Vacuum cleaners are one of the handiest household tools ever invented. Not only do they provide an effective method for floor cleaning, but they also purify the air quality and reduce the risk of allergies. But with such a range available, how do you go about choosing the right one for your home and lifestyle? Here are some essential vacuum cleaner tips, including the main types to choose from, and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Vacuum Cleaner Tips: Finding the Best Vacuum Cleaner for You
Confused about what type of vacuum cleaner to buy? Read our handy guide – it includes helpful advice on how to choose the best vacuum cleaner for you!
Vacuum Cleaner Tips: Bagged vs. Bagless
When you try to decide on the best vacuum cleaner, you’ll need to choose between a bagged or bagless version. Traditionally, vacuum cleaners store the collected dust and dirt in a bag, which needs to be changed fairly regularly. Though bagged vacuums can often hold more than bagless versions, the on-going expense of buying new bags is a significant drawback if you’re on a budget.
Bagless vacuum cleaners have become increasingly popular, storing debris in a compartment that then gets emptied into the household waste. Many people find bagless options simpler to manage, as well as being cheaper. However, emptying all that dust out by hand is not the best solution if there are allergy-sufferers in the household – and if you’re not careful, it can create more mess than when you started!
Generally, this decision comes to down to personal preference. There are decent vacuums that provide a high level of suction in both bagged and bagless varieties. The following guide will help!
Vacuum Cleaner Tips: What Type of Vacuum Should You Buy?
- Living in a Small Home? Try a Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
These models tend to be light in design and work on a rechargeable battery system.
More powerful models are now coming on the market, able to run for longer without needing a boost, but these types are really only suitable for small homes, or for a quick clear-up in busy areas such as the kitchen. Cordless vacuums are perhaps best as a second cleaner or for those living in an apartment.
- Upright Vacuum Cleaners Can Help Pet Owners
Upright vacuum cleaners provide good suction on large carpeted areas, often have a larger capacity than cylinder models, and work well in busy households. The brush bar on the floorhead can tackle things like hair embedded in the carpet, making it the best vacuum cleaner for pet-owners. This said, they are also heavier, difficult to manoeuvre around corners and cannot be used on stairs, so may not be suitable for multiple storey houses.
- Cylinder Vacuum Cleaners Navigate Corners Well
Cylinder models are designed with a small, wheeled dust container so that you can pull it behind you as you vacuum with the hose. This design lends flexibility in terms of moving around the room and up the stairs. Cylinder vacuums are generally the most lightweight vacuum cleaners and their compact size makes them helpful for elderly homeowners. However, cylinder models don’t perform as well as uprights on heavy carpets.
- Why Choose a Handheld Vacuum Cleaner?
Handheld devices are lightweight vacuum cleaners that don’t require a bag. They can be very useful for tidying up spills and for a daily clean of your home. Again, these will not replace a full-size vacuum, so are usually intended as a back-up tool.
Whatever appliance you choose, make sure it is the best vacuum cleaner for your personal needs and lifestyle – that way, it will be used in your home for years to come!