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Thread Number: 26224
Best vacuum for small apartment without pets? |
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| Post# 294017 8/17/2014 at 00:13 (3,537 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA) | ||
While I was at my mom's apartment earlier today, she asked me to vacuum. I did so, but her Dyson DC07 Animal still smells like dog, even after going through an entire box of Arm & Hammer Carpet Odor Eliminator (a carpet freshening powder). Now she wants a new vacuum. I've been looking at the entire universe of budget vacuums, but there are so many! My mom doesn't have a lot of money as she's been paying the rent, my dad's bills etc.
So I put our findings into a bulleted list: - Small 700 sq. ft. one bedroom apartment - No pets, and she doesn't plan to get any - Lives by herself; works on weekdays - My sister and I visit on some weekends - Wall to wall carpeting, except in the kitchen and bathroom - Carpet doesn't get much traffic; some surface dirt appears - She is allergic to dust What would you recommend? | ||
| Post# 294022 , Reply# 1 8/17/2014 at 00:34 (3,537 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center) | ||
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| Post# 294035 , Reply# 2 8/17/2014 at 03:59 (3,536 days old) by jkbff (Dickinson, ND) | ||
I agree, Hoover Tempo, it is the best budget vac available. Use the royal-aire hepa Y bags though, for her allergies and for corn-sakes stop using carpet powder... It has formaldehyde in it. Good Home Scents makes an organic bag freshener ... carpet powder cakes up and builds up under the carpet...
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| Post# 294054 , Reply# 3 8/17/2014 at 07:37 (3,536 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada) | ||
If you can afford about $50 more, the Hoover UH30300 T-Series is a budget vacuum that has more features than the Tempo. You get a headlight, dust bag indicator, longer tool hose, safer brush roll shut off option and a much easier system of dust bag installation.
Consumer Reports recommends this highly-rated budget upright: "CR's Take Impressive cleaning in a low-priced, lightweight package (only 16 pounds) makes this Hoover an appealing choice. It's also superb at sucking up pesky pet hair--a plus for dog and cat owners--with strong airflow for tools. Key features include an on/off switch for the brush and manual pile-height adjustment, which we prefer over automatic systems for deep-cleaning carpets. Some low-priced sacrifices: no suction control for drapes. And turning the dial to adjust pile height takes a long bend down in front of this unit. But this Hoover is still a relatively good value overall. Highs • Excels at removing embedded dirt from carpets • Performs well when cleaning bare floors; ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and hardwood floors • Does well at picking up pet hair, which is nice if you have a cat or dog • Excels in capturing all the dust it picks up, which is good if you have allergies or respiratory illnesses • Strong tool airflow, which is a factor if you will be using the vacuums accessories for cleaning • Has a manual carpet-height adjustment, which is better than automatic systems at matching the brush to the surface • Has a brush on/off switch, which safeguards bare floors and prevents scattered dust and debris Lows • You must bend to adjust the pile height • Lacks suction control, which helps protect drapes when using tools Here's a webpage with more details: CLICK HERE TO GO TO eurekaprince's LINK | ||
| Post# 294058 , Reply# 4 8/17/2014 at 08:39 (3,536 days old) by suckolux (Yuba City, CA) | ||
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| Post# 294064 , Reply# 5 8/17/2014 at 10:17 (3,536 days old) by sptyks (Skowhegan, Maine) | ||
Yup, I agree with eurekaprince... | ||
| Post# 294065 , Reply# 6 8/17/2014 at 10:19 (3,536 days old) by dys0nb0y (Luton) | ||
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| Post# 294068 , Reply# 7 8/17/2014 at 10:40 (3,536 days old) by parwaz786 ( ) | ||
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Dyson DC50 | ||
| Post# 294069 , Reply# 8 8/17/2014 at 10:41 (3,536 days old) by dys0nb0y (Luton) | ||
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| Post# 294070 , Reply# 9 8/17/2014 at 10:52 (3,536 days old) by parwaz786 ( ) | ||
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DC24 if possible, if not then a DC40 instead of DC50. DC50 as a 3rd choice is okay | ||
| Post# 294091 , Reply# 11 8/17/2014 at 12:39 (3,536 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2) | ||
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| Post# 294097 , Reply# 12 8/17/2014 at 12:48 (3,536 days old) by FantomFan (Rochester, New York) | ||
Stay away from bagless if she has allergies!
Flying dust will only make her allergies worse, from dumping it out. I really like the Hoover Tempo. Agitation is great, it is OK on floors as long as you don't have much of it. GoVacuum has Hepa Y bags that are very reasonably priced. Hepa bags are worth the extra cost totally, and they will last last longer. The Hoover Tempo is about $70-80, it is basic but it's a very nice machine.
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| Post# 294099 , Reply# 13 8/17/2014 at 12:52 (3,536 days old) by FantomFan (Rochester, New York) | ||
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Forgot to add | ||
| Post# 294100 , Reply# 14 8/17/2014 at 12:52 (3,536 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2) | ||
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| Post# 294107 , Reply# 15 8/17/2014 at 13:38 (3,536 days old) by floor-a-matic (somewhere) | ||
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Electrolux canister or upright Kirby Eureka Smart Vac 4870 | ||
| Post# 294144 , Reply# 16 8/17/2014 at 17:25 (3,536 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center) | ||
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| Post# 294199 , Reply# 17 8/17/2014 at 23:27 (3,536 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA) | ||
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Thanks for the advice!
I'll definitely look into one of those Hoover machines for recommendations.
I'm also considering the Hoover Windtunnel Air Steerable. The swivel steering would be nice for getting around the furniture in Mom's apartment. As for the other machines: 1. Dyson - too expensive 2. Kirby - too expensive, not easy to use attachments 3. Electrolux - a little too expensive 4. Eureka Boss SmartVac - bulky, heavy and difficult to steer I did find a way to take the DC07's cyclone assembly apart for cleaning. I'll get around to doing that once I get the Dyson back from Mom. | ||
| Post# 294200 , Reply# 18 8/17/2014 at 23:34 (3,536 days old) by marks_here (_._) | ||
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| Post# 294218 , Reply# 20 8/18/2014 at 06:48 (3,535 days old) by FantomFan (Rochester, New York) | ||
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I do not have allergies
But, If I pick up a BIG mess when I vacuum, and use a bagless (except for rainbow) I DO sneeze. No matter what kind of bagless you get (except for water filtration machines), there will always be some dust that will fly back at you. It really cannot be avoided. So, In my eyes, most Bagless machines wouldn't be right for those with allergies, unless somebody else dumps out the dust. I know, because my mother is severely allergic to dust.
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| Post# 294236 , Reply# 23 8/18/2014 at 10:31 (3,535 days old) by FantomFan (Rochester, New York) | ||
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Oh, I said "most" because Rainbows are bagless. | ||
| Post# 294257 , Reply# 25 8/18/2014 at 13:58 (3,535 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA) | ||
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Um...
Tolivac, I think my mom is going to give up on the carpet powder. It made the Dyson DC07 sound weird as I gradually vacuumed her place.
FantomFan, I do have allergies, and I've always used bagless vacuums. I sometimes sneeze when emptying them. And I don't have a problem with dust clouds, either. DesertTortoise, I am looking for a new vacuum for my estranged mother, NOT my sister. My sister and I live with my dad (my parents divorced a while back). I am not interested in buying a used vacuum and refurbishing it. Mom is not a fan of used things. She always buys brand new. Plus, a Rainbow is rather bulky and high-maintenance for use in a small apartment. | ||
| Post# 294258 , Reply# 26 8/18/2014 at 14:06 (3,535 days old) by dys0nb0y (Luton) | ||
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| Post# 294259 , Reply# 27 8/18/2014 at 14:09 (3,535 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2) | ||
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| Post# 294306 , Reply# 28 8/18/2014 at 19:51 (3,535 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada) | ||
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I would not recommend the Hoover Air 70400 nor the 72400: They both are mediocre at carpet cleaning, and have rather anemic air flow through the hose for above-the-floor cleaning. They are also not any cheaper than the T-Series 30300. For the money, the latter bagged Hoover is far better value, IMHO.
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| Post# 294309 , Reply# 29 8/18/2014 at 20:20 (3,535 days old) by jscarlato (Clairton, PA) | ||
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I have a Hoover Air Steerable and have relegated it to storage after using it for a while. Its carpet cleaning ability is mediocre, and suction through the hose is not up to my standards. The Hoover UH30300 is superior on both accounts. | ||
| Post# 294352 , Reply# 32 8/19/2014 at 04:15 (3,534 days old) by NYCWriter (New York City) | ||
To each his/her own ...
"Mom is not a fan of used things. She always buys brand new."
Personally, I'd much rather have a high quality restored-to-new condition quality *anything* rather than a brand new mediocre something. It's this kind of thinking that has enabled me to enjoy many of the finer things in life -- a few years later! LOL! | ||
Post# 294353 , Reply# 33 8/19/2014 at 04:17 (3,534 days old) by tolivac  (Greenville,NC) |
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Yes,I go along with NYC Writer!!!!The older vacuum could be more special to her-just like old days!!!Could bring back memories!And the timeless design of those machines--THEY JUST Simply WORK!!!! | ||
| Post# 294372 , Reply# 34 8/19/2014 at 09:46 (3,534 days old) by suckolux (Yuba City, CA) | ||
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| Post# 294403 , Reply# 36 8/19/2014 at 14:41 (3,534 days old) by CAVacTech () | ||
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I'd have to add another vote for a Hoover Tempo or bagged Kenmore. Just be sure she's using cloth (HEPA Media) bags for optimal filtration. Have you checked at any local vac shops for refurbs or basic machines? | ||
| Post# 294422 , Reply# 38 8/19/2014 at 16:52 (3,534 days old) by DesertTortoise () | ||
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This is a great deal and right in the price range. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kenmore-Intuitio... | ||
| Post# 294577 , Reply# 41 8/20/2014 at 16:49 (3,533 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA) | ||
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Hmm... | ||
| Post# 294609 , Reply# 43 8/20/2014 at 17:58 (3,533 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center) | ||
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That Cross-Over tool looks like a clunky mess, are people really too lazy to disconnect the power-nozzle and attach a floor tool? Sears, You reading this? I'm a long-time fan of Sears, but their canisters aren't the same! Their uprights i see fine, except the Progressive upright, it's bulky too! I love my simple and low-profile nozzle on my Duo-Power, wouldn't it be COOL if Sears made the same nozzle in stainless-steel and LED lighting? I'd have to get a Sears card for that!
I don't mind at all breaking out the SEPARATE chrome-plated wands and attaching the floor tool, it's easier and lighter than fooling around with that Cross-Over mess! They need to work on their wand-wiring too, just put the cord running down the wand, they had it right the first time! | ||
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Post# 294611 , Reply# 44 8/20/2014 at 18:07 (3,533 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640) |
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Well, a HOOVER Tempo | ||
| Post# 294646 , Reply# 46 8/20/2014 at 20:02 (3,533 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA) | ||
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Gottahaveahoove...
The Hoover Nano Lite has been discontinued, but there is another vacuum that replaces it: the Hoover Nano Cyclonic. It's $60 at Walmart. I wonder how well those vacuums work?
Here is a link to the Hoover Nano Cyclonic at Walmart.com. CLICK HERE TO GO TO niclonnic's LINK | ||
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Post# 294654 , Reply# 47 8/20/2014 at 20:34 (3,533 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640) |
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Thanks. I had heard that | ||
| Post# 294710 , Reply# 48 8/20/2014 at 23:23 (3,533 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA) | ||
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I didn't think so | ||
| Post# 294718 , Reply# 49 8/21/2014 at 01:01 (3,533 days old) by Jaker15 (Meridian, ID) | ||
Actually, | ||
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Post# 295184 , Reply# 50 8/23/2014 at 16:20 (3,530 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640) |
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Well, MATT, (NYC Writer) is right again | ||
| Post# 295244 , Reply# 52 8/23/2014 at 23:31 (3,530 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA) | ||
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OK, I think I have it settled...
Mom can't afford a new vacuum yet. I just created this thread to obtain advice on a good, cheap vacuum for whenever she decides to get a new one in the future.
She likes bagless, and doesn't like bags. I don't think she would clean a pleated or foam filter on a cheap bagless vacuum, so I think cyclonic will be the way to go. Besides, she doesn't trust Walmart. She doesn't have pets, so she just needs something to do routine vacuuming once or twice a week in her small apartment. I know she wouldn't fuss with a canister either. Her place is pretty much all carpet, except in the kitchen, bathroom and in front of the entry door, so I think the Hoover Windtunnel Air Steerable is the way to go! Plus, for the kitchen and bathroom floors, the Air Steerable has an on/off brush switch and a long hose and wand, so those are the additional reasons that I've picked out that vacuum. | ||
| Post# 295281 , Reply# 53 8/24/2014 at 08:35 (3,529 days old) by suckolux (Yuba City, CA) | ||
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| Post# 295332 , Reply# 54 8/24/2014 at 22:50 (3,529 days old) by floor-a-matic (somewhere) | ||
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Eureka The Boss 1934; nice classic "direct air" upright uder $100 CLICK HERE TO GO TO floor-a-matic's LINK | ||
| Post# 295355 , Reply# 55 8/25/2014 at 12:35 (3,528 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA) | ||
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No bags! | ||
| Post# 295404 , Reply# 56 8/25/2014 at 19:02 (3,528 days old) by FantomFan (Rochester, New York) | ||
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If she is severely allergic to dust
Make sure she wears a dust mask while emptying it. Dust masks work very well for this. If she is mildly allergic, just make sure she just stays clear from the dust exiting the dirt container. But still, people who have allergies should really stay from bagless, but I know that your mother doesn't like bags. I can relate, my Parents always had bagless, until my Dad became tired of it.
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| Post# 295450 , Reply# 57 8/26/2014 at 03:06 (3,527 days old) by NYCWriter (New York City) | ||
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Also ...
... keep in mind that even "cyclonic" bagless will require either A) high-maintenance routine cleaning of filters, or B) high-cost filter replacements.
Bagged or Bagless. Pay me now or pay me later. But in either case, you will have to pay for replacing your filtration systems with either time or money. It comes down to whether you want to do it as you go along, a couple bucks per bag, or all at once every few months, with a new $40 filter. | ||
| Post# 295501 , Reply# 58 8/26/2014 at 14:24 (3,527 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA) | ||
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FantomFan, so far, I've been the only one to do the vacuuming over at Mom's apartment. So far, I haven't really gotten the "dust cloud" that others have experienced. My family has always owned bagless vacuums, having started with a Fantom Fury since around the late '90s.
NYCWriter, yes, many cyclonic bagless vacuums require you to either wash, tap out or replace filters on a regular basis. Most current and fairly recent bagless vacuums have filters that need to be washed every few months. After washing said filters, they need to air dry for at least 24 hours before putting them back into whatever vacuum you have. I've never had to buy any replacement filters on any of the vacuums that I've owned. | ||
| Post# 295549 , Reply# 59 8/26/2014 at 22:15 (3,527 days old) by Jaker15 (Meridian, ID) | ||
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honestly, I've tried to move as far away from bagless as I possibly can, with only a couple of exceptions. Bagless machines, to me, are a pain in the hind quarters and not worth the time you have to put into them to clean the damn thing after you use it. When I run any of my machines, I want to be able to turn it on, vacuum, and turn it off, not have to take it all apart and empty this, and tap the dirt off of that. I can change out a bag in one of my Luxes in 10 seconds flat. Dumping out a dust cup? My allergies try to kill me. | ||
| Post# 295583 , Reply# 60 8/27/2014 at 04:07 (3,526 days old) by NYCWriter (New York City) | ||
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And ... | ||
| Post# 295773 , Reply# 61 8/27/2014 at 23:52 (3,526 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA) | ||
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With some machines...
Namely, my Hoover Windtunnel 2 Rewind Pet and Bissell C4 Cyclonic canister vacuum, both have crappy dust bin designs that allow the dirt to get stuck in them and not come out when you open the bottom door. This necessitates lots of tapping to dislodge the debris, or pulling it out by hand. The constant tapping causes dust to collect on the outside of the bin, and then it has to be wiped down afterward.
On some machines, such as the Dyson DC07 and Eureka AirSpeed Unlimited Rewind, those bins are also bottom-empty mechanisms, but both are designed so that everything falls out when you open the bottom door. I prefer those kinds of dust cups, where there is no "lip" to trap debris. | ||
| Post# 295881 , Reply# 62 8/28/2014 at 19:10 (3,525 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center) | ||
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Post# 295946 , Reply# 63 8/29/2014 at 08:54 (3,524 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640) |
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Took the words right out of my | ||
| Post# 295967 , Reply# 65 8/29/2014 at 10:18 (3,524 days old) by suckolux (Yuba City, CA) | ||
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| Post# 295970 , Reply# 66 8/29/2014 at 10:49 (3,524 days old) by DesertTortoise () | ||
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California thang maybe? We all share our genetics with granola (fruits, nuts and flakes) if the rest of the country is to be believed! | ||
| Post# 295978 , Reply# 67 8/29/2014 at 12:42 (3,524 days old) by suckolux (Yuba City, CA) | ||
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| Post# 298405 , Reply# 68 9/14/2014 at 21:05 (3,508 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA) | ||
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Update
Mom still can't afford a new vacuum right now. She just vacuumed today, without me. So I'm still at a loss.
After exhaustive research, I've narrowed it down to one of two choices: 1. Bissell Cleanview with OnePass, 9595, $80 2. Hoover Windtunnel Air Steerable, UH72400, $160 Ugh. Once Mom gets a new vacuum, she will return the Dyson DC07 to my house. | ||
| Post# 298437 , Reply# 69 9/15/2014 at 09:53 (3,507 days old) by kirbylux77 (London, Ontario, Canada) | ||
Niclonnic
Please don't take offense to this, but I personally feel you should fix up the Dyson, do whatever it needs done to it, & let your Mom keep it & you drop your ideas of trying to get it from her. You have a perfectly good Hoover upright at home that you could live with, & you just gave away a nice new Eureka Airspeed upright you got for free thru Amazon Vine. Your Mom DESERVES to keep this Dyson....she has had the heart to be a good mother to you & wife to your father, so your Mom deserves a nice cleaner, regardless of whether you feel it's "too much" cleaner for her. Love your mother, have a heart, leave her alone & let her keep the Dyson.
Now, to solve your problems you have had with your Hoover. Here's something to consider....how about trying a bagged vacuum & using a Kevlar cloth shake-out bag instead of paper bags? The material these bags are made of is the same as Kirby makes their outer vacuum bag. You simply take the bag out, remove a plastic slide at the bottom of the bag, empty & put back into your vacuum. After a few times filling it up & emptying it, you can hand wash in the sink & let air dry. Of course it would be a good idea to take the bag & trashcan outside to empty it. One big advantage to using a shake-out bag is that it can hold a LOT more dirt than most bagless vacuum's dirtcups before needing to be emptied. And of course you could always use a paper bag if you had a big messy job & you didn't want to be exposed to the dirt. Panasonic makes a pretty good upright....the upright I have linked here has been in production under Panasonic & Kenmore names since the mid 1990's, so it's a proven design that won't give you problems. If you would prefer to have a HEPA filter, though, then you could buy the Carpet Pro upright & also buy the Fuller Brush HEPA filter & use that with the upright. Or, you could also buy the Fuller Brush version, main difference between the two being is the Fuller Brush has a metal handle which you don't need, & also looks like the hose may be longer & the cleaning wand is attached, same as the Panasonic design. You could also buy a Kenmore upright that takes the 5068 bag, as the Panasonic Type U can be used in them, but be warned the HEPA filter is not sealed like the Carpet Pro or Fuller Brush machines would be, lots of dust would escape around the filter. If you're going to be stubborn though, & wouldn't give the idea of a shake-out bag a try, & you MUST have a clear bin, there's one option left to consider, & this would completely eliminate the bottom-empty dirt cup design....the Dirt Devil Breeze upright vacuum. It's an effective design & works very well on carpets & floors. When you look at the underside of the powerhead, the reason is obvious....the intake tube is HUGE, & it's been designed so most of the powerhead is exposed to the airflow, it's not off to one side like most clean-air uprights. Consequently, it picks up the dirt quickly & carries it away to the dirtcup, & picks up dirt off floors without scattering it too much like most powerheads would. This design also incorporates a wide powerhead hose, & a short air pathway to the dirtcup, it's highly unlikely to clog. To empty, you just take the bin outside, take the top off, dump into the trashcan, then clean the filter by "wringing" it with your hands. Another way to clean the filter would be to find a large stone & keep it, then take your filter, put it in a shopping bag, bang the heck out of it, tie it up & then use it again next time the filter needs to be cleaned. The filter can also be washed occasionally. I wouldn't worry about buying filter replacements, the filter should last the life of the vacuum, & the F1 HEPA filter, which is identical, the filter material isn't any better than the Microfresh filter the Breeze is supplied with. Now there are some downsides to this cleaner though.... 1. It is fairly noisy. However, after using one myself, I didn't find it too bad, you could get used to it, & for some reason being noisy does seem to be a trait of Dirt Devil vacuums. 2. The tool attachment hose has to be hooked up & unhooked to the main powerhead hose every time you want to use attachments. However, considering the advantage is a short air pathway & no clogging, I would live with it. You could always just do your whole house, then hook up the hose & do what you need to do with the attachments. Now, be warned though....DO NOT buy the newer version of this vacuum at the bottom of the Amazon link!! Horrible design! I had to help a friend out with one of these, & they moved the filter from the dirt cup & made it smaller, presumably to make it easier to clean. Well, instead it clogs way too easily & is a nightmare to clean. Hate to say it, but this one puts the "devil" name in Dirt Devil :-). The older version I recommend above is discontinued, but Dirt Devil just recently had a clearance on it thru the Hoover website, & can occasionally be found on Ebay & other websites, you'll just have to hunt for it. Also, the older version has been made for years under other names....Breeze, Featherlite & Jaguar are the most common names, & there is also a black Regina version too. You can tell if it's an older model if there is no headlight, they only put that on the last couple of years it was made. So you could find one easily at a garage sale or thru Craigslist or Kijiji too. Most I would pay for one would be $30, since in most stores it sold for $100 & went on sale for $50, so since most people would buy it on sale & pay just under $60 including taxes, $30 is reasonable. Hope this helps you out, Niclonnic. Rob Panasonic upright www.amazon.com/Panasonic-MC-UG223... Carpet Pro upright www.amazon.com/Carpet-Pro-CPU-75T... Fuller Brush upright www.amazon.com/Fuller-Brush-Tidy-... Fuller Brush HEPA filter www.amazon.com/Fuller-Brush-Uprig... Panasonic Type U shake-out bag www.amazon.com/Panasonic-Upright-... Dirt Devil Breeze upright www.amazon.com/Dirt-Devil-Bagless... | ||
| Post# 298451 , Reply# 70 9/15/2014 at 12:31 (3,507 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA) | ||
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Well, Rob...
I may agree with your first paragraph there. However, Mom vacuums only on occasion and doesn't really care about what she uses. It's a bit frustrating, considering I have a lot of nice things in my house. After all, a Dyson Animal is designed for pet owners in houses. Spending $500 on a vacuum for a small apartment without pets is ridiculous. $100 or less is more like it.
The Eureka AirSpeed that I had was given to my dad's friends, whose vacuum just died and they couldn't afford a new one. They were ecstatic to see a practically brand-new vacuum, and they love it. I now have a Bissell C4 Cyclonic canister vacuum, also a freebie from Amazon Vine. As a guy who has always used uprights, using a canister vacuum takes some getting used to. I'm used to rolling the vacuum out of the closet, plugging it in, turning it on and pushing it over the carpet. Now I have a few more steps, as the Bissell canister is stored in 3 pieces: Main motor/dirt tank unit, hose, and power foot/telescopic wand. But it is SO quiet and a lot more maneuverable compared to an upright. I can actually get under BEDS using this vacuum! Now, about my Hoover issue. Replacement dirt cups cost $37.40; unfortunately, they're still on backorder and out of stock. I find this outrageous! It seems that every time my family buys a Hoover, they always fall apart. I have read other reviews online, where this has happened to some other people. If I had to have a budget vacuum, I would choose a Bissell. I have always had good luck with Bissell products. I'll admit that I'm a pretty stubborn individual, as I've never been a fan of bagged vacuums. I don't want another Dirt Devil, as I've owned one from 2001 to 2004. The Devil made my parents buy it! It was very noisy, very heavy, the filter clogged easily, and it smelled AWFUL, even when not being used. Mom even managed to break a belt on it. Luckily, there was a spare belt on the back of the cleaner, stored on the special belt storage area. I'm not going to buy a used vacuum. As for the two vacuum suggestions, here are my thoughts of the Bissell and Hoover machines I'm thinking about, based on my research: 1. Bissell Cleanview with OnePass: www.amazon.com/BISSELL-CleanView-... Most owners love it, saying that it's lightweight, cleans carpets well and is quiet. However, it has rudimentary dual-cyclonic technology, meaning that the foam pre-motor filter will get clogged easily. Brushroll can't be turned off, so not ideal for bare floors. Short, stiff hose. Includes turbo brush. Power switch is in an awkward location. 2. Hoover Windtunnel Air Steerable: www.amazon.com/Hoover-WindTunnel-... Looks to be a good buy. Has brush roll on/off setting. Multi-cyclonic, with 8 cyclones. Lightweight at 14 lbs. Steerable technology allows for easier vacuuming. However, the canister is small. The hose, while long, must be hooked up in order to use the attachments. Attachments are lacking; only comes with 2-in-1 crevice tool and dusting brush. No turbo brush included. | ||
| Post# 298457 , Reply# 71 9/15/2014 at 13:42 (3,507 days old) by sptyks (Skowhegan, Maine) | ||
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Nic, Have you considered the Air PRO Steerable? The differences between the Air Steerable and Air Pro Steerable are: The Air Pro UH72450 dust receptacle has a larger capacity, and it comes with the turbo tool that the Air Steerable UH72400 does not have. The Air Pro also has 12 cyclones versus the 8 cyclones for the Air Steerable. The cyclones keep the dust from clogging the filter and prevents loss of suction. You do not have to disconnect the hose to use the tools. The Air Pro has a dial that switches the vacuum from floor cleaning to using the tools. The dial can be used to limit the strength of suction when vacuuming door mats and small rugs by turning the dial away from floor towards the tool setting. CLICK HERE TO GO TO sptyks's LINK | ||
| Post# 298480 , Reply# 72 9/15/2014 at 18:28 (3,507 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA) | ||
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Hmm... | ||
| Post# 298586 , Reply# 75 9/17/2014 at 00:05 (3,506 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA) | ||
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Some points to make
Ralph123, I do currently own two fairly recent vacuums: a Bissell C4 Cyclonic canister vacuum and a Hoover Windtunnel 2 Rewind Pet. Both vacuums were freebies from the Amazon Vine program.
The Bissell canister takes some getting used to, especially if you're used to uprights. However, this vacuum is very quiet and more maneuverable compared to an upright. If you have a lot of carpeting, it can be a pain to use, because you have to drag the main suction motor part of the vacuum behind you. Plus, the cord is rather short. The Hoover upright does very good at cleaning carpets. I ended up using it more than the Dyson because it does better at carpet cleaning. However, its hose is VERY short, and the extension wand is also very short. Also, it's made very cheaply. Here is a list of the various parts I've had break, etc.: 1. The wheels started to squeak after using it for a while. 2. The cord clip broke off after 6 months. 3. The cheap plastic hinge on the dirt cup broke after 10 months. So every time I go to empty the vacuum, the bottom flap falls into the trash can. Replacement dirt cups cost $37.40, but they're out of stock as of the time of this writing. In the end, a Dyson Animal is ideal for homes with pets. My DC07 Animal, which is nearly 7 years old, has been used for 6 years about once a week, in my 3 bedroom 1800 sq. ft. house with a few dogs, a few cats (2 cats which have passed away several years ago) and a family of four (including myself). That machine was a workhorse! It has NEVER lost suction, nor needed any replacement parts during this time. It was $500 from Target, and it has paid for itself many, many times. Gr8DaneDad, I am NOT greedy, being 20 years old. At my house, we have a lot of nice things, namely, an LG front-load washing machine and a Samsung stainless steel French door refrigerator. It baffles me that Mom would take an overpriced "Animal" vacuum to a small place that doesn't even have pets! Plus, due to the bad smell that the vacuum gives off during use, she has asked for a new one. Once Mom buys a new vacuum someday, she will return the Dyson to us. My life is hard... | ||
| Post# 298624 , Reply# 76 9/17/2014 at 11:24 (3,505 days old) by sptyks (Skowhegan, Maine) | ||
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| Post# 299362 , Reply# 77 9/22/2014 at 15:07 (3,500 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA) | ||
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I'm not sure
The Air Steerable is a bit expensive for this situation. I'm considering a different vacuum this time:
The Eureka AirSpeed All Floors, AS3011A. This vacuum is available exclusively at Walmart for $98.96. It is similar to the Eureka I had that my dad gave away, but this one doesn't have the cord rewind mechanism. That was a very impressive vacuum. It does an excellent job on both carpets and hard floors. This vacuum features an on/off brush roll switch that'll be great for cleaning up crumbs from the kitchen, and picking up hair from the bathroom. This vacuum is bagless, and is also dual-cyclonic, so it'll never lose suction. However, Eureka's dual-cyclonic technology is inefficient, and as a result, the pre-motor filter above the dust cup gets clogged with dust quickly. The dust cup is easy to empty, with a bottom-release mechanism. The vacuum comes with a turbo brush that would be nice for vacuuming the bed, along with the dining chairs. Overall this Eureka is very impressive for the price. For just under $100, it's hard to go wrong, so I'll recommend this vacuum to my mom. CLICK HERE TO GO TO niclonnic's LINK
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| Post# 299377 , Reply# 78 9/22/2014 at 17:24 (3,500 days old) by sptyks (Skowhegan, Maine) | ||
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| Post# 299380 , Reply# 79 9/22/2014 at 17:30 (3,500 days old) by Jaker15 (Meridian, ID) | ||
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At this point, Niclonnic, I personally would have given my mom one of my nicer vacs, perhaps my Electrolux Ultralux LX canister, or my Hoover Convertible U4387. I would never cheap out on anyone, ESPECIALLY my own mother. You, sir, have some convoluted values. If I were her I'd start looking elsewhere for a nicer vacuum than the "Wal-Mart Special" you recommended to her. Nothing says "I love you, mom" like a Walmart plasti-vac. | ||
| Post# 299393 , Reply# 80 9/22/2014 at 19:47 (3,500 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA) | ||
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I don't think so | ||
| Post# 299527 , Reply# 81 9/24/2014 at 03:41 (3,498 days old) by NYCWriter (New York City) | ||
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Well ...
"Spending $500 on a vacuum for a small apartment without pets is ridiculous. $100 or less is more like it."
Depends on your budget. $500 to some people is like $10 to others. I spent $1,600 on a vacuum for my small-ish apartment. Was that ridiculous? I don't think so. But then again, my financial situation is quite different from someone, for example, for whom $1,600 is their entire monthly income. | ||
| Post# 299582 , Reply# 83 9/24/2014 at 15:26 (3,498 days old) by ralph123 (Little Rock, AR) | ||
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Clearly she likes the 7 year old Dyson. You just need to clean it up for her to get rid of the smell. | ||
| Post# 299604 , Reply# 84 9/24/2014 at 18:32 (3,498 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA) | ||
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No offense, but...
NYCWriter, Mom has to pay the rent regularly at her apartment, so she has a relatively low budget. In a small apartment with no pets, her vacuuming needs are very basic, but she can't afford one yet.
Nick, you have the same name as me! Anyway, the Hoover Nano Cyclonic is available at Walmart, but I don't want Mom to buy a new vacuum from there. Also, she doesn't want a bagged vacuum. Ralph123, before I let Mom "borrow" the Dyson, I rinsed the pre-motor filter, along with the clear bin. I didn't rinse the cyclone assembly, as Dyson does not recommend it. I also wiped down the machine really well with damp paper towels, but it still gives off a dog smell every time it is turned on. I can't really get that smell out... | ||
| Post# 299734 , Reply# 85 9/25/2014 at 15:55 (3,497 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center) | ||
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I'll recommend Dyson to cram it, your machine is out of warranty, anyhow! I've washed cyclones in my day with no trouble. Wash the cyclone out with the garden hose, then soak it in a bath of cleanser. Let it bake in the sun for a few days, turning it upside-down half-way trough the baking process! Then you're done! | ||
| Post# 299931 , Reply# 86 9/27/2014 at 15:10 (3,495 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA) | ||
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Hmm...
I don't know about washing the cyclone assembly with water, but I've been thinking of a different way to clean out the cyclones.
What I'm considering doing is this: 1. Remove the 3 Torx screws on top of the cyclone assembly. 2. Lift out the top of the cyclone assembly, which includes the long rod. 3. Take my Ridgid shop vacuum and plug the hose into the blower port on the back. 4. Attach the crevice tool to the hose. 5. Turn the shop vac on. 6. Using the shop vac, blow all of the dust out of the cyclones. 7. Put the cyclone assembly back together. Hopefully, I'll give this method a try sometime. | ||
| Post# 299983 , Reply# 87 9/28/2014 at 02:10 (3,494 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center) | ||
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That will not remove the smell, only the dust. The vacuum will still reek of dog if you only blow it out!
Your best bet is to soak it for a day or two in a bucket of cleaning solution after dissembling the cyclone the best you can.after soaking, scrub the cyclones with a Brillo pad, then power-rinse the assembly until the water runs clear. | ||
| Post# 300009 , Reply# 88 9/28/2014 at 12:16 (3,494 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada) | ||
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And this is why I think you will have an easier time with a bagged upright like the Hoover T Series UH30030. For small apartments, it's far easier to just dump the dustbag into your regular garbage and then throw it down the trash chute. No fuss, no muss. Here's the web description from Hoover:
CLICK HERE TO GO TO eurekaprince's LINK | ||
| Post# 300013 , Reply# 89 9/28/2014 at 12:57 (3,494 days old) by lionkcommander () | ||
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You need a sanitaire SC899 it's a widetrac you would be done vacuuming in minutes and it's center suction so it will have true edge to edge deep down suction. | ||
| Post# 300051 , Reply# 90 9/28/2014 at 19:23 (3,494 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA) | ||
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Conclusion
Mom still can't afford a new vacuum yet, and now wants to stick with Dyson. If I really wanted her to get a new vacuum, I'll have to buy one myself and give it to her. I don't know when that'll happen, though.
In the end, I've learned to "let it go" and let Mom enjoy the Dyson DC07 Animal. She disagrees about the Animal model being "too much" for her. Everybody's suggestions were nice, but Mom doesn't like bags. I don't know a whole lot about Sanitaire. I am done in this thread now. | ||
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