| The vacuum cleaner has long been a friend of busy | | | | Decide if you'd like a canister or an upright model. In the |
| homemakers and tired office workers. It dates back to | | | | end, this is really based on personal preference. Both |
| the 1800's, when Daniel Hess created a "floor | | | | types of vacuums will come with helpful accessories |
| sweeper" with rotating brushes and a bellows to build | | | | to help you get into hard-to-reach places. |
| suction. We're not sure if he ever got a model working, | | | | My personal preference is for the canister vacuum. It's |
| but the patent got others thinking and innovations | | | | a little harder to store because the hoses, tubes, and |
| continue today. | | | | accessories don't store neatly on the unit. The |
| Your vacuum cleaner will come in handy for many | | | | versatility from the canister helps make up for this fact, |
| situations around your home. You'll use it for "big" | | | | however. You'll be able to more easily reach under |
| projects like spring cleaning and cleaning up as you get | | | | furniture, and have a wide range of attachments to |
| ready for a move. You'll also use it for smaller projects | | | | get hard-to-reach places like ceiling fans. Many canister |
| - weekly cleaning, and if you have small children or | | | | vacuums also come with a nozzle for hard wood or |
| pets you may find yourself using it daily. | | | | linoleum floors. The cord retracts into these models |
| It's important to choose a vacuum cleaner that will | | | | making putting it away a little easier. |
| stand up to what you need it to do. There are many | | | | When you choose your vacuum model, make sure it's |
| options on the market and it can get a little confusing | | | | suited for the floors you have in your home. Some |
| to figure out which one you need. Some of the many | | | | vacuums are versatile and can handle all home |
| options include: upright vacuum, canister vacuum, | | | | surface. They come with different attachments and |
| bag-less vacuums, models that require a bag, HEPA | | | | settings to clean every room. Others are more limited |
| filters, ultraviolet system... even shop vacs if you're | | | | and won't work well on hard floors. Some vacuums |
| looking for something for the garage! | | | | are designed more for short carpets in a business, so |
| One of the first features you'll want to consider is the | | | | avoid those models for your thicker home carpet. |
| vacuum's filtration system. If you're buying a shop vac | | | | One final option in vacuum cleaners is the newer, |
| or something else to be used in the garage, this may | | | | automatic cleaners. These little vacuums are small |
| not be as much of a factor for you. However, you | | | | robots that can be programmed to clean when you |
| want a good filter on the vacuum you use in the house | | | | want them, and whatever rooms you'd like them to |
| so the air in your home stays cleaner. Look for a good | | | | clean. They go about their task automatically and can |
| HEPA filtration system. | | | | go under furniture your regular vacuum wouldn't be |
| Ultraviolet systems are newer and generally only | | | | able to. They're also trained to be sensitive to pets, |
| found on high-end vacuum models right now. If you're | | | | children, and stairs. They can be a great option for |
| caring for small children or fragile individuals such as | | | | many households. |
| preemies or an immune-compromised patient, look into | | | | Take a look at the needs of your home and family. |
| getting one of these vacuums. The UV technology in | | | | Read plenty of consumer reviews when you narrow |
| these models will kill bacteria, viruses, mold, dust mites, | | | | down your list to a few possibilities. Having an idea of |
| and flea eggs that burrow down into your carpet. This | | | | how the vacuums you're considering have performed |
| can greatly increase the safety in your home for | | | | "in real life" will pay off a lot in the long run. |
| sensitive family members. | | | | |