| Until quite recently the vacuum cleaner was a humble | | | | to handle. Most think that a canister is easier to handle |
| servant of domestic cleaning; locked away for the | | | | but Dyson have recently introduced a ball into the head |
| most part and unloved. But how times have changed? | | | | of the upright model, making handling much |
| Those were the days before Oreck promised to | | | | easier.What's all this bagless nonsense? Until Dyson |
| lighten our load, before Dyson bamboozled us with | | | | came along most vacuum cleaners were fitted with |
| science and garish colours, and Miele offered us | | | | bags. Now most manufacturers offer bag or bagless |
| ultimate cleaning power with the stylish lines of a | | | | models. Bagless models claim to offer suction power |
| German sports car.It used to be so simple. You either | | | | that never diminishes, even when the dust |
| bought a model from a door-to-door salesman or you | | | | compartment is nearly full. They also allow you to see |
| went to your local hardware shop and bought pretty | | | | what has been sucked up, and easy retrieval - handy |
| much the same sort of vacuum your parents bought. | | | | when you've just vacuumed up something you |
| The vacuum cleaner hadn't changed in eons. It was | | | | shouldn't have. However, emptying a bagless vacuum |
| what it always was; heavy, rather ugly and noisy. But | | | | can be a messy affair for some people.A filter used to |
| not anymore.These days the hapless buyer is | | | | be a piece of foam in most vacuum cleaners. Not |
| overloaded with the latest technical advances, beguiled | | | | anymore. These days many people are concerned |
| by the latest colour and styling and confused by the | | | | and affected by allergens in the air. Vacuum cleaner |
| slick marketing techniques used to push these 'design | | | | manufacturers have responded by introducing HEPA |
| icons' upon us. So how do you make that difficult | | | | filters. The problem with older vacuums is that a |
| choice? How do you buy the right vacuum cleaner and | | | | certain amount of dust was sucked in and blown back |
| avoid universal ridicule from friend and family? If you | | | | into the atmosphere. Vacuums fitted with HEPA |
| are thinking of buying a vacuum cleaner, you should | | | | remove 99. 97 percent of particles 0. 3 micron in |
| think about the following points. Only by knowing what | | | | diameter (or larger) from the air that passes through |
| your requirements are can you make the right | | | | them.Attachments and Extras: What attachments do |
| choice.What type of flooring do you have? The | | | | you require? What length of electrical cord would you |
| vacuums of today are specialist - in case you didn't | | | | like? You should buy a model that has at least 20 feet |
| know. You'll want to buy a certain make of vacuum | | | | of cord. The hose should be at least 5 foot |
| for fitted carpet from a vacuum that's going to be | | | | long.Service: This is one thing that hasn't changed. Top |
| used for hardwood flooring. You'll need to pay close | | | | manufacturers have always prided themselves on |
| attention to the vacuum heads. Also, what type of | | | | after sales service. This is still true today. However, |
| attachments will you needs? Do you have curtains to | | | | some models of vacuum cleaners are more |
| clean? Windowsills? High alcoves?Canister or Upright? | | | | expensive to repair than others.Finally, how much are |
| Back in the good old days just about all came as | | | | you prepared to pay? The rule of thumb is that the |
| upright. Then someone had the bright idea of the | | | | more you pay the better the product you'll be getting. |
| canister! But seriously, do you have a lot of stairs? If | | | | But this isn't always so. Some manufacturers rely very |
| so, you may prefer the canister. But if you have fitted | | | | much on their reputation; as a consumer you usually |
| carpets you may prefer the greater suction power | | | | pay for this. |
| afforded by most uprights? Which do you find easier | | | | |