Vacuum Questions

Updated on April 18, 2009
D.M. asks from Houston, TX
11 answers

Hi Ladies! You are always so helpful, and now I have yet another question...

How long do your vacuums normally last? I've read some posts where moms have their mothers' old vacuums still... We've had our's for about 7 years now, and it does not work anymore. We've changed filters, changed belts. It was a $200+ Bissell (if I remember right) that my in-laws gave us as a shower gift, so it's not like it is a cheapy thing. We do have 2 indoor/outdoor cats, which I know can be rough on a vaccuum, but geez!

Any recommendations for a decent vacuum that won't cost an arm & a leg and will last a while? We really want a Dyson, but we can not afford that right now. Also, if it can clean both carpet & tile floors, that would be fantastic! We have natural tile in our kitchen which is impossible to clean with a broom b/c of the texture of it. Mopping is a whole different nightmare!

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C.W.

answers from Waco on

Hi D.,
Personally I think the Kirby is the very best and will last over 20 years- can do everything- even buff the car and clean the carpets- but they are expensive- howver,if you break it down over the life of the machine they are very cheap.
2nd choice would be the Oreck- still about $400 but will last many many years and will do the job quite nicely. I have had Kirby's for years but recently changed to the oreck and have been very satisfied.
good luck and blessings

More Answers

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H.P.

answers from Corpus Christi on

Have you looked into buy a floor model dyson. They're usually about half the price becaue they've been out of the box. Just a suggestion.

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A.S.

answers from Corpus Christi on

We had a Riccar that lasted about 16 years. It was pricey at the time but you figure it's cost effective if it lasts that long and we've always had a dog and I like to vacuum. I now own a Simplicity and it seems to be doing fine. I don't think you ever know how long they will last.

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D.S.

answers from Killeen on

Hello,

I was in the cleaning industry for 13 years. You most likely

have gotten all you can get out of your vac. The vacs that

are made today, just don't last. The animal hair will take a

toll on it as well. Animal hair also takes a toll on your A/C

unit in your home. I know you want a Dyson. They do work

well, but a key part of them is prone to breaking. This

part is very expensive to fix. (Half the cost of the vac)

Rainbow vacs are a good quality. Eureck vacs are expensive

and I

found they don't work any better than a cheap one. I used

Eureka brands in my company. We would use them sometimes 6

hours a day, 5 days a week. I would recommend you get online

and search for commercial vacs. The same companies that make

home vacs, have commercial versions. You can buy a

commercial starting a about $235 new. Ebay probably has

better deals. The commercial vacs will have a heavy longer

cord, the parts are metal not plastic, and the usually have

better motors. We used Eureka brand for our commercial vacs.

I hope this helps. Happy Vacuming!!

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J.M.

answers from Odessa on

Hi D..

Until recently, I've owned only Hoovers and my first Wind Tunnel lasted about 12 years before the self-propel switch broke. I easily repaired it myself but decided to pass it on and get a new one. Since I had such a good experience with it, I got another one. It cost +/- $300. I just "finished" it after about 4 years. When I say "finished", I mean it's a repair I'll have to take to the shop verses one I can easily remedy at home. I'll probably have the (small) belt changed and move it upstairs for the gameroom. I have to say although it cleaned very well and I really liked having the attachments on board, we just had a new home built and I decided to upgrade to a Kirby. OUCH! I love, love, love my Kirby but it was very expensive ($1700). I have wood floors throughout my 6000sqft house as well as natural stone floors in the wet areas; the attachments make it sooo easy to clean all the different floor surfaces. The attachments are housed in a seperate carrier and not on the vacuum which makes it a little less convenient, but the cleanability makes it worth the extra effort. I would hope that we can expect at least 10,000+ years out of this one! All fun aside, I think a good vacuum should last 10+ years. If you can afford it, a Kirby is incredible. My girlfriend has a Rainbo and she LOVES it as well. It's just difficult to swallow!
HTH

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L.B.

answers from Corpus Christi on

If you have not taken it to a repair shop you might give it a try. Also the shop will be able to give you ideas as to what might work best for you and your home.

M.B.

answers from Beaumont on

A $200 dollar Bissell is a cheap vacuum and you have gotten your moneys worth.
You get what you pay for. I bought a very expensive Rainbow when we first got married.I used our tax refund. Got it alittle cheaper because I took the demonstator model. We have been married 23 yrs and it is still ticking. Only been worked on once because I did not clean some part I was supposed to clean regularly.
If it is something you use regularly and want to be effective you have to invest the money especially with pet hair.

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A.C.

answers from Houston on

As far as the tile goes I have a swiffer hand held. It works beautifully! Perfect!!

I don't suggest a Kenmore as I just bought one a year ago and it stays in the shop for broken belts. Believe it or not Dirt Devil is awesome! I had one for almost 15 years and it was the cheapest they made! I will go back to it when I get tired of the expensive kenmore!

Hope this helps!

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M.F.

answers from Austin on

D.,

I love my Dyson. We bought it with our Home Depot Credit card: Make no payments and pay no interest for 6 months* all the time on purchases that total $299 or more on The Home Depot Consumer Credit Card.

If you make payments for the full 6 months, that's a new vacuum for only $50 or $60 a month.

Good luck!
M.

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S.L.

answers from Austin on

Dyson is the only one that ever lasted for us. We have 2 dogs, 3 cats and a baby, and it works like a charm. Also, no bags! It is more $$ off the bat, but cheaper than replacement ones every couple years ( Which is what I was doing before) Good luck!

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C.L.

answers from Austin on

Not much help on the vacume issure - I buy cheap ones and run them into the gournd because I have a lab that sheds liek crazy. As for the natural stone tile - I have natural slate in my kitchen (it has been sealed) and the bet thing I found to sweep it with is a rubber broom - the bristles are about 2 or 3 inches long, it is also good for sweeping pet hair off of carpet. It doesn't fluff up the dust just moves it to a pile much like a squegee works.

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