The Vacuums You Love and Hate Share on Tumblr PinExt The Vacuums You Love and Hate

Written by Lily

I have a functional vacuum that I’ve been using for the last two years. It’s a stripped-down model, a lightweight upright Bissell. It cost $30.00 at KMart. The beater brush could be better, I have to go back and forth a few times, but I’m pretty pleased. It has the same size 12 amp motor as some of the more expensive models. When I purchased it, I had repeatedly declared, “I only want a motor and a bag”. Though, it’s not what I want in the long run. I’m just sick of thinking I finally have the right vacuum.

One of our pets is a french sheepdog and has long hair. It requires a good vacuum to pick up his shedding. I prefer a canister type vacuum since it’s easier for me to pull than push. Sweeping is one of the things that makes my back ache. The Bissell I am using is light weight. It’s not as hard to push as the other uprights I have tried.

My favorite vacuum of all time was the Eureka canister. I bought it reconditioned and still paid a pretty penny for it, around $375.00 seventeen years ago. I loved how it worked, the suction was great. I could feel it lifting the carpet up. It was low maintenance, it only needed new wheels a couple of times. However, as time passed, it began to show it’s wear and then the motor went out. The death of my Eureka canister sent me on my search. A friend loaned me his new Eureka Bagless that he raved about. The frilly duster on it did nothing and was an unnecessary piece. But, I loved the way it picked up. I thought it did great. I was so pleased, I decided to get one Another friend was also looking for a vacuum at the time, and on our recommendation, she purchased the same model.

In my happiness of finding what I thought was the right vacuum, I bought the deluxe model, not realizing it would be much heavier. Really, I wouldn’t have guessed there would have been such a difference. This model worked great for about three months and then the beater bar fell off. The longer I used it, the worse it did at picking up the pet hair. My apartment was one of those old city mansions. The stairwell from the foyer up to the second floor was long and I began to dread it. After about six months of use, the motor went out. I was not pleased with the work the authorized dealer provided. It never worked as well as when I first purchased it. I took it back again and they said it was fine. I began to have fantasies of kicking it down the stairs.

In the meantime, my friend was having trouble emptying the catcher with the one she had purchased. No matter how she tried to empty it, it affected her allergies enough to cause her problems. She knew of the woes I was having with mine and my fantasy of kicking it down the steps. I was very touched, when she cleaned hers up like new and gave it to me at Christmas. Hers was the lightweight model and I knew I was set. About four months later, it’s performance started to wain. I loved my friend for giving me her vacuum, but my frustration was mounting. I can’t remember now what caused it’s demise, but after that, I began chanting; “I only want a motor and a bag”.

If you’ve tried any of the non-mainstream vacuums, I hope you share your opinion. I used a friend’s Rainbow model for awhile. It uses a basin of water as the filter. It picked up really well, but it was gross to empty. What’s your favorite type? Who has a Dyson? Are they as good as the commercial says? I see a Kenmore canister in my future. I think Sears is the last place that makes that type. Do you like the model you are currently using? Does the perfect vacuum exist? Let us know.


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