New wool loop carpeting...need suitable canister type.

[simplemind]

Read many posts and discussion about the bane of power heads causing fuzzing on wool carpets. For that and other reasons, that I am ditching my current vacuum. Since we have a lot of stairs, was thinking of a canister (cylinder) as our current upright has a hose attachment, but it's a pain to use.

We want a quality machine, so the Miele has been a prime candidate, but there are so many variants that it makes my head hurt. Also we have a German Short Hair pooch, so that's a consideration and would like the nozzle to "glide" over the rug surface with ease.

Any suggestions are most welcome.

 

[miskini]

Riccar prima, or simplicity wonder will do the job. Plus they are made in the good ol U.S.A.

 

[sebo_fan]

I use a delicate brush roll most of the time on my wool carpets. Sometimes I use straight suction floor tools too, of which any brand can usually supply.

 

[turbo500]

If you're after a straight suction cleaner, don't spend a fortune on a powernozzle Miele.


 


Miele offer a variety of models with straight suction only floorheads. I read an article recently online (I shall hunt for it) that recommended using a straight suction cleaner but with very strong suction, so it won't damage the carpet but will still clean effectively.


 


Something like the S8 Calima or S8 Alize would be good. Both come with straight suction floortools and are cheaper than the powernozzle models.

 

[marcusprit]

Straight suction floor nozzles can be hard work though. I'd go for a delicate brushroll like Sebo do.

 

[marcusprit]

If you like a good work out go for a straight suction nozzle if you like an easy life go for a delicate brushroll

 

[turbo500]

Not necessarily true Marcus, depends on the carpet and how it is fitted. I tried a Henry on a friends carpet not so long back and it was so smooth to use - I was really surprised.

The Miele AirTeq head, despite being quite heavy, does have a very nice, smooth glide too it. I prefer the AllTeq because it's lighter, but on the right carpet, the AirTeq would be better.


 


Also, the Sebo delicate brushroll would have to be bought separately, which is extra cost. I don't believe it is fitted as standard to any Sebo vacuums. With a Miele, you could just buy the cleaner and be ready to go.

 

[marcusprit]

I like a brushroll on carpet. Carpet needs agitation but of course wool needs lighter agitation. But whatever works best for you.

 

[simplemind]

Carpet photo's

Closeup of the carpet. Probably 4-5 mm nap height.

 

[jade_angel]

I'll second the recommendation for Simplicity/Riccar, and the higher-end ones come with a good straight-suction tool. Use that, then occasionally use the PN to get the grit that sinks to the bottom - the Simplicity PN is really, really good at getting that kind of stuff in my experience.

Another option: Sebo K3 or D4 with an ET1 power nozzle and the delicate brush roll. In general I don't like Sebo as much as Riccar or Miele, but for that kind of thing, Sebo is among the best.

Another option, if you don't mind used, would be to get a Filter Queen that has both a PN and the straight-suction rug tool. The FQ rug tool is, IMHO, among the best. Alas, as far as I know, they don't make it anymore so you'd have to get an old one. But, it's solid metal (aluminum, I think), so it's a very durable tool. Much the same goes for Compact/TriStar, which are really good vacuums in general too.

 

[marcusprit]

Why don't you like Sebo Eric?

 

[turbo500]

That looks like a wool, berber carpet. See attached link. It is highly recommended not to use a vacuum with a brushroll AT ALL on this type of carpet.



http://www.berbercarpetbible.com/how-to-clean-berber-carpet.html

 

[marcusprit]

Why do you prefer Miele or Riccar to Sebo Eric? I am impressed with the Riccar Brilliance.

 

[rosiembanks]

Prima available?

I have a Riccar Brilliance upright, new last year, and am very pleased--as is the housekeeper, who was insisting on an upright. I especially like the newly designed bags--I actually like everything about it. I can use the WOW floor tool with it, and it's terrific on our hardwood floors. But--I really want a canister for our carpeted stairs, and have been waiting for the Prima to hit our local Riccar showroom (which has a prototype that I tested). I really liked that small canister and its attachments! I asked a couple of weeks ago when I stopped in for more bags, and they seemed to think they were never getting them. Are Primas actually available now?

 

[sebo_fan]

Simplemind - thank you for showing the thickness of your carpet. Mine are a lot thinner than yours which is why I use a combination of brush roll and/or suction only floor tool.

Thus reiterating for a straight suction only floor tool fitted to many canister vacs. True, if you have a pet and thus added pet hair is required to be cleaned up, I wouldn't suggest using anything more than just a suction only floor tool or a "combi" tool that has added lint pickers.

The following photo shows a mix of new and old Miele suction only floor tools - the last two nearer the bottom of the photo have non rubberised perimeter bumper and sole plates that can provide a far easier push on wool loop. I don't tend to use the double pedal AirTeq floor heads - the rubber plates on the front of them tends to resist the wool loops in general making it harder to push, thus "scarring" the wool - I prefer the single pedal Miele floor tools as they have all metal soleplates that aid better, lighter gliding and still as effective pick up without damage.

 

[ralph123]

Regarding the Wonder...

Rosie:

http://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?28022_56 - see replies 24 & 48. #24 shows the Wonder at the musuem.

#48 "It's an amazing machine. So quiet, yet so much suction. Light weight, with large capacity HEPA bags. Love the extra long hose, and very tall extension wand. It will be packaged without the power nozzle, so the consumer can choose which one they want (there are three: compact power head, full size with twin row steel brush roller, full size with triple row brush roller and dirt sensor). Or you can buy the straight suction model with the WOW bare floor tool. Everyone who sees this machine in person, loves it."

You should contact Tom Gasko to ask about the status of the Prima/Wonder. I believe he told me that you can purchase them at the museum. so I would assume that they are shipping them to dealers.

 

[rosiembanks]

Thanks for the link and the suggestion, Ralph--very good idea. Tom's never steered me wrong, and a more reliable source than this shop, anyway, in my experience. Maybe after the VDTA, they'll know more. Maybe I should call the Simplicity dealer, too.

Everything in that quote I agree with, given my experience with the Prima prototype, which is why I've held off buying a canister so long. The mix of attachments, and the cafeteria-idea of selecting the powerhead for your household is very attractive, not to mention the length of hose and wand. And with a lot of stairs, it's nice that it's not huge.

 

[danielsand]

I never posted in this section, but this discussion provoked me to respond.

From mid to late nineties, I owned a flooring company, specializing in all types of flooring (carpet, hardwood, vinyl, tile). That gives me some credentials to speak about the OP's question about Berber.

And since I am on this forum, that also means that I am interested in vacuum cleaners more than the "normal" guy. And also, I am soon to be 60 years old, so I am not out to impress and/or prove anything. I also live with four large dogs (two GSDs, and two Alaskan Malamutes, basically two couples).

And here it goes,.....in my experience with Berber carpet, it's just a matter of time before the dog pulls ONE loop out of the backing (either by running, playing with a chew toy, or else). IF one runs ANY kind of powered nozzle (with rotating brush), the brush WILL grab the loose loop, and "pull the line" across the carpet. I've personally witnessed, AND experienced this in my own home, and MANY client's homes over the years.

Another consideration is pet "accidents". My company replaced thousands of yards of Berber that was either stained and not cleaned very well, or cleaned with wet extractors (and they all have powered brushes), and damaged. Wet extractors work on pet "accidents" only if the agitation is used (along with water and detergent), and the agitation is ......powered brush or brushes!

IMO,....Berber and pets DO NOT mix, and if Berber is a MUST, suction ONLY vacuum cleaners have to be used.

Of course,...we all have our own opinions, but this is something I experienced on numerous occasions, and once the "line is pulled", the ONLY remedy is to replace the carpet in the whole room. Since some time might pass from the initial installation, and the needed replacement, the matching "dye lot" of the original carpet might not be available. In one instance (because of the layout of the home, and the location of the damage), we had to replace the carpet in the whole house to match! Needless to say, the owner decided NOT TO go with the Berber again. In MY mind, the choice is clear,....either Berber, or pets. I love my pets,.....so no more Berber for me,....ever.

Good luck.

 

[danielsand]

Sorry,....just read my post, and realized that "pulling the line" (as we called it in the industry), might not be understandable to all readers.

"Close loop carpet" (also known as "Berber"), is woven in one continuous line of yarn across the width of the material. All other carpet is "stitched" through the backing in individual "V" shaped small pieces of yarn, and it's called "cut pile carpet". If one of the loops becomes loose, Berber carpet WILL unravel the whole line of yarn across the width. If one "V" is torn out of the backing by a pet (or whatever), no harm done. Keen (and trained eye) might spot few of these "Vs" missing, but most people would not. A "line" missing out of the Berber is unmistakable to anyone, and the carpet is RUINED.

Hopefully, this clarifies it.