floors and a desire to remove allergens in the home. (Just a note, the UniQ was a close second amongst all S8 models, though the Marin is QUICKLY gaining ground on both .)

5. Miele Twist - Miele is known for canister vacuums, but since the introduction of the S7 uprights, these vacuums have been making serious headway in terms of popularity. Powerful, almost self-propelled, durable and very maneuverable, the Twist provides the largest cleaning radius of any Miele vacuum, works well all types of carpet and smooth flooring, and is far quieter than any comparable upright.

Overall there's a lot of variation in the list. Some people prioritize price, others performance or size. All of the most popular models, as chosen by consumers and visitors to the site, feature the sealed system. Two are HEPA equipped while all five are HEPA capable. Regardless of which model you're interested, each has a unique set of qualities and features, and all have the quality, durability, and versatility that has come to personify the Miele brand.

Author: Kevin Gilmore

Well, it took a lot of stopping and starting and some changing dates on Miele's part, but the all the new Miele S8 canister vacuums are now available for purchase online.

What makes each model unique? The UniQ is by far, the top of the line, the crème de la crème. It offers the most features and several upgrades that truly make it "unique". The Marin provides many of the same features but also gives you the choice in which carpet cleaning tool will best meet your needs. The Kona is a direct replacement for the Callisto. Versatile and well-rounded, the Kona offers a perfect balance of value and performance. Similar to the UniQ in one-of-a-kind features, the Alize has a built in spotlight, DynamicDrive casters and the AirTeQ floor tool to help set it apart. Lastly, the Calima provides quality filtration and the right tools for homes with mostly smooth floors.

The last in the new line, the Miele Cat & Dog, can be pre-ordered, but stock isn't expected to arrive for about another week. This canister vacuum separates itself by using the Active AirClean filter and including the STB 101 to help make this vacuum the best fit for pet owners.

See the full line of Miele vacuum cleaners.

Author: Kevin Gilmore

For decades, Electrolux has been a brand associated with caring for your carpet, and as technology and needs evolve, so too do the Electrolux vacuum cleaners available to you. We've recently added two new Electrolux models, each with unique features and suited for cleaning different areas of your home.

When it comes to living in an apartment, having kids or pets buzzing around the house, there are bound to be spills. For sucking up the Cheerios that Jr. spilled or dirt that Max just tracked in on the kitchen floor, it can sometimes be a hassle to pull out the full size vacuum. This is where the Electrolux Ergorapido comes in handy.

The Ergorapido is a compact stick vacuum that doubles as a handheld vac. While this lightweight sidekick isn't as powerful as a full size vac, it makes up for that with convenience and versatility. With no bags to replace, no cords to rewind, and about twenty minutes of run time, the Ergorapido is ideal for quick spills and tidying up when time is at a premium. It's also ideal for bachelors who, let's face it, generally aren't prone to bouts of deep cleaning.

The second new model in our Electrolux offering is the Electrolux Nimble. As a full size upright vacuum, the Nimble features HEPA filtration, cyclonic suction and maneuverability that blends the Dyson Ball with the Miele Swivel Neck designs.

A brushroll control switch allows you to quickly transition from carpet to smooth flooring, and a sealed system ensures no air leakage. So instead of kicking up allergens, you actually remove them. The included 3-in-1 Versa-tool is a unique add-on unlike most other vacuum attachments available. Designed for several purposes, this one tool makes cleaning carpeted steps or crevices easier. Like the ErgoRapido, the Nimble is well-priced to fit nearly any budget.

So for quick spills, smaller living spaces or as an additional tool in your cleaning arsenal, the ErgoRapido is a great fit. And for full size and more powerful cleaning throughout the home, the Nimble is a vacuum worth checking out.

Aside from being my parent's anniversary, February 14th is Valentine's day. Like every Feb. 14th, you're probably completely inundated with ads and offers for flowers, chocolates, and every other product, all with a Valentine's day spin. Rather than make a list of our products that would make the "perfect" gift, instead I'm going give you what might be the worst gift.

Unless you're a really in to vacuuming or have a weird fascination with cleanliness like me, a vacuum cleaner probably isn't high on your list of "hot" Valentine's Day gifts. This isn't to say a HEPA vacuum isn't beneficial or an important part of reducing allergens throughout your home.

Cleaning with a HEPA vacuum is a great way to remove many of the particle allergens that often settle on floors and other surfaces. With a high quality vacuum cleaner, things like pollen, pet dander, and dust mite allergen are filtered out instead of just being blow around.

And though Miele seems to be the only early adopter of the philosophy that indoor air quality (IAQ) matters, it is likely that appliances that can clean without sacrificing IAQ are going to be the way of the future. With all that being said, nothing can send the message "I suck" quite like a vacuum.

Vacuum cleaners, much like pans, mops, or a new stove, are necessary domestic appliances. Though you can certainly put a bow on any of them, that doesn't mean they are the gift your valentine was hoping to receive.

You don't need a special occasion to improve your health, and anytime is a good time to trade in your old dust bucket for a newer, cleaner model (still talking about vacuums here). So tomorrow, get something sweet or shiny, but heartfelt and you can start looking for a new vacuum - on Wednesday.

If you've spent time on this site investigating indoor air quality or simply looking for ways to relieve allergy symptoms, you have likely come across specific characteristics we suggest that you should look for in a vacuum cleaner.

For years we have recommended that allergy, asthma and MCS sufferers invest in a quality HEPA vacuum cleaner that features a sealed system. The reason was because only this type of vacuum can truly remove allergens and the ultra fine particles in the air that can trigger asthma attacks or allergic reactions. Researchers in Australia recently published findings confirming what we have long recommended.

In testing 21 different types of vacuum cleaners, researchers concluded that the models tested allowed between 40,000 and 1.2 billion particles to pass completely through the vacuum. The size of the particles in this range was .5 to 20 microns, which means that in a typical household it could include common allergens like pollen, pet dander, and dust.

Some of the models tested include Dyson, Hoover, iRobot, and Sanyo. The ages of the vacuums tested also ranged from 6 months to 22 years old.

An article from WebMD highlighted this study, pointing out other practices and products we have recommended for allergy sufferers, including the use of HEPA filters, microfiber or electrostatic dust cloths and the removal of carpet.

While the testing did not cover a comprehensive sampling of models, there are a few important take aways. First, vacuuming with a traditional vacuum cleaner that lacks a sealed system or HEPA filter will NOT help to remove allergens and fine particles. Secondly, using a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter can improve indoor air quality while cleaning your floors. Lastly, and most importantly, this study highlights the link between vacuuming and its relationship to indoor air quality in the home.

To read the Study's Abstract

Winter is a time when allergens tend to build up in record amounts in your home. People and pets spend more time indoors, and homes are sealed tight against the elements. In addition, forced air heating systems make nasal and respiratory passages particularly susceptible to allergy symptoms and complications like sinus infections.

This is why allergy sufferers must pay special attention to their cleaning routines during winter months. Getting rid of the excess of dust mite allergen, mold spores, pet dander and other allergens that tend to build up during this time of year can prevent excessive winter allergy attacks.

Vacuuming is a mainstay of any cleaning regimen, and of course of an allergy avoidance cleaning routine. Following are some vacuuming tips to help you get the most benefit from the time you spend cleaning:

• Vacuum top to bottom. Using your machine to dust prevents you from stirring up dust into your breathing zone. Use attachments to dust items like blinds and bookshelves. Starting at the "top" of a room ensures that dust that the vacuum doesn't catch will get cleaned up as you move to the bottom of the room.
• Vacuum in several directions. As tempting as it may be to form straight horizontal lines in your carpet, save this for the end. Vacuuming in varied directions ensures that the carpet pile is moved around enough to suck up the maximum amount of dirt and allergens.
• Vacuum in short, slow strokes. Don't push and pull the vacuum fast. Instead, use slow strokes so that the suction spends time over each area of your carpet. Short strokes rather than long ones accomplish the same objective.
• Invest in a quality HEPA vacuum cleaner that you enjoy using. If enjoying vacuuming is a stretch, just consider making vacuuming as little of a pain as possible – so that you are more likely to do it as often as possible. Features like the Dyson ball make twisting and turning as you vacuum a breeze. Miele vacuums actually purify the air as well as the best air purifiers while you vacuum, and the new line of mid-range machines make these Cadillacs of vacuum cleaners more affordable than ever.

I've expressed the fact that I love Dyson vacuum cleaners on this blog before. My Dyson DC24 is going strong and I still get a thrill out of how much and how well it picks up.

But now I have a problem. I want the new Dyson DC35 Digital Slim Vacuum Cleaner, which we just started carrying. It's a cordless, rechargeable vacuum cleaner, but what makes it different – besides Dyson's Root Cyclone technology, which never loses suction – is its detachable long-reach wand. The vacuum also comes with a motorized brush tool for cleaning carpeted areas, floors, stairs, and more. Essentially, the Dyson Digital Slim is a handheld and a stick vacuum in one, with the option to use a long-reach tool.

This Digital Slim Dyson is absolutely perfect for quick clean-ups in hard-to-reach nooks and crannies. I love the thought of pulling this small vacuum out of the pantry to clean up the crumbs in the kitchen every night, or to take out to the car to get rid of all the dog hair and Cheerios.

Ohhhh, I really want one. Is it weird to want a vacuum cleaner for your birthday? I better send my husband this post. =)

In other Dyson news, we're also selling the latest Dyson Animal model, the Dyson DC41 Animal. With its improved, patented radial Root Cyclone technology and additional suction in the brushroll, this is Dyson's most powerful vacuum to date.