Can anyone recommend a decent vacuum cleaner?

Kirby.

I've got a Kirby that is probably older than you are and it still works fine. It probably weighs 50 lbs, but that's the price of rugged. We seldom use it, as my wife prefers the tank type. I'm looking for a Tri-star to fill that slot as her 20+ yr old Electrolux is getting a little long in the tooth, it still cleans OK, but is clumsy and a bit inefficient compared to the Tri-star.

We are using my grandmothers mid 1970's hoover upright. All parts are still available at a reasonable price. The vacuum never broke down until 2003. We paid $40.00 to repair and have used it daily since. Don't buy an expensive new fangled vacuum buy a good vintage one.

AZCRAIG

I swear by the Oreck XL2. Lightweight, cleans really well, and no problems. At least that's been my experience.

Cheri

fnord wrote: ...

Kirby...first one went from 1949 (that's when folks got REA power :) ) to somewhere roughly 1995. It's replacement is now otoo 10 yrs and counting...

Wow!

That doesn't tell us much.

I find vacuum cleaners of all designs in the trash all the time and the only problem they have ever had is being clogged with stuff. Not even disgusting stuff, just the stuff that gets vacuumed up. After being unclogged, they work fine. This includes several uprights.

This year I'd picked up some tweezers that are heavy duty and about a foot long. I didn't know what I would use them for but they were cheap. Turned out to be great for pulling stuff out of vacuum cleaners. But could have done it without them also, like before.

mm wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com:

Just about everything these days is junk.

I like the Hoover commercial model I bought at a bankruptcy sale.

Try consumer reports. They rate this kind of stuff. I have a canister type hoover vacuum for more than 10 years and it still works. In my experience, vacuum cleaners don't break easily and if they do, it is not hard to fix it yourself.

IMO Consumer Reports rates all the stuff that doesn't matter much (if at all) and very little of what does...

For upright, I'll reiterate Kirby. As someone else noted, they're not light and dainty but they last and are very effective, especially for w/w carpet.

Riccar. But you do have to take care of them.

What this is called is "VCR Syndrome" VCR's were the first disposable electronic item, soon followed by Televisions small appliances and so on. Now it's spread to larger items such as vacuums, fans, lights and that sort of stuff. They say buy 2010 ovens, refrigerators,washers and dryers will all be sealed so no repairs can even be done. That's progress!

Shop around and get several estimates on installation of a central vacuum system for your house and garage. Usually best to buy from same company that installs. They are definitely cleaner, more powerful and practically trouble free. Easy clean up and no blow-back in the house.

I had a Hoover recommended by Consumer Reports. It died. Dug into it and discovered the motor brushes were pretty chewed up. I cleaned them up and reinstalled. Within a few minutes, they were toast again. Seems the spindle has got a gouge or something on it. That was after light use over about 2 years. I then went with a Eureka Boss and it's worked pretty well. But I've actually gone one step further and just removed all the carpeting from the house. It's nasty stuff anyway and wood floors/saltillo look better IMO. I've got a few area rugs that still require the vacuum but by and large, my $4.99 broom keeps my floors clean (except for the odd washing). It only cost me about $3k to get there! Cheers, cc

Don't buy from big box,department or "vacuum cleaner" stores. They sell the cheapest lines they can get. The planned obsolescence theory in action!. Go to A real custodial supply store and look over the commercial vac's they sell.Ask to try them out. Commercial grade Hoover,Oreck, Minuteman,Sanitaire Etc. are not cheap! You will pay in excess of 300 bucks but they will last. I have run commercial cleaning crews for over 20 years and I have A Hoover that was an old machine when I took over the crew. Still runs well. Only the beater bar,belts,bags and motor brushes have been changed. To make A machine last empty or change the bag often. My crews are instructed to change or empty bags every week or sooner if they vac up drywall dust. Blow out the motor 2 or 3 times A year. I blow out every motor every month in the 15 to 20 vacs we use. Don't overtax the motor by setting the beater bar too close to the carpet. That's why the vac has setting for height. Use them properly.

Good Luck H.R.

I got a Dyson Animal (the purple one) in January and LOVE it! It picks up our Lab's hair like you wouldn't believe - and I have to vacuum at LEAST once a week, sometimes 3-4 depending on how bad she's shedding. I got a refurbished one for $400, free shipping, from an online place in Chicago. Can't remember the name of the site.

I did a fair amount of research about a year ago, looking for a good carpet upright. After reading enough opinions to make my head spin, I ended up buying a Sebo. My wife just loves it. Reasonably light weight. "Commercial" motor. Easy bag changes. Folds down for easy vacuuming under beds, etc.

I can't testify to longevity myself, but many other people talked them up as being very long term reliable.

Manufacturers's page here:

How so?

What abt the commercial model Eureka Sanitaire sold at Sam's club?