Vacuum Cleaners: Is New Technology A Marketing Ploy Or Are They Really Improving?

November 6th, 2008 Posted in Kitchen Flooring

Vacuum cleaners are one of the basic appliances that every household needs. They have been around for decades, but vacuuming technology continues to constantly improve. Some of the considerations that should be weighed when buying a new vacuum cleaner are the suction power, the weight, the maneuverability, the brushing and beating action, and the attachments that are available.

A vacuum cleaners is a necessary item to own especially if you have carpeting in your home. But, even if you only have wood flooring and tile on your floors, vacuuming them helps to minimize the amount of dust that collects and makes mopping easier. If you have dust allergies, then regular vacuuming of floors, upholstery and draperies can also help to reduce allergens and make your environment more pleasant.

There are two primary categories of vacuum cleaners that are available on the market for residential use: canister vacuums and upright vacuums. Which type you choose for your home will depend on the type of floors you have and also the capacity that you need. There are many different models to choose from in each of these categories.

Canister vacuum units are made up of two main components. The canister component houses both the vacuum motor and also the collection area for the dust, debris and dirt. The suction component attaches to the canister by a hose and is the part that is held onto and directed to the area to be cleaned. Generally, the canister is on a set of wheels so that the unit easily follows the user as the hose is advanced through the rooms.

An upright vacuum is a one piece model with all of the main components housed in the main body of the unit. Normally, the motor and the reservoir for dust collection are contained in the upper part, and the suction head with the beating apparatus is against the floor. The handle extends and usually has additional controls to change the settings of the vacuum. This type is moved through a room by controlling the handle.

The suction power of a vacuum can vary to a great degree. If the suction of your cleaner is insufficient, then you will leave behind dirt which will eventually wear into the padding and can cut into the fibers of the carpet. This can seriously shorten the life of your carpet, leave it looking dingy and also leaves allergens behind which can easily get back into the air you breathe.

The measurement of the strength of the suction in vacuums is noted as CFM, or cubic feet of air per minute. Models with a CFM of 40 or less are not strong enough to do a good job pulling dirt from your carpet. Many low-cost upright vacuums fall into this category and some feel they are not worth the money. The best vacuum is one that has at least a CFM of 100, since it can even pull sand out of carpeting. Even though these are more expensive, they will help your carpet stay cleaner and last much longer.

When shopping for vacuum cleaners for your household, you will also want to consider the ease of maintaining the device. It is a good idea to take a look inside the unit so that you can judge the complexity of changing the vacuum bags. Some are well designed, and changing bags and taking care of other maintenance it quite simple, while other machines are awkward and unwieldily.