Well, the day I have dreaded has arrived. My old Electrolux is beginning to break down. I don't want to put any more money into it since it is a refurbished model. I have had a few Electroluxes in my adult vacuuming life, but as you may know the company was bought by Aerus. There are still Electrolux machines but they aren't made by the original company. It is all very confusing. All I know is that it is time for a change.Before I buy a new one, I would like your recommendations. Could you please let me know what kind of vac you have and if you love it or hate it and why? Does it use bags?
Here are my cleaning facts. I have two shedding black dogs and a cat. I live on a dirt road. I have a barn. I vacuum once a week. And I want a canister type not an upright.
Boy, oh boy, have you come to the right person for this question! Of all my appliances, I only wax rhapsodic about one. My Dyson vacuum cleaner! It's the Animal model, and I absolutely adore it. My husband and I actually vie for the right to be the one who gets to vacuum the rugs. As you know, I have two big and furry dogs, so I know a good vacuum when I follow behind one! Plus, it's light, easy to maneuver and easy to empty. You will not believe how much it picks up! Trust me, this is the best vacuum I have ever owned.
ReplyDeleteI am really smiling, Pamela. What a great recommendation. I will sure check into it!
ReplyDeleteYou know, I really, really, really hate vacuuming. However, I have a Kenmore cannister vacuum. I like it pretty well. You've probably get better recommendations than mine. Have I mentioned that I hate vacuuming? It does have bags.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, the strawberries are luscious looking. Yum!!!
I have been enjoying your blog through the recommendation of a friend. Sorry to hear the sad news about your Electrolux. I have had my own canister Electrolux since 1988. Prior to that I had a hand me down Hoover canister. For the first 20 years with the Electrolux all I did was replace the hose. Then, sadly, the motor gave out. I decided to invest in the repair and my beloved machine is still with me and going strong. I have received rave reviews on the Dyson from both daughter and daughter-in-law.
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is that I can't recommend my Kenmore. I'm going to go look up the Dyson and I look forward to reading more comments. I'm tired of de-tangling the rotor in my vacuum.
ReplyDeleteI really like the sound of Pam's recommendation--but the Dyson sounds like it costs big bucks. I hate vacuuming so much that I resent spending money on the vacuum cleaner. I recently got a Sears tank model (an update of the same thing we bought from them 10 years ago). It has bags and--get this--one pass through our house completely fills the bag. Not sure what that says about us and our dogs and cats or my vacuum cleaning avoidance thing. Let's just assume that it's awfully efficient.
ReplyDeleteHere is something that was a big surprise to me. The sales guy mentioned the filters that need changing every three months. I assumed that this was something new until I saw the look on his face. It was then that I realized that I had slowly strangled my old model by never once changing the filters in all those years. Gulp.
When I saw the title of this post I was hoping that you were looking for book recommendations, because I just finished reading Her Fearful Symmetry by Audry Niffenegger and would much rather be recommending it than a vacuum cleaner!
My DB talked me into an upright vacuum. I hate it. Stick to your guns. Get a canister. I can't recommend a particular type. All I know is don't get an upright.
ReplyDeleteSounds like Pamela's already got you fixed up. I have a bagless upright and I love it (Kenmore) but I only have one kitty and she has very short hair. I'm finding that I love the lack of fur I'm sweeping up with our new kitty girl.
ReplyDeleteMy neighbor has a Dyson (I'm not sure of the model) and when my vacuum was broken she let me use hers. As a test I vacuumed my family room, emptied the canister and revacuumed the same room... I couldn't believe how much more stuff came up. I haven't felt the same in her house since :).
ReplyDeleteI have a cansiter type, I like to vacuum rooms twice now, just in case and am happy with the results (it's a $200 model from target).
Good Luck with your search!
Nan, while Pamela loves her Dyson I have some things to say about them. I have had my Dyson for Pet Hair for about 5 yrs. While it was wonderful in the beginning it took a turn for the worst! After 2.5 yrs. the belt keeps breaking and now when you vacuum on thick rugs it jams and won't let you vacuum. We have had it to the Dyson repair guy about 3 times and he says they are great in the beginning and then they don't work so well after a while and have the belt and suction issue, which you pay the extra $$ not to have. I'm going with a less expensive model soon because the same thing happens to them sometimes but you won't be paying the big bucks like you do for the Dyson! Hope that helps.
ReplyDeleteI too LOVE my Dyson vacuum. I have the Dyson Slim, it is almost as powerful as the bigger Animal, but not as heavy and I found the head of the Animal to big to fit in some of our spaces (tight corners, under the kitchen cupboards)
ReplyDeletehope this helps...
I have to second that - am a fool for the Dyson. We have the roller ball model and it corners well. Heavy if you intend to bring it up and down stairs. My very large public library uses Dysons for the excellent cleaning (which is where I got the idea of getting one in the first place). Great for picking up dog hair, another amen to that.
ReplyDeleteI have a Dyson too and it's great. Mine's an upright, compact Dyson Ball all floors model that scoots round corners. It's the best vac I've had (and I've had a lot). We only have one cat so not so much pet hair to deal with, but I think the cylinder model would probably suit you very well.
ReplyDeleteWish I could help, but mine's an upright and VERY heavy. I got it at Sears and it's supposed to be the best for animal hair, but I'm not too sure about that. I may have to convince my husband I need to buy a Dyson. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, thank you! Tom and I are going to spend a long time reading your notes and giving lots of thought to the choice. I'm so appreciative that you've taken the time to write.
ReplyDeleteAnd I came here thinking you wanted a great title!
ReplyDeleteMy first recommendation is that you don't vacuum. ;)
But, if you have too, as I do with our dear kitties and Husky, I'm quite fond of our Dyson. While it's rather pricy, it's 'bagless' so it's so easy to empty the canisters of pet hair. (Sorry to be gross so early in the morning.)
I don't think I can go back to buying and replacing bags on my vacuum cleaner. Plus, this Dyson has a lot of attachments for furniture.
Should one choose to vacuum instead of read. XO
I am very interested to read all these comments as I am planning to replace my vacuum and want one that can cope properly with dog hair - the current model (a Miele, but not the cat & dog one) is not doing a good job.
ReplyDeleteDyson, but make sure you get one which is easy to manoeuvre. It's all very well sucking up the grime and pet hair but sometimes they're a little awkward to push and shove. I have quite an elderly Dyson but I would buy one again - it cleans magnificently, but some of the attachments don't fit on all that well to the nozzle and can fly off when you're using it, and if you shove 'em on really hard, then they're difficult to get off! So, if you're like me, five foot two and not in the first flush of yoof, as they say, make sure the machine is easy to handle as well as good on suction.
ReplyDeleteMargaret P
PS My friend has a robot cleaner. It's like a little flying saucer, goes around cleaning the carpet on it's own (and hard floors) and then 'docks' itself into the electric socket for recharging! I am not kidding, I have seen it in action. But I don't think these are suitable for very large areas of pet-hair'd carpets. Best, perhaps for light cleaning, and something you could keep upstairs so you don't have to lug a heavy weight cleaner up the stairs.
Golly! I guess we should all go out and buy a Dyson. I have a Hoover with bags, which is okay, but (don't tell anybody) I'm not really a total cleanliness freak so as long as I can't see obvious stuff I live and let live......
ReplyDeleteIf you have the slightest hint of a back problem an upright hoover is the most sensible choice. We have a Dyson and they are simply the best. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I have noticed that men seem to like using Dysons too.
From the other comments, it sounds like Dyson is a winner! I have always hated vacuuming, mainly because of the vacuum cleaner itself--the electrical cord, the hose, and then the "big lug" itself. In my next life I want something I saw recently in an old house built back in the mid-'20's ....... a built-in vac, i.e., a suction hole in the wall (to the main system in the basement or wherever) where you just attach a hose and have at it. Just move the hose from room to room and no electrical cords or "big lug" to haul around. Deeeee-vine!
ReplyDeleteBecause I am a faithful reader, I am going to give my 2 cents worth, although the Dyson sounds very appealing. I have always used an Electrolux and have appreciated it.
ReplyDeleteGood-luck in your search
Consumer Report would also be a good research tool for you!
Let us know what you decide....
Joanne
I have 3 pugs and a lhasa apso. I will add to the LOVE of the Dyson - I love my Dyson Animal vacuum. The only thing I don't like is that sometimes if you have loose threads on your carpet, it will pull those up and out of your carpet. Also it tends to keep the dander smell in the vacuum if you don't clean it out often enough. But that's easily remedied.
ReplyDeleteI can recommend the Dyson vacuum cleaner too Nan. I have an old one, both my sisters, son, daughter and a friend have newer ones and all the basic model. They are expensive here in Australia but seem to be popular. We all have pets.
ReplyDeletePatricia
I have a Rainbow --- there is none better -- been sweeping for over 60 years
ReplyDeleteLucy
Oh gosh, I have a big mop and a dust pan.
ReplyDeleteAm I antiquated? Yes, but I love wooden floors. I shake my woven rugs and hang them out to air.
Love,
Sharon
I don't have a recommendation, but need a new vac too... so have been reading these comments with rapt attention. I'm glad you posted this question! :D
ReplyDeleteWell, I have an Oreck...upright and am very happy with it. It weighs 8 pounds and is easy to manuever which is good for me and my arthritis.
ReplyDeleteThere's a reason cleaning ladies use Sears Kenmore canisters. They're moderately priced, stand up to a lot of abuse, have good HEPA filtration, have bags (VERY important and filters, which are reasonably priced and easy to find.
ReplyDelete(BTW, yes, change filters once in a while! Or at least give them a shake. Change bags when they're 3/4 full, not stuffed.)
Get one with quick release power nozzle and controls on the handle. Don't worry too much about attachments. If you're fond of your old vacuum attachments, you can get adapters and keep using them.
I've tried my clients' Dysons and Mieles and found them to be over-rated. I prefer to carry in my own Kenmore. It just works better. If you're going to spend that much money, look at Sebo and Simplicity instead. They're pricy, too, but excellent and not annoying to use. Morag