Vacuums: What Type Should You Choose?

Choosing a vacuum cleaner can be confusing for many consumers, and the number of vacuum types and options can seem bewildering. When it comes to vacuum cleaners, there are just as many choices as there are uses, and although some may think that vacuums simply remove dirt and dust from carpeting, many of today’s modern vacuums can be used for a variety of cleaning tasks. In addition to the ubiquitous upright vacuum and cyclonic bagless vacuum, there are also specialty vacuums to help you cope with hardwood floors, pet hair, asthma, and allergy problems. Therefore, not only will selecting the correct vacuum for your specific needs make your cleaning job easier, it will enhance the appearance of your floors. Here is a brief overview of the most common types of vacuums available on the market today:

Upright Vacuums

Upright vacuums are the most common type of vacuum, and these are great for cleaning large, clear carpeted surfaces. Upright vacuums have a pump that is mounted above the suction intake and a bag is mounted on the handle that is waist-high. These vacuums usually have mechanisms such as mechanical beaters and rotating brushes to help evenly distribute dust and debris. There are primarily two types of upright vacuums: single motor and dual motor. Single motor upright vacuums have a beater brush that is driven by the vacuum motor via belt, and on a dual motor upright vacuum, the vacuum and beater brush are driven by 2 separate motors.

Canister Vacuums

Canister vacuums are handy for hard-to-reach spots such as stairs, furniture, and upholstery. They feature a cylindrical design that houses a motor and bag in a separate canister unit which is then connected to the vacuum head by a hose. Generally speaking, upright vacuums have been shown to be more effective at cleaning carpets in independent tests, but because canister vacuums are usually lighter, they offer greater maneuverability.

Cordless Vacuums

Cordless vacuums are very efficient for quick clean up of spills and messes, and they are also great for vacuuming the interior of cars or boats. These are usually either battery or electrically powered, but they have limited suction capabilities.

Wet/Dry Vacuum

Wet/dry vacuums are a form of canister vacuum and this is designed to handle liquid spills. They can usually accommodate wet and dry soilage, and some models are equipped with a switch or exhaust port for reversing airflow. This function is useful for everything from blowing dust into a specific area for easy collection or even clearing a clogged hose.

Robotic

Robotic vacuums are autonomous, compact vacuums that move around an area and vacuum until they cover the entire area. Some robotic vacuums are very advanced and offer features such as scheduling options, independent memory, and self-charging bases. Although these types of vacuums are only meant to supplement a standard, human-operated vacuum such as a canister or upright, they are great for daily or weekly touch-up cleanings in between regular vacuum sessions.

Stick Vacuums

Stick vacuums are convenient and lightweight, and they are best used for light vacuuming of areas like hard floors or carpet. They are versatile, relatively inexpensive, and include with many of the same attachments as upright vacuums.

Central Vacuums

Central vacuums consist of a central power unit that is placed in a remote area such as a garage, utility room, and basement with wall inlet valves installed in various locations throughout a home. These valves are connected to the central unit with plastic tubing, and when vacuuming, the only the pickup head and hose needs to be moved from room to room. While central vacuums may be somewhat pricey to initially install, they have the ability to create more suction than conventional vacuums because their fans and motors do not have to be moved. Also, because of the remote location of central vacuums, they are less noisy.

Drum Vacuums

Drum vacuums are primarily used in industrial applications. A vacuum head sits atop an industrial drum and this drum is used as the waste or recovery container. Compressed air and electric powered drum vacuums are the most common types.

Back-Pack Vacuums

Back-pack vacuums, like Drum Vacuums, are used in commercial and industrial settings. They’re essentially like canister vacuums, except there are straps that help carry the canister on a user’s back, which also allows for rapid cleaning of large areas. Overall, in addition to choosing a vacuum based on your specific cleaning needs, don’t forget to also consider some important attributes of a vacuum such as the motor power, air flow, filtration system, cord length, and included attachments.

This article was provided by Air & Water. Since its inception in 2003, Air & Water has grown to become a premier online retailer and is a rated as a trusted store by leading Internet shopping sites such as Amazon, Bizrate, and NextTag. Therefore, maintaining high standards in customer support is of the utmost importance. With that in mind, Air & Water’s mission is to offer their customers reliable, high-valued heating, cooling, and purification products at the most competitive prices.

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Air and Water

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