Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Vacuum Kaboom

When I turned on the vacuum the other day, it made a really loud horrible sound. Kaboom! Now we are in need of a new vacuum. No big deal, I'll search the internet and find one I like. Wow! There are more vacuums on the market than I knew existed! How do you go about choosing one that will last a while, do the job, and not cost an arm and a leg? Does anyone have a cleaner that they really like (or one that they really dislike) so I can narrow my choices? I have to act fast because we have a cat and when it's hot, he sheds like a maniac! Please help!

12 comments:

Tara said...

Here's how I choose a vacuum. Pay close attention because it's very scientific. I go to Target. I look at all the vacuums. Then I pick the one that's not the cheapest, but not the most expensive. So far, it's served me well.

Tara said...

Oh, I forgot. Get a bagless. My first vacuum wasn't bagless and my current one is. I never realized how often you should change the bag because I couldn't tell how much dirt was in there. With the bagless ones, you don't have a bag to change, and you can clean the filter VERY easily and thoroughly however often you want.

Erin said...

Doesn't the canister make a mess with the dust when you empty it? P.S. Your mom brought the DVD case over. Thanks! Joshua will be able to sleep at last!

Joshua said...

Yay, I get to sleep tonight!

Anonymous said...

Speaking from Mom's point of view always use one that has a bag. Especially if you need to watch dust. Bagless are notorious for spreading dust germs. The Target idea was great. Love MOM H.

Rachel said...

i haven't had any problems with the bagless one getting dust everywhere. The canister has a lid and we empty it directly into the trash can in the garage, previously are dumpster in Tustin. I would never go back to the one with a bag. We used Tara's model at Costco, worked like a charm.

Jay said...

This is jenna, not Jay (he just happens to be signed in now). First of all, are you sure it's something that can't be fixed? If not, i can say my mom would always say to get the canister type (not the upright) because they suck better, but they are hard to store anywhere so we got the hoover wind tunnel bagless (which is the same as Rachel's i believe). I do like the bagless, but I always empty it outside into 2 grocery bags (double duty cuz sometimes there's holes in the bottom), then tie it off then put in the big trash outside. I would never empty the canister inside because of the dust thing. But I am pretty particular about cleanliness and not getting dust everywhere - sounds like you are too! And of course I get the hepa filters so it takes care of more dust. And then of course there's self propelled or the "u push it" kind. Ours is self propelled but I think you'd burn more calories and get a better work out if you had to push the full weight of the thing around all the time. Anyways, this got long, who knew there was so much to talk about with vaccuums?!

Tara said...

The self propelled is a must if you have a longer cut on your carpet. If your carpet's short, don't waste the money. I also empty my bagless in the garage. Tommy had to do some wall patching in our bathroom and then sand it off. The stuff that he sanded created toxic (literally, he had to wear a respirator) dust all over the bathroom. We used the vacuum to clean it up and then dumped it in the garage and cleaned the filter in soap and water. It was great.

Erin said...

Thanks for all of the helpful tips everyone! Here is what we decided after hours of research online, in Costco, and Target: We bought the Swivel Sweep (as seen on tv) and are going to have our Hoover fixed. Upon further inspection, Joshua found that it only needs a rubberband replacement. The swivel sweep is pretty cool to have around because it works great in the kitchen too. It is bagless though and I hate that! I don't want to breathe in the dust/cat hair while I'm dumping it out! I have allergies ya know. I'm going with Mom's advice when we buy a new vacuum.

Rachel said...

I found your first problem. Joshua should empty it out. That's man's work :) At least it is at my house. Man's work also includes carrying it upstairs. I wanted to get a second for upstairs and I was denied my request so I don't carry it. I can be such a princess some times!

Tara said...

I'm totally with you on wanting one vacuum for upstairs and one for down. That thing is heavy! Plus, it makes me feel guilty that I haven't vacuumed the stairs...

Erin said...

Get the swivel sweeper! I vacuumed the stairs in about a minute. Amazing! And it weighs only 2 pounds so taking up and then downstais is a cinch. Target has it for $40