Your trusted guide to finding the best appliances for a comfortable and efficient home.
Vacuum cleaners have become one of the essential appliances in today’s homes. Be it cleaning the carpet, hardwood floor, or any other surface, a vacuum cleaner generally makes your work easier in keeping your home clean and dust-free. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll be looking at what a vacuum cleaner is, the various types of vacuum cleaners, how to use a vacuum cleaner effectively, its invention history, and so much more.
The vacuum cleaner is an electrically operated device for cleaning dirt, dust, and debris from the floor, upholstery, and even curtains. It works by means of an air pump, which creates a partial vacuum, sucking the dirt from various surfaces and stores it in either a bag or container for proper disposal thereafter.
These are also highly versatile and efficient cleaners; hence, they form a significant part of the cleaning schedules of households. They come in a number of designs to suit various cleaning applications, from the standard upright type to modern, high-tech robotic vacuums.
The early history of the vacuum cleaner dates back to the turn of the 20th century. One of the most notable developers of vacuum cleaners is the janitor James Murray Spangler, who happened to build the first portable electric vacuum cleaner in 1907. He gave birth to the present form of the vacuum cleaner. Later on, Spangler sold the patent to William Henry Hoover, who founded the company Hoover and started the mass production of vacuum cleaners to distribute them among households.
However, the most important leap forward regarding vacuum cleaners took place in 1920 with further design enhancements, efficiency, and usability. The 1920s were the beginning of vacuum cleaners becoming more prevalent in people’s homes as they became smaller, powerful, and user-friendly.
Although James Spangler’s design was fundamental, substantial improvement of the vacuum cleaner continued through the 1920s. Engineers and inventors pursued ways of refining the initial designs into compact sets that were easy to handle. However, on a related aspect, while Spangler may be credited with the invention, several innovators throughout the years have contributed to the development of the vacuum cleaner and have produced the more efficient models in use today.
There are many types of vacuum cleaners that have been designed for different cleaning purposes. While purchasing a vacuum cleaner, one needs to understand the various types and functionality in order to choose an appropriate one. Following are some common types of vacuum cleaners:
Upright vacuums are some of the most common household vacuum cleaners. They have been designed for deep cleaning in carpets and large areas of flooring. Generally, upright vacuums offer adjustable heights for different floor types and strong suction that disposes of stubborn debris.
Canister vacuums are very versatile and have been designed with a separate canister unit connected to the suction head by means of a hose. They are very effective in cleaning everything from hardwood floors and stairs to furniture. Their compactness makes them easy to move around.
Handheld cleaners are good for a quick clean and easy to handle. They can serve well in small areas, cars, and even furniture. As compared to upright or canister vacuums, they are less powerful but compact in size, hence very feasible for everyday use.
The stick vacuums are light and thin, hence mainly suited for emergencies or light tasks. Most of them lack deep cleaning as compared to a full-sized vacuum; however, they work at the best daily floor cleanup particularly in small apartments or houses.
Robotic vacuums introduce the convenience of cleaning with your hands full. They are programmed to move around your home, cleaning floors and carpets with not much effort from you. Many robotic vacuums come fitted with sensors that guide them through obstacles and are often controlled using apps on your smartphone.
Wet/dry vacuums are more powerful for cleaning up liquid spills, along with solid debris. They find their application in workshops or garages for heavy cleaning purposes. Being more powerful, they can even clean water spills and thus find their perfect application in more industrial settings.
It consists of a central vacuum system installed in the walls with a number of outlets scattered in the house. Without having to carry around the portable vacuum, you simply attach a hose to the outlets. Through powerful suction, dirt and debris move down to the central collection unit. These systems provide convenience with less noise but require professional installation.
Operating the vacuum cleaner properly will help you to return maximum value from the machine for your house cleaning. Follow these steps to learn how to use a vacuum cleaner correctly.
Prepare the Area: Clear the area from big objects, toys, or any type of furniture. This is to avoid possible blockages or damages to the vacuum cleaner.
Adjust for Height: Most vacuum cleaners have their height adjustment depending on the surface one is cleaning. Lowering the head for carpets and raising it for hardwood or tile floors allows for maximum suction. Vacuum in multiple directions. Doing this will make the machine pick dust and dirt from every direction, especially carpets where they are in the threads.
Regularly Empty the Bag/Container: Do not allow the bag or container of the vacuum cleaner to be too full because it would affect the ideal operation of your vacuum cleaner. With a full container, the amount of suctioning power decreases, thereby ensuring reduced effective cleaning capability.
Clean Filters and Brushes: Most vacuums have filters that trap allergens and fine dust. Be sure to regularly clean or replace the filters and check the brushes for any trapped hair or other debris.
Move Slowly and Methodically: Rushing while vacuuming simply won’t pick up all the dirt. Move slowly over surfaces, giving the vacuum time to capture everything.
By following these steps, you can maximize the efficiency of your vacuum cleaner and keep your home dust-free.
Vacuum cleaners are sold at different prices depending on the type, features, and brand chosen. An approximate idea of how much a vacuum cleaner might cost could be as follows:
Basic upright or canister vacuum: $100-$300
High-end upright or canister vacuum: $300-$700
Handheld vacuum: $30-$100
Stick vacuum: $100-$500
Robotic vacuum: $150-$1,000
Central vacuum system: $1,500 – $3,000 (installation costs to be added)
Wet/Dry Vacuum: $50 – $300
These prices may also vary according to extra features available, such as HEPA filters, noise reduction technology, and more powerful suction.
Today’s vacuum cleaners are light years apart from their predecessors and contain some advanced features that feature smart technology, cordless operation, and even Wi-Fi connectivity. Today’s vacuum cleaners are designed and engineered to give more in terms of suction, filtration system efficiency, and quiet mode.
They have gone so far as to implement smart technology into them; users can operate them remotely through applications, schedule cleaning, and even integrate them with other voice assistants such as Alexa or Google Assistant.
Cordless vacuum cleaners give more liberty from the hindrance of a power cord. Light and run by batteries, they operate easily and work wonders for quick and efficient cleaning.
They also mostly come with HEPA filters nowadays, which can capture 99.97% of particles, including allergens, dust mites, and pollen. Hence, they are very good for families that have people prone to allergic attacks.
Most of the latest vacuum cleaners have noise reduction technology, making these machines quiet compared to their predecessors. This is particularly useful for those people who live in an apartment building or have children and pets around them.
A vacuum cleaner is without question one of the most important devices to keep a home clean and dust-free. From their very humble beginnings, owing to inventors such as James Murray Spangler, who in 1907 developed the vacuum cleaner further improved in the 1920s, vacuum cleaners became sophisticated and necessary equipment in almost every home around the world.
The upright, canister, robotic, or stick vacuum you choose also depends on the needs of your cleaning. You can keep your home clean and protect the lifetime of an appliance by learning how to use a vacuum cleaner properly and learning what types are available.
From the cheapest units to the highly technically advanced robotic vacuums, there is a vacuum cleaner for every home and any cleaning need. Thus, whether you ask how much a vacuum cleaner is or what a vacuum cleaner fits a home, rest assured that modern models offer unbridled convenience and power.
These innovative cleaning tools will not only make cleaning easier but also turn your house into a cleaner and healthier place to stay for you and your family.
This new version smoothly incorporates your keywords while taking a closer look at vacuum cleaners; thus, it is well rounded and informative in nature.
Your trusted guide to finding the best appliances for a comfortable and efficient home.