Thinking about getting a vacuum..what are your thoughts?

[havi]

Ive had carpet most of my life and have always used vacuum cleaners. Well with this new house we bought, most of the floors are wood or tile(vinyl). I have found out that I hate brooms!! So for christmas I was thinking about getting a new vacuum for the floors. But I was curious how well they work on the wood floors. Is it worth the time and money? Or should I stick with using those nasty ugly brooms? Whats your thoughts?

 

[bargain]

Havi, be careful about the kind of vac you get......Some of the brushes really beat the floor up and leave visible marks on your floor! I learned the hard way in our former house.

Our floors now are very old 100 year old oak and I sweep them and use a swifter..... Although they are "rugged" I don't want them to get that rollerblade look from the vacuum cleaner.

I also used to have a rechargeable long vacuum that didn't have a "roller blade" and I used it successfully in our other house.

Enjoy those wood floors.....

Hope this helps.

 

[trilyn]

Get yourself a swiffer vac, if you don't want to use the swiffer cloths, cut some felt the same size as the cloths and you can easily wash and reuse those. If you don't mind using the swiffer cloths, get the cheapies at the dollar store, 16 to a pack for a buck, they work great. I have 3 dogs in my house and I could never, ever survive if I didn't have a swiffer vac!! You would be amazed at what they pick up-leaves, pine needles, cereal, dog hair etc. These things rock and I have had mine going on 3 years now and it still works like new!

 

[mjdtexan]

To bad you are not here in Houston. I would give you one for free. I've shut down a janitor company and I have 50 or 60 of them in the warehouse that I need to get rid of. Panasonic they are

 

[PurpleChicken]

I have all hardwood and tile in my house. I detest carpet. Plus I have two shedding dogs and a yard which is alway pure mud. I've tried many vacuums in the under $150 price range and none had the suction I needed or could pick up the heavier dirt. Finally I gave up and use the best vacuum know to man, a 15 gallon, 4.5HP SHOP VAC!!!!

I've thought about a Dyson or Electrolux but $400+ for a vac??? No thanks.

 

[Wildsky]

I would stick to a broom, perhaps a hand held vac to pick up now and then, or sweep it to a corner and then vac up.

I have a dyson, which does have a hardfloor setting where the brushes don't move - however I still prefer to sweep in those area's - and I'll vacuum up the pile when I've swept it into one spot!

 

[6chickens in St. Charles]

Well, I am not a good housekeeper, and I go through one or two vacuums a year. My most recent is the Dyson ball with pet hair attachment. Its the best I've ever had, because the hose part is very long and soft and flexible so the stairs is now an easy job. Sears, about $500. I've been through the cheap ones and the most expensive, I have even used up Kirbys. So for now, this Dyson is my most favorite, because I have a messed up shoulder and the Dyson is very easy to maneuver.

I suppose if I ever took the time to manage my housekeeping better or hire someone who can do it for me, I wouldn't burn up so many appliances.

Oh, and only one room in my house is carpeted. The rest I put in laminate boy-proof floors that look like wood but can handle the inline skates and an occasional live chicken. The dust (we live in a public area by a busy street) here is phenomenal, I find myself vacuuming everytime I am home. This Dyson helps me stay happy about taking care of our place. One kid has asthma, I think the Dyson sucks more out of the air as I clean, too. And there's no bag to buy or discard. And the hose attachment comes apart into whatever length I need at the time, for ceiling fans or blinds or couch cushions or boy's hair, etc.... its very nicely thought out. For noncarpeted floors, I push the red button and the rotator brushes stop and the vacuum sucks close to the floor, its amazing powerful, very neat, pulls all the bits away from the walls and thresholds nicely.

I always wonder if our household dust from the vacuum can go into the compost pile? There's certainly enough of it.......

 

[19hhbelgian]

Well, We have a Dyson "Animal" that DH bought me for christmas about 8 years ago (OMG!! I can't believe it's been that long

). Back then we had some carpet and hardwood. Now, we only have hardwood. I has always worked amazingly on all floor surfaces for me, and the way it comes apart and can be put together to reach high places is AMAZING

 

[redhen]

I like my Dyson Animal too..

 

[Wildsky]

I have the Dyson Animal as well.........