Vacuum Cleaner FAQ

Vacuum Cleaners Questions

If you have allergies, your vacuum cleaner can either be your best friend or your worst enemy. Start using an HEPA vacuum cleaner, and you'll notice improved air quality and a marked reduction in allergy symptoms.

Do I need a HEPA filter?

If you have allergies or asthma, you need a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter so that when you vacuum, you will actually trap microscopic allergens instead of simply stirring them up and polluting the air.

HEPA filters are guaranteed to trap 99.97% of all particles 0.3 microns or smaller. Household allergens are generally one micron to 10 microns in size. For comparison, the diameter of a strand of hair is about 70 microns.


What is a sealed system?

Miele Canister VacuumTop-of-the-line vacuum cleaners like the Electrolux Oxygen3 Ultra and the Miele Capricorn not only have HEPA filters, but they also feature sealed system engineering, which means that none of the dust will leak from the machine.

With their sealed system engineering, Miele vacuum cleaners eliminate 99.99% of household allergens.

Do I need a canister vacuum or upright vacuum?

In general, canister vacuum cleaners are more versatile, lighter, and easier to maneuver. Canister vacuum cleaners also provide smoother transitions between different types of flooring. Upright vacuums are best suited for homes with carpet in every room. Upright vacuums have long been a mainstay here in the United States and provide some of the best cleaning for carpeting areas. Some with dual motors, or the ability to disengage the brushroll, can make uprights suitable for smooth floor cleaning as well.

Are vacuum cleaners with dust bags better for allergy sufferers?

Miele FJM BagThe simple answer is "Yes". Vacuum cleaners with dust bags are generally healthier for allergy sufferers because the bag keeps the dust out of the air. However, not all bags are created equally. Some bags have large pores which allow allergens to escape the bag.

Dust bags from Miele, Electrolux, and SEBO offer high levels of filtration and allow for hygienic disposal.

However, as long as care is taken when emptying the dust bin, bagless vacuum cleaners, like Dyson vacuums, have much to offer allergy sufferers. If you have allergies and use a bagless vacuum cleaner, we recommend that you empty the dust bin outdoors. We also suggest that you either have someone else empty it for you or wear a mask.

If a vacuum cleaner has a more powerful motor, does that mean it has more suction power?

Miele AttachmentsNot necessarily. The amperage of a vacuum cleaner's motor measures electrical current, not performance or suction power. The performance of the vacuum cleaner depends on the overall design, the filtration, and the air flow. Air flow is measured in CFM (cubic feet of air per minute), and vacuum cleaners with high CFM ratings have more suction power.

What is the difference between a turbobrush and a powerbrush?

A turbobrush is air-driven, while a powerbrush is driven by electricity (usually an independent motor in the brush attachment itself).

Replace Your Vacuum Cleaner HEPA FilterHow often should I vacuum my home?

We recommend that allergy sufferers vacuum at least twice a week, but you may want to vacuum more frequently if you see dust build-up in high-traffic areas or if you have a pet.

How many passes of a vacuum cleaner does it take to clean carpet?

It takes seven or eight passes of the vacuum to effectively clean a heavily soiled piece of carpet. This number can go down depending on the model used. With some of the Miele vacuums, you can clean in two passes, but this will vary depending on how soiled the carpet is and whether or not pet hair is present. Sometimes pet hair can be stubbornly entangled in carpet fiber.

What is your best-selling vacuum cleaner?

Our best-selling vacuum cleaner is currently the Miele Titan though several models are very close (Miele Capricorn, Miele Twist, Miele Olympus, and Miele Polaris.

What is your best-selling vacuum attachment?

Our best-selling vacuum attachment is currently the Eureka Power Paw.



Miele Titan HEPA Vacuum CleanerMiele Titan Vacuum Cleaner
With two floor tools, a powerful Vortex motor, HEPA filtration, 9-ply AirClean G/N dust bag and durable Miele construction, the Titan is the perfect solution for both bare floors and carpet.
Most Popular Vacuum Attachment Eureka Power Paw Vacuum AttachmentThe air driven Eureka Power Paw is the most popular vacuum attachment we sell. While it does not fit Miele vacuum cleaners, it does fit most other major brands. Perfect for removing pet hair, cleaning upholstered furniture or steps, the Power Paw is an inexpensive home cleaning solution.
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AchooAllergy.com Customer Testimonials
1/20/12 The [Miele Onyx] hard floor brush fits under the basebords and furniture and the non-powered rotory carpet brush works great on my low pile carpets. Well worth the price!
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