Choosing The Perfect Vacuum Cleaner For Your Home

Mark Preston

For many people, a vacuum cleaner is regarded are the main household appliance, as everybody likes their carpets to be clean and tidy of debris and dust. The vacuum cleaner is one of the most used gadgets in UK homes, and the best vacuum cleaners make light work when it comes to lifting dust and debris from your floors.

The vacuum cleaner is your one-stop solution to everyday cleaning jobs, be it carpets, hard floors, upholstery, or curtains. It is not just used for the home but also for your car in many cases, if you have a pet then it will help clean after them. Having a vacuum cleaner that does not perform well means you could end up leaving dust and dirt behind, and this undoes all your hard work.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A VACUUM CLEANER

When buying a vacuum cleaner you need to consider its power, performance, and ability to clean. These are the main considerations:

Ease of use: you want to be able to use your vacuum cleaner easily, it needs to be manoeuvrable through the house. You want to be able to vacuum your stairs, and need to be able to move the vacuum up and down the stairs.
Noise: gone are the days of very noisy vacuums. Most people want a vacuum cleaner that does not make a loud, rattling noise.
Suction: this is an important consideration. You want to have a vacuum cleaner that picks up the usual dust and dirt but also deals with pet and human hair which can be hard to lift off surfaces. The suction power of the vacuum cleaner will determine its ability to clean your floors quickly and efficiently.
Reliability: you want your vacuum cleaner to last over time, so reliability is important.
Bagless or bagged: some people prefer bagless vacuum cleaners, and others prefer them to have bags that can be emptied. A bagless hoover is easier to empty and does not require you to have bags available to change.
Cable length: always check the cable length. A longer cable length means you can move through your house with ease without having to plug and unplug the vacuum cleaner.

Other important considerations should include the type of property you live in. If you live in a large house, then you need a vacuum cleaner that can deal with a lot of cleaning in one go. Those living in an apartment would probably be looking for a more compact vacuum cleaner. Also, the floor type you have should be considered. If you have a lot of carpets then you should look for a vacuum cleaner which has strong suction power to lift dirt and hair from carpets. Additionally, if you have anyone in the house with allergens then look for a vacuum cleaner that has a strong motor and will not leave allergens behind.

Always check the dust litre capacity, as this will dictate how much dust can be collected by your vacuum cleaner before it needs to be changed or emptied. Handheld cleaners obviously have a much smaller capacity and need to be emptied more regularly. Upright cleaners do tend to have the largest capacity, meaning you can keep on cleaning without having to stop and empty the bin.

Most vacuum cleaner these days will come with an assortment of tools you can use with your vacuum cleaner including dusting brush/crevice tools, upholstery tools, adjustable floor-heads, and extension tubes. Check to make sure you have everything you need for your home. As with any home appliance, storage is also a consideration. If you have little storage space in your home, then you probably do not want a bulky and heavy vacuum cleaner.

TYPES OF VACUUM CLEANERS

Upright vacuum cleaners

Upright cleaners tend to be the most popular and the most powerful. They have a rotating brush that picks up debris and collects it in the bin. Upright cleaners do tend to be heavier than other cleaners but are preferred by those who do not want to bend down constantly when hoovering.

Stick vacuum cleaner

Stick cleaners are lightweight, easy to use, and slim. These vacuum cleaners are a popular choice for those who want ease of access and use when it comes to cleaning. Stick vacuum cleaners can often be cordless which adds to their ease of use, and they are well-liked as they tend to get into smaller nooks and crannies. However, remember that any type of cordless vacuum cleaner will need regular charging to ensure the battery is charged. These types of vacuum cleaners are best for smaller properties.

Handheld vacuum cleaners

Handheld vacuum cleaners are designed as grab-and-go cleaners. They are great for sucking up small spillages and messes such as crumbs on the kitchen table. They are also useful for cleaning cars and crevices. They are not ideal if you want to clean larger areas, but good as an addition to a standard vacuum cleaner.

Canistervacuum cleaners

These are very popular in UK homes, as they are much lighter than upright cleaners, and can often be bagless. They come with a range of attachments and work well on all surfaces. The canister follows you around as you clean and is portable and handy.

BAGGED OR BAGLESS?

The difference between bagged and bagless vacuum cleaners is that the bagged variety has a bag inside the vacuum cleaner which the dirt and dust is sucked into. When the bag is full it will need to be emptied or replaced. The bagless cleaners do not have a bag, instead, they have a container that needs to be removed and emptied when it is full. If you have allergens, then bagged vacuum cleaners are considered to be better as they minimise the level of dust you are exposed to.