Top Vacuums - Pick Tips
Including Recommendations from Consumer Reports

To choose the top vacuums from a field of so many different types, shapes, colors, and, of course,  different price points, can be a daunting task. Below is some help to narrow down your choice of the top vacuums that may be best for your particular needs.

Types of Vacuums

The most common types of vacuums are: 

• Uprights (bagged and bagless) 
• Canisters
• Stick Vacuums (corded and cordless)

Different Tasks for Different Vacs

Different types of vacuums may be needed for different tasks around the home such as:

• Wall-to-wall carpet 
• Area rugs
• Removing Pet hair
• Upholstery
• Drapery

ABC Recommends...

At ABC, we recommend an upright vacuum with a beater bar for wall-to-wall carpeting and area rugs and a canister type vacuum for upholstery, draperies, blinds, and light dusting, etc. (Note: If using a canister vacuum on wall-to-wall carpet, we recommend one with a separate motor-driven beater bar.)

Upright vacuums can often also be adjusted to match the pile height of a carpet or rug, making it easier to vacuum. Shading marks may be more apparent on higher pile and loosely textured rugs and carpet. Therefore, make sure the final strokes are all in the same direction for the most even surface appearance after vacuuming.

When vacuuming oriental and other area rugs with fringes, always vacuum from side to side (opposite the fringes). This will save the fringes from being pulled up into the vacuum which can damage the fringes as well as the backing.

Stick Vacuums?

As a general rule, stick vacuums are not as effective for deep cleaning of carpets and rugs. That is because suction alone is not enough. A vacuum should have some weight and a very powerful brush roll.

Stick vacuums and less expensive canisters and uprights can be excessively noisy as well. Cordless vacuums usually do not run for more than 7 minutes before recharging is needed (although some of the newest ones can go as long as 20 minutes). 

Consumer Reports.org Recommends These Top Vacuums...

Below are the top vacuums recommended by Consumer Reports at the end of 2014. As technology is always improving, check back again at the end of 2015. There may be some surprising improvements on the horizon. Prices can also go down on these models as new models are produced.

Best for Carpet Cleaning

Eureka Boss Smart Vac 4870-Upright-approx. $160

Kenmore Elite 21814-Canister-approx. $500

Best for Pet Hair

Kenmore 31140-Upright-approx. $200-Also a Consumer Report Best Buy

Kenmore Progressive 21714-Canister-approx. $400

Best Lightweight Models

Hoover WindTunnel Max UH30600-Upright-approx. $180-Also a Consumer Report Best Buy

Hoover WindTunnel T-Series UH30300-Upright-approx. $140

Best Bagless

Hoover WindTunnel T-Series Rewind UH70120-Upright-approx. $130-Also a Consumer Report Best Buy

Kenmore 22614-Canister-approx. $350-Also a Consumer Report Best Buy

Best for Big Spenders

Kirby Sentria II-Upright-approx. $1370

Dyson DC65 Animal (Bagless)-Upright-approx. $600

Why Vacuum Regularly?

Vacuuming on a regular basis not only keeps your carpets, rugs, drapery, and upholstery looking great, it also helps with making the indoor air cleaner.

Please remember that vacuuming is for maintenance. A good vacuum, no matter how powerful or advanced, removes only dry soil. This is extremely important because dry soil, if not removed regularly, can scratch and pit synthetic carpet fibers such as nylon. This can dull them. Light reflecting through the plastic fibers can be perceived as soiling by our eyes. The grit can also actually cut natural carpet fibers such as wool. When these fibers are vacuumed up, they will leave a 'worn' area in the carpet. 

But vacuums do not remove the sticky, greasy soil stuck to the carpet fibers. Compare this to washing your car with a dry rag or brushing your hair and skipping the shower and shampoo. A professional cleaning is needed to remove those types of soils and is the only way to get your carpet and rugs thoroughly cleaned. The longer those oily soils remain on the fiber, the more difficult they are to remove.

Area rugs should be cleaned in a cleaning plant specifically equipped for that purpose. They need to be dusted, treated for any problems, washed and rinsed on both sides, and hung to dry for a proper and thorough cleaning.

Call ABC!

Call ABC at 607-272-1566 if it is time to schedule a thorough cleaning of  your wall-to-wall carpets, area rugs and/or upholstery.

We now offer a rug pick up and delivery service for the convenience of consumers in the Syracuse area. We specialize in the cleaning and repair of oriental rugs but we also offer both hand and machine repair for all types of rugs. All cleaning and repairs are done in our certified rug cleaning plant in Ithaca. We can pick up and deliver back in one week.

Click here for link to original article about top vacuums by Consumer Reports.

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