OT: Vacuum cleaner recommendations

My daughter (who has 3 dogs and 3 cats) has a Dyson and adores it. She brought it over for me to use, and I'm saving up and watching for a sale. It's light and efficient and I love it.

-- Jere

I've been pleased with our Riccar.

Best wishes, Ericka

I have a Eureka that I got a Wal-mart on a really good sale for $35 just over 4 years ago! It's a little bit slow, but I don't consider vacuuming to be a race, and it does a beautiful job. I have a mixed breed 50-pounder that sheds a lot, plus an elderly Yorkie who sheds a bit. I used to have a fairly expensive bagless vacuum, and it died after a 3-year career of getting clogged. Also, it made a mess when I emptied it no matter how careful I was. So -- I was ready to spend quite a bit on a new vacuum, and just happened to run into a very good deal. To me, changing bags is not a problem at all.

Definitely a Dyson! Had one for years and it is wonderful for getting up doghairs and dust! I keep hoping it will break down so we have to get another even more advanced one!

Pat P>

I LOVE my Dyson. I can't recommend them enough. I have bad allergies, and a cat... I know, I know. (He's 15 years old, and will not be followed by another after he crosses the Rainbow Bridge). With the Dyson and regular vacuuming, I'm able to keep it all under control. I had a decent Hoover Bagless Hepa one before, but the filters were $45 to replace, and needed replacing like twice a year. When we got the Dyson (Thanks MIL!!) we brought it home and thought we'd test it to see if it really did a better job. With a new filter on the Hoover, we did a section of the living room, then ran over the same section with the Dyson. I was DISGUSTED by what it pulled up that the old one had been leaving behind. I can't say enough of how pleased I am with it. They are expensive, but if you watch you can sometimes catch them on sale, and our Costco has them occasionally. Good Luck! Heather

I LOVE my Dyson. I can't recommend them enough. I have bad allergies, and a cat... I know, I know. (He's 15 years old, and will not be followed by another after he crosses the Rainbow Bridge). With the Dyson and regular vacuuming, I'm able to keep it all under control. I had a decent Hoover Bagless Hepa one before, but the filters were $45 to replace, and needed replacing like twice a year. When we got the Dyson (Thanks MIL!!) we brought it home and thought we'd test it to see if it really did a better job. With a new filter on the Hoover, we did a section of the living room, then ran over the same section with the Dyson. I was DISGUSTED by what it pulled up that the old one had been leaving behind. I can't say enough of how pleased I am with it. They are expensive, but if you watch you can sometimes catch them on sale, and our Costco has them occasionally. Good Luck! Heather

I ditto that. Did the same 'expirament' between the old vacuum and the Dyson when I bought that. Needless to say, old vacuum was donated to local Goodwill store :D

Also, even though the Dyson is more powerful, it is *much* quieter than our old vacuum. We bought the DC-14 all floor model. I like the fact that you can turn off the beater-brush and go over hardwood, tile, or fringed rugs. We *did* manage to get it clogged once, though - we were using it to vacuum up the packing peanuts that the cats had scattered when they played with them, and over-filled the container!

Bed Bath & Beyond carries Dysons, and if you watch for their 20% off coupons in the mail, that would be a nice savings as well.

-- Jere

Dysons are excellent for pet hairs, just make sure you buy one speifically "for pets". Quite expensive in the beginning, but no running costs with parts or bags to replace. We get a blockage every few weeks beacuse of sucking up something too big, but practically the whole thing comes apart and its simple to clear.

We didn`t even get one specifically for pets - we had one of the basic originals - and it just won`t wear out or go wrong - we must have had it for around ten years.. As you say, it comes apart so easily, that if it DOES get a blockage on the rare occasions (when I`ve tried to suck up something obviously too big rather than pick it up!) I can easily take it apart and reassemble it myself - and I can only use one hand! I find it very satisfying to see all that dust and dog hair in it`s transparent bin, and it takes a moment to empty it. I rinse it out with hot water and detergent every so often (I have a friend who does that every time, but it`s not essential).

I did once knock it over once too often (being awkward) and snapped the handle, but I obtained a replacement within two days from the internet. It was a slightly different colour since mine was so old, but the parts still fitted. I don`t think I`d ever get another make, although there have been imitators. From what I`ve heard they`re still not as good as the Dyson.

The tube for the tools just concertinas down into the handle, too, which is useful. When extended they easily reach up normal staircases, too.

Pat P

I love my Oreck. It cleans up nicely and I'm able to vacuum the entire apt without developing back pain. (Prior machines I *might* be able to vacuum one room before having to sit down for awhile.)

It is expensive, but it has a 21 year warranty and you can get free checks every year for it.

I've heard so many people rave about Dyson and other bagless, but it just doesn't make sense to me. You suck up all that dust, then put at least some of it back into the air when you empty the canister. {shrug} each his own

I had a cat and an allergy to the creatures to boot. I bought a Dyson (12 months interest free on special) and it removed the cat hair from everything beautifuly. Of course having comitted to the vacuum, the cat leapt in front of a car two weeks later, but the Dyson lives on.( Also doen't need feeding.)

You MIGHT spill a miniscule amount, but having been sucked up by the Dyson it`s gone all cloggy and certainly doesn`t float around in the air! If you`re that pernickety you could always have a bit of paper at hand to clap over the top of the cannister so you don`t spill any at all!!! Or just suck it up again when you replace the cannister. You have far more dust escape and actually float in the air with a bag - I`ve USED both. Have you? ;-)) And I don`t imagine you have dogs.

Pat P

I have a Bissel Clearview Bagless and love not having to buy bags. I was never quite sure how much gunk was in the bag, when to throw one out (cuz you want your monies worth). I can now see with the clear collection canister exactly what is coming out of the carpet. Yuk!! I never knew!

Mine suffices, no pets in the home, small house. I needed something with a good sweep and scraping motion on the carpet to pick up floss and yarn. This one is fine and it is a few years old. It has onboard tools which I like.

I empty mine in the garage or outside, no dust gets back in the home. But if you are carefull you will be alright. Dust does not fly around if you dump carefully.

I would love to have a Dyson but with other expenses at the moment, braces, medical and college fees, I will have to wait a while. :(

Good luck with whatever you purchase. Di

Have to say that we are replacing a Bissell bagless - it clogs every time we use it and is difficult to clean out - just not up to the job at our house! We had high hopes for it, but after a year, are frustrated and dusty!

Hmm - we`d heard that about many bagless imitators of Dyson. Pity, that, you wouldn`t think it was THAT complicated, to make something similar.

Pat P

We finally broke down and bought a Dyson, the purple "animal hair" one. I've managed to vacumm three times without having to replace a belt, LOL! (The final straw with our previous vacuum was breaking three belts in vacuuming ONE room.)

If you get "Linens 'n' Stuff" coupons (or whatever the name of that danged chain is...my daughters tease me because I never remember exactly but always come up with something creative) with 20% off, use that for substantial savings. Our coupons used to say "Not valid for Dysons" on it, but they took it anyway!

Sue

What on earth LIVES in your house, Sue - a YAK???

Pat P