Useful News

I and vacuums have a unique relationship. I buy them and they break- it's just a matter of when. If you google what is the best vacuum on the Internet, you will get an extremely varied response which usually correlates with what they are specifically selling. In my defense I have to say that in my younger days, my parent bought a Eureka Boss ( black and made of steel) which lasted me 8-10 years. I grew bored with the vacuum that had served me so well. My only memory of any problems was my father having to occasionally change the belt for me. We did have to go to the ER once because of his hand laceration when he tried to use a Swiss Army knife to do it but that's another story.

Useful tip #1 Vacuum belts need to be changed every 6 months.

I foolishly let the boss go and still regret it. I have since been through what feels like fifty vacuums since then- always trying to recreate the feeling of the first one while it still young and fresh! I tried the new version of the Eureka Boss from Target and it broke within 2 months. Instead of the old steel vacuums today's home use vacuum is made out of plastic and I really think made to be disposable. It may last to it's one year warranty but it's doubtful. An owner of a vacuum repair store told me that large dept. stores buy the poorly selling vacuums in bulk and then sell them to consumers at discount prices but there is a good chance you are getting a lemon. I distinctly remember trying the 2008 Bissell Pet Care Vacuum but the accessory tools were falling off the back of it while I was trying to use it and I got so frustrated it wheeled it down to the garbage dumpster- only to be followed by a man who asked if he could have it and he happily wheeled it away. I hope he was a patient man. I never saw him or the vacuum again.

Useful tip #2  Use the suction only feature on your vacuum for heavy shag carpet. The carpet can get stuck in the roller with heavier carpets and remove it in small pieces.

I recently bought the Hoover Widepath TEMPO with allergen filtration- twice. Sigh, I know. I bought it from Best Buy with a warranty for 2 years. When it only lasted 2 months I thought maybe that one was defective so I bought it again and spent another 20 dollars on another warranty. The second one lasted 2 weeks. Now before you are assuming that I have a large home and that's why- you are wrong. I am in a condo in the West Coast equivalent to Manhattan- Los Angeles and even the dogs are small here. Ever hopeful I tried again with a Hoover Bagged Windtunnel T Series upright teal vacuum 7 days ago. I gently assembled the machine as per instructions and then was delighted with the cool lights on the front that reminded me of Star Trek. After just three strips of 3 feet length of carpet it started smoking and then caught on fire. I wish I was kidding. It's going back to Macy's where I bought it tomorrow.

Useful tip #3 Commerical vacuums are made to last.

I was forced to reassess the way I was buying my vacuums. I thought, "What are the hotels using the clean the rooms?" It sounds like they are using Sanitaire from my research which is Eureka's commerical brand and quite successfully. The do have some models that still have steel parts. The Sanitaire SC888-K brand was favorable reviewed by comparison. There are several websites that advertise and sell them. I haven't tried that one myself.

Useful tip #4 All vacuums are not created equal. 

I have found that l like luxury autos there are luxury vacuums. Riccar, Miele, Royal, Kirby and Sebo come to mind. Sebo is the luxury German model with the newer models self adjusting to the height of your carpeting. Some feel Miele is the best and they certainly have a wide array of canister models with allergy reducing properties. Kirby's are great but not visually appealing and are somewhat heavy. I recently bought a Riccar Vibrance and so far so good. I like the fact that Riccar is an American company and the vacuum was made in the USA. I bought it from a upgrade vacuum shop in West Hollywood and the motor is under warranty for 4 years. The other parts are covered by warranty for 1 year and that's the way I like it. If history repeats itself they will come to know me well......