Five Things to Consider When Buying a Vacuum Cleaner

5 Things to Consider When Buying a Vacuum Cleaner
After allergy bedding, an effective vacuum cleaner is one of the most important components of an allergen reduction regimen. Allergy and asthma sufferers must ensure that their vacuum cleaners are not only cleaning instruments, but also that the cleaners themselves are clear allergens both from surfaces and the air. All of the vacuum cleaners offered by AchooAllergy.com conform to the standards required for safe and effective vacuuming for allergy and asthma sufferers.

Here are some questions to ask yourself when buying a vacuum cleaner:

What kind of power does my vacuum cleaner need to have?

 
This question leads you to consider several things. The first is what size is the area you need to vacuum? Determining the answer to this question will help guide you through the answers to some of the other questions. This is the first step in narrowing down your vacuum cleaner choices.

Miele Universal Upright Vacuum Cleaner If you live in a small space, such as a loft or apartment, you may not need a full-sized vacuum cleaner. Consider the Miele Upright, which works on hard floors, rugs and low pile carpets, and is versatile enough for other cleaning jobs like vacuuming upholstery and blinds. However, if you live in a larger space, the choices begin to widen. You can determine whether a full size upright vacuum or a canister vacuum is a better option for your cleaning needs.

The vacuum cleaner’s overall power performance is another matter for consideration. Of course, any allergy or asthma sufferer (or anybody, for that matter) wants enough power for effective removal of dust and other dirt. The question is how to judge a vacuum cleaner’s power.

Looking at a vacuum’s amperage merely tells you how much energy the unit consumes; it does not indicate how much power the vacuum will have. Rather, when looking for how much sucking power a unit will exert, look at its air flow measurement. Air flow is usually measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM). The higher the CFM, the better the vacuum cleans.

Dyson Vacuum CleanersAnother thing to keep in mind is that a vacuum cleaner’s suction power is affected by the fullness of the bag (if it is a bagged unit). A bagless unit does not present this problem. For instance, Dyson vacuums, with their patented cyclone technology, are known for never losing suction.

Lastly, when considering a vacuum cleaner’s power, take note of what kind of head attachment the unit has. A Turbohead is air driven only and is good for homes with both hard floors and low to medium pile carpets. On the other hand, a Powerhead has an additional electric motor that gives the head extra power for sucking up dirt from thick or high pile carpet. Powerheads are also ideal for pet owners who have carpeting throughout their homes.

Upright or canister vacuum?

 
Dyson Ball Vacuum CleanersIn general, upright vacuum cleaners are more heavy-duty and are probably the best choice if your home has a lot of carpeting or wall-to-wall carpets. Additionally, uprights offer the choice of bagged or bagless units. Furthermore, Dyson vacuum cleaners offer their signature DysonBall technology, which enables exceptional maneuverability in an upright unit.

Indeed, maneuverability is the primary concern in choosing an upright over a canister. While uprights are better at removing dirt from carpets, they are more cumbersome when performing other vacuuming tasks like getting dust from furniture or vacuuming upholstery and drapery. Canister vacuums, such as top-of-the-line Miele canisters or the more affordable Electrolux or SEBO vacuums, tend to be easier to use in these situations.

Bagged or bagless?

 
Bagless vacuum cleaners save both money and effort. There are no bags to remember to purchase. How frustrating is it to need to vacuum before company comes over only to realize that the bag is full – and you don’t have any more?

However, a bagless unit may not always be the best choice for allergy sufferers when it comes time to empty the unit, because dust and other allergens can become airborne. If you do choose the convenience of a bagless unit, make sure to wear a mask when emptying the unit.

Bagged units, in both canister and upright varieties, are more hygienic than bagless vacuum cleaners because the bags keep dust and other debris contained. Miele vacuums in particular have special high quality bags that automatically seal themselves.

What kind of filtration system should I have in my vacuum cleaner?

 
Miele Vacuum HEPA FiltersWithout exception, allergy and asthma sufferers should use vacuum cleaners that feature HEPA filtration. A tightly sealed vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter actually cleans the air as you clean your house. Using a vacuum cleaner without a HEPA filter or without a sealed system means scattering allergens around instead of actually removing them.

What accessories or vacuum attachments do I need?

 
A vacuum cleaner is one of the most useful tools an allergy sufferer can own. And it can be used for so much more than simply sucking dirt out of carpets. In addition to cleaning floors, vacuum cleaners should be used to clean upholstery, drapery, blinds, and even mattresses. They are perfect for dusting because they trap dust instead of merely spreading it around.

Miniblind Vacuum Cleaner AttachmentVacuum attachments make these types of jobs a breeze. For instance, the mini-blind attachment allows you to remove dust from hard-to-clean blinds, while a ceiling fan attachment makes reaching fan blades possible. Different brands also have various attachment options  including  Miele accessories and all Dyson accessories.

When it comes to vacuuming, the more thought and effort you put into your choice of vacuum cleaner and your vacuum cleaning regimen, the more your cleaning routine will help reduce allergy attacks and enable you to enjoy life by breathing better.