Thread Number: 28865
/ Tag: Recent Vacuum Cleaners from past 20 years
Why don't more UK canisters have Power nozzles? |
[Down to Last] |
Post# 322521 , Reply# 1   4/19/2015 at 11:55 (3,266 days old) by human (Pines of Carolina)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
1    
Having only visited the UK one time 30 years ago (had a really lovely time, btw), I can't answer the question definitively, but one thing that comes to mind the prevalence of wall-to-wall carpet in UK homes. Here in the States, it's been pretty much ubiquitous since the 1970s, so the power nozzles are a pretty much a necessity to compete with uprights. Higher priced homes here are now reverting to hardwood, tile, etc., as a status symbol. But if hard floors are more prevalent in the UK, then there would be less of a need for a power nozzle. I have hardwood throughout most of my house and I use my Electrolux 1205 without the power nozzle to clean that. I do the carpeted rooms with my Kirbys.
|
Post# 322522 , Reply# 2   4/19/2015 at 12:06 (3,266 days old) by marcusprit ()   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
1    
It's because most people in the UK prefer an upright on their carpeted floor. I would like to see more cylinders with a PN. I find the noise of a Turbo brush so annoying and i don't like straight suction on carpet. |
Post# 322524 , Reply# 3   4/19/2015 at 12:17 (3,266 days old) by parwaz786 ( )   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
I heard on VL by somebody saying that the British public with cylinders like to scrub their carpets with the floor tool cos its satisfying or something |
Post# 322528 , Reply# 5   4/19/2015 at 12:31 (3,266 days old) by parwaz786 ( )   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
1    
I think it would be a nice idea for kids to learn about vacuum cleaners in science and how they work etc, would be good and useful too :) |
Post# 322529 , Reply# 6   4/19/2015 at 12:33 (3,266 days old) by hooverjedilord (Hampshire)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Yeah, now that would have been a subject I'd have aced! But seriously the importance of good agitation should become more appreciated by the public |
Post# 322546 , Reply# 9   4/19/2015 at 13:24 (3,265 days old) by parwaz786 ( )   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
People here loved the Dc01's, sooooooooooo popular omg and they just got thrown out for either littlt things, or people upgraded to the DC04 or DC07 :D |
Post# 322551 , Reply# 10   4/19/2015 at 13:45 (3,265 days old) by hooverjedilord (Hampshire)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
They do last a decent amount of time in comparison to other Dysons, but most I find nowadays have snapped handles or the plastic is so brittle it's cracked in several places. And on top of that they've all be clogged up :P |
Post# 322561 , Reply# 12   4/19/2015 at 14:48 (3,265 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Firstly, there is a historical element here: canisters were invented in Europe and uprights were invented in the USA. The idea of a revolving brush to help clean carpets is "embedded" (pardon the pun) into the North American vacuum cleaner culture. And Americans invented the power nozzle in the 1950's to introduce the carpet cleaning effectiveness of an upright to the canister vacuum cleaner. I think even turbo nozzles were invented by the likes of Singer and Sunbeam in the USA in the 1950's.
Secondly, we here in North America have been limited to vacuums of 1440 watts = 12 amps x 120volts. So our canister cleaners were never going to have the airflow that European canister cleaners used to offer. We never saw a Eureka canister offering 2000 watts of power - ever. So generations of cleaner users on both sides of the Atlantic got used to using different kinds of vacuums. Also - North American houses in the suburbs in the 1950's allowed for large swaths of acres of wall-to-wall carpeting which was always faster to clean with a revolving brush than a suction only nozzle. I think now with the new limits on motor power in Europe, you will see the return of lots of power nozzles on your European canisters. You may even see a flood of newer lightweight fan-first (dirty-air) bagged uprights like Orecks which can effectively clean carpets in narrow spaces and carpeted stairs with a 5 amp motor. |
Post# 322574 , Reply# 17   4/19/2015 at 15:32 (3,265 days old) by parwaz786 ( )   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Just curious, being a bit nosy and looking at your profile, which DC04 do you have? :D We have the silver and lime DC04 |
Post# 322577 , Reply# 19   4/19/2015 at 15:35 (3,265 days old) by hooverjedilord (Hampshire)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Oh I had the purple and magenta one, I didn't like it as the agitation and suction was poor and it clogged to much. |
Post# 322579 , Reply# 20   4/19/2015 at 16:02 (3,265 days old) by parwaz786 ( )   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
The earlier Dyson's performance is not as good as the newer ones |
Post# 323039 , Reply# 21   4/23/2015 at 04:50 (3,262 days old) by oliveoiltinfoil (England, UK)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
There are a handful of PN canisters popping up in the UK at least, and Europe. Sebo are the only vacuum brand in Europe who have never dropped their PN canisters. They have at least had one cylinder model with a PN available. Right now they are 3. AEG now produce a TOL canister with a good looking floorhead, Vax produce two, the air revolve and air silence, and Miele now sell the C3 with a powerhead, so they are coming back, thankfully.
|
Post# 323067 , Reply# 23   4/23/2015 at 14:58 (3,261 days old) by sptyks (Skowhegan, Maine)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
3    
|
Post# 323071 , Reply# 24   4/23/2015 at 15:07 (3,261 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
2    
Whoops here we go again regarding carpet.
Interesting blog piece here.. The article goes onto highlight special areas of rivers that the Finnish have developed for purely washing rugs. How environmentally cool is that? CLICK HERE TO GO TO sebo_fan's LINK
View Full Size
|
Post# 323073 , Reply# 25   4/23/2015 at 15:29 (3,261 days old) by sptyks (Skowhegan, Maine)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
3    
Well there seems to be quite a cultural difference here! But this is the way I was brought up. On those cold Maine sub zero nights, WtoW helped keep or home warm and cozy.
I dont know of anyone that has w to w carpet in their bathroom or kitchen. Tile, wood or linoleum is most commonly used there.
But washing all your rugs outside seems not only nasty to me, but also a royal pain in the butt.
Why not have WtoW and use a Top of the Line upright vacuum to keep it as fresh as newly installed? |
Post# 323078 , Reply# 27   4/23/2015 at 17:09 (3,261 days old) by parwaz786 ( )   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Carpet in a bathroom is a bit dodgy, if urine goes on the floor, eww. Also in an abanodoned houses thread I posted a link of a mansion with a carpeted bathroom |
Post# 323079 , Reply# 28   4/23/2015 at 17:10 (3,261 days old) by FantomLightning (Ohio)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Yeah, I don't disagree with that. There are certainly areas where carpeting just does NOT belong. But for most living areas it's fine. |
Post# 323082 , Reply# 29   4/23/2015 at 17:32 (3,261 days old) by parwaz786 ( )   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
I agree, I understand about the bathroom, not sure about the kitchen/ I dont see why not just keep a little rug in the kitchen, we have one by the sink actually :) |
Post# 323083 , Reply# 30   4/23/2015 at 18:01 (3,261 days old) by Vintagerepairer (England)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
2    
I agree that carpets act as a filter. My place was hard floors throughout when I arrived and I hated it. My dust was forever airbourne. At least the carpet held onto it until it was time to vacuum. |
Post# 323087 , Reply# 32   4/23/2015 at 18:45 (3,261 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
1    
Finland and most of Scandinavia are incredibly energy and environmentally friendly. Certainly if you have ever gone to an IKEA store you can see where they get their inspiration from. Not only that, but they like their real fire places or wood burning stoves where the heat in the home hovers all around. No wonder they prefer insulation; out of view, out of mind.
In Scotland carpet is a must to insulate a home in MOST areas of Scotland unless they're lucky enough to get warmer weather all of the year. But in areas such as bathroom, toilet, kitchen and even a utility room where laundry takes place, hard floors/lino are a necessity. I have said this before though and I will say it again - I think the reason why UK prefer uprights over canisters with PNs is simply because we have been brainwashed by Hoover and other brands that an upright beats carpet whereas a canister vac gets the dirt above the floor line. Also helped along by the fact that the "cylinder leaders," Miele have seldom offered a cylinder vac with a PN in the UK again since the days of the Revolution model. Clearly things are changing now with other brands offering PN's over SEBO who were one of the first brands to offer a PN with a cylinder/canister. Still though, I prefer a straight suction cylinder vac. Im used to them being lightweight from hose to floor head. The SEBO K3 Premium may well be a light and compact vac by design, but I find the Felix upright to be far more nimble at getting around my home even when it uses the same PN. |
Post# 323089 , Reply# 33   4/23/2015 at 18:47 (3,261 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 323095 , Reply# 36   4/23/2015 at 20:03 (3,261 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Well the industry might be different there Fantom. Not all countries use electrical appliances to clean floors. A lot still use brooms, feathery brooms or just wet mopping for hard floors.
I can't answer why that blog poster states that having carpets in a home is unsanitary. It might be the way in that country alone, just like the preference to uprights for carpet cleaning in the UK versus cylinder vacs with PNs. |
Post# 323101 , Reply# 37   4/23/2015 at 20:43 (3,261 days old) by FantomLightning (Ohio)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
It's not, from the research I've done it appears at the very least Sweden is the same way. I'm guessing there are more than just those two. |
Post# 323123 , Reply# 38   4/24/2015 at 04:19 (3,261 days old) by oliveoiltinfoil (England, UK)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
3    
I do agree, carpeting is just much nicer. It is easier on your joints as well, for anyone because it is softer and more absorbent. It makes a room quieter and warmer and also stays cleaner for longer. Washing a hard-floor and then 5 minutes later it has mark all over it is so depressing, constantly keeping on top of it. In the kitchen hardflooring is a must as spills are quickly mopped up, and of course in the bathroom where water splashes and it is a place of high humidity.
However, to properly maintain carpets, the second best thing you can invest in is a carpet washer, and a good one like a Bissell Big Green. A commercial type. Most other carpet washer are just not powerful enough and leave water in the carpet, but using a powerful and effective carpet cleaner 2 or 3 times per year will keep your carpets in top condition. It doesn't matter if you have a Kirby or a Vax, vacuuming only cleans so much in a carpet. Dirt clings onto fibres which can only be extracted using detergent, like your clothes. No one vacuums there clothes all the time to keep them clean and never wash them ? I know some will say that washing carpets is bad, as does Mr Dyson, but speak to some carpet fitters. Quite often, especially these days where a lot of carpet is made from man-made fibres, they recommend you wash the carpets at least once a year. Some of them even say you can do it with one part bleach 10 part water, and the dye in carpets now is much stronger and more durable. Carpets will not shrink so long as you don't over saturate them. I have been washing our carpets for a few years now and they haven't shrunk or ruined in anyway, they just look the same colour as when they were first laid down. |
Post# 323124 , Reply# 39   4/24/2015 at 04:52 (3,261 days old) by Turbo500 (West Yorkshire, UK)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
1    
Just another point in addition to what Benny, Nar et al have mentioned regarding PN cylinders.
The UK has been part of Europe for a long time now and whilst we do have our differences from mainland European countries, we usually get the same products due to the close proximity and our small size. Most mainland European countries, especially the hotter countries like Italy and Spain, have 99% hard floors, rendering most uprights useless.
Even in France and Germany, hard floors are more popular and uprights mostly used only in commercial enviroments.
PN cylinders aren't popular in the Europe for the same reason - what's the point in having a PN if you have no carpet? So be default, we usually get the same machines. I guess the big manufacturers didn't see the point in making a PN cylinder just for the UK which is a largely upright dominated market anyway.
There were some PN cylinders, but these were usually very expensive, much more so than an upright. I imagine most buyers couldn't justify the price difference between and upright and a PN cylinder. |
Post# 323125 , Reply# 40   4/24/2015 at 04:56 (3,261 days old) by Turbo500 (West Yorkshire, UK)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
2    
I'm sorry, but this comment really irritated me.
You have to put yourself in an average customers shoes. We, as collectors and enthusiasts, know this stuff. But your average customer may not even care. Not everyone is interested in vacuums and the majority of buyers will be happy as long as their floors look clean, regardless of the method.
My non-enthusiast family and friends mostly couldn't give a toss about "deep down grit" or otherwise as long as the vacuum picks the bits up off the floor, they're happy.
It's nothing to do with ignorance, it's just that the general consumer isn't particularly interested in vacuums like we are. |
Post# 323148 , Reply# 44   4/24/2015 at 09:15 (3,261 days old) by Turbo500 (West Yorkshire, UK)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
^I actually prefer using a cylinder. I'm currently using a Miele Cat & Dog with the air driven turbo brush, but planning on up grading to a C3 powernozzle model once other household commitments are paid for.
We have mostly carpet, but of varying type with hard floors in the kitchen, laundry room and 3 bathrooms.
Using the cylinder means I can go from carpet, to shag rug, to hard floors, to stairs, to sofa's and beds, to dusting, easily moving around and under large furniture and reaching high up in corners and on the tops of high furniture, without having to turn the machine off or stop what I'm doing and switch the cleaner to another mode. It makes life much easier. |
Post# 323149 , Reply# 45   4/24/2015 at 09:16 (3,261 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Yes, but the thing is, Ralph - in the UK we don't get much supply of universal cleaning tools for upright vacs. Only certain brands offer extra cost optional tools and some of them are not all that extra versatile.
The U.S like huge dusting brushes and are happy to discount Miele's round dusting brushes for example whereas I think most consumers here are quite happy with the smaller cleaning tools in general. Cue smaller than small cleaning tools on board a lot of canister/cylinder vacuums in general with the "smaller European size." Again as with the old UK selling point regarding uprights for carpets and cylinders for anything else above the floor line, cylinder vacs here tend to be given smaller cleaning tools for point to point cleaning, reinforcing the idea that the long hose and machine behind it as per the design is for getting at awkward areas with EASE compared to the shorter hose supplied on an upright. This then qualifies most uprights' inability to stand up when a hose is used, if fitted whlist the cylinder/canister concept is generally safer but lighter to pull or carry around. Personally speaking I find that sometimes if too many tools are stored on board an upright, it all becomes too bulky, too heavy for the upright and liable for tools to fall off. |
Post# 323218 , Reply# 47   4/25/2015 at 05:52 (3,260 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
In you experience yes, but in my mine, a carpet doesn't always need a rolling brush roll to keep it clean. Depends on the type and texture. Wool carpets only need gentle agitation, which is why I have more straight suction or delicate brush rolls. If I used an upright all of the time with an aggressive brush roll, I doubt I would have any carpet left!
You might be impressed with the Vax Air Cordless Lift from your friend, but I also own the original model without the Lift function. Mine removes dirt but it also removes a hell of a lot of wool as well. It isn't the brush roll alone but rather the trio of suction channels Vax/TTI/Hoover have added to form the "Windtunnel" design. Don't be confused by actual dust and carpet pile. The Henry would have done a similar job had it been fitted with Numatic's Airobrush turbo brush floor head. You're just more impressed by the fact that you can see what gets picked up. |
Post# 323363 , Reply# 49   4/26/2015 at 09:43 (3,259 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
The bristles on the Vax Cordless air series aren't tough, they're not aggressive which is why I bought one as I have wool carpets. I like the fact that from time to time I can also use the brush roll on and off as this upright doesn't suck down hard on flooring unlike the original Vax Mach Air corded series.
Had your friend used a turbo brush to start off with, you might notice less of a difference to what the Vax picks up. |
Post# 323376 , Reply# 50   4/26/2015 at 10:50 (3,259 days old) by hooverjedilord (Hampshire)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Yeah, I think that would be the case, however he wanted a cordless vacuum, so he got the lift. It probably would have been easier for him to just have one of my aironozzles, but he prefers cordless. |
Post# 323388 , Reply# 51   4/26/2015 at 12:12 (3,259 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Im not entirely surprised Vax brought out another model. Im a bit surprised that they haven't upped the power. The suction through the hose on the original Cordless Air is pathetic. It will pick up bits of paper and toast crumbs and even a cob web. But its still not quite there yet.
Meanwhile LG have brought out an 80V cordless vac. |