Introduction- Love my NEW Rainbow!

[shelly]

Hi- I'm Shelly and live in California. As a teen, I used to clean my aunt's home for cash, we had a Kirby, she had a Rainbow. This was back in the late 60's, I'm not sure of the model, but was always impressed with it. I thought it was weird when she first showed it to me, but after cleaning and dumping, I was in love. I bought an SE years ago and used it for heavy cleaning, recently we had a flea problem so I lugged it out and in three days, no more fleas. It started doing something unusual and wouldn't start when I flipped the switch, a few seconds later it went as usual. Anyone know why?

Instead of taking it to repair I looked for a new one. I was worried that I may not like the new model compared to the SE- sometimes I think older things are better made. When I took the new E2B out of the box and tried it, that was it! Suction and airflow are great and it handles so easily, and did I mention suction? That thing wants to have my rugs for lunch! I'm very impressed with Rainbow for making something new that feels, cleans and performs like real old-fashioned quality. I read a lot of reviews about all the things that people don't like about Rainbow Vacuums, but I have to say that when I use one, the house looks, feels and smells truly clean.

I'm new here and enjoyed reading all the interesting posts. Funny how vacuum cleaners can become an obsession.

Shelly

 

[williamr1248]

Love my new Rainbow

Shelly,
I had the same feelings when I got my Rainbow. So few things that you can buy new that are made as good or better than what it replaces.
I even purchased two high end German made vacuuums and they don't compare to my Rainbow.
Just finishd having new flag stone walks put in the yard and now have sand every time we come in the house. Here is where the new Rainbow power nozzle really out performed even my famous German power nozzles. Unlike the other machines, the Rainbow has the sand just hopping out of the carpets in front of the nozzle and the basin has a layer of sand on the bottom. I can use the Rainbow FIRST or LAST with the same results.
I think it is all about the continuous air flow. You have a new machine every time you take it out to use.
After you have used your Rainbow for a few months,borrow a machine that uses a bag or bagless and you can really tell the difference in the smell and dust in your house.
You might want to get the new Rainbow wall hanger for the tools and hose as it makes the storage so much faster and easier.
Once you get used to dumping the water basin you will not go back as you feel like you are just moving the dirt around from one surface to another and I sure do not want to store the dirt,filth and germs in the closet from week to week. .
Good Luck with your new machine.

 

[williamr1248]

Introduction I Love my new Rainbow

Shelly,
I also had the Rainbow SE for many years. I was never impressed with the old power nozzle but I think it did a better job than I thought as over the years. I would use other "better" rug cleaners and I never got very much dirt out of the rug.
Collectors would take care of any of the machines they use so in a way we are not a good example of what does the best job in the long run.
I think it is possible that the older Rainbow would win in normal home use by default just because of the contant air flow.
It seems a lot of us are all about which has the strongest suction or which picks up the fastest or the most but you have to look at the overall results during the ownership experience and also which design is the most damaging to the rug fibers.
So many of the newer cleaners have such stiff brushes that they can damage or cause fuzzing to the carpet.
I will have to say I have never had an old Hoover,Kirby or Electrolux damage a rug
like what some of my new machines have accomplished.

 

[shelly]

Thanks williamr1248. Your Rainbow post is what got me excited about this site. Great descriptions and photos. I am very impressed with this new Rainbow and am going to shampoo the carpets today.

You make an excellent point about the total experience with a vacuum. I have had Hoovers, Eureka and Sanitaire and after a while I feel like I am just moving dirt around. Then I'd use my SE and the house would feel clean again. So why didn't I use the SE all the time? Well, I stored the upright in the upstairs closet and the SE way downstairs in the utility room, after sewing upstairs I would just pull out the upright and end up doing the whole house. The fleas are what made me realize how great that old SE is. Now with my new Rainbow it's easier because it's lighter! I don't have to change the power nozzle to do the stairs! Love it!

Shelly

 

[williamr1248]

Introduction-Love my new Rainbow

Shelly,
I ALWAYS say the Rainbow is an aquired taste! If you are someone who just wants to clean quick through the middle of the room,have no pets or allergies then stay with an upright.
What Rexair did for me was to make the new machine SO much more user friendly. What I did not like about my SE was the 2 sets of hoses,wands and the machine did not lock down in the dolly and I used to keep the water basin with the cleaner. Now I keep the water basin in the bathroom and just dump and rinse.
The door rack is wonderful as you don't have to bend over to get the tools and hose. Also really like the new cord storage. I can just loop it and drop it on the holder. I really prefer it to messing with a cord winder as I use the machine every day.Almost every part of the cleaner was improved for customer use and not just cosmetic changes for new sales.
It is still a heavy machine!
Since I have been cleaning up the sand from the new walks, even my most expensive hepa machines stopped up and lost air flow very quick.
I think you will like the new dolly system and that longer electric hose that can
be switched and used with the Rainbowjet to clean the floors.
Did they show you how the fuller brush clips on the machine so you can have all the tools with you now?

 

[shelly]

Yes William. I have to say that I will only use the new Rainbow from now on. I love everything about it- my old SE was nice, but I didn't like changing hoses and the like- now it's all so easy! I did see how all the brushes can be carried on the machine.

William, why do you have so many vacs? What do you do with them all?

Shelly

 

[mark40511]

Ahhh fleas

Good point! They drown and get dumped. I can imagine that a water vacuum would come in very handy with a bug problem as opposed to a bagged vacuum.....
I want to get the latest black Rainbow but I can't justify it since my Gold 2 speed isn't very hard to use, does a great job, and still looks & smells new. That doesn't mean I don't want the latest & greatest one. : D

 

[williamr1248]

Introduction, I love my Rainbow

Shelly,
I am JUST a beginner compared to so many on the forum! It all started with me years ago. I met one of the guys in the club,he had a vacuum shop and before I knew it, I was trying one type and then another.
I had only used about 3 different ones up until I got started in the club. I started out of school with my parents old Air-Way.Then I bought a new Air-Way and used it for about 13 years. When I built my second house in 1987,it was all carpet so I bought a new Kirby went the door-to-door salesman came calling.
I had this house built about 2006 and it has multiple floors and lots of hardwood floors so that is where the Rainbow came into play. I had owned the SE for years but used it only off and on. I thought it was too much trouble to get out of the box and use. When I started having allergies and asthma someone suggested I get my SE out and use it exclusivly for a few months and I would be able to tell the difference in both the allergy and the dust in the house. They were correct on both counts.
Now, I only use the Rainbow in the house. The collection of vacuums are used only in the basement for fun and they need to go!
For some reason I have always been interested in appliances and old cars and how they operate.

 

[williamr1248]

Introduction-Love my new Rainbow

Shelly,
If you have stairs to clean you might want to try just using the power nozzle on the hose handle. Now that everythihng is direct connect-you can use the power nozzle with one,both or none of the wands.
My stairs are carpeted and I found the new power nozzle with the revolving side brushes does a better job of getting the "fluff" in the corners of the stairs risers instead of using the smaller Rainbowmate and the crevice tool.
The power nozzle also has the led lighting so it lights up the stairs too.
Also need to say I do not work for Rexair,Rainbow and do not claim that the Rainbow is the best for everyone. It has been a real help with my asthma.
I was going to add that my interest in appliances goes back to a very young age as my grandfather used to own warehouses and grew up surounded with boxes from Frigidaire,Kelvinator,Hotpoint and Zenith.
My uncle on the other side of the family was an engineer for Frigidaire at General Motors in Ohio,so it was a natural to like appliances!

 

[shelly]

Yes Mark, Rainbow solved the flea problem lickety split!

William, I too love old appliances. Ranges, radios, and I love old cars! 1963 Ford Thunderbird. Ahhhh.

 

[luxlife]

It is definitely an acquired taste

While the Rainbow may not have the overwhelming suction draw that can be found on the Miele or the Riccar canisters, it does have very good suction and all of its accessories work to make the most of the airflow. On some my rugs I must actually open the suction control valve when I hear the brush turning too slowly, even with the 14 foot hose!

 

[djtaylor]

Shelly,
Since you already know how to use a Rainbow properly I don't think you will have any problems with it. Yes, some people get a lemon and others simply don't know HOW to use one the right way.
I know people that love Rainbow and I know people that hate them and both groups have very good reason to feel the way they do. There are always products that some people love or hate but most are just neutral about said product.
I have had good luck with Rainbows and I plan to always have at least one in good working order. That said, Kirby is MY loved vacuum.
Best of luck with your new E2B, I hope to have one someday.
Justin

 

[shelly]

I can"t imagine loving this Rainbow more than I do, they took everything that I loved about my SE and made it better, then took everything that I didn't like and improved it. Wow! The fact that I can plug the power nozzle directly to the pistol grip is an incredible improvement, I can do the stairs without having to plug in that Rainbowmate. The suction on this new black model is crazy powerful, my SE cleans my rugs well and doesn't pull them up, this new model sucks them right up, I have to stand on both ends or it's impossible to clean them. The unit and nozzle are quiet, it's a little lighter weight and more stable. The only things I don't prefer are the attachment dolly, I like the SE version better and the SE water pan holds onto the solid stuff better than the new. Those are really small compared to the huge improvements- I'm so glad I waited to get this newest version of the E series.

 

[floor-a-matic]

@williamr1248

Does your SE have the Performance PN or the older rectangular PN? Both my SE's have the older rectangular PN, & both pick up a LOT more sand & dirt (even with worn bristles) than my other vacs could get.

When I got the new black/onyx E3, I was REALLY blown away with all the new features & more powerful suction & quiet-ness of the new Rainbow.

Now I'm going back to selling Rainbows so I can get one for free.

 

[williamr1248]

Introduction I love my new Rainbow

Eric,
My old SE had the square power nozzle with the beater bar and soft brush. I guess it was doing a better job than I thought as I could use much more powerful uprights after I used the old SE and got almost nothing. I did always notice that my Rainbow would have less carpet fuzz and more fine sand and dirt in the basin.
Now that I do have a lot of sand being tracked in the house, I can see the difference in this power nozzle. I can use the new Rainbow first or last and it gets a lot more sand out of the carpeting. It is more like using an OLD Hoover upright except with the Rainbow you are not picking it up off the floor and blowing it all over the room.
With new power nozzle,you watch,hear and see the sand come to the surface in front of the power nozzle. I think it has a lot to do with the air flow and new design of the bottom plate. It was a surprise to me as I have several other machines with more suction and famous power nozzles.

 

[shelly]

My SE has the old rectangular head as well and I do like those beater bars. The new head is superb! It starts pulling in objects from inches away and gets everything super clean. No adjustments on it though, I wonder if it is self-adjusting.

 

[mark40511]

So if you were to rate the Rainbow PN's

I'm guessing it would go like this:

Best-The current Onyx PN

Better - the rectangular PN used with the SE's before the performance edition

Last - The Performance Edition & ones sold with E series up to blue E series

 

[williamr1248]

Introduction-I love my new Rainbow

Shelly,
Check this out. This is what my Rainbow pulled today from just 2 days in my family room. We are fighting sand from the new walks. I have NEVER had it pick up so much or turn the water that dark.
I have 2 other expensive German vacs with power nozzels and they don't even come close to removing the sand like my new Rainbow power nozzle. The sand just jumps out of the thick carpets and you can hear it going up the electric wands.
I would have never realized this unless we had installed the new walks.

 

[shelly]

Wow! That's a mess! I almost bought an older E series, but finally broke down and splurged on the new one, I'm so glad I did- that nozzle is incredible. Who knew we could get so excited about dirt?

Shelly

 

[shelly]

Mark, I never tried the other E series nozzles, just the rectangular (very noisy) and the newest. The lastest model is quite a bit better than my older version. I am able to deeply clean and the entire path is groomed without that visible space between the brushes- do you know what I mean? It's groomed from end to end.

 

[eurekastar]

@ Rob

That's why I bought 4 quart water basins for my E series Rainbows AND for my D series Rainbows.  I don't vacuum as often as I should and I have two dogs that are in and out of the house.  Fortunately, all my kids have flown the coop except for one and he'll be gone in August.  I can only imagine what kind of mess my floors would be in if I still had a houseful. 

 

[motojoejo]

Congrats on the news Rainbow Shelly!

My mother (a 30 year Rainbow user) said "owning a Rainbow and loving it is like being in a cult." She's also said, "Rainbows aren't for the lazy." She's had a D3 and recently bought a Rainbow E2 gold. The only exception is she has a Hoover Legacy from the early 90's mainly used for the quick clean ups.

Her D3 with rectangular PN still works perfectly but decided to have a Rainbow on each floor for ease of use. I grew up with the D3 and never had allergy problems until I moved out. I saved up and bought a refurbished D4SE with rectangular PN factory refurbished (or so I was told by the dealer but it was mint looking). It has taken me through four roommates, two cats, a dog, and cleaning who knows what from apartments and condos.

 

[floor-a-matic]

Power Nozzle ratings

Best--Onyx e3 w/side 'whiskers'

Better--Rectangular D3/D4/D4SE PN (R-1650, R-2800, R-4375) w/brush/beater bars

Runner-up--Old R-1024 w/VGII

As for the Performance & earlier E Series, I have no idea because I haven't used them.

One mistake I did is NOT take a Rainbow when I moved (left at parents' house); but now that I have a few with me, I'll NEVER go back to any other vac (except for 'quickies' or depends on my vacing mood)

 

[floor-a-matic]

I can also pull out deeply imbedded sand from the house carpets & car carpet just by using suction alone that even my other vacs with more powerful suction AND rotating brushes can't get out. If I use a RainbowMate or the Wessel Werk HEB160 (sometimes I do use them or a turbo brush, since using the straight suction upholstery nozzle or Jet Rug Tool does an IMPRESSIVE job getting all the deep down dirt, even after months of not vacing the cars' interiors) with the Rainbow for vacing the car, I'd pull out YEARS of dirt that the other vacs left behind AND be changing the water after vacing each passenger seat's floor. Then I go over the car interior with the other vacs & get nothing out at all. Same thing when I'm vacing the house carpet in OH, that using only the Jet Rug tool pulled out every ounce of deeply imbedded dirt that the other vacs leave behind. Even going over the carpet & upholstery with a Power Nozzle connected to a Rainbow, I get NOTHING out (after vacing with a Rainbow with straight suction Jet Rug Tool only)

 

[floor-a-matic]

When I'm done vacing with the Rainbow (either straight suction alone or with a PN) I wash the carpets & upholstery with the AquaMate (either using the regular extraction nozzle or with a Kenmore SprayMate) & get out any remaining dirt & grit (if any left, which is rare after vacing with a Rainbow) that a Hoover Steam Vac or Rug Doctor can't get out.

The ONLY thing I don't like about the AquaMate I is that I have to connect the water hose to a faucet. Other than that, it does an EXCELLENT job deep cleaning, since I can connect either the SprayMate, squeegee, full-size carpet nozzle or upholstery nozzle (came from a Bissell canister steam vac)

Can I use the AquaMate II or III (AM-12) with the SE?

 

[eurekastar]

Power Nozzle Question

I've been looking at the power nozzle on the new Black model, and I think the revolving edge-clean brushes are an interesting feature.  However, I'm curious about something.  Does dog hair get wrapped around the little brushes?  I have a Golden Retriever, and I wonder if dog hair spins off those little brushes and into the vacuum flow. 

 

[shelly]

Nothing has wrapped around those brushes and they are a very clever design, the dip in my carpet at the baseboards gets really clean. This new design is great.

 

[williamr1248]

Introduction I Love My New Rainbow

Bill,
I don't understand it, but I have had my new Rainbow for over a year now and not once have I had to clean the side brushes. I have a dog that sheds. I also notice that the Rainbow power nozzle does not get the threads wrapped around the brush roll like so many of my other power nozzle brushes.
The worst for getting the dog hair and threads caught of my machines are my Oreck,Dyson and the Hyla that has a Wessel Werk nozzle.
Also I don't understand, but when you pull the Rainbow power nozzle in the back stroke it does not leave the gaps that you think it would by the design of the retating side brush and middle belt gap. It must be a function of the air channels on the bottom plate.

Erik,
I have found the very same thing you posted about the straight suction jet rug tool. It gets a LOT of sand and fine grit that even more powerful machines with a power noozle miss. Here again I think it must have to do with the air flow on the Rexair.
I will never forget my first vac convetion. I went in and saw my first Rexair B in competition.. I was laughing at the sad little black Rexair sitting next to much bigger and more powerful machines. I stopped laughing when the competion started. One of the other club members told me "just watch and you will be surprised" at the Rexair's performance. It was a shocker for me.

 

[joshdonnell]

My

Opinon After owning a Rainbow, and both a Germen vacuum. I feel like the miele doesn't spit the bigger items like food pieces and such back at my feet. Every time i use the Rainbow that happens every ayyoining . I dont know about the new Rainbow. I understand no vacuum is perfect. I know i always take crap about the Rainbow. Its just becuase there are many things i dont like about them . But then i got back to how the Rainbow has helped me. And since my Rainbow power nozzel doesn't work and cant use it. I kinda miss it . I have thought about getting a new Rainbow but i think Hyla might be the better choice for me. Also i feel like the wessel work is the better power nozzel. And just my opinon.