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Cleaning Tips
7 Vacuum Fairy Tales
Fairy Tale 1: Amps = Performance
Amps are a measure of electrical current, not vacuuming performance. Measuring a vacuum cleaner’s performance based on amps is like buying a car based on how much gas it guzzles. The design of the entire machine, it's durability and longevity, how it handles and controls airflow and how it incorporates filtration determines its quality, not the electrical energy it consumes.
Fairy Tale 2: Everyone Should Have HEPA
HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) is a technical way to describe a filter that can sift out 99.97% of particles 0.3 micron in diameter and larger from the air that passes through it. The truth is that some micro-filtered systems accomplish this just as well as systems labeled "HEPA." For more on what HEPA means and why you may need it, see Hints on HEPA Filters.
Fairy Tale 3: Picking Up a "Bowling Ball" Exhibits Cleaning Power
The bowling ball trick is just that - a trick. This sales technique is based on the power of a suction cup. But consider that once a seal is created (which is easy to do), it is extremely difficult to break and does not allow any air to flow. So, does a vacuum's ability to form a seal around a bowling ball and pick it up like a suction cup have anything to do with how well the vacuum can remove soil from a surface? The answer is: nope, not even close!
Fairy Tale 4: All Vacuum Belts are the Same
Not all vacuum belts are created equal. Most flat rubber vacuum belts will stretch, slip and wear out quickly, whereas a geared or sprocketed belt like an automobile timing belt can last for years.
Also, geared/sprocketed belts do not slip, ensuring enhanced aggressive brushing action and more consistent soil pickup and removal. Sprocketed belts help ensure better overall performance, and they enable you to spend more time cleaning and less time changing belts.
A new type of belt being used in high quality vacuums is the serpentine belt made of ‘Kevlar’. This is one tough belt, made to last the life of the vacuum. For more on vacuum belts, see Vacuum Belts Explained.
Fairy Tale 5: Bagless Vacuums Mean No Filter Bags & Less Maintenance
Virtually all bagless vacuuming systems use as many as three filters. All filters will require regular cleaning and replacement to ensure optimal performance. If you fail to perform the needed filter maintenance, the vacuum will not perform as intended.
Worse still, if the filters are not properly maintained, they can clog and allow dirty, unfiltered air to escape around the many seams and seals of a bag-less vacuum right into your home. For more on bags vs. bagless, see Bag Vacuum or Bagless?
Fairy Tale 6: All Vacuum Cleaners are Created Equal
Ergonomic design, weight and other factors affecting ease of use vary widely among vacuum cleaners. Handle weight is a critical factor with uprights, as is ease of rolling and maneuverability. Almost any new vacuum will give satisfactory performance. The real test is how well the vacuum performs after 6 months, one year and five years. Don’t expect the old household name brands to last longer than two years. They are no longer quality made.
Fairy Tale 7: Suction Alone Makes a Vacuum Work Well
In reality it’s the entire vacuum system that makes it effective or ineffective. There are five main items to use in assessing a vacuum. Consider all when choosing a vacuum. They include:
• Airflow
• Agitation
• Filtration
• Design (User Friendliness)
• Quality of Materials