Advice Needed - Best Upright for Health Reasons?

[charmedimsure]

Greetings ~

I found this forum while having a vacuum-research headache and hope this is an appropriate use!

I have ill health due to a chemical poisoning in a former neighborhood and need the absolute best vacuum (I am assuming a bagged upright) for medium pile CARPETING, tile and marble floors. This illness has strained me financially beyond words, and I must stay in budget - under $450.

I need something lightweight with powerful suction, excellent filtration and very little dust recirculation/exhaust. I already have a canister (which is okay for anything other than carpets), but would prefer to have an all-in-one vacuum ONLY if carpet cleaning would not be compromised.

I have been looking at the low-end Riccar, the bare-bones Sanitaire (dismissed because of the cloth bag) and just learned of the Sebo in this forum. Every vacuum store tells a different story and I don't know who to trust. I also don't know what to look for and in my searching have discovered conflicting information and misleadings. Do amps matter? How can I know the suction? I now have an old Filter Queen that overheats and has lost much suction since I added the HEPA filter and which has a highly, highly ineffectual power nozzle. It is also too heavy for me and takes up too much room. I don't care if the vacuum is metal or plastic. I just want an immaculate and healthy carpet. I have no stairs.

So, which brand(s) do you recommend? If I could save more getting a used vacuum, what would be my best bet? Or, would I
be better off getting a new model?

Thank you very much in advance for your answers, assuming I receive some! I have learned much already from the threads, but haven't found much on uprights.

 

[dysonman]

Sebo all the way

You might really like the Sebo upright. I just sold one to club member John Cain in Texas. He has posted on another thread (Sebo Felix) about his experiences with it.

The thing about Sebo is that it filters extremely well, has a lifetime belt, VERY easy to change bags, excellent suction, and was made to help allergy sufferers. Before the Hepa-filtration bag is removed, there's a plastic cap to cover the intake of the bag, meaning no dust at all is released when emptying the machine.

Sebos protect themselves very well from abuse. If the machine overheats because of a clog (an accidentally sucked up sock, for example), the cleaner will stop automatically.

The Sebo is made in Germany by Windsor, a maker of commercial vacuums seen mostly in hospitals (see thread on Windsor Versamatic as well as the Felix thread).

The home office is in Colorado, parts are available commonly.
Most collectors will tell you they like the Sebo very well. They are within your price range, and the bags are not expensive (a dozen for $16). I believe sincerely that a Sebo will last, in a home, for at least 15 years of use. They last in hospitals for that long with no problems.

 

[andy]

I'll second that...

The Sebo's are excellent machines. I've sold them commercially and residentially and my customers LOVE them.

The Felix would be an ideal machine for you. It comes with an excellent bare floor tool and can be used as a portable canister for attachment cleaning.

Tom G pretty much summed the rest of it up. But by far, these are the most durable uprights on the market today.

 

[swingette]

do amps matter? no. on a carpet, the amount of air flow *at the nozzle* and the design of the agitator/brushroll have the most effect on carpet cleanliness. both the full-size upright (i think i like the g-series) and the *Felix* are excellent choices.

 

[robgwisdala]

Hello

I recommend the Dyson DC7/DC14/DC15/DC17 vacuum cleaners.

 

[myvacsrock]

RICCAR ALL THE WAY!!

I am sure Reggie (compactC9) and Corey (Mr.Henrey) with agree! RICCAR=#1!!!!!

 

[swingette]

this dear woman has come to us for help. anyone who suggests a cleaner should make a clear and concise statement explaining WHY its best. concise.

 

[charmedimsure]

You are SO kind to take time to reply - I deeply appreciate ALL of your responses and now since the field is narrowed, I feel much more confident! Yay!

Hopefully now my vacuum-hunting expedition headache will cease!

I will check back periodically for new info.

Thank you SO much - you all seem like such a nice group of people . . .

Very best wishes.

 

[charmedimsure]

I have another question:

Is it less expensive to purchase a vacuum on-line or at a local store, do you know? I am very much out of touch these days . . .

Thanks!

 

[bigbubbacain]

Let me chime in........

I'm the one who bought the Sebo Felix from Dysonman. It's a wonderful machine and I do appreciate the fact that it has more than adequate power at way under 12 amps. Let me get off the subject for a moment: the problem with 12 amp machines is the wiring in our homes. 12 amps is the maximum rating for any household wall socket. That's fine and well, but if you live in an older home or a home with questionable wiring, you may not actually be getting the full advantage of your 12 amp machine's potential. The 12 amp machines that I own will actually cause lights to flicker when connected to certain outlets in my home, in addition to the motor not running at top speed. This is my point RIGHT HERE! Because the Sebo Felix pulls way under 12 amps it basically runs at full power everywhere I have connected it in my home. I checked all the problem outlets and the machine stays at full power. The Sebo Felix is the result effective design and engineering. This explains the well-sustained suction at only 9.8 amps. Forgive me, but at this point I'm just gushing over this machine! This is the machine I've waited for Sebo to make. Their first 2 motor upright with tools on board which was made 27 years ago is still in production, but it weighed over 20 pounds. This is an upright I can live with!

 

[bigbubbacain]

about purchasing online..............

Be very very careful. I've seen some online outfits which are connected to so-called 'shopping' search engines. Your search results will usually show the desired machine listed at a ridiculously low price. I pursued this once online only to find that the company selling this machine had listed the DOWN PAYMENT PRICE and terms of the financing. What a crock!!!!!!! If you buy from a dealer in your area, you will always have some form of recourse. A dealer can hardly refuse his own customer who's in his face with a broken machine. Many of these brands do a great deal to train and support their authorized dealers. I strongly suggest that you avoid an online purchase unless it's from a shop owner in your area.

 

[charmedimsure]

Thank you, bigbubbacain from Texas, I appreciate and will heed your advice. I have always been nervous about on-line purchases anyway unless books or something I am familiar with in the case I needed to return the item. And I hadn't considered the service aspect - if I had a bum machine/lemon it would be a nightmare calling/writing/mailing back for service. Yikes.

I feel so supported! Thanks again.

 

[dysonman]

Sebo

One of the nicest things about the Sebo is the community of people who sell the machine. They are sold by vac shops, who have a vested interest in keeping you happy with the machine. The bags are available from any Sebo dealer, or directly from the Company in Colorado. Since the belt is a lifetime belt (with teeth like tank wheels instead of a rubber belt that slips and breaks), the ONLY thing you should ever need for a Sebo are the bags, which come in a large box for a year's supply.

Sebo makes the Felix, which is a wonderful machine, especially for someone who wants the machine to be very manueverable. I talk all the time about one of my favorite vitnage vacuums, the two-motor air-way upright from 1933. The Sebo is designed like my favorite upright, with two motors and a nozzle neck that swivels, meaning it can clean so very easily under low things, and manuevers around furniture eaily.

The amp rating on a vacuum refers to the amount of electricity the motor uses. It does NOT mean that the more amps the motor uses, the more suction the cleaner has. Quite the opposite, there are lower amp motors that can produce many times more suction than higher amp motors, and vice versa. The total design of the machine, and the use of SEALS to seal the cavities and joints of the machine, are necessary for high suction.

You'll have to excuse Rob Gwisdala's suggestion to purchase a Dyson DC07, DC14, etc. I don't think he understood that in your situation, a bagless cleaner would NOT be a benefit. You would WANT a cleaner that seals the dirt in the bag, not letting any escape at emptying time. Like the Sebo. A dyson would be a nightmare in your situation since it does produce a small amount of flying dust at emptying time.

A Riccar vacuum is a decent cleaner, with most of the lower priced (under $500) models being a copy of a Panasonic upright vacuum. The more expensive Riccar cleaners (over $500, up to $1200) have two motors, which do clean well, but are a Pain to work on. A Sebo is a better choice, especially when your budget ($450) is taken into consideration.

 

[dial-a-matic]

Oreck xl-deluxe

Maybey a oreck xl-deluxe? They seal thier bags when you take them out and have celoc filtration. You can also get odor eliminating bags. This model is $400. they have MicroSweep so you can clean your hard floors but I dont know about shag?

Andy Beres

 

[swingette]

andy

have you learned about the felix? see the other thread all about it. while the Felix is not as lightweight as the oreck, its an excellent, perhaps superior alternative to oreck. from the versatility (tools, bare floor nozzle) to the workmanship/build-quality, you get much more vacuum for your dollar! oreck can be fun. my family has one i gave them. i paid about three dollars (!) for it at a thrift shop and fixed it. i think of the oreck as a deluxe electric broom. IMO its not 400 dollars worth of cleaner.

 

[bigbubbacain]

the only shortcoming about the Felix

I wish it had a second handle on the body to make it more maneuverable for stairs. Some of us have an old die-hard habit of using an upright on stairs. I'll gradually grow accustomed to using the hose with one of the tools, I suppose. Still, this is the most effective "bare floor friendly" upright I have ever seen. I''ve got such a mix of antique rugs and floors that it's been difficult with other machines. The Felix is just incredible.

 

[compactc9]

I think I will have to join the Sebo group

for all of the reasons that were mentioned here. I can also say from personal experiance that they are excellent, well built vacuums, as I have a Sebo Built Windsor Versamatic. I think you would be yappy with a Sebo.

 

[robgwisdala]

Hello

I recommend the Hoover WindTunnel bagged self propelled vacuum cleaner...They are $300.
I have one and it works very well.
I use the 3M Filtrete bags in it.

 

[bisonian]

Lindhaus?

While I have nothing against Sebo -- I agree they're fantastic machines -- I'm just curious as to how Lindhaus compares to them.

Lindhaus seems to be largely an Italian copy of the German Sebo design. Are they competitive?

 

[talktotravis]

Lindhaus

This is a tough call--where I went to college, when the contract with Windsor expired they replaced them all with Lindhaus. They are both very solid machines--I give the edge to Lindhaus. I do believe they are more expensive, though.

 

[bigbubbacain]

The Lindhaus is also a very good machine, but their uprights tend to weigh more and have less powerful suction than the Sebo. Their power nozzle is extremely agressive and I suppose that's why they do so well in a commercial setting. Their Valzer HEPA upright is ideal for a household environment. I'm still waiting to see what their parent company (Rotafil) will do to update these 2 motor machines.

 

[dysonman]

Lindhaus/Sebo

A Lindhaus is a good vacuum, but not as good (make that 'powerful') as the Sebo Felix. Both machines filter well, with the Sebo's bags being less expensive (and can trap more fine dust).

Once again, you'll have to excuse Rob Gwisdala's suggestion to buy a Hoover windtunnel. Rob is not a club member and doesn't have extensive experience with cleaners. A Hoover would NOT be a good choice for someone with severe allergies. Plus, the motor is not well-made (made by G.S. electric for Hoover). AND it uses the old rubber slipping belts (Sebo has a lifetime belt).

The only other problem with Lindhaus is the handle weight. They are VERY handle-heavy to use. Plus, with your budget (under $450) to take into consideration, all things considered the Sebo is the best choice for the money. Even if the budget wasn't a factor, the Sebo is still an excellent choice, and will perform as you wish. It's durable and keeps ALL the dirt in the bag.

 

[robgwisdala]

Hello

I recommend the Sanitaire S647 vacuum cleaner...They are $249.
3M Filtrete F&G bags are available for it...3M Filtrete bags keeps 99.97% of dust in the bag and also are HEPA Filtration bags.

 

[bisonian]

Filtrete F&G???

Where can I find those? I have a Kirby 519 with an F&G converter. I'd love to be able to use those.

 

[seamusuk]

Sebo...

Hey People

In my opinion Sebo make THE BEST upright cleaners on the market today (and their cylinder/cannisters are growing on me as well). I myself have both a X1 and a Felix Fun(I was fortunate enough to get the Felix from work as a staff deal . Both are excellent machines, although I prefer the Felix for ease of use and also love its orange/purple colour scheme!. Filtration in both is excellent with the Felix again maybe just having the edge.

If I was to buy another new upright, even if it was at the £230 retail it would be another Felix

Seamus

 

[seamusuk]

Another Felix fact...

I can only speak for the UK versions so maybe Tom could confirm it as a feature of the US versions?. The Felix also comes with an excellent soft bristles floor brush that replaces the powerhead. Its ideal for wood, laminate, tiles etc

 

[dysonman]

Felix floor brush

Yes, the American version DOES come with an extremely good bare floor brush, which replaces the power nozzle when you want to clean bare floors.

As a collector, one of the neat things about the Felix, is that it's just like operating a 1933 Air-Way "Chief" twin motor model (one of my all time favorite vacs). The neck swivels to get under furniture, and the bag is completely sanitary to change. Excellent suction, and filtration, complete a very durable, very easy to use cleaner that anyone with severe allergies would love to have.

While we sell the Felix (at retail) for much less than other shops (about $400), I feel it's a bargain at any price, Especially when you compare it to any other cleaner in that price range.

 

[dysonman]

Filtrete F & G

Bisonion:
You'll have to (yes, again) excuse Rob Gwisdala. I think he means well. But there are not (to my knowledge) any Filtrete bags for the F & G platform machines. There ARE "Filteraire" bags by Eureka, which are just micro filtration paper bags, not the cloth-like Filtrete by 3M.

Sanitaire cleaners might be great for commercial settings, but can you IMAGAINE the nightmare it would be for our lady with the allergies? She didn't want ANY dirt to come out of the bags, and the Sanitaire bags DO leak some dust, plus there is always dust when they are changed (dust by the bag connection). Rolling the spring up and down the bag's throat would NOT be what our lady was wanting. She would also not like the fact that the dirt would have to go through the fan, and the belt was vulnerable to damage from dirt paticles that have the be ground up by the fan (like throwing pennies
down the garbage disposer).

 

[swingette]

i have some *3M* bags for Eureka F&G. im almost sure they are discontinued. they have no dirt tube, simply a cardboard face with an oval opening. the opening is located at the bottom fourth of the bag and seals onto the fill tube with a membrane. i was very hopefull about them when i used one in the *retrovac* in st louis. after the test, i found some dirt had leaked around the membrane and the seams had leaked in more than one spot. maybe thats why they were discontinued? the *Filteraire* bags offered about ten years ago, red package IIRC, were excellent. better than the current ones and the Mirco-lined brand. for me, the 7 amp motor is too strong for the plastic fan and stretch belt.