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Post by charis on Jul 7, 2009 9:25:51 GMT -5
Our vacuum is so worthless at this point that I am getting by with our little cordless stick vac (does NOT do anything on rugs and itself on its last legs) and my husband's shopvac.
When Mr. Charis finishes the floors upstairs we will be a wall-to-wall carpet free home---goodbye to sons and Mr C's allergies, we hope
I am looking for a replacement vacuum for no more than 250 dollars that will be used to do hardwood floors and ceramic tile, painted stairs, area rugs and upholstered furniture.
From trying to check things out online, I see that uprights are best for carpets, so I probably want a canister vac.
What do you use? Would you buy it again today or make a different choice? Anybody have a suggestion for a good, inexpensive cannister vacuum?
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Post by mouse on Jul 7, 2009 9:33:01 GMT -5
Mine is neither a cannister vacuum nor inexpensive, but I love it with much love. It's an Electrolux, which I got from my parents as a birthday present last year. They bought it second-hand, and it's fabulous. It's not quite as good as... that brand of vacuums everyone loves but whose name temporarily escapes me... drat. Dyson! That's it. Anyway, I've heard rave reviews from several friends about Dysons. Still, I'm very happy with my little Electrolux. ~Mouse
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Blackswan
Banned
Joined: October 2008
Posts: 6,388
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Post by Blackswan on Jul 7, 2009 9:49:13 GMT -5
OK, let me tell you about my vacuum. I love it so much that I am actually going to get up off the bed right now and see what kind I have. I NEVER get up, so you know this one is good. It is a Eureka, and it is called The Boss. They sell it at Walmart for less than 200 bucks, I think a lot less than 200, don't remember for sure though. Now, it is an upright, but it has this great feature. It has a button by the handle that you can push, without bending over, to change from using the regular vacuum to using the hose. The hose is already attached, you don't have to change anything, you just have to push that button! It comes with all of the accessories to clean all of the things you want too. The vacuum has very strong suction, and it can pick up all kinds of things. I have been picking up guinea pig mess in it now, like piles and piles at a time, and it has not broken once, and still has good suction. I originally had a cheap, fifty dollar vacuum, and when I brought this bad boy home, to my filthy rugs that I thought needed to be replaced, it looked like I had brand new carpets! Now, in my new place, I have hardwood floors, and I use it for them, and for the tile too, and it works great. It has another setting, right on the front of it, where you can easily lower it to clean whatever type of surface you want. There are ten height settings, I think. It also works good at vacuuming up the edges next to the walls! And, the reason why I bought it in the first place - It has a Good Housekeeping award, or seal of approval, or something on it. Oh, ok. Let me get up again and go check. OK, it says Consumer's Digest Best Buy on it. Not GH, but still, that's good. And it says "outcleans Dyson by 60% for 1/2 the price". Yeah, I never took the stickers off, . But see, there was a reason for not taking them off! I would absolutely recommend it. And for me to get THIS excited over my vacuum, you know its good, cause Blackswan does not CARE about anything to do with cleaning, ever.
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Blackswan
Banned
Joined: October 2008
Posts: 6,388
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Post by Blackswan on Jul 7, 2009 9:54:54 GMT -5
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Post by Script on Jul 7, 2009 12:08:35 GMT -5
I am replying to this at work. I need a break. My vacuum cleaner history:
*1971-72: life with Mr. Tortured Genius in furnished rental flat: ancient vacuum from landlady: didn't work at all, useless, i never vacuumed *1972-1976: brand new Electrolux: wedding present from uncle: this was a very expensive item at that time *1976-1980: I left Mr. Tortured in June'76. I did not get custody of the vacuum, in our division of household items. although virtually everything 'we' owned was a gift from MY family, we divided the household 50/50. I had no money after the divorce so bought a cheap-o store brand. *1980-2007: the cheap-o did not survive. I had some money, and bought another electrolux 1980/81? Not the top of the line, but not bad either. *2007-today (i may be wrong on the date? 2006?): I bought a very expensive Miele with power nozzle. It is a miracle: light and good. But it was hugely $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. HOWEVER: I know two other people who have the identical, and one that has similar.
also: My DH today (whom I love more than life itself)still uses the old electrolux in the garage.
answer to question: If I had to do this over again, I would buy EXACTLY the same vacuum. I chose the 'wrong' power nozzle, and needed a repair/replacement, but the actual vacuum is a total joy to me. I have used it a LOT. I can manage a light-weight canister, I cannot manage an upright.
off topic: but I need to get this off my chest. There is a reason I do not want to be close ANY MORE to my semi-estranged sister. We were having a family lunch. Conversation turned to vacuums; I told the group about my Miele. Someone asked the price, and LIKE A DUMMY, I gave the figure. My ***** sister's smart-alleck remark? "I'd lick my floors before spending that kind of money".
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Post by charis on Jul 7, 2009 12:21:25 GMT -5
I am mentally filing anecdote about your sister to use on the occasions when I see my two brothers doing something brotherly together and get melancholy that I never had a sister My MIL has a Kirby vacuum that belonged to her mother and is kind of a family pet. She swears by it but I have had very high-pressure salespeople come to the door for this brand and have no desire to extend my exposure to that kind of behaviour. Hey, maybe I could tell them I would lick the floors sooner than have a Kirby demonstration! Share a little of Husband of Script's infatuation for Electrolux ANYTHING since my new washer and dryer are Electrolux and are doing an amazing job. I have heard nothing but good things about Miele and will cehck them out, but afraid they may be beyond my pocketbook just now.
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seraphina
New Member
Joined: July 2009
Posts: 34
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Post by seraphina on Jul 7, 2009 12:42:48 GMT -5
I bought a Kirby in 1998, due to DH letting a salesman into the house when I was at the store, than in 2001 upgraded to a newer version that I still have. I really love it, my only regret is that the army put us in a house this time without carpet, so it's not living up to it's full potential, but I still get to use all the fun attachments (although the dogs hate when I use the "groomer" on them). The carpet cleaner attachment does a surprisingly good job. I've only ever had to have a small repair done to it, and that was covered under warranty. When it dies, I will replace it with another Kirby.
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Post by grungygeorgie on Jul 7, 2009 13:12:18 GMT -5
I am very passionate about my vacuum cleaner.It is a purple DYSON esp. for pet hair,w/ removal canister you dump when full.The filter is removal,you wash it,let it dry & pop it back in.
Since I have 2 hairy dogs it gets used nearly every day.I know it is expensive,but really worth it.I bought it at KOHLS on sale w/ my creditcard and got even more of discount.Once paid off promptly, I then canceled card.
If you call the Dyson company about a question or concern,you get a real human being to speak with, who (2X's) has been extremely helpful & nice!
I knew it was going to be good when I was in line to pay & a woman behind me said,"Oh I just love that vacuum cleaner!".
I just love my DYSON, yes it was investment, but has out run & out lasted all the cheaper crappier vacs I have had in the past.The worst being, "THE ORECK", just the worst vac ever.Good luck w/ your search!
Plus James Dyson is cute,don't cha think? I am mad for all things Brit!
Georgie
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Post by charis on Jul 7, 2009 13:22:56 GMT -5
Oh boy, the consensus I am starting to see is that people regret buying cheap vacuums and don't regret when they have payed for better ones.
Food for thought.
Thanks for the link, Blackswan. BTW, I love your new avatar.
Seraphina--I hope I didn't offend. You rebutted my little rant very courteously. Kirbys are good machines--my MILS has been chugging along for over 30 years with the replacement parts she gets from the Kirby service place in Ft Wayne. I am just hopelessly head-in-the-sand when it comes to salespeople.
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Post by bluefrog on Jul 7, 2009 13:34:22 GMT -5
I'm with Georgie about the Dyson. I have the yellow one, bought on sale for what was still a bucket-load of money. That thing sucks up an UNBELIEVABLE amount of critter hair and crud. I have never regretted a dime that I spent on it. More than $250, though, and an upright. Should it ever die, I'll be investigating the Dyson with the ball.
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seraphina
New Member
Joined: July 2009
Posts: 34
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Post by seraphina on Jul 7, 2009 14:13:26 GMT -5
You didn't offend at all. I hate door to door salespeople, and DH nearly lost his head when I came home and saw them there. (The reason I dont like them is that without fail I feel guilty if I don't buy something so I just don't let them in). Oh boy, the consensus I am starting to see is that people regret buying cheap vacuums and don't regret when they have payed for better ones. Food for thought. Thanks for the link, Blackswan. BTW, I love your new avatar. Seraphina--I hope I didn't offend. You rebutted my little rant very courteously. Kirbys are good machines--my MILS has been chugging along for over 30 years with the replacement parts she gets from the Kirby service place in Ft Wayne. I am just hopelessly head-in-the-sand when it comes to salespeople.
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Post by charis on Jul 7, 2009 15:34:29 GMT -5
Bad marketing: On eBay, someone is selling electrolux harmony canister vacuums and throwing in a free fire extinguisher This does not instill confidence
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Post by missjean on Jul 7, 2009 18:40:56 GMT -5
I can't afford a new vacuum (I have a DirtDevil) but I bought a Pet PowerPaw attachment. I can't remember if it's Hoover or Eureka, but it works on mine.
I don't have pets, but I have long hair, which gets everywhere. It works great! It's designed to clean upholstery, but it's worked really well on area rugs and my bedroom carpet.
Until I can save up the money for a better vacuum (maybe a year), this will do nicely.
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Post by fluffernut - now Jannie on Jul 7, 2009 19:10:21 GMT -5
I was given an OLD Electrolux years ago, and I actually kept it and used it for about 20 years. My MIL gave me a Hoover Windtunnel "identical" to the "excellent" one she owned. It sucked, no it didn't suck. Used it for a couple of years, then threw it away. Got two after that- a Bissell and a Eureka, neither one worked worth a darn. Last year I bought a cheapie $29.95 at Target, it works fairly well, and as soon as I can find another Electrolux, I'm buying it. I think Elecxtrolux is now known as "Aerus".
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Post by joyinvirginia on Jul 7, 2009 19:45:44 GMT -5
The old Electrolux vacuums were great! Unfortunately I got an anniversary edition and it was a lemon, always needed some kind of repair. Got tired of it and got cheapo vacuum at Roses which worked ok for a year or so. Got an Oreck which vacuumed fine EXCEPT design problem, if you suck up the least little plastic or paper it can clog the intake THEN you have to take the thing apart to unclog it. Last year got a Hoover on sale at Costco, cost about $85 IIRC, Hoover Elite Rewind 12 amp, bagless but emptying the cannister is a breeze, it is great with pet hair
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