Best Vacuums For Palm Springs

[compactelectra]

I've moved to Palm Springs (now Tarantula Arms West) and am cleaning the house myself for now. I haven't installed a central vac yet which would be my first choice for vacuuming so I am sorting through all the vintage vacs to determine which ones are the best for using on a daily basis for cleaning. I don't have the space for all the vacuums that I did before so must make a choice of what to have in the house. I have forgotten about the fine desert sandy dust that permeates everything whether or not you close the doors and windows and requires regular vacuuming. I am of the opinion that the best solution is an upright for the carpeting and a canister for everything else. That desert sandy dust tends to clog the bags quickly so vacs that can deal with that are important. The place is pretty but presents a unique vacuum challenge.

 

[compactelectra]

First Up

An upright for the carpeting which represents about 1/3 of the flooring. Again, we are dealing with fine sandy dust that tends to clog the filter medium. I have to say I have settled on a machine that I bought new back in the mid 70s. Some people call these machines dirt belchers, but I sent it back to Cleveland for a rebuild and had them add a paper bag option which takes a HEPA bag. TA DA The Kirby Classic III. Can also use with the attachments.

 

[compactelectra]

I Just Pulled Out

A Hoover Convertible from storage. The Hoover 69. In cleaning contests these beat out everything else for cleaning sandy dirt. Pushes hard so the Kirby wins.

 

[compactelectra]

Now For A Canister

The first one up was a Compact. Good cyclonic action, long cord and adapted long hose. Near the top of the list.

 

[vacuumlad1650]

Have fun in Palm Springs, Fred! Keep in touch!
Andy

 

[compactelectra]

Brought The Rainbow E Series

In the main packing right to the house. Bought from Tom Gasko when it first came out. Great machine. Just could never adjust to emptying the thing. I tried it out and the dust turned to mud. Still with me but probably won't be used daily. You have to have the right constitution to use these. Again, a great machine.[this post was last edited: 3/28/2016-21:38]

 

[compactelectra]

Got The Storage Units Organized

And brought this one home. The Air-Way Centurion. Bought this one from Tom as well. I think this is the one. I have set up a long hose and use the original Air-Way tools. The bag capacity is good, the cord is long and the cyclonic action in the bag doesn't clog. It's hard to beat the design that lasted for years and always filtered well. You could load up those bags and still have great suction.

 

[kenkart]

Great Choices

The only other MUST HAVE is a model G Electrolux, I don't feel like I have a cleaner in the house unless I have a G..LOL

 

[compactelectra]

I Forgot To Talk About The Lux G

This is one of my favorite machines. I have a beautiful rebuilt G but the cord is too short for the house. I suppose I should try it and give it a chance. The problem is huge expanses of hard floors. I need a longer hose (which can be done) and a longer cord (which can't be done). It would be interesting to see how long the bag lasts before shutting off with this desert dust.

 

[vacuumlad1650]

Terry's G? Make sure you hold on to it!

 

[compactelectra]

No This Isn't Terry's G

But Terry's G was one of four that I bought at the same time. We made sure he got this one. Good memories.

 

[compactelectra]

Wow!

Good memories of Terry. If he was still with us he would have been here with me getting settled in Palm Springs. I would have no choice about the organization of the house. Miss him dearly.

 

[vacuumlad1650]

We all miss him, Fred. Not a Kinder soul lived

 

[countryguy]

How about some pics of the house (exterior & interior) that you have moved into?

Gary

 

[dysonman1]

My vote is for the Air-Way for dusting and floors, and the Kirby for the rugs. What an awesome combination. Keep the Rainbow for when you really want to Deep Clean the house.

Palm Springs is beautiful in pictures. My husband is from Palm Springs, and I can't wait to visit. The mountain looks majestic in the photos. Congrats on your new home.

As an FYI, keep all the bag tops from your Air-Way bags. Just pull them from the bag itself. That way, you can always "make" a HEPA cloth bag for your Air-Way from another brand of HEPA cloth bag (like Simplicity Freedom type F bags). Cut off the new cloth bag right under the cardboard collar - insert it into the air-way, flare open the top of the cloth bag, insert the old Air-Way bag top that you've saved, fold down the edges of the new cloth bag, and close the Air-Way.

 

[hoovercelebrity]

Wow, I'd never given much thought to the 'type' of dirt in Palm Springs - makes total sense about all of the dust and sand. It's a shame that the Hoovers don't really push very well on the carpet - have you tried one of your Hoovers that has a 4-position height adjustment? I agree with Tom, that the Kirby and Air Way are one of the best combos you could have. I think the Compact would do very well, too. I have a slightly newer Tri-Star (still the old style body), and it's one of my favorites because of its ease of maneuverability and overall simplicity. The floor tool can't be beat, either. Although slightly newer, a Hoover Concept One would also be a great machine for carpets - talk about getting the sand out!

Are you planning on getting a central vac installed in your home? That would ultimately be the best and most versatile machine. How many of the various attachment sets that you had in St. Charles did you bring with you? I recall you having quite a few.

 

[vinvac]

All the vacuums would be great choices. The Airway is a great vacuum and I love the Airway tools.

I would agree with the Rainbow, I don't like the mess of cleaning it up after each use and you can't poor dirty sandy water down a drain. I friend of mine use to keep a bucket with a strainer in it....too much work.

 

[compactelectra]

Here Are Some Pictures

Of the new house.

 

[compactelectra]

Central Vac

Fred - Owen Perkins got me a vintage Filtex central vac which I put in the St. Charles house and took the MD Silentmaster S5 with me. It is in storage. I'll have to have the house piped for the inlets (luckily the house has a great attic). I'll also have to have an electrician wire for it since it is 30 amps. Needless to say I took all the Filtex tools with me!

 

[vac-o-matic]

Fred, the new place looks fabulous! I agree the Classic III with the bag conversion makes it an awesome cleaner, combined with the later 4 row brushroll. I had mine rebuilt from the ground up by a local friend/vac shop owner, and thank God, he buffs Kirbys for us local collectors. I too love my Airway 88 Mark II, especially since Duane and Tania put a new high performance motor in it. That's a winning combo for sure. I also spotted your rose colored 302 in the background, my favorite from the old house.

Now, would you please connect me to reservations, probably for some time in the fall!

 

[air-waycharlie]

Fred...........

I must agree that the Air-Way is a definite keeper! It is so versatile for both your carpeted areas and non-carpeted areas. Plus, you have those great tools for above the floor cleaning. Remember the ceiling fans.

I've had many Classic IIIs and loved them all. I wish I had converted one to a bagged system. I converted the Omega to bagged and really like that one.

I agree with several other posters about the power nozzle of the Tri-Star MG II. That is my daily driver and it seems to perform better than the Lux omniflow nozzles. Perhaps the weight or the wheels, it just seems to clean and groom better.

I only have one Hoover convertible left---the model 69 as seen above. For me, that was the best one. The grip, balance, height adjustor, motor, etc., just seemed to be at the acme of the convertibles and I've owned nearly every one from the 65 to the 4 digit models of the 60's and 70's. Maybe you better hang on to that one for a while?

Thanks for the pics and the house looks better in real life!

 

[vacuumlad1650]

Oh Fred, Darling! Owen is going from Naperville to Palm Springs? We cant loose him yet! Beautiful House!

 

[countryguy]

The house looks very nice! Very Palm Springs like for sure. Did you get all new furniture to go with the new house?

 

[suckolux]

Gorgeous home!