[Teacher Lady]

My vacuum does not suck, lately it has been spitting litter/dirt back at me.

: The filter is clean, I have fished around to see if there is anything stuck anywhere, but nothing helped

. Does anyone have any suggestions for types of vacuums to get? Something that sucks

, but isn't too expensive and might last longer then a year like my Kenmore. A Dyson is only in my dreams.

 

[gmvh]

Hmm... Sorry you're having problems. I was going to suggest a Miele but it's in the same category price-wise as a Dyson. We've had ours for five years and it's like new. If you're spending $100-200 annually or even every two years, why not save for a bit and buy a really good machine that will last longer? I know poor vacuum quality can really be frustrating! I bought our machine at a local vacuum shop and they matched the price I found online for the same model. You can only ask! Good luck finding something that works well for you!

 

[cece]

Sorry, just had to laugh when I read the thread title and thought "I need some help vacuuming too

) The Oreck looks pretty good, have you checked that out?

 

[Teacher Lady]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cece Sorry, just had to laugh when I read the thread title and thought "I need some help vacuuming too ) The Oreck looks pretty good, have you checked that out?

I guess it could go either way! I haven't looked at Orecks yet, but I will, thank you!

 

[oneKnight]

I have http://www.amazon.com/Eureka-C2094G-.../dp/B00005QX3Y an Eureka Commercial vac. All it does is vacuum carpet - and it does a very good job. It is a little on the heavy side, but it doesn't bother me.

It's mostly metal except for the plastic cord wrap and DH broke ours

My vacuum bag is being held up by a cable tie and the cord is in a giant rubber band, but I still wouldn't get a different vacuum. I love the cleaning job this one does.

 

[Hibou]

I think a shop-vac is all anyone needs. It can do any surface, suck up pretty much anything (even liquids) and the smaller models are very affordable. Plus it doesn't use bags. People tend to think of them as garage vacuums, but you can install a hepa filter and use it for the entire house. We've had ours for a few years. Since having it, I have become a complete convert and would never switch to anything else.

 

[Aeress]

I thought our vaccum was broken until dh noticed a small panel on the bottom. He unscrewed it and took out all kinds of gunk and problem solved. Might be worth checking out.

 

[VeganCupcake]

We're looking for a new vacuum too, but haven't made our decision yet. We got the Consumer Reports Buyer's Guide because I was skeptical of the advertising and wanted a more objective opinion of vacuums. (I don't work for Consumer Reports or anything--I'm just a nerd!

)

My MIL has a Dyson, and Dyson also has a fabulous advertising campaign, but I'm not convinced. There are 5 vacuums rated higher than one of the Dysons, and all of them are cheaper and are rated to clean better . . . .

We are looking at the Eureka Boss Smart Vac Ultra 4870. $150! Wahoo!

 

[KnockedUpButtercup]

I'm not sure what model Kenmore you have, but if it's a bagless kind, they have all sorts of hidden filters, etc (my old Dirt Devil had 3 "trouble spots).

I recently purchased a Eureka "The Boss" vacuum, after the death of the aforementioned bagless model...not the vacuum of my dreams, but the price was right. I like the idea of bagless vacuums, but in practice it wasn't working out for me, since a Dyson or something else really high quality was out of my price range. The new guy here uses bags, and I got the more expensive ones with Hepa/allergen filtration, and we've been very happy with its performance. The fur/dirt factor around here is horrifying, given our 3 dogs/1 cat, so I sweep or vacuum every day.

*Ok, someone sweeps or vacuums every day...gotta make good use of available labor!

Holly

 

[I Fly]

Are you using the vac on hardwood/tile, or mostly carpet? I was so upset that our vacuum wasn't working well a few years ago, especially because my mom had the same vacuum my entire childhood. The local vacuum store woman (who seemed to really know vacuums!) said that those made these days are made to last a few years at most.

We bought a Miele from her about 4.5 years ago, because they are made to last in the 10-year range - overall, less money invested over time and less waste throwing junk in the landfill. I am a total fan of the Miele - it is fantastic. I have mostly hardwoods, so I just have a carpet head attachment that is air-powered for the few rugs. If we had more carpet, we would have invested in the higher-end model with a power-cord-powered rug attachment.

I think you should visit your small, local vacuum shop and think about longevity. Most of what is sold these days is just crap that won't last.

 

[Teacher Lady]

I am going to be using it on carpet. Thanks for the info! Keep it coming please!

 

[cece]

Quote:

Originally Posted by I Fly I think you should visit your small, local vacuum shop and think about longevity. Most of what is sold these days is just crap that won't last.

Also, a good source for quality vacuum cleaners (used) would be a sewing shop. A lot of times they carry the European brands that are made to last

. Still not cheap, but if you factor in replacing it when it breaks down as the pp mentioned, and also the environmental cost they are a good deal. Sometimes I search "miele" or other brands on craigslist too just to see what's out there for various appliances.

 

[VeganCupcake]

Quote:

Originally Posted by I Fly Are you using the vac on hardwood/tile, or mostly carpet? I was so upset that our vacuum wasn't working well a few years ago, especially because my mom had the same vacuum my entire childhood. The local vacuum store woman (who seemed to really know vacuums!) said that those made these days are made to last a few years at most. We bought a Miele from her about 4.5 years ago, because they are made to last in the 10-year range - overall, less money invested over time and less waste throwing junk in the landfill. I am a total fan of the Miele - it is fantastic. I have mostly hardwoods, so I just have a carpet head attachment that is air-powered for the few rugs. If we had more carpet, we would have invested in the higher-end model with a power-cord-powered rug attachment. I think you should visit your small, local vacuum shop and think about longevity. Most of what is sold these days is just crap that won't last.

:

There's a vacuum and sewing shop near our apartment, and whenever we drive by, DH makes fun of it and says, "How do they stay in business?" Ah, sweetheart, I go there to get my ancient hand-me-down Singer sewing machine serviced, and smart people buy vacuums there! LOL

 

[1happymom]

I tried several other less expensive models of vaccuums and even ones rated number one by consumer reports turned out to be a loss for me. We finally bit the bullet and got a Dyson. We had some money left over from wedding gifts we had received or we would never have been able to afford it. The first time I vacuumed with it a guest came by the house and asked " did you just have your carpets shampooed? " I could only smile!! : ) GL

 

[momto l&a]

I personally have a hard time believing Consumer Reports.

 

[siennaflower]

Is there hair wrapped around the brush at the bottom? If you have an upright that is. I have long hair (waist length) and once every few months I have to unsnap the brush from its compartment and cut the hair free.

I have a Dyson though. And I will never, ever go back to regular vacuums

: They are worth every penny.

 

[Teacher Lady]

Ok, I am truly intrigued by the Dyson...I have not heard a bad thing about that brand(well, the price, but that doesn't count). What kind do you have? I am becoming more and more convinced that I need to save to get the good stuff which will last longer.

:

 

[khkelsey]

I absolutely love my Bissell Lift-Off. You can use it like an upright. Or lift off the motor part and use it as a canister. It has very good suction... we were amazed the first time we used it at all the yuck our old vacuum hadn't picked up

And I think it was only around $150.

 

[kerc]

i would take your vacuum to the shop to see if they can fix it and while you're there check and see if they have anything used.

 

[MomAndOliver]

Is the belt broken? My vaccuum clearn was giving me a similar problem - it would suck things up the hose when it was detached, but when I tried to vaccuum normally, it didn't pick anything up. There is a rubber belt that turns the brush-looking-thing (my highly technical vaccuum knowledge), and sometimes it snaps. The good news is it only costs a dollar or two to replace (and for our vaccuum they carried the replacement at target). The bad news is that some disassembly of the vaccuum is required. If you still have the directions for your vaccuum or can find them online, it might be worth checking to see if that is the problem. Hope this helps!