Our last blog post was all about the unfortunate new-carpet-shedding problem and how to remedy the issue. In that post we mentioned that one of the most important things you need to do is vacuum your carpet about once a day for the first few months of owning your it to pull up as many loose fibers as you can. We also mentioned that it takes a certain amount of vacuum power to handle that job. So today we will be exploring some of your options when deciding on a new vacuum and the advantages of each.
1. Should I get a canister or upright vacuum?
To answer this question, you'll need to think about all of the different floors you'll be vacuuming, not just your new carpet. Canister vacuums are nice because they're versatile with their interchangeable nozzles and work particularly well if you have shag carpeting. The down side is that they do tend to be more clunky and more expensive than your typical upright vacuum cleaner. If you do decide to get an upright vacuum, make sure that it has adjustable rollers that can be lifted up from the floor so you can use it throughout your home. It's also a good idea to get one that has a hose attachment for even more versatility.
2. Should I get a vacuum with a beater bar?
Once again, start with the type of carpet you have to answer this question. Beater bars, also known as bristle bars, are fantastic for pulling up dirt and grime from between your carpet fibers, but really isn't the best choice if you have shag carpeting. Shag carpet fibers easily get stuck and tangled in beater bars, so not only are you left with a damaged carpet over time, but you run the risk of harming your vacuum cleaner as well. Long story short, if you have a shag carpet you should get a vacuum that has a suction-only option. Otherwise, a beater bar can be helpful for cleaning.
3. Should I get a bagless or bag vacuum?
Realize that when you're asking yourself this question you are essentially asking how you would like to catch and dispose of all the gunk found in your carpet. Bagless vacuums are popular these days due to how easy it is to tell when they're full, how much money you save by not having to purchase new bags, and because they are more eco-friendly. The major down side to these, however, is that they don't contain the dirt and debris for cleanup. Having to manually open and clean out the debris bin is messy and not great for people who have allergies as the allergens are exposed to the air during cleanup. A bag vacuum doesn't have this problem. Everything that might cause you to cough and wheeze remains safely inside the bag and all you have to do is remove it and plop it in the garbage. Easy!
What kind of vacuum will you get now that you are a little more in-the-know? Tell us in the comments below!
Happy Flooring!