Should You Get a Bagless Vacuum Cleaner?
Bagless vacuum cleaners are vacuums that do not require a vacuum bag. Instead, the vacuum has a dust container that stores dirt and debris. There are several advantages to buying a bagless vacuum cleaner. The main advantage is that owners of bagless vacuum cleaners never have to buy vacuum bags.
Traditional vacuums need to have bag changes on a regular basis in order to continue to pick up dirt effectively. With a bagless vacuum, you merely need to remove the dust compartment and empty the dirt into the trash. Emptying and cleaning the container after every use eliminates bacteria growth and subsequent odor within the vacuum. A bagless vacuum traps dirt, dust, and allergens better than a bag vacuum. This, in turn, benefits those who suffer from asthma and allergies.
Despite these advantages, bagless vacuums have their downside as well. For example, every bagless vacuum cleaner is equipped with a HEPA filter to trap dust. These filters make bagless vacuums more expensive than their traditional counterparts.
Over time, the HEPA filter becomes clogged, thereby diminishing its effectiveness. Because of this, the filter must be replaced every six months to a year. The filters can cost as much as $50 to $60.
Another disadvantage of the bagless vacuum is pet hair often sticks to the HEPA filter cartridge. As a result, the pet hair reduces airflow and is difficult to remove from the filter. Over time, the trapped pet hair can cause odor to emanate from the appliance when you vacuum. This can occur even if the filter is cleaned well. For this reason, the consumer may need to purchase filters more than once a year.
Choosing a vacuum cleaner, whether bag or bagless, can be a confusing task. It's important to choose a model that suits your home's particular needs. If the majority of the floor is uncarpeted, choose a vacuum with floor attachments that uses brushes. Another good choice for uncarpeted floors is an upright vacuum featuring metal plates.
Houses with carpet need a vacuum that displays efficient suction. Those who live in apartments may wish to purchase a broom vacuum. Broom vacuums are lightweight, easy to store, and don't make a lot of noise. They are useful for vacuuming stairs, hard floors, carpets, and rugs.
Look for vacuums with electrical cords that extend up to 20 feet, a hose that extends about 5 feet, and dirt sensors. A dirt sensor can determine if a floor isn't excessively dirty, and will automatically reduce its suction. On the other hand, the sensor can also determine if there is a large amount of dirt on the carpet, and it will adjust its suction accordingly.
Consider purchasing a vacuum that offers several attachments to help you vacuum hard-to-reach areas such as: corners, ceilings, and lampshades. Test several models before deciding on the vacuum that is right for your home. Avoid purchasing a vacuum just because it is the more expensive model. Just because it's expensive, doesn't necessarily mean it will be the superior vacuum for your particular needs.
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