“Nature abhors a vacuum, and if I can only walk with sufficient carelessness I am sure to be filled.”–Henry David Thoreau
Cleaning your carpets used to be a yearly event involving a team of housecleaners whoremoved floor-sized rugs and cleaned the dust from them by hand. This strenuous activity was usually part of “spring cleaning,” a phrase now used to refer to any type of more in-depth housework but which originally referred to that which was done only once every spring. Because of the strenuous labor required to clean them, standards of cleanliness were low, and dirt the maid often literally “swept dirt under the rug.”
With the invention of the vacuum cleaner, housewives now often clean their carpets on a daily basis, and standards of cleanliness have changed. When non-removable, wall-to-wall type carpeting became a popular feature in homes during the mid-twentieth century, cleanliness standards rose and daily vacuuming became a common chore.
Today vacuuming, perhaps the most repetitive and tedious modern housework, is only more difficult when you’re stuck with that ancient relic of a vacuum cleaner handed down to you from your parents. If you’re still lugging around that heavy bag-using vacuum cleaner that emits more dust than it sucks up, it’s time to invest in a newer model. The most important thing to keep in mind when wondering how to buy the best vacuum cleaner is to know exactly what you’ll need. This will keep you from wasting your hard-earned money on a machine that’s not right for you. Just keep in mind these four basic points and you’ll have beautiful, dust-free carpets in no time.
1. What’s your home like? This is probably the biggest consideration to keep in mind. The size and shape of your home will determine exactly the type of vacuum cleaner you need.
Does your home have a second floor? Then you’ll want a lightweight model that won’t be a hassle to lug up stairs (especially if the stairs are themselves carpeted and you’ll be cleaning those as well).
Do you have lots of small rooms and hallways? Then make sure you choose a model with a narrower shape and good maneuverability.
This may seem obvious, but the bells and whistles on fancy new vacuums can be hard to resist.
How to Buy the Best Vacuum Cleaner
2. What kind of mess do you make? This should also be a large consideration when wondering how to buy the best vacuum cleaner. If you’re single and live alone you’re not going to need the same kind of vacuum that someone with kids and shedding cats will need to use. Those of us who are more intense mess-makers will want to consider vacuum cleaner models. Pet hair will require special brush attachments to properly remove. If you have kids, you’ll be vacuuming a lot more than you used to, and emptying out the vacuum a lot more too. An easy-emptying bagless model makes the job easier, and makes it easier to sift though a vacuum’s contents when the inevitable happens and you accidentally suck up a favorite toy.
3. Do you have indoor allergies? If so, a model that emphasizes proper filtration of air is in order. Make sure your new vacuum has a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter, which will remove 99.97 percent of all particles (such as pollen or waste from dust mites) from its exhaust. For allergy sufferers or those with other breathing problems such as asthma this can be a godsend. Read the product labeling carefully however, and make sure your vacuum bears the label “True HEPA” or “Sealed HEPA.” Avoid models that claim to have a “HEPA-like” filter. This means that not all the air from the machine’s exhaust system is actually passing through the filter, rendering it much less effective and less worth your while.
4. Is this vacuum cleaner well reviewed? Once you’ve settled on the model you like, taking into account the above three considerations, it would be a drag to shell out your hard earned cash and get your new unit home just to find out it suffers from shoddy construction or is difficult to use. This is where some Internet research can save you a lot of hassle down the line. There are several websites that you can check for product reviews done by both professionals and average owners just like yourself. For professional reviews check the Consumer Reports website. Vacuum cleaners are listed under “Appliances” and then “Laundry and Cleaning.” The website offers a list of recommended models as well as a buying guide.
Sometimes, however, it’s more beneficial to have an “average Joe” point of view. For this, most retailers’ websites provide users’ reviews in the product descriptions on their websites. Both Wal-Mart’s and Target’s websites give you the opportunity to see how other people who have used products in their homes rate particular models. Once you’ve selected the model you like, you can just order it from the website and have it delivered directly to your home.
Now that you know how to buy the best vacuum cleaner, you can replace that outdated, barely luggable dustspouter of a machine with a sleek and modern new model. As you’re breezing through your home, effortlessly gliding along obliterating dust bunnies and tufts of shed cat hair as you go, remember the countless who came before you, hand cleaning their rugs but once a spring. A clean home is a beautiful home, but that doesn’t mean it has to be a total body workout to do a simple chore like vacuuming. Happy cleaning.
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