Doesn't he look mean? Those glaring eyes and the heavy "unibrow"!Allow me to go off on a tangent here and give my history with vacuum cleaners. My mother had 3 vacuums that I recall, one was a Kirby upright which I was scared to death of--a big, evil-looking, growly thing with bright eyes. The other two were canister vacuums which are still functioning today (I am putting that in bold because this is my main point!!). I'm sure the Kirby is still running also, but my mom got rid of it because it was too heavy.
The old Electrolux! Same color too!My first vacuum was an Electrolux canister. I decided I hated canisters because I was forever knocking things over with the hose. I'm busy watching the floor where I'm vacuuming, but the hose is off doing it's own thing, knocking things off shelves and tables, leaving a trail of destruction behind me. Additionally, the canister--devious thing that it was--would come charging at my heels like a bull. It also liked to hide around corners and door jambs and refuse to follow me into the next room. Very temperamental.
I bought my first upright, a self-propelled Hoover WindTunnel back in the late 90's. The first thing I did was run over my big toe with the darn thing and tore my toenail all up. Lesson One: Do not vacuum barefoot or wearing open toed shoes.Needless to say, it took a while to get used to the "self-propelled" feature and my furniture is a bit worse for the experience. It was like the thing had a mind of its own-- "No! I am going THIS way! Don't try to make me go THAT way."--and the thing would just take off and ram my coffee table!
In the first year the sensor thingy that turns off the brush roller when the vacuum is parked upright broke. That was probably due to the thing tipping over every time I used the hose, but that WindTunnel kept going (with issues) for about 10 years.
About two summers ago, I gave up on the WindTunnel bought a new Eureka upright. Let me just say, this thing is a piece of junk! I've had issues with the brush roller since day one; it's extremely difficult to turn it on and off. And it is not self-propelled and is quite difficult to maneuver, especially on stairs. Though I am small, I'm no wimp, I have a 40 lb toddler I carry around! The only nice thing I have to say about it is that it doesn't tip over when you use the hose (probably because it's so dang heavy).
My "new" Eureka with broken belt
My new vacuum--really new--as in brand spankin' new!I have come full circle and am now back to canisters. I was thinking about getting one anyhow since we have a good mix of carpet and hardwood floors at our new house. Sears had their Progressive on sale this week and Consumer Reports gave it their "Best Buy" blessing, so I bought it.
I took it for a test run yesterday and love it! And I can vacuum the stairs without endangering my life or the lives of those standing near the stairs! I still have issues with the hose getting into stuff and the canister having periodic fits of being uncoorperative, but if this vacuum can manage to stay operative for more than a couple of years I will be happy. (Isn't that pathetic--I've certainly lowered my expectations now!)
So, to answer the question, "Is cleanliness next to godliness?" my answer is no, not if you're cussing up one side and down the other at the blankety-blank vacuum cleaner!
7 comments:
Thanks for the encouragement you left on my blog :)
I enjoyed this post! I haven't thought about vacuum cleaners very much but boy do I remember my parents old Kirby! Hopefully your new vacuum cleaner works well!
I am still looking for something that is easy and cooperates on the stairs. Thanks for posting this. I might just go get a canister soon.
I don't vacumn! lol
Well, most of the time, I sweep and leave the vacumning to DH. We have a Bissell, and it works good. Easy to empty, and it needs to by emptied a lot, with the darling doggie living IN the house.
Great post - you're a favorite!
Haha! Great story, I think my vacuum is a close relative of your old Eureka, you're right the new ones just aren't made the same, are they meant to be disposable? LOL!
LOL! My mom had the same big old blue Electrolux! It was like a tank. I also use a canister vac. -a Dyson. I still bump into everything with it but it works so well.
When I first moved out on my own I saw no reason to own a vacuum. Eventually I realized it was a necessary evil. One year I got one as a gift for my bday. Then a few years ago I was drove to Phoenix for a few days and what did I buy to remember my trip? A Dyson. I figured since I rarely vacuum, I should at least have it do a good job when I do vacuum. It doesn't self propel but if you pull real hard on the plug it will bash into a wall and break a nice chunk out of it. (Picture avail upon request.)
I'm considering replacing all my carpeting with laminates but I'm afraid that I will then not have a use for my $400 (gasp) vacuum.
I still can't believe I paid that for a vacuum. I'm the cheapest...I mean most frugal person you'd ever meet. Was I possessed? It was the cat hair pickupability that sold me I guess.
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