| Author |
Message |
    
ligeti
Citizen
Username: Ligeti
Post Number: 211
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, March 20, 2005 - 3:05 pm: |     |
What happened to the good old fashioned, functional vacuum cleaner? These ridiculous bagless contraptions are a mess! Best I can tell, they don't clean the floor any better than the old Hoover I had -- which lasted 20 years, of course. Every time you need to empty the stupid thing, you've got to take it outside (to an open field preferably), put on one those white body suits that chemical cleanup specialists use, and attempt to empty it with various banging, knocking, shaking and blowing maneuvers. I made the mistake of trying to "empty" one of these pricey, high tech gizmos indoors -- no matter how careful I was, mushroom clouds of dust & crap enveloped everything. Why-oh-why does "new technology" so often mean "more complicated, less efficient, made of cheap plastic and outrageously expensive"? |
papayagirl
Citizen
Username: Papayagirl
Post Number: 338
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, March 20, 2005 - 4:39 pm: | |
I don't really know. But everyone i know that has a Dyson (which costs around $500) says that it's life-changing. |
Waxwings
Supporter
Username: Waxwings
Post Number: 19
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, March 20, 2005 - 6:01 pm: | |
re- Dysons: yeah, but....when the drive belt goes, and it will eventually, expect either big $$$ to replace at a repair shop or about 2 + hours to do it yourself. With most other types, it takes about 5 minutes. The bagless types, in addition to being a real PITA to empty, throw a lot of dust into the air when vacuuming. We recently got a Meile canister type. It was a bit pricey, but it does an outstanding job, better than any I've ever used. (I have used many many different kinds working in building maintenance for 15 years.) Plus the bags and filters emit virtually no dust at all...and they are a breeze to change! |
ess
Citizen
Username: Ess
Post Number: 83
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, March 20, 2005 - 6:24 pm: | |
I've also heard amazing things about the Dyson (wasn't aware of the repair issues, though).
Does anyone have any experience with the Roomba? The concept is fascinating. |
Lizziecat
Citizen
Username: Lizziecat
Post Number: 554
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, March 20, 2005 - 8:14 pm: | |
I have a Roomba, which my husband got me for my birthday a year ago--but he apologized for that. We let it loose between visits from our cleaning person, when something looks dusty or dirty. It actually does pick up the dirt. It travels in circles, and does eventually get to everything. It gets stuck on rug fringes, and beeps hysterically, so you have to go and rescue it. You have to be careful that it doesn't fall down stairs. When it encounters obstacles it backs off and goes in another direction. It holds acharge pretty well, and it need to be emptied after each use. I get a kick out of watching it, and probaby spend too much time doing so. |
AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 161
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, March 20, 2005 - 8:49 pm: | |
My wife and I LOVE our Dyson. I'm not sure I'm going to call it life changing but I will say it is the best designed piece of hardware we own. It really is very well thought out, and the best part of all IT JUST WORKS. Really no one is exaggerating, it has AMAZING suction and it never loses suction. The reason why it costs so much is because it honestly is the best vacuum cleaner on the market, BY FAR.
I could go into all the different ways that it is well designed but just trust me it is, or better yet just visit their website. |
us2inFL
Citizen
Username: Us2innj
Post Number: 1243
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, March 20, 2005 - 9:34 pm: | |
We love the Nutone central vac system we now have. It is completely quiet since the machinery is in the garage. There is no dust blown around inside the housewhen you're using it, and the bag inside the drum last for six months of heavy use. The bare floor attachment glides over tile and really gets the dirt out of the grout. The beater-bar carpet head is nicely weighted and has four height adjustments.
We still keep the Hoover around for quick vac-ups. |
Rick B
Citizen
Username: Ruck1977
Post Number: 514
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 21, 2005 - 8:01 am: | |
wait...people vacuum in maplewood?
I thought WE were the only ones!  |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 5932
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 21, 2005 - 11:51 am: | |
Nothing sucks like an Electrolux!
We have an old Electrolux. They are really well made. They often last over 30 years. Ligeti, I bet you could find one at a garage sale or on craigslist or something like that. |
Lydia
Supporter
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 1012
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 21, 2005 - 6:08 pm: | |
Tom -
I'm an Electrolux fan too - I have four, one for each floor.
My sister still has our Electrolux that my mother got 39 years ago. I've found 2 Electroluxes on bulk trash day that work great - I use one of them in the basement to vacuum up spiders.
My top-of-the-line Electrolux has a 25 year warrantee, they really stand behind their product. It was about $1,600 but I justified the cost because we don't have a cleaning person, so I figure I deserve whatever vacuum makes me happy.
I think Electrolux is now "Aerus" actually - eBay has great deals on Electrolae BTW.
I've heard good things about the Miele too, if I wasn't already committed to the Electrolux lifestyle, I'd get a Miele if only because they look so cool.
I don't trust the bagless concept at all - who needs all those dust mites swirling around when you empty it? Plus, it's not a drag to change the bag on a vacuum cleaner,
I sort of like throwing away a full bag, it means the vacuum is earning it's keep. |
us2inFL
Citizen
Username: Us2innj
Post Number: 1245
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 9:21 pm: | |
Trick of the trade, put a few mothballs in a fresh vac bag every time you change them out. It will make sure any accumulated mites and stuff suffocate when they're trapped inside the bag. |
Miss L Toe
Citizen
Username: Miss_l_toe
Post Number: 204
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 4:15 pm: | |
My sister in England has a Dyson and as I always stay with her when I go on 'home leave' I vacuum the house for her. I hate the Dyson with a passion! The damn thing is soooo noisy and it's really heavy as well...she has the upright version and it's a pain to use on - and to take up - the stairs.
Emptying the Dyson is also a nightmare...as soon as you empty the canister the dust goes everywhere, I think it's really messy.
I have a Miele and it's great. It's really quiet and very efficient (on a par with my sister's Dyson) as mine has a powerbrush (for pet hair). I had a Dyson in Singapore but had to sell it when we moved here as the voltage there is 220v. My husband moved in a few weeks before I arrived and he'd purchased a 'Eureka' vacuum cleaner from Costco I think. It was pants.
Within six months I'd abandoned the Eureka for the Miele - I have the black Solaris model. It has a HEPA filter too so it's a boon for anyone with allergies/asthma.
http://www.mielevacuums.com/
As for the Dyson - I read this the other day - they're bringing out a new model with a 'ball' at the base so it's like a wheelbarrow:
31500-13311584%2C00.html,http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,31500-13311584,00 .html
(I also read on another British website that the 'modern' design of the Dyson appeals to men and they're more likely to choose to vacuum if they can do so with a Dyson LOL!) |
Miss L Toe
Citizen
Username: Miss_l_toe
Post Number: 205
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 4:24 pm: | |
I don't think the link I posted above to Sky news works, but here is the latest Dyson vacuum cleaner called "The Ball" which was released in the UK last week (15th March).
http://www.dyson.co.uk/theball/theball.asp?sinavtype=menu
They're expecting sales to go through the roof....don't know when it will go on sale here in the States but I guess it won't be long. I can see exactly why some guys would want to try it out...my husband won't go near a vacuum cleaner as he can't bear the noise of them, but I think he would find it irresistible (until the novelty wore off LOL!) |
Brett Weir
Citizen
Username: Brett_weir
Post Number: 586
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 7:08 pm: | |
Our Electrolux blows! We got a top-of-the-line model as a wedding gift from my wife's grandmother and it has never worked right. Every year my wife takes it to a different repair place, pays over $100 and the damn thing STILL blows. And we have to keep the f*@&#ing thing because Grandma has had hers for over thirty years and she acts like its a family heirloom.
Personally, I'd settle for any vaccuum that would work without any more maintenance than a new bag each month and an occasional belt replaced. The Dyson sounds good, but "Life-changing"? It would have to cook gourmet meals, mix a perfect Martini and spit out $20 bills for me to call it that! |
AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 164
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 8:45 pm: | |
Look it doesn't make you a Martini, and using it is still work but it is the best designed piece of hardware in our house. |
Debby
Citizen
Username: Debby
Post Number: 1739
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 24, 2005 - 12:03 pm: | |
Love my Dyson. We have the Animal (the purple one), and as odd as it sounds - it really is fun to use. My boys even beg to use it.
I was concerned about the dust cloud issue as it is bagless, but the dust container is about 18 inches high and empties from the bottom, but has a remote release up on top - so I just put the whole thing well down into the garbage can before releasing it, and have never had a problem.
I have also heard great things about Miele. |
Earlster
Supporter
Username: Earlster
Post Number: 1033
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 24, 2005 - 3:32 pm: | |
Miele vacuums are great. Reasonably quiet, easy to change bags without dust, optional HEPA filters, light weight, and they are canisters which I prefer over uprights.
Any drawbacks? They are priceeyyy. |
Chalmers
Citizen
Username: Chalmers
Post Number: 111
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 24, 2005 - 4:28 pm: | |
I just bought a Kenmore canister vacuum at Sears based upon a recommendation in Consumer Reports and love it. It is quiet, has different features like a telescoping arm and different attachments for stairs and furniture. I'm not sure if the Dyson has hose attachments. I needed one to vacuum the dust from my treadmill which the treadmill repairman told me was necessary. |
Dego Diva
Citizen
Username: Fmingione
Post Number: 314
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 24, 2005 - 6:24 pm: | |
Yep, Dyson has attachments. The best thing it has, though, is a SUPER long hose and electrical cord. I can leave my Dyson at the bottom of the stairs and the hose will extend all the way up to the top of the stairs easily. And I can plug into one outlet and pretty much do my entire first floor without changing to a different outlet. Besides that, it just works magnificently. I love to vacuum now! |
C Bataille
Citizen
Username: Nakaille
Post Number: 1917
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 25, 2005 - 7:41 am: | |
How is the noise level on the Dyson? Costco Online has one for $430 + S&H (Dyson DC07 Full Kit Upright Vacuum Includes: Bare Floor Tool, Extra Lifetime Filter, and Turbo Tool $429.99.)
Cathy
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cmontyburns
Citizen
Username: Cmontyburns
Post Number: 771
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, March 25, 2005 - 8:42 am: | |
Keep in mind: When you buy this vacuum (or anything except for a desktop computer or laptop) at Costco, you get what is effectively a lifetime warranty. You can always take items back to Costco with your receipt (and often even without) for as long as you own it. Certainly something to think about when dropping $500 on a vacuum cleaner. |
Debby
Citizen
Username: Debby
Post Number: 1741
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 25, 2005 - 9:42 am: | |
The noise level has never bothered me, and I'm pretty sensitive to mechanical noise (i.e. dishwashers and range hoods). |
Dego Diva
Citizen
Username: Fmingione
Post Number: 315
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, March 25, 2005 - 1:16 pm: | |
Well, I wouldn't call it quiet, but it doesn't bother me.
Regarding where to buy it: if you do get it at Costco - make a COPY of your receipt and keep the copy, since the ink on the original receipt fades over time.
However, I bought the basic yellow model with standard attachments that sells for $400 at Bed, Bath & Beyond. I have bare floors and I find it more than fits my needs, and I rarely use anything besides the hose and two of the attachments. With the 20% coupon that I get all the time, it was $320. Now, let me point out that the fine print on the coupon says that it's not applicable to certain brands - including Dyson - but the cashiers never read the fine print, and the coupon worked! |
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