Choosing the vacuum for a given cleaning session

[SeboU1]

It appears that choosing which machine to use hasn’t been discussed in several years. If I buy a machine brand new I will usually have a period of time that I use it exclusively, until I want to use something different. I have been trying to use one of the newer machines each time I vacuum. If I’m vacuuming for a special reason other than regular cleaning, I usually choose a Sebo. I will say that I recently shampooed the carpets, and decided to get my U1 out for the pre vacuum. I will say that if I see a video on a machine I have or a discussion, I will usually use that machine. I tend to get a Kirby or the Filter Queen out on rainy or winter days. I will say that convenience usually influences why I don’t use a specific machine. I am a person that likes to live around a schedule, and will usually plan what machine will be used next. Once a machine is discontinued, I usually will rarely use it.
How do you guys rotate the machines that you use for a given cleaning?

 

[centralsweeper63]

I just use whatever is closest and do a big swap around when I get bored of those machines.

 

[vacuumlover]

Depends for me, since getting my Sebo evolution I’ve been exclusively using that one all the time/as my go to. But, from personal preference if it’s a particularly messy job or above floor I like to use my 2014 numatic Henry. I do use some of my older/vintage vacuums rarely more when nostalgia takes over or I want a change/haven’t used them for a while. I am planning on getting a couple more Sebos so I feel my preferences would change depending on my mood or if I fancy the occasional change.

 

[centralsweeper63]

That is one thing I account for, big jobs get machines that use cheap bags.

 

[kirbylux77]

I pick a machine that suits the job and cleaning situation and living environment I need to clean. For instance, my present living environment is mostly hard floors with carpeting in the bedroom and upholstery. So I usually grab one of my canisters, my Shark Rocket HV381 with DuoClean, Dyson V10 with the Fluffy Head, or the cheap MQDXE stick vacuum I bought off Amazon last year.

Of course, one exception to this is if it's a machine that is old and needs repair, or trying to find parts for. And if I have lots of bags on hand for a particular machine, it will likely get used a lot to use up some of those supplies.

 

[centralsweeper63]

That is another factor I forgot about, do I have more bags.

 

[SeboU1]

I generally don’t go by how bags I have, as I tend to be a bag hoarder. I did forget to mention the choice between canister and upright. I will generally choose an upright if I want to clean quickly, or simply want to use a particular upright. If I could only have one machine, it would be a canister as they’re simply the most versatile (apart from a Kirby). I always find canisters easier for Hardfloor, I will automatically use a canister if I plan on mopping. I find that attachments on uprights are usually quirky to use, especially stretch hoses. I would like to get an Aerus/ Electrolux upright, I think I would enjoy the canister hose that fits to them.

Does anyone else use their vacuums for weekly dusting of furniture and other items? I find the less dust I can keep out of the air, the better so I always vacuum the furniture then possibly apply polish.

 

[vacuumlover]

If I had to choose only one it’d be upright, I find them easier and I’ve found in the past canister wands can be a touch too short for me and gives me back ache (when using them to clean carpets) plus we’ve only got two rooms (kitchen and bathroom) with hard floors, one where I can just sweep stuff outside so never really vacuum them.

I agree about stretch hoses I can find them a bit cumbersome, especially when I need to hold the machine so it doesn’t tip over. Also on the note of uprights preference, I’ve never had a canister with a powered head so generally lean more to uprights for the deeper clean of carpets.

I used to vacuum the dust of furniture but have become a bit lazy in that aspect these days so usually just dust these with a duster.

 

[centralsweeper63]

Why I am affected by how many bags I have, is, well, I am cheap, and I don't like buying bags. I only use what I get when I buy a machine unless I really like that machine.

 

[niclonnic]

I choose whichever vacuum is best suited for the surface and situation needing to be cleaned. My house has laminate flooring downstairs and carpet upstairs (including carpet on the stairs). The upstairs laundry room and bathrooms have vinyl flooring. If I need to clean something quickly, I grab our new Shark cordless stick vac with PowerFins, purchased just last month. We keep it upstairs, and it does a very good job cleaning both carpets and hard floors. The battery life is respectable, lasting up to 20 minutes with the powerhead attached.

Downstairs, I have a Shark robo-vac that runs daily; it auto-empties itself into a larger bin on the base. For manual vacuuming, we have an Electrolux Ergorapido stick vac that features a detachable hand vac. It also cleans great on both hard floors and area rugs. My sister uses the Electrolux from time to time to vacuum her attached mother-in-law suite.

For deep cleaning the carpets or other dirty surfaces, the Dyson DC17 Absolute Animal is my go-to. Its VERY aggressive brushroll cleans like nobody's business. And I've always been grateful for Dyson's quick-draw "Telescope Reach" wand that lets me seamlessly switch between brushroll and hose modes. Although I have to fight the long stretch hose when doing stairs, the vacuum NEVER tips over during use. I also LOVE using the Soft Dusting Brush attachment (sold separately) to dust off any piece of furniture. It beats having to going through lots of Swiffer dusters.

As for the garage, I use a Ridgid 12-gallon shop vac for all-around cleaning. I also have a Craftsman 2.5-gallon shop vac that is used for abnormal tasks, such as vacuuming the grill. And, sometime last year, I started using the Craftsman to clean out other vacuums with (including dust cups and filters).

Every vacuum in my house is bagless; I'm not exactly fond of bagged vacuums. I don't like buying these consumables and having them sit around in the house, when I'd much rather have a vacuum that is always ready to go. And I vastly prefer uprights, as canisters are too cumbersome for me to use.