Vacuum Cleaners

A) Types of vacuum cleaners

B) Things to consider when purchasing
C) Features & Benefits

A) Types of vacuum cleaners

Canister vacuum (most common)

  • Higher maneuverable power for hand control
  • Good for cleaning cars and drapes
  • Higher suction power
  • Easy to use
  • 2 types: 
    • 1) Bag (easier to dispose trash)
    • 2) Bagless – does not require vacuum bag; do not have to replace vacuum bags regularly. Save cost

 

canister

Handheld and Stick Vacuums

  • Smallest and lightest options
  • Often cordless and more convenient for a variety of cleaning tasks around the house
  • Handheld
  • Great for cleaning closets, upholstery, vents, blinds or car interiors
  • Suitable for cleaning small spills, getting cobwebs out of corners, and vacuuming dirt out of windowsills
  • Stick
  • Similar to upright but lighter, designed to replace a broom
  • Good for multilevel homes and quick cleaning
handheld

Robotic vacuums and mops

  • Robotic vacuum is self-propelled and programmable
  • Has sensors to avoid obstacles and cliffs
  • Can easily clean underneath furniture
  • Ideal for busy people, for homes with a lot of dust
  • Most can travel from carpet to hard surfaces
robot

Steam mops

  • Fast and effective way to clean hard floors
  • Heat water to a high temperature so it turns into steam which is then released through the mop head
  • It can gently remove ground-in dirt and stains more effectively than scrubbing with traditional mop
  • High temperature from the steam also kills bacteria and sanitize floors as it cleans
  • Many steam mops can be used on a variety of hard floor surfaces such as wood, linoleum and ceramic tile
  • Some comes with extra attachments for steam cleaning countertops
  • Things to consider:
    • Mop head:  
      • Make sure mop head is not too big or too small for what you want to clean
      • Smaller mop head will not be able to cover as much surface area and will take longer to clean
      • Steam mop with a swivel head can help reach corner and maneuver into tighter spots
    • Reservoir capacity
      • Bigger reservoir will allow steam to flow for a longer period of time so you will not have to refill as often
    • Steam control:  Allows you to control the level of steam produced
    • Use different mop heads for different locations, i.e. counter top vs floor, bedroom vs. kitchen
steam mop

        
B) Things to consider when purchasing

  • Size of product
    - Cleaning area:  Battery powered products may not be suitable for large cleaning areas


  • Mobility (Stairs)

  • Floor Surface

  • Frequency of vacuum usage
    - Daily/spot cleaning:  lightweight stick vacuum

    - Less frequent:  Canister vacuum
    - Everyday but lack of time/single stories:  Programmable robotic vacuum

  • Allergies
    - If you have allergies, choose vacuums that are HEPA certified

    - Change the filter every six months
    - If you want to save cost, consider getting a vacuum with a washable filter

  • Noise
    - If you live in a condo or apartment, you would want to choose a vacuum that is less noisy

    - To compare noise levels, you can ask your salesman for the product specifications and compare the dB levels
    - A very quiet vacuum would be at 60-65dB

  • Weight
    - Lightweight models can be less than 4.5kg

    - The weight you choose depends on where you want to haul the vacuum and whether you need to move up/downstairs

  • Pets
    - There are vacuums that are designed to help with pet hair messes

    - Choose models that have at least 12 amps of power
    - Some models come with specific hair attachments such as brushes with special patterns, wider openings to reduce hair clogs, etc
       

C) Features & Benefits

  • Bagless
    - More convenient              

    - Detach container unit and dispose dirt and dust without pulling out a separate bag
    - Saves you money on buying bags
    - Empty container regularly for better suction and performance

  • Bag
    - Keeps dust contained better since bag itself seals the dust away  

    - Good for people with allergies
    - Replace bag regularly for better performance

  • Multi-surface Flooring
    - If you have hard floor or a combination of carpet and hard floors, look for multi-floor or multi-surface vacuum that allows you to turn the brush roll on and off.  That way you won’t scratch the surface of your hard floors


  • Power
    - Air watts are the best indicator of your vacuum’s power capability because it factors in resistance to suction

    - Anything more than 200 air watts is a good indication it will have the power you need for typical home cleaning

  • Filters
    - HEPA filters remove particles like dust, dander and allergens from the air

    - It is a must-have for anyone who is sensitive to dust, pet hair or allergic to pollen
    - Replace the filter every 6 months
    - Reusable filters are available.  It allows you to remove, clean, replace the same filter as necessary

  • Accessories and Attachments
    - Attachments you should consider getting

    - Crevice tool for cleaning corners and tight spaces
    - Dusting brush used to gently dust shelves and tables
    - Upholstery tool for vacuuming your furniture without damaging
    - Turbo brush offers deep cleaning for thicker carpets

  • Cordless vacuums
    - Battery powered

    - No cords to get in your way
    - Usually lighter than other vacuums
    - Great for quickly cleaning up small messes
    - Useful for cleaning windows or upholstery, car interiors, etc
    - Consider battery charge time and run time

  • Silencer
    - Less noise without affecting the performance


  • 2-in-1
    - Steam or mop function built-in