Elnora Jones If you’ve been exploring your options about which vacuum to get for your home, you may have information overload. Each home has different needs and what works for one family may not work for another. We’ve put together a list of things to consider in choosing the best vacuum cleaner for your Chicago home.
Figure out what’s most important to you, and finding the right vacuum will be easier than you thought it would be.
What types of floors do you have? Is an upright or a canister vacuum a better choice?
While carpets are becoming less common, some homes do have them. If you have a lot of carpet in your home, a more aggressive vacuum will reach dirt that’s deep within carpet fibers. You should also choose a vacuum cleaner with an adjustable height.
Upright vacuum cleaners are generally a better choice for cleaning carpets, but canisters are more versatile and will usually clean both carpets and bare floors. Canister vacuums will also reach better under furniture and hard-to-reach places.
Overall, canister vacuums are better for bare floors. You might also be able to get away with a lighter-weight stick vacuum if you don’t have too many bare floors.
Do you absolutely hate vacuuming?
If the task of vacuuming itself makes you want to pull your hair out, you may want to consider one of the newer robotic vacuum cleaners on the market. While earlier models of robotic vacuums fell short of doing their duty, the latest models have proven themselves worthy of a purchase.
The newer versions have better suctioning power and the prices have come way down. All you have to do is set the program and walk away.
Does anyone in your family have bad allergies?
If allergies or even asthma is a health issue for anyone in the home, you’ll want a filtration system that works. A vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter is a must in this case. This way, most of the dust particles will go through the filter rather than settling back in the air.
Would you prefer a bag or a bagless vacuum cleaner?
A vacuum cleaner with a bag has to be tossed out when it’s full. Then, you have to put a new one in. Some models eventually quit getting produced and it becomes harder to find a bag. I’ve run into this problem a number of times. However, a vacuum cleaner bag is less messy to fool with.
With a bagless vacuum cleaner, you empty the dust container when it gets full or after each use. You save on the worry and cost of getting replacement bags for your vacuum. But, a bagless vacuum cleaner can be quite messy.
Do you have pets?
We love our four-legged friends, but let’s face it - Got dogs or cats? Then you probably have pet dander that’s made its way into your carpet and furniture. You definitely want to get a powerful and efficient vacuum cleaner that works hard to pick up pet hair.
Upright vacuum cleaners tend to work better at doing the job and some even come with special tools specifically designed to pick up pet dander.
Is the vacuum cleaner easy-to-use or heavy, bulky, and hard to maneuver?
Someone with a back problem or other health issue will no doubt desire a vacuum that’s more lightweight. Of course, if you’ve won an Ironman (or woman) triathlon, a heavier vacuum probably wouldn’t faze you.
Thankfully, more innovative vacuum cleaners are much lighter than they used to be. The best-rated ones often weigh more. But some function kind of like self-propelled lawn mowers and have motors that help move them forward and backward.
Lightweight vacuums weigh much less but they don’t work well on carpet.
To cord or not to cord?
bare floorsIf you have a smaller home, a cordless vacuum may do the job. Cordless vacuums are good for small jobs or spots jobs but they run out of power quickly. A medium to larger sized home will require a vacuum with a cord. It’s just that simple.
Do I want a vacuum cleaner that does more than vacuum the floors?
Most of us want a vacuum cleaner that goes beyond the call of duty. We want a vacuum that has tools that allow us to reach into the corners of our walls and ceilings to clean cobwebs. We want one that will suck dust off the ceiling fan and blinds.
Determine how important this is to you when choosing a vacuum for your home.
Storage
I remember buying one of those massive vacuum cleaners that had a million attachments. I was so excited.
But, when I got it home, I had no place to store it. It sat in the corner of my bedroom and I really disliked it. I couldn’t wait until I replaced it with something that easily fit in the closet.
Make sure you have a good, out of the way place to store your vacuum when it’s not in use. Trust me. You won’t want to have to look at it.
Choosing the right vacuum cleaner isn’t rocket science
It doesn’t have to be such a chore. Answering the preceding questions will get you closer to choosing the right vacuum for your Chicago home. But, if you just want a break from cleaning the house altogether, consider hiring a cleaning crew to get it all done for you.
