What a vacuum does
Suction
Suction is most important on smooth surfaces (non carpeted)
In terms of carpet cleaning, suction in itself, is only a piece of the overall effectiveness. When you are vacuuming carpet, you are washing the carpet with air (air flow not suction).

Agitation
Agitation is the beating or brushing of the carpet fibers to loosen the dirt where it travels on a flow of air to a collection point (bag or dust cup).

Filtration
Filtration is important when you realize that all the air that goes in a vacuum goes out. The dirt and dust travel on the flow of air through the motor and out into the living space. Do you have a dusty house? It could be the result of a poorly designed or performing vacuum.

Types of Vacuum cleaners
Direct air
These are what we call the “old Style vacuums”. They are machines that use a paper bag and have a soft outer bag that encompasses it. Everything you vacuumed went through a fan or an impeller. These vacuums usually do not have attachment capability. Examples include old Eurekas. old Hoovers, Kirby, Royal, and Oreck to name a few. The older version machines had large fans and metal brush rolls and did a great job of cleaning the carpet, but most do not have attachments or if they do, the attachments are hard to use or have little suction. The filtration is not too good because the only source of filtration is the paper bag.

Another filtration issue comes from the fact the outer bag always “puffs out” embedded dust when the machine is in operation. The outer bag also tends to absorb odors as most pet owners well know. Most of the direct air machines use low amp motors (less than 7.5 amps) and tend to last long time. Big box retailers do not want you to have a vacuum that lasts for a long time. The big box stores sold 10 and 12 amp direct air models for a while which fulfilled the goal of planned obsolescence Today, most all big box stores sell only bagless vacuums. Direct air vacuums have to use a bag.

Bypass
With bypass vacuums, the dirt bypasses the motor through a hose directly into a bag or dirt cup. Cleaning effectiveness for carpet is usually compromised, but you will get attachment capability. You will not have to be concerned about picking up items that would ordinarily break or crack a fan used with direct air systems You may experience more clogs especially with new carpet which tends to shed a lot after installation.

Two motor systems
The better upright vacuums will have two motors to perform specific duties and provide better results through a more complete combination of suction, agitation, air flow, and filtration.

Uprights vs. Canisters
In general, canisters are better choices for people who have combinations of flooring material such as hardwood, tile, and carpet. Canisters are better for smooth floors (non carpeted) because canisters have a great deal of suction. Canisters also afford the user more versatility in terms of stairs, vacuuming under beds, and getting into hard to reach areas.

All canisters will do a good job on smooth surfaces. When carpeted areas come into the equation, then you have to make sure the carpet cleaning ability of the power head is matched with the thickness and plushness of the carpet as well as the amount of hair that will find its way to the carpeted areas. Air driven power heads or turbo heads will work fine on flat carpets with little hair accumulation. Flat and medium pile carpets will get cleaner using motorized power heads. Plusher carpets will need a power head with height adjustment capabilities

• A rug is considered a carpeted area.
• A central vac system is simply a canister with a long hose.
  Every aspect of central vac effectiveness applies to that of a portable canister vacuum.

The traditional uprights are fine for cleaning carpets, but that’s about it. Some are better at cleaning carpet than others due to the design of the brush roll, air flow, rpm’s and belt type. Some are better at filtration than others depending on the quality of the bag and or filters as well as the amount of leakage the vacuum generates.

New advances with two motor uprights have led to a hybrid vacuum that gives the user more versatility and better filtration that is usually found in canister vacuums but manufactured in an upright form. In general, two motor uprights can do most or all carpet heights as well as smooth surfaces. The attachments may need to be modified to accomplish some tasks that are better suited for canisters like vacuuming stairs and getting under low furniture

Bag vs. Bagless
The use of bagless machines has mushroomed over the past ten years. Their popularity has not come from a conscious decision on the part of consumers to buy bagless machines. Rather it has come about because the big box stores, which account for 90 % of vacuum sales, virtually sell nothing else. It would seem that buying a bagless vacuum would be a good idea because it eliminates the need and cost of buying vacuum bags. In the real world, the filters are harder to find and more expensive to purchase. In the real world, most people have a trash can in the kitchen. In that trash can they have a trash bag. Why? Because it is cleaner.

We are in business to sell “clean”. Therefore, we do not sell bagless vacuums.

Bagless vacuums are typically more repair prone and do not last as long. We would not stay in business selling disposable vacuums.

Where can I buy a vacuum?
The big box stores love disposable vacuums because they do not have to take responsibility for the repairs and they want you in the store as much as possible
When you go to a big box store to look at vacuums, they are placed in the far right hand corner of the store. You must walk by aisles of toys, electronics, clothes, and consumer staples just to see the selection. Chances are if you go in to buy a vacuum you will be leaving with a cart full of items because you will need a cart to carry out the vacuum.

Big box stores do not have to be concerned about selling quality because the consumer blames the manufacturer and will be back in the store to try another manufacturer or different looking machine. All the big box stores promise is low prices. In the long run the consumer will pay more by purchasing purely based on price. As one customer told me. “I cannot afford to buy cheap”. The big box stores have gotten a little smarter by displaying a wider range of price points. You can still buy cheap merchandise that cost a lot of money. You are simply paying for advertising that creates the illusion of quality.

Door to door salesmen were fairly common 40 years ago. They are still out in the real world although the actual practice of walking door to door has all but disappeared. The products that are sold by in home salesmen have, for the most part, been good ones. You are familiar with the brand names like Kirby, Rainbow, Electrolux, Filter Queen, to name a few. One problem for consumers is that the prices are inflated because there are several people getting a handsome commission from the same sale. The salesmen are often times intimidating and forceful. One person may pay $600 and another $1200 for the same product depending on the level of hunger on the part of the salesman or the amount of pressure felt by the buyer. Be aware that Eureka bought the name Electrolux. That explains why you will see the Electrolux name in big box stores. To put it bluntly, this is not your mother’s Electrolux.

Some retail stores sell only one brand. That would be fine if that was the product you wanted. So if you are the store owner simply sell what people want. Most everyone tells me they want something light weight. Unfortunately, there are many other factors involved in getting you what you need. The biggest problem for the consumer buying from this store is that they could get the same results from cheaper alternatives. This store has to heavily market their product. When you buy their product, you are paying a share of the overhead in operating and marketing a “one trick pony” store.

Internet sales of vacuums have consistently grown over the last ten years. Many shop the internet for convenience or to get a good price. Part of the purpose of this web site is to make it more convenient for you to buy from us. As far as price goes, our prices have always been the same or lower than anything you can find on the web. Be aware that products on the internet are always painted in their best light. You may not be buying what you think you are resulting in under or over buying compared to what you need. Returns and refunds are hard to accomplish. Watch out for items sold in on line auction sites. Items are often misrepresented and you may be buying floor models or out dated and clearance merchandise.