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Archive through May 11, 2010

Reality TVClubHouse Discussions: General Discussions ARCHIVES: May 2010 ~ August 2010: Free Expressions: Advice please....: Archive through May 11, 2010 users admin

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Kookliebird
Member

08-04-2005

Monday, May 10, 2010 - 12:02 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Kookliebird a private message Print Post    
I have a Hoover and like it. Don't know the model, I've had it for about 25 years without any issues.

Escapee
Member

06-15-2004

Monday, May 10, 2010 - 12:05 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Escapee a private message Print Post    
I wonder if the new navigators by shark are any good. I would buy a Dyson, but can't stand the guy who invented them.

I am almost due for a new one, bought a bissel 2 years ago. Apparently that's all they last. Luckily they are cheap.

Costacat
Member

07-15-2000

Monday, May 10, 2010 - 1:08 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Costacat a private message Print Post    
Here are the two I'm leaning towards:
http://www.amazon.com/Hoover-U6485900-Windtunnel-Anniversary-Self-Propelled/dp/B0016NP14A/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

http://www.amazon.com/Eureka-C5712A-Commercial-Upright-Vacuum/dp/B000AE94VM/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

While I'm not the one running the vacuum, I would like it to work well for my housekeeper. I'm thinking the Eureka commercial version might be a good choice since it's meant to be used daily.

I won't buy Dyson because they are bagless. Let alone the fact that I'm also not a fan of the guy who invented them. The Shark Navigators are also bagless. I do NOT want a bagless vacuum. I think they are more of a mess and a pain than bagged ones. I have a B&D bagless stick vac that does a great job for quick pick ups between housekeeper visits, but it's bagless. Every time I use it I cuss because I have to vacuum where the dust falls out of the lovely bagless cannister!

The Electrolux that just died is probably about 35 years old. I had it serviced, once, about 10 years ago. When I bought an economy sized box of vacuum bags. I'm down to about 1 or 2 left, so the timing is good! LOL.

Lexie_girl
Member

07-30-2004

Monday, May 10, 2010 - 1:24 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Lexie_girl a private message Print Post    
Costa, the trick to owning a bagless vacuum cleaner is emptying the bin outside in the outdoor garbage can. I learned my lesson the first time I emptied out the bin in my kitchen garbage can and had to clean the floor again.

BTW... after my $500 Dyson broke after only a couple of years, I bought a Eureka for about $100 at Sam's Club and I've had no problem with it. It sucks much better than that $500 Dyson.

Costacat
Member

07-15-2000

Monday, May 10, 2010 - 1:35 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Costacat a private message Print Post    
I live in a condo building. In order to empty the bin into an outside garbage can, I have to go three flights of stairs, to the underground garage. Not happening. And since I don't have allergies, all of the froo fra about how bagless are more allergenic or whatever is baloney to me.

My mom's husband says two things: get direct drive (self-propelled) and belt less. How the heck do you find a beltless vacuum? I'm guessing the Eureka doesn't have a belt for the beater bar, but it looks like the Hoover does.

Sigh. This sucks. Not in a good way.

Tishala
Member

08-01-2000

Monday, May 10, 2010 - 1:45 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Tishala a private message Print Post    
I got the Shark Navigator and I love it. It's been perfect. I bought it from newegg.com for $199 and it's the best $199 I ever spent.

Oh, Costa: it IS bagless, but it's so simple to dump. It has a release button and boom! It's all done. i just release it over a plastic bag and I'm done with it. But if bagless is a deal breaker, then it's a deal breaker.

Brenda1966
Member

07-03-2002

Monday, May 10, 2010 - 2:07 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Brenda1966 a private message Print Post    
Love my bagless. I empty it inside the trash bag and have never had dirt get on the floor or outside of the trash can. I do get dirt on my hand because I have to often reach in and tug out the mass of dog hair. But since you don't like Dyson... I just wouldn't rule out a bagless. I find mine very easy to empty. Plus, I don't have to buy bags. :-) Maybe you can have the cleaning lady empty the bagless after each use. That's what I do (but I'm the cleaning lady, so I empty it myself lol)

Aurora
Member

11-24-2006

Monday, May 10, 2010 - 2:13 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Aurora a private message Print Post    
I like my Oreck XL. Have had it for at least 15 years and have only had to change a couple of belts. It has really good suction so I don't have to make several passes over the carpet. I also use it on my hardwood kitchen floor.

Costacat
Member

07-15-2000

Monday, May 10, 2010 - 2:16 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Costacat a private message Print Post    
I know some are simple to dump, but... I don't mind buying bags. They are much easier for her (and me, although I use the vacuum maybe twice year!).


I don't want bagless, I don't want canister, I don't want belts. I do want one that sucks up long hair without problems along with the fur from two cats.

Bagless is a deal breaker. HEPA isn't. :-)

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Monday, May 10, 2010 - 2:38 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
I have had a Hoover Windtunnel self-propelled for ten years, love it. It REALLY sucks. I am always surprised at how quickly the bag fills up. We had an ancient Electrolux canister before that one.

Costacat
Member

07-15-2000

Monday, May 10, 2010 - 2:44 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Costacat a private message Print Post    
Juju, I think we probably have (had) the same Electrolux!!!

For the Hoover, do you have to replace the belt that drives the beater bar? That's where my stoopid curly hair gets all tangled up. I seem to recall my last ancient (Montgomery Wards) upright went thru belts like crazy! Then again, it wasn't the most expensive upright and back then I had no $$!! :-)

Southern_grits
Member

10-08-2009

Monday, May 10, 2010 - 3:24 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Southern_grits a private message Print Post    
I have an Oreck XL too and I love it. No beater bar to worry about but you really don't need it. I don't have long hair but do have a Cocker Spaniel who's hair gets long if I put off clipping her. I paid right at $400 for it 3 years ago. Supposedly it's the last vacuum you'll ever have to buy.

Colordeagua
Member

10-25-2003

Monday, May 10, 2010 - 4:16 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Colordeagua a private message Print Post    
I have an Oreck XL too. Does a great job. And I love that it's light weight. Pushing a heavy vac around is not for me.

Yesitsme
Member

08-24-2004

Monday, May 10, 2010 - 5:28 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Yesitsme a private message Print Post    
Costa, 3 flights to empty? Sounds cheaper than a gym membership! Though in my case that would be one more excuse to not clean.

I need a new vacuum, too, and don't want to deal with it. I hate buying appliances. I think my last one cost about $60 a lot of years ago (I think it is a Hoover.) My parents bought me a new one for my birthday several years ago and I took it back and got a new tv. My siblings had told them I needed a new vacuum and I didn't think I did. But I did need a tv! This year I would be grateful if they would buy me a vacuum so I don't have to shop for one.

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Monday, May 10, 2010 - 7:14 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Oreck XL!!! Excellent vacuum!

Seamonkey
Moderator

09-07-2000

Monday, May 10, 2010 - 8:18 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Seamonkey a private message Print Post    
Costa.. maybe take the cleaning lady with you to make a final decision.. with, of course, your caveats about deal breakers..

I remember a friend of mine once had his vac repaired and the repairman said there was lots of nylon or something wrapped around the beater bar.. but actually my friend had very very long thick hair himself and his wife and daughter ahd very long very blond thick hair.. and it was just all that hair.

Sia
Member

03-10-2002

Tuesday, May 11, 2010 - 3:59 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Sia a private message Print Post    
Long hair will also get wrapped around the metal post that the belt turns on to make the beater-bar spin. You have to take the belt off to see all the places where hair can collect. My DD had the longest hair when she was little!

I like my upright bagless model and just dump the contents into a plastic grocery bag stretched over a small wastebasket. Then I tie the bag shot and toss it into the trash. I don't take it outside and shake it into the grass like my husband does. I don't like when he does that!

Costacat
Member

07-15-2000

Tuesday, May 11, 2010 - 7:19 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Costacat a private message Print Post    
Still not gonna get a bagless, no matter how much exercise I'd get (or my housekeeper would get) going down the stairs.

The ancient Montgomery Wards upright I had died from my hair. Every time I used it I'd have to take it apart and pry out hair wrapped around everything. And before it completely bit the dust (pun intended), I was replacing the belt for the beater bar once a month.


So after asking my mom her opinion, her husband chimed in. He says I *must get* a "direct drive beltless" vacuum. I think the only one I can find that meets those specs and is bagless is the Kenmore. Not a Sears fan. Anyone else have any suggestions?

Goddessatlaw
Member

07-19-2002

Tuesday, May 11, 2010 - 8:09 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Goddessatlaw a private message Print Post    
I use a Riccar, which has a lifetime serpentine belt (never needs replacing). All of their models have bags, and mine works great particularly with cat hair but a) it's too heavy and b) it cost way too much (all told with extras like a stair-sweeping attachment) it was around $850.00.

Landileigh
Member

07-29-2002

Tuesday, May 11, 2010 - 8:11 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Landileigh a private message Print Post    
GAL, I have a Riccar too! we've had it for 6 years now. BEST vacuum i've ever had in my life. I fought it because of the cost, but it has more than paid for itself over these years, as I would have bought 2 more vacuums during that time! Mine isn't heavy, it is a canister though, and it cost about $600.00

Goddessatlaw
Member

07-19-2002

Tuesday, May 11, 2010 - 8:45 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Goddessatlaw a private message Print Post    
Landi, I have a difficult relationship with my Riccar. Colossus went into panic mode over my Christmas gift one year (I asked specifically for a light vacuum sweeper that I could get up and down the stairs easily). Colossus didn't want to look like a bad husband/cheapskate in front of my family so he laid out big cash for the Riccar. I was horrified when I found out how much it cost (I would have bought a high ding-dong dishwasher AND a vacuum sweeper for the same amount), and when I tried to return it under their 30-day return guarantee, they said our dealer doesn't give 30-day return guarantees.

So I'm angry at Riccar, but I have to say the vacuum sweeper is great even though it's still too heavy for me to carry up and down the stairs. I understand they have an 8-lb model that might be easier to manage. I use the vacuum EVERY DAY, with four cats there's no other choice, and it hasn't given me a moment's grief. All you have to do is run it near a wooden floor and all of the cat hair comes flying out from under the furniture. Very, very easy to change the bags too.

Happymom
Member

01-20-2003

Tuesday, May 11, 2010 - 9:28 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Happymom a private message Print Post    
Kooklie, interesting to hear the update on the wedding situation. Thanks!

Costa, I'd go with a brand rec. by Consumer Reports. I have the issue of pet hair too. I actually do not take the roller bar off a lot, I use a sewing seam ripper and that works well.

I have a Eureka The Boss Smart Vac. It's still ok-good after about 3-4 yrs. Our Hoover Wind Tunnel did not last as long as this vac. (We had the Hoover right before this Eureka.) But, different years and newer models might get better ratings. (I don't buy anything really w/o checking consumer reports. I trust them.) I too want the vac. bags. I noticed the other day that the bags are now scented with Febreeze or Baking Soda. Anyway, even though we have the Hepa Filter, we rarely replace it. maybe never have. It works fine even w/o replacing it.

I know they say to never buy the extra warranty on anything, but we did on our vacuum cleaner many years ago from Best Buy. We ended up getting 2 new machines by spending that extra $70 or $80, so, the extra warranty worked out well for us. With kids and a dog and 2 cats that shed, I must have a vacuum always.

Dipo
Member

04-23-2002

Tuesday, May 11, 2010 - 9:35 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dipo a private message Print Post    
Costa, I used to just step into the hallway of my apt building when I emptied mine, LOL.

ETA, I did empty it into a trash bag, not into the hallway.

Costacat
Member

07-15-2000

Tuesday, May 11, 2010 - 9:50 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Costacat a private message Print Post    
Thanks Happy! I think I'm gonna go with the Hoover or Eureka. They are both just under $200. At this point, I don't really care, and I don't vacuum daily.

GAL, I looked at the Riccar. Holy smokes, Colossus spent a TON of money on those!!! They do look like they'll last for several generations though. Be sure to include disposition of the thing in your will! :-)

Konamouse
Member

07-16-2001

Tuesday, May 11, 2010 - 9:51 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Konamouse a private message Print Post    
Long hair + vaccuum = over heating
(if you don't stop often to cut the hair off - so we have our exacto knife handy every time we vaccuum).
Changing to a hardwood floor downstairs helped (cut the vaccuuming in half).