We have all been there. The old vacuum cleaner you have depended on for years has finally given up the ghost. It is time to give it a proper burial, get over the grieving process and find a new vacuum. If you treated the old girl right, it may have been ten or more years since you were in the market for a new vacuum. This brings us to the question how do I choose the best vacuum to replace my old friend.

A quick check online or in a brick and mortar store will show you that there are many more choices in vacuum cleaners today than there were a few years ago. In addition, you may have had a vacuum that was mostly metal or at least chrome plated plastic that looked like metal. In that stroll down the vacuum aisle you will find that most vacuums today are made of plastic and come in a variety of colors such as blue, green, yellow or burgundy. Do not let the looks deceive you however; some of these vacuums are tough machines.

In order to choose the correct vacuum for your situation, you should consult some of the online vacuum cleaner reviews. These vacuum reviews often tell you the good, bad and the ugly about the machine that you are considering. As you read the reviews, look for trends. If there is a recurring problem, you may want to avoid that machine. In addition read beyond the star rating and see why the machine is rated as very good or very bad. Others may have different expectations than you do in a vacuum. For example, if the noise level is not a problem for you, but you read the vacuum reviews and a good priced vacuum is rated high in all other categories but is noisy, it could still be the machine for you.

In addition, be sure that the reviews you read accurately describe the machine and not the sales person at some local department store halfway across the country from you. One of the downfalls of online reviews is that dissatisfied customers may use a websites ratings because of dissatisfaction over something that will never affect you in your purchase.

While there are many choices in vacuum cleaners out there, do not let that discourage you. In fact, this is encouraging news when looked at from a proper perspective. The many choices mean that you are much more likely to find the best vacuum cleaner for you.

Look for on-board attachments. How many times have you been cleaning up for a garage sale and found that box of lost vacuum attachments that fit the machine you had several vacuum cleaners ago. On board attachments keep those tools handy, right where you need them, with the vacuum. No more searching for the attachment you need for cleaning furniture or drapes. They are right at hand.

You really do not need to grieve if your old vacuum has died. With the many choices out there, you can find a much more efficient model today that will do all that you need to do.

When choosing a vacuum for your home, it’s important to take into consideration what you are most needing – whether price will ultimately determine what you sacrifice in features, or what features you pay for to justify its cost. Careful attention to detail will also enable you to make the right decision in order to purchase something that will live up to its warranty and do what you need it to do.

Electrolux vacuums have been popular since their creation in 1924. As a pioneer brand for promoting cleaner air, the filtration system contained in each Electrolux model efficiently traps dust and other debris found in your home, keeping such allergens at bay. Moreover, its powerful suction does not diminish even after rigorous use.

Aerus, known as Electrolux’s manufacturing company, consistently maintains its dedication of providing savvy products, as evidenced in the many lines of canisters, uprights, central vacuum systems, and shampooers they make that all have measures in them to improve air quality.

Because of all the innovations to the brand, Electrolux vacuums continue to be rated highly above all the others on the market. Even today, they continue to look for further ways to eliminate air pollution and provide waste management solutions. So many websites carry information regarding the vacuums, with lots of information available on the many Electrolux models out there. And although the vacuums tend to be more expensive than the competition, you’ll find that they outshine the rest in their features and durability. You owe it to yourself to research as much information as you can find on a particular type of vacuum you are looking for, so you can see for yourself what Electrolux has to offer. And that will make you a savvy shopper indeed.

There is a wide selection of styles in vacuum cleaners and you are sure to find one to fit your needs. One of the best ways to buy a vacuum cleaner is to read the ratings and reviews, as this will help you while comparing many different brands such as Kirby, Dyson, Miele and Rainbow as well as many others. You will also need to determine which style will fit your needs. You may also choose from different types of models such as a portable handheld cordless vacuum, canister bagless, the basic floor model or even upright vacuum cleaner, depending on your particular situation.

For instance if you are limited of space you may want a stick vacuum cleaner. However, installing a central vacuum cleaner system has become very popular; of course, any of these vacuum cleaners are great. Although everyone is different and has different needs when choosing the very best vacuum cleaner, while as always, it does depend on the job at hand.

There are some tips you should remember when choosing a vacuum cleaner. You should match the vacuum with the job for instance, for carpet care the best choice for the job is an upright vacuum with multiple height adjustments and large wheels, however a canister vacuum will perform well in carpet care as well. Be sure to find one that is lightweight with a very long power cord, so you have plenty of for your home. An upright vacuum will supply the proper attachments vacuum parts for taking care of carpets throughout a house. When all your floors are bare, a canister vacuum works well as it is recommended for cleaning bare floors and with the right attachment, an upright vacuum can be used on bare floors.

A handheld vacuum with a power brush is recommended, when cleaning upholstery such as the sofa or a chair, it is a breeze to use one that is rechargeable or cordless. Keep in mind however, that an upright vacuum is available with an air driven upholstery tool with a beater brush for cleaning upholstery. Always check the models when comparing vacuums to see that the filters, bags, belts and all other parts are of easy access. You will want a vacuum that is user friendly, as the last thing you want is to simply, change the belt, without having to take it to an authorized vacuum dealer.

Vacuum cleaner shopping tips

1. Type and Style – Being aware of the surface areas to be cleaned will assist you in finding the best vacuum cleaner for your needs, when choosing a vacuum.

2. Handling – Try the vacuum out before you make a purchase. Make sure the handle fits your hand well and the arm is of a comfortable height.

3. Filtering – Air quality is essential, make sure the vacuum includes a HEPA filter.

4. Accessory Attachments – Always find out what attachments are included with the vacuum.

5. Sound Levels – Many vacuums are available with quite modes of noise levels as they have extra insulation around the motor to reduce the noise.

Bag or Bagless?

Since a vacuum cleaner bag collects everything that goes into the machine it also works as a filter. When the bag is full, it is replaced by another and thrown out. Many brand names manufactures, such as Eureka, Oreck, Miele and Dyson now offer their vacuum bags for purchase online; this means they can be delivered to you at home.

Bagged vacuum cleaners

Sometimes it is not easy to know when a bag is full, although it is not hard to change a bag. Keep in mind that an unchanged bag will overheat the vacuum and lessen its lifespan. Today many vacuums incorporate an LED light, which alerts you when the bag needs replacement.

Bagless vacuum cleaners

Bagless vacuums are easier to see when it is full and time to change. However, when it is time to change it can be somewhat messy when emptying it out and there may be times when you need to use your hand to remove things that will not come out on their own. On the other hand, with this type of bag, if you suck something up that you did not mean to, it is easily retrieved.

Vacuum cleaner filtering

Generally, standard vacuum cleaners will expel particles of dust back into the air as you clean. If you are interested in a better quality of air or if you suffer from allergies, you may want to install a HEPA filter onto your vacuum for better breathing. On the other hand, if you know this by reading reviews and ratings you will be able to sensibly compare some of the HEPA vacuum cleaners from Miele or even look at the Electrolux oxygen 3. A HEPA vacuum filter is highly efficient in the removal of any microscopic particles with 99.97% effectiveness.

Repair Tips for Vacuum Cleaners

1. To help prolong the life of your machine, it is in your best interest to keep a vacuum cleaner repair maintenance schedule.

2. Most vacuum repairs and problems stem from the belt or the agitator brush.

3. You may find that you have poor suction when there is a blockage.

4. As a regular part of maintenance, it is best to remove the power head cover and untangle the power brush of any hair or carpet strings as this will save on repairs.

5. Make sure that there is nothing stuck in the vacuum hose, if you need to, you can use a broom handle to remove any obstruction.

6. Keep the vacuum filter cleaned out properly as this will aid in the performance of the vacuum cleaner, not doing so will cause the vacuum to overheat, thereby damaging the vacuum.

The main purpose of a vacuum cleaner is to agitate fibers in a carpet and suck up any debris. There are six different reasons a vacuum can lose suction, a plugged vacuum hose, bad motor, full vacuum bag, or cracked or damage hoses. Purchasing a vacuum cleaner can be a costly expense while repairing the suction on the unit can be virtually free. Most suction loss problems on a vacuum can be easily fixed or remedied with common house hold tools and very little technical expertise.

If your vacuum cleaner losses suction, the first and easiest solution is to check the bag. If the vacuum cleaner bag is full suction will be greatly reduced and the unit will become ineffective. A vacuum cleaner works by passing air through the bag fibers leaving dirt and debris behind inside the bag. If the refuse bag becomes full, airflow is restricted, limiting the amount of air passing through the vacuum bag resulting in loss of suction. When replacing the vacuum bag always consult your owners manual to insure that the vacuum bag seals with the vacuum inlet hose. If your vacuum cleaner bag is not tightly sealed to the vacuum inlet hose you will decrease the air flow through the bag resulting in loss of suction.

The second and sometimes most common reason for loss of suction on a vacuum cleaner is a plugged vacuum hose. If the hose becomes plugged, air flow will become restricted. To unplug a vacuum hose detach it from the machine and inspect the inside. If there is a restriction in the hose, remove it with your fingers and replace the hose onto the unit. If the hose is long and the debris is hard to get too, a broom handle or other long object can be passed through the hose to dislodge the debris. Most vacuum cleaners contain more that one suction hose, so make sure to check each one by process of elimination. Another area that can become easily plugged on a vacuum cleaner is under the lower base of the unit by the roller brush. Large debris can get caught in this area and restrict air flow to the hose.

If your vacuum refuse bag is not full and the suction hoses are not plugged the next thing to check is the condition of the hoses. Many hoses are made from plastic which can easily tear or crack. If your vacuum cleaner shows signs of wear or are cracked they need to be replaced. Even the smallest hole in a vacuum hose can leak enough air to greatly diminish the suction potential of your unit. Replace your vacuum cleaner parts with OEM parts from the original manufacturer to ensure the tightest fit.

Most vacuum cleaners contain filters. Filters are used as a last line of defense to remove dust and smaller debris particles before the air is recycled back into the environment. If vacuum cleaner filters become dirty or plugged they also can decrease the amount of air traveling through the unit. Some filters can be easily rinsed with water whereas others need to be replaced. It is important to check your owners manual before rinsing a vacuum filter.

The last and probably least common problem for a vacuum cleaner to loose suction is a bad or failing vacuum motor. Over time vacuum motors lose power due to worn carbon brushes or long term damage. A vacuum cleaners worst enemy is moisture. If water or moisture is sucked into the vacuum motor it will greatly diminish the amount of suction the unit has. Replacing a vac motor can be a costly and time consuming ordeal. In some cases, replacing a vacuum motor can outweigh the cost of buying a new vacuum. Vacuum suction is measured in water lift which can easily be measured by using a water lift gauge. If the water lift measured in inches, falls below half the original water lift specifications for the unit, it is time to replace your motor. Most vacuum cleaner repair shops carry this type of equipment and can easily tell you if it is time for a new vac motor.