New vac: Rainbow vs Miele. Also technique question

[fandb22]

It is all in personal preferance...

I personally find it to be a labor of love. I don't smell a dirty sweeper when I use my Rainbow. As I said before I do own two kirbys, but use them rarely because they just don't smell fresh and clean like a rainbow. If you find it to be difficult to use and maintain, I am glad there are other options for you! I really get upset when I see a Rainbow thread and it turns into a debate. I was merely giving my personal experience to a member that asked a question. I am certainly glad you are happy with your current setup. If there weren't choices and vacuums made with many different sizes, choices, features, etc. a site like this that we all love would not exist!
Happy Vacuuming!

 

[ralph123]

Metaphor said: "If you are not hard core about always cleaning the thing out funny things start to grow in there. You have to bleach it periodically to kill the microbes. Too much work. I can go a month or more without changing a bag and filters get changed about once a year on a canister. A canister is under 20 lbs usually where the Rainbow is over 30. Also think about where you are dumping the water. Do you have to lift the thing up to a sink or can you dump it over at ground level? And like Supersweeper mentioned, how is your back feeling? Bad backs don't get along with heavy objects usually. Just my thoughts."

I would suggest that you consider an in-home demonstration of a Rainbow to clear up some of your misconceptions about the amazing Rainbow. (1) Assuming you follow directions and store the Rainbow unit properly, you shouldn't have to worry about "funny things growing in there." My 87 year old mother-in-law has a 30 year old Rainbow SE that has no bad smells. (2) The Rainbow "canister" has 3 major parts: the wheeled dolly, the water pan, and the motor unit that are stored separately. You only lift the water pan when filling and dumping. It is very important to store the motor unit away from the water pan to allow it to dry.

You are correct that Rainbows are expensive, and they require extra work. Rainbow offers a full line of scents to add to the water. Water vacuums like Rainbows are useful as aromatherapy devices. Please note that I do not have a Rainbow vacuum, but I have suffered through 2 demos and have used my mother-in-laws.

 

[Metaphor]

I dunno. I guess if you have the time it might be ok. I don't. Vacuuming gets squeezed in between getting up at 0445 and jumping into the shower at 0500 (bust a sweat before jumping into the shower) to go to work (out the door by 0600), or maybe after dinner if the dog hair shed since the morning cleaning becomes objectionable, in conjunction with vacuuming the dog hair on the patio. I have maybe ten to fifteen minutes max to vacuum at either end. Then other things must get accomplished.

Btw, the original thread was Miele canister vs Rainbow. That sort of discussion is, by definition, involves a debate on the merits of a Rainbow. Nuthin' personal, it's the nature of the beast. My vote goes for the canister, with the stated reasons why. For someone with a family, job and other commitments making often overlapping demands of their time, a bagged canister has it's merits. Not perfect, neither is btw, but the better of the two choices offered IMHO. Others here are of course free to disagree.

 

[super-sweeper]

Ralph,I haven't mentioned a thing in this thread! 

 

[kenkart]

RE Baird airflow meter...

The older Rainbows really didnt move all that much air...but the difference was, the airflow never changed as you cleaned,,I have one of these, and the only canisters that will pull it all the way back, are the Apex Strato Cleaner and the Sunbeam Dual Deluxe...the Silverado Lux will do good, but not as good, but the new Rainbow im guessing will do great...but the real test is cleaning, ..a good example of the difference between a Rainbow and a Dyson is this, When the Dysons first started getting popular, Jimmy Martin brought one to my house, we cleaned my living room thoroughly with it...it got up a very small amount of fine dust and a very few dog hairs...we then tried a then new first generation E  Rainbow...it pulled out a thick layer of sand and a bunch of lint and dog hair....a powerful vacuum is only as good as its attachments, the Dyson had much more suction, but the nozzle was no where near as good as the Rainbows power nozzle, so it cleaned much better....Rainbows are not my favorite cleaner, they are heavy, messy, and a real bear to work on....but they do a phenomenal job of cleaning!

 

[kirby519]

I feel sorry for Lees23. There is a lot to think about in this post. He has two machines in mind. He alreay has a rainbow and sounds like he likes it and has no issues with the Rainbow set up. Therefor looking at a new or newer Rainbow is an option. We all look at our personal favorites to buy first. We some times will change loyalties if we see or use some thing else that suits our needs. Lees23 think about how you clean your home and what you expect the vacuum to do for you.

In my case I chose the Kirby becouse I have used them all my life. I like the overall design of it and the all metal construction. I find that it performs very well for all my needs on any flooring and above the floor. I'm in the janitorial business and have access to any make and model vacuum. And still I haven't found anything that I feel does the job any better or easier. And yes I do have a 1984 Kirby Heritage that I take with me to clean in the buildings if I don't have a machine on site that I don't mind using.

When all is said and done chose the machine that you feel will best suit your cleaning needs. And if it ain't broke don't fix it.

 

[kirby519]

Kenkart

There is something to be said for steady airflow. A meter can show you the maximum airflow or vacuum lift in perfect conditions. check that air flow after a few cleanings and and the measurements can change drasticly as filters clog. Not an issue with a water trap type vacuum. I too am not a huge fan of the Rainbow either. Set up and take down of the Rainbow is something I would rather not have to do each time I want or need to vacuum. That being said it is more becouse I prefer an upright over any canister type vacuum.

 

[man114]

Unfortunately every water vac is also a canister. If I had the money I'd do it as an upright.