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Top Tips for an Important Household Purchase Cleaning Experts Advise On The Best Way To Buy A Vacuum

Guests are on their way over.

Guests are on their way over. You have just enough time to give the house one more pass with the vacuum. You lug the heavy, old cleaner out of the closet. It coughs, wheezes and then kicks out more dirt onto the carpet than what was already there in the first place. Sound familiar? Perhaps it's time to shop for a new vacuum! But, with so many options on the market today, where do you start?

The following are a few key factors consumers should consider when buying a vacuum, courtesy of the experts at Dirt Devil.

"For the average consumer, a vacuum purchase is a major decision, and with so many product options available at retail today, it can become overwhelming," stated Rick Farone, Dirt Devil's Vice President of Product Development. "Several key factors should be considered before consumers begin their search. Getting started can be as easy as logging onto the Internet to look for background product information. In short, get to know the top industry brands. Do some research to understand current industry trends to evaluate the price versus the value of each unit. And lastly, consider your lifestyle needs and compare them to available vacuum types as well as current industry trends and product features."Selecting A Brand

There are a handful of companies currently in the business of manufacturing vacuums. Familiarize yourself with the brands - the number of years in the business and a company's overall reputation speak for itself. Make sure that your purchase is through a reputable company that will not only be around in the future, but is known for quality products and customer service. Most of the vacuums sold are manufactured by the three industry leaders: Dirt Devil, Hoover and Eureka. If you have particular questions, call a toll-free consumer hotline, such as Dirt Devil's at 1-800-321-1134, or visit your local vacuum specialty store to talk directly with someone who is up-to-date on the industry.

Evaluate Lifestyle Needs

Whether you are young or old, live in an apartment or a house, there is a cleaning product made to fit your every need. Before deciding on a particular cleaning product, consumers should consider these types of questions - Does your home have more carpeted areas or hard floor surfaces? Are stairs and landings a concern? Do you have any physical limitations? Do you suffer from allergies? Do you have kids or own a pet? Consider these needs when deciding what type of vacuum is appropriate, such as whether to buy an upright vacuum or a canister. While canisters were once thought to be ideal for a larger variety of floor surfaces, uprights today have added features and on-board tools that make the units more versatile than ever before for all types of cleaning. Uprights are easier to use and more effective at cleaning larger areas in the home, and most vacuums sold in the U.S. are uprights. In fact, consumers bought more than 9 million uprights in 1999, compared to less than 500,000 canisters, according to NPD INTELECT, a syndicated sales tracking system which measures actual cash register sales at participating retailers, representing 70 percent of the industry.

Product design is also an important consideration. Many design enhancements not only address ease-of-cleaning issues that are of interest to average users, but also are extremely helpful to those with physical challenges or limitations. For example, seniors or those with arthritis, in particular, have concerns regarding a cleaner's weight because of carrying and pushing considerations.

Manufacturers have addressed this issue by offering lightweight, but effective cleaning products, such as the Dirt Devil RoomMate. At less than six pounds, the RoomMate works as hard as a full-size vacuum, but weighs half as much. This unit offers effortless maneuverability, an easy-to-empty dust cup and large on/off foot pedals to eliminate unnecessary bending.

While the majority of households purchase an upright, those households that require more frequent cleaning, due to kids or pets, may also opt for smaller lightweight products, such as hand vacs and stick vacs, which are ideal for quick pick-ups between regular cleanings.

Price Versus Value

Most large manufacturers offer products at a variety of prices, which are primarily determined by power (suction and amps), materials and product features. For example, a metal unit will invariably cost more than its plastic-molded counterpart, although the motor may be identical.

Vacuum prices range from $50 - $1200. For a maximum of $250, consumers can get all the value, features and benefits in a vacuum to more than satisfy their daily cleaning needs. In fact, at a price of just $79, the Dirt Devil Featherlite Plus, the lightest full-size upright you can buy with tools on-board, was one of the top five vacuums sold in stores in 1999, as measured by NPD INTELECT.

Features and Amenities

From motor power to specialty filters to on-board tools, each of these features can greatly affect a vacuum's overall performance.

- Amps and Suction

Fact: 12 amps is the maximum allowable amperage for upright vacuum cleaners. Some manufacturers use a rating system to indicate a vacuum's cleaning ability - this number can easily be confused with the amps. To verify exactly what the vacuum offers, check the unit's patent plate (generally located on the base of the unit). This will indicate the true motor amperage. Combined together, a unit's amps, suction and the power of its rotating brush are the true indicators of how well a cleaner lifts dirt from the floor.

- Bagged Versus Bagless

Consumers today continue to search for products that effectively complete chores more quickly and easily than ever before. Thanks to advances in technology and trends in the industry, consumers in the market for a new vacuum now have an alternative.

Traditional upright vacuums that collect dirt and debris into a paper bag are still a popular choice among many consumers. However, the recent introduction of bagless vacuums is gaining widespread appeal. One example is the Dirt Devil Vision, which was designed with a clear dirt container that easily removes for hassle-free emptying. There are no bags to change or buy. And because the dirt container is see-through, consumers can see when it's full and how much dirt is being picked up.

- Product Features and On-Board Tools

Most upright vacuums come with a selection of on-board tools. Some on-board tools that consumers should look for as part of a vacuum purchase include: a crevice tool, telescopic extension wand, furniture brushes and other unique options, such as innovative triangular-shaped attachments that have proven to be invaluable for cleaning stairs and hard-to-reach corners in the home where dirt accumulates.

There are a number of units today, such as the Dirt Devil MVP Swivel Glide, that offer a variety of innovative features that have eliminated some of the hassles of traditional vacuuming. With its patented swivel caster wheels, this unit is easy to push and turn around furniture and in tight areas. It also comes with the patented Hide-A-Hose system that enables consumers to clean an entire flight of stairs while leaving the vacuum on the landing or at the base of the stairs.

- Filtration

A more recent feature that has taken the industry by storm is filtration. While filtration started as a marketing idea, it has now evolved into a true, quality product enhancement.

Ideal for allergy suffers and those with small children, the newer HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) or HEPA-type filter cartridges are effective at trapping 100% of pollens and ragweed and 99.97% of all other dust and allergens. These cartridges are readily available and easy to replace. An average household will need to replace the cartridge once a year. The cost of a replacement filter varies by manufacturer from $15 - $80. Consumers may want to consider the cost of replacement filters when purchasing a particular upright.

There are many options to consider when buying a vacuum, but with a little homework, consumers are sure to find the unit that best fits their individual household needs.

To speak with a floor care expert, or for more information on Dirt Devil's products, call 1-800-321-1134. Consumers can also visit the company's Web site at www.dirtdevil.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content, www.aracontent.com, e-mail: info@aracontent.com

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EDITOR'S NOTE: For more information, contact Charlene Brandt, Dirt Devil at (440) 449-6150 x352 or Chris Lynch or Julie Molnar, Robert Falls & Co. Public Relations at (216) 696-0229.

Dirt Devil, a subsidiary of Royal Appliance Mfg. Co. (NYSE:RAM) headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, develops, assembles and markets a full line of floor care and household cleaning products for home and commercial use under the Dirt Devil and Royal brand names.

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