My vacuum cleaner doesn’t suck.
Literally. It doesn’t suck.
I left my DH at home alone during Spring Break while I took my son to visit my parents. I came home to a vacuum cleaner with no suction. Tom says that he’s tried to fix it (and he’s handy!), and he says there’s nothing that can be done. I’m not sure what kind of mess he was trying to clean up when it broke, but something tells me that I don’t want to know.
Here’s my problem – I need a new vacuum STAT that is just the most wonderful vacuum cleaner EVAH. I have a messy 3 year old, two dogs, a long-haired cat, and a husband who manages to get metal shavings and drywall dust on the floor (don’t ask). I need a vacuum cleaner that will tackle all of that and come back begging for more. The vacuum we had was one we bought on a whim at Lowe’s after the last one broke (hmmm…see a trend here?), so we didn’t put much research into it…and it didn’t perform up to my standards.
We do have an iRobot Roomba, which I think is pretty much the greatest invention ever. However, “White Circle,” as Zack calls him, can’t handle the big messes. I usually just turn him on when we are leaving the house so he can pick up the little bits of dirt that accumulate throughout the day. He’s been having a rough week trying to replace the Big Boy vacuum cleaner, so I think he needs a break. The dog hair alone is about to strangle him. Poor White Circle.
Anyway, I really need YOUR help in trying to help me pick a new vacuum. What vacuum cleaner do you have? Do you like it? Hate it? Want to marry it? Does it have an attachment to clean stairs? Does it work well on carpet and tile? And are Dysons really the end-all-be-all of vacuum cleaners?
I can read reviews online until I’m blue in the face, but what I really need is reviews from real people like you who have kids and dogs and husbands and know what a vacuum really needs to do. And if it can be bought at Bed, Bath, and Beyond with a 20% off coupon, that’s all the better.
GAH! Help! My quasi-OCD is really getting the best of me here and I just want to clean, clean, clean…because I can’t!
What works for you? Help me out and then visit We Are That Family to see what other dilemmas you can help solve this week!
PS- The winner of The Five Dollar Challenge will be announced soon! I’m still working my way though all the entries, and I am blown away by each link I click on. You people are amazing! I think Martha Stewart should really have us on her show, don’t ya think?
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Dyson…Dyson…DYSON!!!!!!!!! You will not be sorry!!!!!! We have the purple animal and it is FANTASTIC. Did I get my point across??
I LOVE my Dyson. When you calculate that you never have to buy a bag or replace a filter or a belt, the Dyson really does not come out any more expensive in the long-run from other top brand models. Go for it! (No vacuum is meant to pick up fine dust particles, so be careful with the drywall dust–I’d use a wet/dry vac for that job.)
I bought a refurbished Dyson for half the price 9 yrs ago..it comes with the same warranty as a new one. check out your local vacuum repair shop that repairs dysons (if you have one).
I finally bought a Dyson on sale and with a coupon at Bed, Bath & Beyond last fall. Love is not enough. I swoon every time I use it. It is amazing. A.MAZ.ING. I have 2 kids, cats, and all that comes with my husbands' hunting and outdoor trips-mess, muck, yuck. It is great. Definitely an investment, but the difference between a Dyson and regular vacuums is really noticeable.
I know that I am little late with my comment, but I wanted to tell you that I have the same vacuum as Holly (first comment) and I LOVE IT. I have 3 kids & 4 dogs and this puppy sucks (in a good way!). And you can't beat the price. The bags are inexpensive and easy to replace!
The other feature that I really like is the hose part and attachments are easy to use. So when I am vacuuming the base boards or under furniture, it isn't wonky trying to maneuver.
:O)
Kelly
sorry to just now see your post. but maybe being late is good, as the dyson lovers won't read my comment & lynch me.
it's compact, but the bag holds a lot, it's lightweight (the dyson is so heavy i sweat push/ pulling it around)and the warranty is wonderful. we have one now for our house, and i'm a fan!
i've used mine a total of 3 times and it is horrid. i would love it if we had carpet, but it's so strong suction-wise, that it ruined 2 oriental rugs…ripped the fringe off one that can be repaired and ate the fringe from another.
at our beach house we have a canister vac (best style for hardwoods & rugs)by Miele, and love it. the kids even love to vacuum
lisa
Hello…I recently was in your shoes. I asked all my friends and they came back saying a DYSON. I did tons of reasearch and for what I wanted it came back pointed to a DYSON. I am very frugal so this was a sticker shock to me. I ended up waiting till it went on sale somewhere…Sears had %15 off all their Dysons. I took in the ad to the Bed Bath and Beyond. They called the store to price check (typically the don’t have to do this if you have the ad). The Sears clear quoted an even lower price for the Dyson I wanted. So Bed Bath and Beyond price matched it and then took my 20% from my coupon. The manager walked up a few minutes later and said they are not suppose to take the 20% off price matches, but the sales clerk had already did it she would let it go. If they try to tell you that they don’t do it….you should tell them it doesn’t state anywhere in their policy regarding this or on the coupon. My opinion is that the price match isn’t a sales price…just matching a normal price for the product so you should be able to use your coupon. Anyhow I bought the DYSON Ball DC25 Animal (the purple one). I listed the reasons below why it is worth every penny and will save you money in the long run if you invest in a dyson vs another vac.
- the ball vacuum is SOOOO easy to move around. My hubby actually loves using it because you can move it with the flip or your wrist. There is no other vacuum like this one.
- it is light so you can pick it up easily and carry upstairs and downstairs
- the extension hose is housed inside so you just pull it up and out….so easy to use and works great. the attachments all have nice compartments to house it on the vacuum..very easy to remove and put back.
- the hepa filter never needs to be replaced so you will save tons of money as other vacuums you have replace them often. the dyson filter can be washed easily.
- the canister is easy to remove, empty, and put back into place.
- the vacuum has AMAZING suction!!!
Truly a great vacuum. We have a roomba too, but it can not handle all the carpet in our new house…the dyson is actually fun to use
I’m so glad you asked. I am madly in love with my vacuuum. I have prosthyletized about it at dinner parties (much to the shock and horror of my guests).
I have a Eureka The Boss Smart Vac. It sucks up everything. EVERYTHING. I’ve used a Dyson before and seriously, it has nothing on this vacuum. Even better, the Eureka is just a fraction of the price. It has lots of attachments that conveniently fit into little notches on the vacuum itself so no need to worry about storing them or losing them.
Truly, I cannot recommend this vacuum enough. And who ever thought I’d have such strong feelings about a vacuum?
I got mine at Best Buy, but I’m sure it’s sold elsewhere.
I love how you guys are still updating me about your vacuums! Believe it or not, I STILL don’t have a new one! DH *repaired* the old one, but we have to replace the belt about every other use. So annoying, so this one is just going to hold us over while I’m saving my pennies for one of the big boys!
I would like to hear more details about the Bissell Healthy Home. I saw a video, The bissell's looks awesome.
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