Oh, which of us (so beautiful and smart!) does not like shopping? Shopping brings special joy when we not only know what we want, but also have sufficient funds to buy and can choose. However, the joy of shopping is sometimes poisoned by insufficient knowledge about the item being purchased. In particular, such a nuisance is possible with regard to household appliances. For example, how to choose a vacuum cleaner? What do we follow when going to buy a new vacuum cleaner? The desire to buy a beautiful, useful, convenient thing. For us, the main thing in a vacuum cleaner? That it vacuums well. Therefore, when a sales consultant starts talking about different models of vacuum cleaners, going into technical details, this can put any woman into a stupor. What to do? In order for the purchase of a vacuum cleaner (as well as other household appliances) to be not only an effective but also a pleasant process, it is enough to simply arm yourself with certain knowledge about this indispensable assistant in the household. So let's have a little technical education and find out how to choose a vacuum cleaner based on its main characteristics.
Types of vacuum cleaners
Modern vacuum cleaners can be divided into three conditional groups:
- vacuum cleaners for dry cleaning;
- vacuum cleaners for wet cleaning (washing);
- vacuum cleaners-robots.
Traditional dry vacuum cleaners are the mostwell-known and the simplest. Models of this type of vacuum cleaners are compact and inexpensive. They save electricity and are great for cleaning small spaces. Dry vacuum cleaners are used to clean bare floors, carpets and carpeting, upholstered furniture and outerwear. These vacuum cleaners are indispensable for cleaning those areas in the house where moisture is contraindicated (parquet, natural carpets, computer processor, the inside of a piano, etc.). Wet vacuum cleaners have one important advantage. They can be used for both dry and wet cleaning. Wet vacuum cleaner models can both spray and suck in moisture. They can be used to collect spilled liquid from the floor, wash the carpet and clean furniture. Wet vacuum cleaners can be very useful during general cleaning: they can easily wash the floor, windows and tiles, clear a blockage in the sink, and even clean the air in the room. Disadvantages of washing vacuum cleaners: bulkiness and weight, complexity of the device and high price. Robot vacuum cleaners, built-in vacuum cleaners, steam cleaners and other similar devices are rather exotic for our homes. It is hardly worth choosing this type of vacuum cleaner for ordinary apartments. Although they do have one undeniable advantage - minimal human participation when using them. The robot vacuum cleaner will clean itself at the time you set, independently moving around the apartment and avoiding all obstacles. It will determine the dirtiest areas and process them more thoroughly, recharge itself and return to its place and turn off itself. Fantastic, and nothing more!
Power
Which vacuum cleaner to choose - very powerful or notvery? Power is one of the most important characteristics of a vacuum cleaner. Vacuum cleaners with higher suction power have (unfortunately) a higher noise level. Therefore, when choosing a vacuum cleaner, you will have to give preference to either a compact and “quiet” model, or a powerful but loud vacuum cleaner. How to understand the power characteristics? An indicator of 300 W is the power of models suitable for cleaning short-pile carpets, linoleum, parquet. This power is quite enough for cleaning furniture and outerwear. A power indicator from 300 to 450 W is a model for heavily soiled rooms. If you have pets, high-pile carpets, then you should opt for higher-power models. In addition, they usually have a power switch that allows you to select the desired operating mode and switch to lower power. And don't forget that the suction power of your vacuum cleaner decreases as the dust container fills up and the filter gets dirty.
Dust collectors
Dust collector - a container where dust is collectedthe bulk of dust and debris. The efficiency of cleaning and the ease of cleaning of the vacuum cleaner itself largely depend on the design of the dust collector. In modern models of vacuum cleaners, a plastic container is often used as a dust collector. In it, under the influence of a strong air flow, dust is knocked down into a dense lump, which is then easy to remove and throw away. Cyclone vacuum cleaners are equipped with a container dust collector. Their disadvantage is a high noise level. Another type of dust collector is special bags, which can be paper or fabric. Paper bags are short-lived (they are also called disposable), but they collect fine dust well. More durable fabric dust collectors can pass small dust particles. Therefore, such dust collectors should be supplemented with special filters. Well, and ideally - a vacuum cleaner model with combined dust collectors, in which you can alternately use paper and fabric dust bags.
Filters
The filter is designed to trap dust andbacteria in the vacuum cleaner, or more precisely in the dust collectors. It is known that the vacuum cleaner sucks in dust and debris along with the air, and then releases the air back outside. So the task of the filter is to filter all the dust particles from the air coming out. Filters in modern vacuum cleaners can be the following:
- paper;
- fabric;
- water;
- coal;
- synthetic.
Filtration methods also vary.The most popular of them is cyclonic. With this method of filtration, dirt and dust settle in a plastic dust collector under the influence of a spiral air flow. With this method, no replaceable bags are required, and the container itself is transparent, which allows you to control the degree of its filling. What is really important to know about the filter is whether it is washable or replaceable. All modern models of vacuum cleaners are equipped with washable filters. Aqua filters are good because they humidify the air and do not require bags to collect dust. The downside of such a filter is draining dirty water after cleaning and filling it with clean water before cleaning again. There are also models with an additional filtration system. They are usually carbon filters or H.E.P.A. filters. Such models are ideal for cleaning a house with small children or allergy sufferers. These porous filters are able to trap the smallest particles of dust, and, accordingly, the harmful substances contained in it.
Compactness
Which vacuum cleaner to choose, compact and lightweight ormore dimensional and powerful, largely depends on the size of your home. Small maneuverable vacuum cleaners are ideal for small apartments. They are lightweight, easy to store, and mini vacuum cleaners are relatively cheap. Of course, compact vacuum cleaners are low-power, but the areas to be cleaned are not large. Full-size vacuum cleaners have high power, are usually equipped with container dust collectors and can have a water filter. Another characteristic of compactness is parking (storage method). The most convenient method is vertical parking, in which the vacuum cleaner is stored standing up, and a pipe is fixed on top of it. An important indicator of compactness is the length of the power cord. The most optimal length is from six meters. In addition, when buying, make sure of the automatic cord rewind function (this is also important), the presence of a rubber bumper to protect furniture from impacts, a dust collector full indicator and an automatic shutdown function when overheating. Another additional function of some models of modern vacuum cleaners is a steam generator. This function allows you to disinfect the room using hot steam. It can be used to treat any surface, get rid of mold and allergens.
Equipment
It depends on how the vacuum cleaner is equippedadditional accessories, the quality and labor intensity of cleaning and the ease of use of the vacuum cleaner itself largely depend on. For example, telescopic tubes (pulling out like a telescope) allow you to select and set the desired length depending on a person's height. Metal tubes are stronger and more durable than plastic ones. Also, for example, it is very convenient when the switch is on the handle of the tube or built into the foot switch lever. The set of attachments should include brushes for carpets and smooth surfaces, attachments for collecting dust in narrow openings (crevice attachments). And if you are one of the happy owners of pets, then it is good that the set of attachments includes a turbo brush. This is an attachment with a rotating roller that perfectly collects lint and wool from any surface. As you can see, figuring out how to choose a vacuum cleaner for an apartment or country house is not so difficult. All the variety of technologies, models and manufacturers comes down to just a few basic types of vacuum cleaners (for dry cleaning or washing, cyclone or aquafilter). Having chosen the type of vacuum cleaner according to your needs, you will only have to choose the design and brand (manufacturer). And this will not be difficult to do after you have completed the technical educational program. Have a successful and pleasant purchase!
