|
|
|
|
Vacuum Cleaner Buying Guide
 |
|
If you or your children suffer from allergies or asthma, the type of
vacuum cleaner you own can make a vast difference in your quality of
life. A quality vacuum cleaner helps control dust mites, pet dander, and other allergens by sucking them up and trapping them for disposal.
This system makes your
indoor air cleaner and more breathable. However, all vacuums are not created equally. Here
are some important factors to consider when shopping for a vacuum cleaner:
|
Standard Filtration vs. S-Class / HEPA Filtration
Vacuum cleaners with a standard filter simply spread allergens around in the air you breathe. If you have allergies,
you need a tightly sealed vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter (known
as an S-Class filter in Great Britain) that meets the rigorous U.S.
HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) standards of removing 99.97%
of all particles 0.3 microns or larger. Several brands we carry, including, Miele
and some Electrolux models, offer a sealed system with HEPA filtration. With HEPA
filtration, you can rest assured that your vacuum cleaner will effectively trap almost all of the household allergens.
|
 |
Upright Vacuum Cleaners vs. Canister Vacuum Cleaners |
 |
Upright vacuum cleaners are best suited for cleaning carpet. They are
generally heavier and more difficult to maneuver than canister vacuum
cleaners. Cleaning in tight spaces and under furniture can be difficult
with upright vacuum cleaners, but the new Miele S7 uprights
were designed to specifically address maneuverability concerns. When lying flat on the floor, the
Miele Tango has a slim 6" profile, and
getting around furniture and turning is made simple with their patented Swivel-Neck design.
Dyson vacuums are
designed to address maneuverability issues as well. If you have a problem with pet hair, we suggest the
Dyson DC17 Animal
or the newer
DC25 Animal.
Being specifically designed for pet owners, these uprights are feature extra attachments suited for removing pet hair and dander, and all of
the Dyson Ball vacuum cleaners turn easily and corner around furniture better than traditional wheeled uprights. The
SEBO Automatic X4 is a lightweight upright vacuum cleaner that features an extremely
thin profile while lying flat. As with all SEBO vacuums, this model features hospital-grade,
S-Class filtration.
|
|
If you live in a loft or apartment, consider a
Miele Universal Stick Vacuum. They may be small, but they have a powerful motor and sealed HEPA filtration system that traps 99.99% of all particles as small as 0.3 microns.
These Miele Upright Stick Vacuums are very versatile and easily reconfigurable.
You
can move the canister above the suction wand for easy cleaning under furniture or
get rid of the wand altogether to create the world's best handheld vacuum.
Canister vacuum cleaners are smaller, lighter, and easier to
move around than upright vacuums. These qualities make them better suited for cleaning stairs, under furniture, and other hard-to-reach places. Canister vacuum cleaners work well on both carpet
and hard surfaces. They typically come with several vacuum
attachments, cleaning tools, and a retractable cord. Our best-selling canister vacuum cleaners include the
premium Miele Capricorn &
Miele Callisto. The more affordable
Miele Neptune &
Miele Polaris, and
the Electrolux Oxygen3 Ultra sit at better price points, and the latter
features a washable HEPA filter.
Bagged Vacuum Cleaners vs. Bagless Vacuum Cleaners
When it is time for dust disposal after vacuuming, bagged vacuum
cleaners are better for allergy sufferers, because the dust is collected in a sealed bag.
However, bagged vacuum cleaners can lose
suction power as the bag fills up.
Miele vacuum cleaners have special, high-quality bags that automatically seal themselves upon removal.
The new HyClean design filters dirt back into the bag increasing the lifespan of the bag while promoting airflow. Miele vacuums also let you
know when it is time to change the dustbag with an indicator light
located on the control panel of the vacuum.
Bagless vacuum cleaners, like
Dyson vacuums, have
no bags to get clogged, so you do not have to worry about buying new bags or losing suction power. Bagless vacuum cleaners collect dust in a plastic bin for disposal. If you suffer from allergies or
asthma, we recommend getting someone else to empty the dust bin for you whenever possible. And, it
is best to go outdoors to empty the dust bin into the trash.
|
 |
Easy to Use Ask yourself: "Are all the buttons and tools on this vacuum intuitive and easy to reach? How easy is it to change
the bag or empty the dust bin? How easy is it to maneuver the vacuum cleaner in tight spaces? Does your hand feel right on the handle?"
The Electrolux Harmony canister vacuum has soft, comfortable handles, and it
is extremely quiet.
Miele S5 canister vacuums are generally lighter
and easier to maneuver than upright vacuum cleaners. Our SEBO vacuum cleaners are our lightest upright
vacuum cleaners and can fold down flat for vacuuming under furniture.
Lastly, Dyson
vacuums are
designed to access all of those tight spaces.
|
 |
Performance The best way to test ergonomics and performance is to get your hands on the vacuum cleaner and see it for
yourself. If you are in the Atlanta area, you can stop by our Atlanta show room to "test-drive" our
vacuum cleaners. For all of our models, we test their ability to clean dirt and pet hair as well as remove odor and fine dust on
both smooth and carpeted surfaces.
|
 |
Power Power measured in amps
tells us how much energy the vacuum cleaner uses. When
choosing a vacuum cleaner, do not rely on the amount
of amperage used as a deciding factor. Amperage is the amount of electricity the motor uses
and has nothing do the suction power of the vacuum. The suction power is determined by the air flow and is rated as CFM.
|
 |
Air Flow Usually measured in CFM (cubic feet per minute), air flow is the force exerted by the moving air which picks
up the dirt and moves it into the bag or dust container. Better vacuum cleaners have higher CFM ratings and are more expensive.
|
 |
Power Head vs. Turbo Head Turbo heads are purely air-driven and work well in homes with both hard floors and carpet.
Power
heads have an additional electric motor that gives the brush roll more power to suck up dirt deep in thick or high pile carpet.
|
 |
Reach Be sure to check the cord length and make sure that it
is long enough for your home or office. Also, think about all
the hard-to-reach spots in your home and make sure you find a vacuum cleaner with the ability to reach them.
|
 |
Attachments & Options Do you need a headlight on your vacuum cleaner? Do you need an adjustable, electrified wand so
that you can use accessories like upholstery tools and ceiling fan tools? Do you want automatic height adjustment to effortlessly switch from carpet
to hardwood? If you decide to get a bagged vacuum cleaner, we recommend that you get one with a bag change indicator light since the vacuum cleaner
will not work properly if the bag is too full. Miele vacuum cleaners are regarded as
one of the industry
leaders when it comes to convenient, state-of-the-art tools and accessories.
|
 |
Manufacturer's Reputation A
manufacturer's reputation and the experiences of past
customers deserve consideration in your decision making
process. Certain manufacturers and products are highly
respected in the industry for a reason—and the same goes for
products which have garnered less respect. To do more
research on your vacuum, check out our customer reviews and
our AchooAllergy.com product reviews located on each product
page.
|
 |
Durability & Warranty
Miele vacuum cleaners offer a seven-year
warranty for the motor and a one-year warranty for parts and labor. SEBO vacuums have a
five-year warranty on the motor, three-year warranty on parts, and one-year warranty for labor. Dyson
vacuums come with a five-year warranty. Electrolux vacuum cleaners have a two-year warranty.
Choose a Miele vacuum cleaner or
SEBO vacuum
cleaner, and you will not have to worry about buying a
new vacuum cleaner for several years.
|
|
|
|
Order by 3 pm EST for fast free same day shipping on orders
over $150*.
Shop Replacement Vacuum Cleaner Bags & Filters by Brand:
5/19/09 My experience at achoo allergy was very informative, and I purchased with confidence knowing the product would do what it was supposed to. More Testimonials |
