How to choose a vacuum cleaner

A vacuum cleaner is such a necessary household appliance in a modern household that almost every family has one. Manufacturers are constantly improving their models of vacuum cleaners, so when you have to choose which device to buy, it’s easy to get confused. The main parameters when choosing this household appliance are the type of design, suction power, dust container volume, type of dust container, filters, noise level. Let's look at each parameter separately:

Construction type

Based on this feature, vacuum cleaners are divided into traditional cylinder and vertical ones. In our country, balloon devices are the most common, as they are multifunctional. With the help of such units you can sweep and wash not only the floor, but also wipe down furniture and wash windows.

Cylinder vacuum cleaners are also divided into three types:

• manual — compact devices that are convenient for vacuuming a small area, for example, the interior of a car;
• small-sized — standard-sized models, convenient for use in apartments;
• full size — heavy, large-sized devices that are used when cleaning large areas, for example, offices, sales floors, production workshops.

Vertical models less common. These models are similar to a mop - they have a long handle and a brush. Such vacuum cleaners are better because most models run on batteries, which means that when cleaning, the cord does not trail behind you and does not interfere with you.One of the disadvantages of these models is the fact that they are only suitable for cleaning floors. You cannot wash windows or furniture with such devices, because for the vacuum cleaner to work properly, you need to hold the handle only at a certain angle.

Suction power

Suction power - this parameter plays one of the most important roles when choosing a vacuum cleaner. The packaging of these devices usually indicates the power consumption, that is, the power consumption of the device depends on it. The suction power must be looked for in the characteristics of the model. The most common suction power is 250–480 W.

For an apartment with linoleum, parquet or other smooth types of floors, a vacuum cleaner with a power of up to 300 W will be sufficient. Units with a suction power of more than 300 W will even cope with the fur of fluffy pets. But if you have a lot of upholstered furniture and long-pile carpets, then you should choose a unit with more powerful suction power.

Dust container volume

The volume of the dust collector varies, but the smaller the volume, the more often the vacuum cleaner will need to be cleaned of dust and debris. It is worth considering the fact that when cleaning dust bags or containers, you will have to breathe the dust from which you will clean them.

Dust container type

Based on the type of dust collectors, vacuum cleaners are divided into bag-type, bagless and aquafilters.

Distinctive feature bag dust collectors is, as the name implies, a bag. It can be disposable or reusable. Disposable bags are made of paper and, when filled, are removed from the device. Then a new one is installed in place of the filled bag. Reusable bags are made from fabric or durable non-woven materials.

When the bag is full, the debris is removed from the bag, and the bag itself is cleaned and reinserted into the vacuum cleaner for further use. With proper care, reusable bags can last almost as long as the unit itself.

Bagless dust collectors are containers that need to be emptied as they become filled with debris. These dust collectors are sometimes called cyclonic, since the dust and debris in the container rotates in a spiral and then settles at the bottom of the container. These containers are convenient because they can be cleaned of dust and debris, washed, dried and placed back.

Vacuum cleaners with aqua filters more expensive and heavier than their counterparts, but they are the most environmentally friendly - the water in the filter absorbs dirty air and releases moistened, clean air. This type of dust collector is perfect for allergy sufferers.

Filters

There are two types of filtration systems in modern vacuum cleaners: water and HEPA. (an abbreviation for “high-performance particle retention”).

Water filters - These are aqua filters that purify the air up to 99% of dust and all kinds of impurities. The essence of water filters is that even the smallest particles, when absorbed, fall into a water tank and die there.

HEPA filters (HEPA) are replaceable and permanent. Replaceable ones need to be replaced at least once a year, as they tend to wear out. These filters are made of paper or fiberglass. Permanent filters are made of fluorine fiber and do not require replacement, but they do require periodic cleaning. When choosing a HEPA filter, you should pay attention to the degree of filter purification - the larger it is, the smaller particles the vacuum cleaner will clean.

The ideal filtration system is considered to be units that contain both a water filter and HEPA. In this case, the unit provides 99.97% air purification.

Noise level

It is also worth paying attention to such an indicator as the noise level. The quietest noise level is for devices with a bag dust collector. Cyclone-type devices make a little more noise. Units with aqua filters make the loudest noise. This criterion should be taken into account by those who have small children or those who cannot tolerate loud noises.

Once you have decided on the basic parameters when choosing a cleaning device, you should move on to additional functions. You need to decide what exactly you need a vacuum cleaner for - for wet or dry cleaning, what attachments and brushes you will need.

Or maybe you want to buy a vacuum cleaner that will remove dust itself? Then you should pay attention to robot vacuum cleaners. They themselves drive around the apartment and remove dust from the floor, carefully going around all the corners. These robots are powered by batteries, which they can charge themselves by driving up to a base on the floor to recharge. All human work with this device consists only of setting up the program that the robot will execute.

For example, it can be set to clean the floor while you are at work or simply not at home. In this case, you will not worry about accidentally stepping on the robot. This robot can also be controlled using a remote control, and more modern models are controlled through a special program in a smartphone. But despite all the apparent benefits of the robot, it will not be able to perform wet cleaning of the apartment, as a washing vacuum cleaner can do.

Washing vacuum cleaners has a very high price compared to other similar devices for dry cleaning. But they can be vital for allergy sufferers or families with small children. They are also suitable for those who have carpets and upholstered furniture in their interiors. But you should not buy a washing vacuum cleaner for those who have parquet or laminate flooring, or furniture in the apartment made of natural wood.

All these materials are very sensitive to moisture and therefore cleaning with such a unit is extremely contraindicated. Another disadvantage of this device is its large weight and dimensions, and it will be very difficult and difficult for a fragile housewife to clean with it. But a huge advantage when choosing a washing vacuum cleaner is that with its help you will need to clean much less often.

If earlier you vacuumed and also wiped various surfaces with a damp cloth every other day, then with the help of a washing vacuum cleaner it will be enough to clean once a week.

When choosing a vacuum cleaner, you should pay attention to the attachments that come with it. There are few basic attachments and their presence will make cleaning easier:

• floor brush — the main nozzle that can be used when cleaning floors and other surfaces;
• crevice nozzle — used when you need to “get” dust from hard-to-reach places;
• turbo brush — a brush with rollers that rotate and clean the surface of dirt.

Also, each manufacturer can sell other types of brushes as a set, for example, vacuum, parquet, electrostatic...

Many vacuum cleaners, including robots, have so-called bumpers - rubberized linings, thanks to which the unit does not scratch furniture.

Modern vacuum cleaners have mechanical or electronic controls.Mechanical devices are equipped with an on/off button. Electronic devices have displays on which the specified programs are displayed or indicators for filling the dust container, replacing the filter, or the need for recharging light up.

In addition to vacuum cleaners for the home, there are also industrial devices on the market. They are used in construction or in car washes. Higher demands are placed on these devices, because the quality of services provided by the organization depends on these vacuum cleaners. In construction, vacuum cleaners help in cleaning not only ordinary dust, but also construction dust, as well as in cleaning surfaces from metal shavings.

At car washes, professional car vacuum cleaners are used to dry clean the interior and engine. With the help of special devices you can even remove unpleasant odors from the car interior. These devices are expensive, but sometimes their use is simply necessary not only at work, but also at home.

Finally I would like to say that a good choice when buying a vacuum cleaner depends on your needs, but whatever vacuum cleaner you choose, may it last a long time.