Vacuum Cleaners

A) Types of vacuum cleaners

B) Things to consider when purchasing

C) Features & Benefits

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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
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
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
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

        
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