What to get for hardwood?

[micahmcdowell]

Hello all, I'm new here to Vacuumland but I've been around on Automaticwasher for a while.

I just purchased a home that is mostly solid oak hardwood floors with tile kitchen and bathrooms. The hardwood is quite nice and I'd like to keep it that way. We're not really equipped properly; we have an Oreck XL and just got a Kirby Sentria from a family member who switched to Dyson and threw away all the Kirby attachments sadly.

What would be the BEST option for proper hardwood care? Figure we'll keep the Kirby for rugs and carpet, but won't it be rough on the wood due to weight, even with brushes turned off? We're not attached to any form factor... canister, stick, upright, whatever. I would consider new or used, but would like to keep under $200. Online reviews seem pretty useless.

Thanks, all!

 

[crazykirbydude]

See If you can find an attachment kit for your Kirby. You can convert it into a canister, which is great for hard floors. An old Electrolux is also a good option.

 

[human]

I was about to suggest an Electrolux. The flippy floor tool is great on hardwoods. I also agree on getting a set of Kirby tools. They're readily available on eBay and not terribly expensive, well below your $200 budget. The tool set has been the same since the G3 was introduced almost 30 years ago. Only the colors have changed. If it mattes, the Sentria's toolset was the same gray as the hose and caddy.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I have a set (blue) of

Kirby tools. I assume they'll fit your machine.

 

[panasonicvac]

Hi there and welcome!

I think it's always great to have someone on here who is also a member on automaticwasher (I happen to be a member on there as well).

Even with the brushes turned off on the Kirby, the metal sole plate on the nozzle would still have chances of scratching hardwood floors if it was lowered all the way down unless you would raise the adjustment one or two notches off the floor. Plus it's not as maneuverable to use it on floors as an upright versus having it as a canister. And I don't know what model your Kirby is but some of the newer ones such as the G3 or newer would have rubber wheels that would be fine to use on hardwood floors but some of the older ones such as the Legend II or older would have plastic wheels which would also have chances of scratching hardwood floors.

So with that being said, you could still find attachments for your Kirby new or used for well under $200. Another recommendation would be to get another machine such as a canister. With getting another machine; you could have two people using two different vacuums for time to go by faster, you could also save time from switching the Kirby from upright to canister, and you could also use that machine to clean or service the Kirby or the Oreck. But with just having your Kirby and getting the attachments for it; you would save some closet space, you would also use some of the attachments for other jobs that the other machine wouldn't do, and depending on what price another machine would be, you would most likely save more on purchasing.

But if you would be set on going for another machine, what would my recommendation be? In my humble opinion, I would say the Miele C1 Classic whether if it's new or used. It is quiet, powerful, and a solid built machine. Plus all the wheels are rubber so they won't scratch hardwood floors. The wand is telescopic. It comes with four separate attachments. And when it comes to filtration, this is a really hard one to beat for it's price. Now for brand new online, it's listed for a little more than your asking price. But, the prices would drop from dealers as either demos, open box, refurbushed, or would work with a deal to trade in either your Oreck or your Kirby. Even once in a while I would see these open box or used once on ebay for $200 or less.

Anyways that's just my overall thoughts. Wish you the best of luck on what you would decide to do and again, welcome to vacuumland!

 

[vacuumdevil]

You might consider spending a little more a James would do you well.

 

[micahmcdowell]

Thanks to all for the responses!

Sounds like I should at least try the Kirby with the tools and see how we like it. Still can't believe they threw them all out, yet kept the vacuum. Gottahaveahoove, I sent you a message.

Panasonicvac, thanks for your input... that Miele looks very nice, and is one I keep seeing in reviews that feels like something I would like. I'm going to keep an eye on those. Good to have some affirmation that it may be a suitable choice.

One odd detail I forgot to mention. I'm in the middle of the USA, but my house was built for a German family, and has a 240V outlet in every major room. I assume that these were added for their European appliances. Maybe a home-market Miele would be right at home?

 

[huskyvacs]

The Kirby does have an attachment for hard floor cleaning, and the Ultimate G series and later have rubber tread wheels. I think Kirbys have had rubber wheels since the G3.

 

[eurekaprince]

I would have to agree with PanasonicVac - since you have a good upright for carpets, you should have a quality suction-only canister as a companion cleaner to clean everything else - from bare floors to car interiors and curtains. You can't really go wrong with a basic Miele canister - very powerful, lightweight, quiet and easy to use. If you have a lot of bare floors, add Miele's Twister bare floor brush to the purchase: it has a very good articulating neck and very soft bristles for delicate bare floors.

Also, if you want a really inexpensive stick vac for bare floors, pick up a Swiffer Vac for about $50! These are great cordless floor cleaners that combine suction to pick up larger pieces and a disposable Swiffer pad to wipe off the fine dust on the floor. Filtration is not the best, but for quick daily sweeping, it's a great little device!

 

[vacuumdevil]

240v

@micahmcdowell if you have 220/240 in every room . You want to import a Chinese market machine in the future. The European market what machines had their power crushed by the European Union's heavy regulations. This nad Is abot $470 USD

Behold 2000 watts of anti-environmentalist power!

 

[ralph123]

The Simplicity Jill / Riccar Sunburst vacuums are within your price range and have a decent floor tool.

https://www.vacuumcleanermarket.com...MIwY__0oGA6AIVxkXVCh110QSpEAAYASAAEgKy-PD_BwE

 

[lesinutah]

The

Best vacuum for all non carpeted surfaces would be the Bissell crosswave. It naturally cleans hardwood told etc. It keeps your floors healthy.
I have 800 square feet oak floor, 800 feet of off while tile 400 of carpet. They look brand new.
The other vacuums have features and crosswave is what the vacuum does.
Les

 

[tolivac]

2000W vacuum-just get a central vacuum!That may be the BEST option for someone with hard and wood floors.Kirby-You can't use Tech-Drive on hard floors-it can scuff or scratch.So if you use the hard floor pad on the nozzle-you have to push by hand.I like Kirbys-a favorite-but with hard floors they are not as useful as a canister machine or a central machine.and bear in mind Kirby as a canister is running at full motor speed and ANYTHING you pick up goes thru the fan.Not good if you have to pick up small pebbles or sand that was tracked in.

 

[vacuumdevil]

@ralph123 why would you get the Simplicity / Riccar version if you can get the Bissell version which is the same vacuum for less than 1/2 the price?



https://amzn.to/2IeWQoL

 

[crazykirbydude]

This is why people should not come to Vacuumland for advice on a new vacuum. Everyone will recommend their favorite brand, and it ends up confusing the OP. Keep in mind that the OP said that they wanted to keep it under $300. A central vac would be way out of OP's price range. The cheapest (and best) option would be to find an attachment kit for your Kirby.

 

[rugsucker]

What to get--?

Kirby is a great vac but without hose I would ONLY use on rugs & carpet with proper height adjustment.It would be nice to find hose and attachments to complete(only Generation hoses will work,G-3 & 4 had gasket on hose,later gasket was on front of fan housing)but some don't like changing back and forth.As mentioned above Electrolux is a good choice with 4 ply self sealing filter bags and good quality atts.My choice to use along with a good upright is a used Model L with standard atts.Very lightweight and easy to use for many household jobs and the car.They can usually be found for very good prices both locally(thrift store,flea mkt,estate sale,etc)as well as EBay.
I have a mid 70s book on White House and Pres Ford showing WH butlers using comm floor polisher and Mo L.If it's good enough for the White House is it good enough for your house??(I use 3)

 

[crazykirbydude]

Ok, I'll back you up on that old Electrolux. I use a Diamond J on my hard floors and I love it.

 

[lesinutah]

Nouche

No touche?
My compact is best vacuum on hard flooring.
Les

 

[luxkid1980]

Why don't you just use the Oreck XL to clean the hardwood and tiles? I have an Oreck upright and it is perfectly suitable and does not scratch the surfaces. One doesn't need a fancy cleaner to vacuum up debris that is sitting on the surface of hardwood floors and tile. The Kirby is going to be a pain to use on the hard surfaces as it is primarily a carpet cleaner and does a good job for that. A lightweight upright would be your best bet. Or, as some others suggested a canister. Get a good used Electrolux with attachments for a lot less than a Miele or similar machine.