BTW, i agree with you that the Hoover Portable was a back breaker to actually clean house with, and not very effective as far as deep cleaning. Great for hard floors or furniture tho. I use mine for cleaning out the car, and just keep it standing on end like a suitcase.
I cant imagine cleaning a large home, with stairs, and thick wall to wall carpet with a Hoover Portable, dragging that heavy machine around, and no carpet beating action.
They are handy for cleaning out a car,or garage, and you are so right, the hose can get clogged easily. Of course no vacuum cleaner manufacturer recommends picking up cigarette butts with a vacuum cleaner,,not just for the potential fire hazzard, but also that the butts can and will often clog up the hose.
Vacuuming cigarette butts will also cause the exhaust of most vacuums to have a terrible odor.
One of my Aunts had a Hoover Portable back in the late 1960s,,,she called it the "Beast",,and hated using it. Said it got caught up on every piece of furniture and doorway possible.
She eventially traded it for a GE Swivel Top and liked it much better.
