Best vacuum for small apartment without pets?

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I don't use carpet power except the Featherlyte ones.These won't harm vacuums or collect under the carpets.Besides formeldehide-other fine carpet powders can contain baking soda and sodium carbonate.These can be CORROSIVE to vacuums--plastic or metal.And these can wreck havoc with brushroll bearings!!!DON'T USE.If you must use carpet powders use the FeatherLyte ones.Your vacuum dealer probably has it-and I am sure its available "online" for those who order things that way.In two of the homes I moved into the former householders used those horrible powders-yes they absorb odors-when I vacuumed the carpets with both a Royal metal upright and a Kirby G4-the disposable bags smelled like rotten feet.Got like 4 bags from each house-took those right to the dump!!Haven't seen anymore of that stuff.Glad I got ip up-Royal and Kirby to the rescue.Use those for move ins and move outs.
 
I do not have allergies

But, If I pick up a BIG mess when I vacuum, and use a bagless (except for rainbow) I DO sneeze. No matter what kind of bagless you get (except for water filtration machines), there will always be some dust that will fly back at you. It really cannot be avoided. So, In my eyes, most Bagless machines wouldn't be right for those with allergies, unless somebody else dumps out the dust. I know, because my mother is severely allergic to dust.
 
Everyone is talking about budget new vacuums. Most vacuum shops offer reconditioned used machines of higher quality at budget prices. Your sister could own a good quality well filtered machine instead of a budget plastivac for the same money if you go used. Alternatively since you are the vacuum enthusiast, buy one off ebay cheap and sanitise and recondition it yourself for her. When you go the used vacuum route lots of new possibilities arise. Example, I found an Electrolux canister at a thrift shop with wands, powered floor brush and Sidekick 2 for $25 and paid an additional $40 for a generic replacement hose. That is all I am in it for at this point. Now tell me your budget Hoover is a better choice. That is just one example. There are loads of very nice used vacs out there and all then need to be like new is a good spa treatment, new filters and some HEPA bags.
 
FantomFan, consider that the vacuums used by janitorial staff, office cleaning crews, the hospitality industry and hospital staff are pretty much always HEPA bagged machines. You never see bagless vacs in these settings for a reason. There are still very good reasons to prefer bagged vacuums over bagless.
 
Oh, I said "most" because Rainbows are bagless.

I should have said bagless machines, except for water filtration machines, are a bad idea for those with allergies. To clarify, I was recommending bagged, not bagless for this situation, unless a nice Rainbow is found for a good price.
 
Rainbows require an awful lot of dedication to own. Number one, when filled with water they weigh over 30 lbs. Number two, you have to drain them after every use and even still, if you leave anything wet for any length of time stuff grows. Didn't one member here get a very bad staph infection restoring a Rainbow? You have to bleach them periodically. Now you are talking real work to maintain them. They are not for the casual user. There are other ways to obtain equal filtration that don't require the extreme diligence a Rainbow does.

I'm still voting for Niclonnic to get busy finding and refurbishing a nice higher end vacuum for his sister for the price of a cheap plastivac. I know Craigslist in his are has a number of good candidates cuz I'm always looking.
 
Um...

Tolivac, I think my mom is going to give up on the carpet powder. It made the Dyson DC07 sound weird as I gradually vacuumed her place.

FantomFan, I do have allergies, and I've always used bagless vacuums. I sometimes sneeze when emptying them. And I don't have a problem with dust clouds, either.

DesertTortoise, I am looking for a new vacuum for my estranged mother, NOT my sister. My sister and I live with my dad (my parents divorced a while back).

I am not interested in buying a used vacuum and refurbishing it. Mom is not a fan of used things. She always buys brand new. Plus, a Rainbow is rather bulky and high-maintenance for use in a small apartment.
 
I Think the Hoover air steerable would be the best way to go it is light and It's go swivel steering and it's a really good seller in America The cyclone technology is quite good for a hoover it doesn't let to much dust through
 
I would not recommend the Hoover Air 70400 nor the 72400: They both are mediocre at carpet cleaning, and have rather anemic air flow through the hose for above-the-floor cleaning. They are also not any cheaper than the T-Series 30300. For the money, the latter bagged Hoover is far better value, IMHO.
 
I have a Hoover Air Steerable and have relegated it to storage after using it for a while. Its carpet cleaning ability is mediocre, and suction through the hose is not up to my standards. The Hoover UH30300 is superior on both accounts.
 
I am unfamiliar with the Hoovers mentioned, so I would just add that you should also consider a replacement vacuum cleaner that has adequate above-the-floor cleaning capabilities including a long-enough hose, so furniture, pillows, curtains, et cetera, can be cleaned frequently.

In addition, a small carpet shampooer or extractor for monthly use will minimize the pollutants that aggravate your mom's allergies.
 
Niclonnic: Good that your Mom is giving up the carpet powder-the Weird sounding Dyson-think some of that powder has gotten into its motor bearings and in the process of tearing them up.Dyson will need a new motor.And the filters will have to be cleaned-replaced more often when using the powders.And some vacuum warrantees are voided if such powders are used.Read the warrantee on her new machine.Yes,agree a Rainbow would be just too heavy and awkward for use in a small apartment.
 
To each his/her own ...

"Mom is not a fan of used things. She always buys brand new."

Personally, I'd much rather have a high quality restored-to-new condition quality *anything* rather than a brand new mediocre something.

It's this kind of thinking that has enabled me to enjoy many of the finer things in life -- a few years later! LOL!
 
NYCWriter nailed it for me. New cheapo Hoover or Kenmore upright or a refurbished and sanitized Electrolux, Sebo or Miele? To me that is not a hard question to answer. Very often vacuum stores will have nicely done refurbished vacs ready to go for what that cheapo Hoover will cost you. The place I like has had a very nice red Panasonic MC-CG802 with the powered floor brush and all the tools, a beautiful looking vacuum, for sale in that price range as well as a decent, functional but not very shiny Kirby G series for $135.
 
I'd have to add another vote for a Hoover Tempo or bagged Kenmore. Just be sure she's using cloth (HEPA Media) bags for optimal filtration. Have you checked at any local vac shops for refurbs or basic machines?
 

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