BS: New Vacuum Cleaner

Subject: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: number 6
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 04:10 PM

The central vacumn in our house is out of order. The motor has burnt out. Apparently when it was installed the builder chose a model that is too small for the configuration of our house. So rather than replace it, I'm thinking of buying a Dyson upright. About the same cost. The reviews I see are excellent for the Dyson. Anyone here on the Cat have any opinions.

BTW, Dyson's are unavailable in Canada, but I can drive down to Bangor Maine and get one at Sears.

sIx

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: NH Dave
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 04:28 PM

I've always been partial to the Rainbow "tank" vacuums, except fpr their price which is upwards of $ 1700. If you can find the company that carries their paper, i.e. provides their credit for the sale of these cleaners, you can usually get a nearly new cleaner with all of the attachments for less than $ 250 by bidding on their repossessed cleaners. A year or so ago I did this very thing when I discovered that a local lending firm had six "repoed" cleaners in their back room, which they had to sell at auction, by sealed bids. A little persuasion gave me the approximate sales price for these machines, so I bid $ 100 and was awarded one for that price.

The advantage to me, aside from the price, is that Rainbow uses water as athe filtering agent so it humidifies the air when used during the winter, and can be used for "wet pickup," vacuuming up spills in the house, or quick removal of liquids spilled on carpeting, as well as spot cleaning the area afterwards. If you aren't concerned with appearance, you can buy a new Sears Wet or Dry Shop Vac for a bit more and you don't have to bid and wait for the results.

   Dave

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: Sorcha
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 04:28 PM

Go Dyson. I have a Kirby upright and I hate the damn thing. Too heavy, and bags are nasty.

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: gnu
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 04:39 PM

A small Dirt Devil and a small Shop-vac. Unless you got carpets. Then, Dyson (no clue about them) or whatever and a small Shop-vac ($35 on sale at Crappy Tire).

You live in Saint John, NB, right? You get the window sweat in the winter? Use the shop-vac on em rather than a cloth. Works like a charm. And... if you have any dirt buildup, spray em with Vim and then Shop-vac em. Ditto on the charm and a nice scent.

I also do my dusting with the small Dirt devil. Bachelor? Why, yes... how did you know?

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: Peace
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 05:20 PM

How can anyone clean a vacuum when there is nothing in a vacuum to begin with?

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: lady penelope
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 05:29 PM

Don't buy anything you'll regret having to pick up (especially if you have stairs.....) but on the whole Dyson's are the thing to have over here in Blighty.

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: Rapparee
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 05:42 PM

Can you wait about a month or less? Consumer Reports is "doing" vacuums for the February issue. I know this because last night I told my wife we WERE buying a new vacuum cleaner....

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 06:22 PM

Vacuum cleaner repair men love Dysons... they break down quite often.

Having said that, we've only had problems with the tools breaking on ours.

The uprights are easy to empty and you can see when it needs it. The little pull along model we have is a bit trickier to open but is just as powerful and efficient. The downside (other than breaking) is they can be very heavy and cumbersome so not good for anyone with mobility/lifting problems.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 06:36 PM

Nessie and I swear by our upright Dyson. In 4 years it "broke down" twice, except it was our fault and it was easy to fix too - no repairman needed.

If ever we replace it (I can't imagine why), it will be by another Dyson.

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 06:41 PM

Don't buy Dyson. His workforce built him into a multi millionaire with their labour and then he closed the factory, made them redundant and went abroad to use cheap labour and earn himself a few more pennies per model. As if he needed to do that!

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: Amos
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 06:41 PM

Dysons are stylish all right. I bought the Mrs. a canister vacuum she's crazy about -- Sears' best. Trundles wherever you pull it and sucks like a Vegas showperson...

A

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 06:47 PM

Sorry just glad to have ditched our dyson -too many expensive replacemnt bits and the lead come out of the top of our upright which once caused me to pull it completely out and damn near electrocute myself. Go bagless dont go Dyson

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 07:21 PM

We have a dyson upright and when it eventually dies it won't be replaced with another.

I bought it because it boasted about the hose being able to reach from top to bottom of stairs and not having to move the rest of it with it. WRONG. Or nearly right, the hose does stretch the length of the stairs but by the time it reaches it's furthest point it wouldn't suck up sherbert.

It is also heavy and has a habit of banging into your ankles as you lift it over the edges of the rugs. It has also clogged up more than any other cleaner I've had. It has also been to repair shop which no other cleaner ever has.

The pluses are it is kind of fascinating to stare at your own dirt.

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: Grab
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 07:23 PM

According to Which? (UK Consumer Association magazine for non-UK people), Dyson stuff is unreliable.

We've got a Miele cylinder. Works great, a little more expensive but should last forever. Bagless would be nice, but it's not essential.

Graham.

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: Dead Horse
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 07:23 PM

Dysons suck.





(somebody just HAD to say it)

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 07:46 PM

gnu, sorry what is Vim?

I loved my old Electrolux canister vac. It was almost indestrubtible and did a good job. Haven't had a decently working vac since then!

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: number 6
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 07:50 PM

As it looks now, I won't be getting a Dyson ... The Miele sounds sounds pretty good ... will check to see if they have a bagless model. The Rainbow as suggested by Dave looks interesting, sorta like the hookah of vacuum cleaners.

gnu ... windows sweating here in Saint John!?!?

peace ... I've given your post a lotta thought, but I think I better give it some more thought.

Thanks all, much appreciated ... the info certainly helps.

sIx

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: bobad
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 07:54 PM

Vim deals with even the toughest dirt

Everyone knows real life is dirty. And there's no point in pretending dirt is easily taken care of, or can somehow disappear as if by magic – it has to be cleaned thoroughly. Vim is the only everyday cleaner that deals with even the toughest dirt. Vim has been expert at cleaning for decades. Vim is all about thorough efficient cleaning without damaging surfaces.

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: Rapparee
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 08:02 PM

I won't be buying a bagless. First, I don't care about watching the thing suck up dirt -- something that strikes me about like watching your clothes spin the dryer or watching paint dry. Second, I've emptied those things and you can spill the dirt all over the place if you're not very careful. Emptying the cylinder also puts dust back INTO the air, and I have enough problems with allergies now.

Nope, I'll bag it. Using bags is not all THAT complicated....

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: Sorcha
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 08:04 PM

Hmmmm....I was gonna go Dyson to replace the Kirby. Maybe I won't. Kirby is so damn heavy....I can't carry it up/down anymore, and I hate changing the bag. Rainbow?

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: number 6
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 08:05 PM

Forget Vim .... use good 'ol cheap vinegar! Takes the sweat out of any seaside window.

sIx

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: bobad
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 08:06 PM

If you suffer from allergies you should get rid of your carpets, they are allergen magnets and are constantly releasing them when trod upon.

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: number 6
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 08:08 PM

No carpets in out house.

Have 2 hounds and 2 cats .... a good vacuum is a necessity.

sIx

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: number 6
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 08:11 PM

The probelm I find about bags Rapaire is ya have to go out and buy them .. just take the cannister outside to change it .. that was the one plus about the central vac ... another requirement is a machine that is light ... our house is tall, consists of 4 full stories.

sIx

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 08:24 PM

Pip's Dyson has done well and it was bought because it was bagless and you could see the dirt. An idea of mine that worked! Pip is hopless at remembering to empty a bag, even if the machine was fitted with a dirty great bag full warning light she would still miss it until the whole thing got so clogged up...

It's been reliable. She bought it in the late 1990s and I don't think it's needed any more than a new belt. That said, I'm not sure I'd suggest buying one now. As far as I understand it, in more recent times, they hve not come out well in consumer reports on reliability or value for money.

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: Bill D
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 08:46 PM

We have a Miele...it is VERY good. Quiet(amazingly quiet) and strong and can do filtering up to HEPA, if you want.

Not cheap, and I don't know if there are bagless models...but the basic thing is well designed.....(we also got the powered rug attachment, which raised the price a bit. You can do a lot without it, but I sure like it!)

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: Rapparee
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 08:53 PM

Bill D., it snows around here. Sometimes a lot. I just visited the DC area, where it was simply raw -- rain and a biting wind -- over the Christmas holidays. I'd let the rooms go dirty before emptying a vacuum outside in either situation.

Come to think of it we don't vacuum all that often now.... Or dust. Or.... Ah well, it's our plan to enhance our immune systems, or at least I can tell folks that.

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: Bill D
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 09:53 PM

Well Rapaire, I never have to empty a bag outside....The Miehle bag just pops out and drops into the trash can/bag...and it has a snap-closed little cover over the hole that keeps 'stuff' from getting loose. (I also have an **OLD** Kirby which is a bit trickier, but it is an heirloom...I used to see them in an earlier life)

(next time you're gonna be in the area, give a shout and we might arrange for you to meet some of us! Yeah, I know...family and schedule and all that, but....*grin*) (Norton 1 did several years ago, and ended up with a new guitar! We take care of folks from Idaho!)Too bad you got that nasty weather....

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: Rapparee
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 11:06 PM

Oh, it's not so bad right now -- above freezing and the roads are only wet. But the day after Thanksgiving we got 10 inches of snow up on the bench where I live (compare that to DC, where one Christmas I saw abandoned cars on Kemp Mill Road after a snowfall that left blades of grass visible). Or the 24 inches we got last January (or the 44 inches we got one January in South Bend). 900 residences lost power right on the 28th when winds of 61 mph took down some power lines.

Back to vacuums...I'm going to wait until the Consumer Reports February issue comes out and buy the top of the line self-propelled bag model. I want a big, bad sucker.

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: number 6
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 11:29 PM

That Rainbow sure looks like one big bad sucker ... big bad price too.

But hell ... if it works and lasts long it might be worth a go.

sIx

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: Rapparee
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 11:37 PM

That Rainbow looks good alright, but I am NOT going to pay US $2,000 for a vacuum cleaner! I could buy a half dozen top-of-the-line Hoovers and still have money left over!

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: number 6
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 11:41 PM

I know ... Big Bad Price ..... probably will end up getting a $75 cdn Shop Vac from Canadian Tire .... if it lasts only a year then throw it out and get another one. At least they are bagless!

sIx

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 11:46 PM

Lots of Meiles HERE with a wide price range.

I agree with Rapaire about bags. We have a whirl-the-dirt right now and everytime it is emptied, a lot of the dust, etc. goes right back into the air.

bobad...now I know everything.:->

I think I'll stick to vinegar as mentioned. Juts ahve to find my squirt bottle which I used to use for that.

Rapaire, a few years ago, someone here made an argument for NOT cleaning up pet hair. It makes good insulation, esp. in the corners! I've been looking around and realising I couldn't dust for about the past 2-2.5 years...ugh! I AM going to take it room by room over the next month and see if I can get my treasures clean.*bg*

katwho-reallydoesn'tshedthatmuch!

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: number 6
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 11:53 PM

"It makes good insulation, esp. in the corners!"   .... !?!?!?!

... now that is interesting.

In regards to changing the canister outside ... if you live in a colder climate .... you get the timing right .... change outside in the 'warmer' days of December, now in all reality it should take about 3 months (conservative estimate) before you require the next change, which happens to be in March ... great, do it in the 1st warm day of march. Make sure you empty it 'down wind' and make sure your neighbour is not outside ..... Hmmmmmm, maybe bags do sound easier.

sIx

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: Rapparee
Date: 04 Jan 06 - 12:10 AM

My father-in-law, known for his "if one is good twenty will be great" philosophy, bought a 16 gallon shop vac. Then one day he used it to squeegee up 16 gallons of water.

You know how much 16 gallons of water weighs??? He found out why smaller might be better in this case!

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: Terry K
Date: 04 Jan 06 - 01:41 AM

Miele - every time. No argument. No comparisons. Just Miele, every time.

One word of caution - we've had Miele since 1973 but we just bought our 3rd one, so they obviously don't last.

cheers, Terry

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: open mike
Date: 04 Jan 06 - 03:36 AM

i never understood how the design
of a vacuum cleaner (upright model)
requires all the crap that it sucks
up to actually pass by the belt as
it enters the container (bag or bag-
less) the belt and beater so often get
wrapped with hair and stuff, and the
belt often breaks just from stuff
whizzing past it and taking out
chunks...when are they going to
invent a more efficient design?!

maybe i am the only one with long
hair, unravelling rugs that get
long fibers tangled in the vacuum's
brushes, and wood chips and nails
on my floor? vacuuming is such an
unpleasant chore that i avoid it,,
then it becomes even more so...

i have a hoover and no-one has even
mentioned it yet...i hved not heard
anyone mention orrick either.

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: Metchosin
Date: 04 Jan 06 - 05:37 AM

My 35 year old Electrolux tank, which was my mother's before I inherited it, because she found it a bit heavy, is cosmetically haggard, but still going strong. I had to replace the hose once, but other than that, it can still can suck the paint off the walls and although the power head wails a tad, I figure after all these years of sawdust, drywall dust and dog hair, it has the right.

Only other problem is that sometimes the rubber seals on the cheap bags that I buy, occasionally split, which causes the dogs to attack it when I turn it on, because the resultant squeals sound like the death throes of a large rodent.

After reading this thread, I think that if my Electrolux finally bites the dust, we'll probably incorporate a built-in or if that's not feasible, another older Electrolux tank, because one should get at least 30 years trouble free service from any expensive machine whose sole purpose is to suck up crap.

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: Rapparee
Date: 04 Jan 06 - 08:50 AM

Because, om, the beaters raise the nap on the carpet so that more dirt and stuff can be sucked up. And no matter how you design the beaters they're going to get clogged with hair and stuff first, unless you don't raise the nap and that won't get your carpets as clean.

Or you could get a shop vac -- they don't use beaters at all, but they're noisy and heavy.

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacuum Cleaner
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 04 Jan 06 - 09:22 AM

My old expensive Panasonic cannister vacuum did a great job for over 30 years, but finally the hose started to split. I decided that after all these years, they have surely made vast improvements in vacuum cleaners like hepa filters, lighter weight, bagless, etc. So I gave the old Panasonic to the church tagsale and bought a cheap upright. Returned the cheap upright and got another. Returned that and got another. Now I'm stuck with the third try.

No, they haven't gotten better. In fact they suck poorly, have bad designs with plastic parts that fall off or break, spray dust when you empty the bagless cups, are awkward to maneuver despite being lighter, make a lot of noise, etc. But they're cheaper...

I guess what hasn't changed is that you get what you pay for.

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: mooman
Date: 04 Jan 06 - 09:40 AM

"Nothing sucks like an Electrolux!"

Wasn't that their disastrous advertising line when they first entered the North American market?

We have a small AEG bag model which is powerful and very light. The Dysons have some good features but in the end we didn't go for one.

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: Morticia
Date: 04 Jan 06 - 09:55 AM

We have a Dyson......prolly wouldn't get another.At the time of purchase they were they only brand with the filters we needed to deal with son's asthma......I think there are others now that do at least as well and are hopefully more reliable and lighter.

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 04 Jan 06 - 10:17 AM

One more comment: I was given a gift cleaning from Merry Maids, and they arrived toting an Oreck vacuum. Couldn't detect anywhere that they had actually used it, but that's what they had!

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: number 6
Date: 04 Jan 06 - 11:44 AM

Good job I posted this thread ... as I was about to go out and by a Dyson ... the Miele looks good so far.

Again ... appreciate the comments.

sIx

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: Bill D
Date: 04 Jan 06 - 11:58 AM

boy....we have had this Miele for 10 years now, and it looks like they have tripled the number of models available! I HATE too many choices of good stuff.

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacumn Cleaner
From: bobad
Date: 04 Jan 06 - 12:54 PM

Hey sIx

Check this one out.

You can lounge with a cool drink or practice your guitar while your house gets vacuumed, you can't beat that.

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacuum Cleaner
From: kendall
Date: 04 Jan 06 - 03:42 PM

Electrolux number one. If you can't afford one, Dirt devil.

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacuum Cleaner
From: number 6
Date: 04 Jan 06 - 04:17 PM

Thanks bobad!

My son mentioned getting that one ... put it in high speed and it would terrorize the hounds.

sIx

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacuum Cleaner
From: Kaleea
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 01:56 AM

If you have no carpets, are you looking for something to use for lots of above the floor cleaning like draperies, blinds, upholstry, etc? You'll need something with on board tools & long rods & hoses, & which will also do bare floors. Also, you're right to not choose the bagless, as it sounds like you deal with lots of alergens which the hepa filter bags contain pretty well. You might even consider a canister vac which does much better than uprights at getting the dirt from odd places which are not carpets. The one which has been suggested for folks with bare floors & lots of above the floor cleaning is the Miele Red Velvet canister Vac with one of those motor-powerbrush things. It is especially good for schlooping & containing dust & allergens & pet hair.

Subject: RE: BS: New Vacuum Cleaner
From: number 6
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 09:50 AM

I definately will go 'bagless' Kaleea .. and a cannister with tools. I'm pretty well sold on the Miele cannister. My wife wants to replace the central but the lugging of the the hoses up and down 4 flights of stairs is more of a nuiscance that a cannister ... also, the central vac machine is located in our garage which I also use as a workshop .. when the vac is switched on the noise is absolutely unbearable. Plus I don't think a central is suitable for such a tall house as ours.

Thanks for your input.

sIx