Advice & inspiration
#loveleekes
Advice & inspiration
#loveleekes
Essential to clean rugs, carpets and floors, vacuum cleaners are present in almost every home. And yet, between the types of vacuum cleaners (cordless, cylinder, robots, …) and technologies (with or without bag, central vacuum cleaner), it is not easy to choose one. Our guide will help you find the best vacuum cleaner for your needs.
Upright vacuums
These type of vacuums are ideal for larger homes and homes with large areas of carpet – they are also easier to manouevre around furniture. The majority of upright vacuums are now bagless and some don’t even require a change of filter. Upright cleaners work by beating the carpet to loosen the dirt and the brushes pick up the dirt to ensure a deep clean.
Cordless vacuums
The technology of cordless vacuums has developed a great deal over recent years. These cleaners are great for convenience as you no longer need to be restricted by a cord. They are often light weight and offer up to 60 minutes of run time. Some cordless vacuums like the Dyson V10 are now as powerful as a corded vacuum so you can replace your previous corded vacuum entirely.
Cylinder vacuums
Often more lightweight than upright vacuums, cylinder vacuums can be easier to store. There are bagged options such as Miele or bagless options like Dyson available. Cylinder vacuums are ideal for smaller homes and apartments where space is limited, they also offer great suction on all surfaces including upholstery.
Robot vacuums
You no longer have to vacuum, hooray! These funny little machines are easy to use. All you have to do is push the ‘clean’ button and away it will go. You will just have to plug in the charging dock, the robot will make its way back and automatically connect itself up. Note that you will not be able to vacuum stairs or any non-flat surfaces.
Setting a budget for your new vacuum cleaner is an important step in the decision making process. Often the style of vacuum you have chosen will govern the price. If you have opted for a robotic or cordless vacuum these can often be more expensive than more traditional models like uprights or cylinders. Our vacuum cleaners are often every day products and so investment in a quality vacuum is important, it may seem like a large investment at the time but better quality vacuums usually offer a longer warranty period. The vacuum range at Leekes offers between a 2 and 5 year manufacturer warranty meaning you will have peace of mind if anything does go wrong.
The maneuverability of a vacuum cleaner is very important to avoid fatigue, various pains, and annoyance! Here are some details to consider:
Make sure they are large enough and turn easily, especially if you have large rugs or carpets. Cylinder cleaners will need to be pulled around, so if you suffer from back issues a cylinder cleaner may not be the best option for you and you may want to consider an upright or cordless vacuum.
Weight will also affect the maneuverability. A heavier vacuum will be more difficult to move, and will be much less convenient to use (in stairs for example). In addition, if you have to carry your vacuum, remember to check that it is equipped with a carrying handle.
If you are not buying a cordless vacuum cleaner, the cable must be long enough (we recommend a minimum of 6 to 8 meters) to allow you to vacuum in a room without having to change sockets, if you have a smaller home this may not be as important.
It should preferably be extendable, to fit your height (your back will thank you!). It can be in plastic (the lightest), aluminum or chromed steel (more resistant). A hose connection to the body of the device that can be rotated 360 ° is an advantage, as it avoids turning the vacuum when you pull it.
The availability of spare parts is a criteria often overlooked by buyers, who prefer to focus on the brand, on the model and obviously on the price. This oversight can have significant implications. Be careful when you buy a vacuum cleaner and check that you can easily find spare parts. The vacuum cleaners from the best brands are generally longer lasting, but with time and normal use they deteriorate and some of their parts need to be replaced.
There is usually an option to buy additional attachments for your new vacuum. Whilst these are not standard in the box of many vacuum cleaners if you have a particular hard to reach area there are some handy tools such as the Dyson “up top” tool which offers a flexible nozzle to attach to your hose and reach the top of door frames and ensure that they are free of hidden dust. Another factor may be if you have recently bought a pet and don’t want to invest in a brand new vacuum it is likely that there is an additional pet tool available for your existing cleaner. Your vacuum manufacturer will be able to advise you of this.