Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

No area rugs, carpet what so ever. Just wood floors... What would you suggest?

For all bare floors, you need a canister that has a good bare floor brush.  If you want a really good one get either a Miele, Sebo, or Riccar/Simplicity.  They all have vacuums for this situation in the $200-600 range that will perform well and last.  You could get a canister for under $200, but with the way they are made they tend to be very loud and only last a few years.  I still say a good machine should last you at least 15 years in high use if well maintained.

Motorhead wrote:

Quite to the contrary.  I want all recommendations to be heard and considered.  You didn't mention if you changed the belt in the Oreck?  And who did?  Another cause for the negative suction.

I would also say that it does not come down to what is naturally suited for the task alone.  It also depends on the user's likes and dislikes, the user's budget and future decisions.  What's naturally suited for you is not for me.  That's why cars come in all different styles and colors.

If I were to buy and use a cann just on floors, my own personal and professional sense would be why should I purchase all the other tools if I never will use them?  Waste of money.  Maybe the buyer can trade the unused attachments for some more floor brushes?  Then, what happens if in the future, area rugs and throws are added?  A very likely scanario.  Is the cann still the best option?

Carmine D.

Dusty:

I like the tool you illustrated and agree that it would work well on bares.  Better than the conventional bare floor tools with the brushes all around.

I always wondered why vacuum makers put bristles on floor brushes.  Especially in more recent years.  Tradition is the best reason and to prevent scuffing the floors.  On bares, its suction that picks up the dirt and debris, not bristles.

Carmine D.

Surprisingly, no one has recommended a stick vacuum.  Certainly a viable option for bare floors depending on the square feet. 

Carmine D.

As far as a fall down I would probably go toward a Wessel Works. Then just a Generic $10 after that. I usually up sell rather than the traditional down sell. I'm not a high power sales person. I start low and work up explaining the benefits and negatives as I go, offer my opinion and then let them choose. I know I won't get rich this way but I sleep better.


If you can get a Naturell for the prices mentioned BUY!!!!! IT!!!!. Especially with the new dealer agreements that Miele sent out. Prices are pretty fixed now and the Naturell should be $275.

Lucky1

Excellent fall back.  Whether you shoot high and come down with other options or low and go up.  It's good to have options for all customers and price ranges.  So if you lose the sale/customer, it's because the customer is a deadbeat and it's not bad business on your part.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

Hi Carmine,

I know but, personally, I can't think of many I'd recommend besides -- unless the user has to make really drastic compromises regarding storage space -- a good canister is not a bad thing to have around.  You never know what you may need it for.

Back in the day (here I go again) when a good price was $29.95 stick vac were not only less expensive but generally of good power.  They had Regina, a very popular lightweight that was the sole vacuum of many living in small spaces,  to compete with.  Remember when they even added on a powerhead in the '70s?  Hoover either preceded or followed Regina with the idea -- but I bought the Hoover.  It cleaned carpeting and bare floors quite well.  Had it not been for my purist leanings I'd probably never thought about buying another machine.

The Euro-Pros pack a lot of power plus attachements but their pleated filters clog up quickly and generally price at the cost of a low-end straight-suction canister anyway.  The $250 and up range that Miele and Emer sticks sell for isn't a practical buy for someone simply looking far a one-task vac.

I don't know much about the Hoover Flair, et al.  but just haven't found myself to be overly enthused.

Best,

Venson

Venson:

Today is my scheduled day for using the FloorMate on my ceramic tile floor.  About 1000 sq feet maybe more.  I've experimented with various vacuums for dry vacuuming first before I wet wash and dry clean.  Even the HOOVER Floormate itself for dry cleaning.  Whatever I use to vacuum the floors first, inevitably I find dirt, dust, debris and dog hair in the dirty water container, Floormate filter and the moving parts of the washer brushes.  Except one vacuum.  The Oreck upright.  When I use the Oreck to vacuum all the rugs and floors before proceeding with the wet washing, I don't get any dirt, dust and dog hair remnants in the machine and dirty water bin.  Just dirty water from the floor washing.

BTW, the HOOVER FloorMate is holding up well with my using every week.  Once per week for me.  Once per week for my daughter.  Purchased in August 2006.  With all the extras for $160 at Sam's Club. 

Carmine D.

The regina was the first 'electrik broom' [stick vacuum] followed by others including the HOOVER Lark.

Interesting to note that these stick vacuums were floor/rug cleaners but did not use the traditional barefloor

brush design of the cann and tank tools.  Using a suction nozzle with wheels and a brush

that could be adjusted for floor and rug use.  I do recall the power brush nozzles too on the Regina sticks which were used for carpet and bare floor cleaning. 

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

Hi,

Keep in mind that during that time -- the '50s, '60s even the '70s and probably to date -- if you suggested that someone purchase a vacuum the immediate response from those who didn't employ carpeting in their home decor was, "What do I need one for?  I don't have any rugs.  It would appear that it was more intend as replacement to thecarpet sweeper.  Small, light and easy to pop in and out of the closet.

If I recall correctly, though the Regina was intended for rugs but the early ones had a piece -- can't remember if it used felt or bristle -- that snapped on to the nozzle for cleaning hard flooring.  Later came the dial adjustment for carpet and hard flooring, at one point a nozzle designed to vibrate ala the Eureka Vibra-Beat and I can't recall how many more spins on new ideas.  Nonetheless, the Reginas produced enough suction to be satisfactory enough to some to serve as their only vacuum. 

Bissell even produced standard and manufactured one stick vac with power nozzle in the mid-70s I believe.  Eureka had sticks that were real screamers.  Sunbeam made a couple of rather elegant looking ones -- the top of the line had an optional tool set.  Though General Electric produce a stick and also a floor washer, I've no idea how they sold. The Shetland-Lewyt stick was another loud number but sold rather well.

Venson