My Grandmas Eureka (1931 AT)
Purple Hoover Bagless
Central Vac, preferably a MD Silent Master
Kirby G4
What are your earliest and favorite vacuum memories?
My grandma had a Eureka 1931 AT until 1999. It never died but she replaced it because I disliked it after she got it serviced, it sounded very different. So for Christmas my grandfather and my mom got her Hoover Caddy Vac. I was only two but I remember the night she got it well. I think we have part of the opening on VHS.
One of my best friends had a red Hoover Windtunnel. They let me use it once and I was amazed (I was like 4) by the dirt finder light. I looked at the blue version every time I went to Sears until I saved up $129 to buy it at Sears! That was my first vacuum I bought entirely with my own money.
My mom had many friends in the neighborhood when I was younger, and I got to see their vacuums. One person had a Simplicity, another had a Kirby G4 and the rest had some variation of a Hoover Elite.
My aunt had a Bissell Pureair that I adored. It was very heavy but cleaned fabulously, or at least seemed like it to me at the time. She replaced it in 2005 with a Eureka Smartvac that she still has.
I would look at vacuum aisles and dream of owning the machines. For awhile a wanted a Eureka Mighty Mite or a Dirtdevil Swivel Glide. I had a small desire for a Kenmore Progressive for a long time. Each time they came out with a new model and wanted it less and less. Once they got to the current Whisper-Belt machines my desire diminished.
Before I became educated enough on carpet cleaning and the economy was better, we would have our carpets cleaned professionally. Each time they would come they would vacuum the carpet, with what I now know, a Sanitaire SC886. I enjoyed watching the vacuum, but was also offended that they had to re-vacuum, after I did such a good job with our Hoover Elite. Years later the service man let me try out the vacuum wand which was loads of fun.
What is the history of vacuum you have owned?
I have been interested in vacuum cleaners since I was an infant, but didnt start to collect until I asked for one on my 5th birthday. My mom was against anything used until 2009, so up until then I got whatever was on the market.
Most of what I own is 1980s-2000s department store vacs, although I have a few door-to-door/high-end machines. My Electrolux Silverado, paired with a PN6, is absolutely amazing.
I kept everything I bought until late-2009 when I started to sell vacuums on eBay.
Have you ever worked on, repaired and/or restored any vacuum cleaners?
Yes, I have restored a Kirby Tradition in my spare time. I currently sell vacuum cleaners on eBay. I thoroughly clean and repair each machine I sell, and as a result have maintained 100% positive seller feedback since 2009.
