Thanksgiving is a beautiful holiday we all enjoy - unless you're the one hosting. With such a frenzy of cooking and cleaning, how can you keep your head on straight? You have a turkey to polish, silverware to baste, pillows to bake and pies to fluff...The last thing you need is for your vacuum to break down five minutes before Aunt Mildred arrives (leaving unappetizing clumps of dog fur on the dining room rug!) But how do you avoid this kind of trouble?

Many of the vacuums on today's market look or sound tough in the advertisements, but often fall short of the lofty claims. As a repair facility, we see how well vacuums hold up (or don't) in real life! 

Every vacuum has an “Achilles Heel.”  However, some of these weaknesses cause more frustration than others.  One of the most common design shortcomings is found on vacuums that utilize “regular” rubber brushroller belts. If you vacuum a rug and catch the fringe (or a sock, a cat toy, etc.) the belt will break or burn up. No more vacuuming for you - unless you’re handy with a screwdriver (and have the correct replacement belt on hand.)  Some models (usually bagless) just require so much messy cleaning and maintenance that most owners can’t keep up. The result is poor cleaning performance, frustrating clogs and multiple trips to our repair shop. Were you sucked in by clever vacuum marketing? Either way, here are some tips to help keep you up and cleaning:   

1. Know your vacuum’s limits & maintenance requirements.   Take a moment to look at your vacuum and READ the owner’s manual (or if you’ve lost it, you can ask us for some pointers on your model of machine.) All the fancy claims aside - find out what is required of YOU, the operator, to keep it running correctly. This means when and how to clean or replace filters and how to change the belt or brushroller.  Look for warnings about types of materials your vacuum is afraid of - that is, that are not acceptable to pick up (like hard objects, glass powders, etc.)  So before the panic of guests’ imminent arrival - if you have a bagless vacuum that takes a regular belt for instance - make sure the vacuum’s dirt bin is empty, the filters and brushroller are clean, and to pick up all stray objects up off the floor first.

2. Invest in a vacuums that has more guts!   Some TV ads spout power-words in seductive foreign accents, use similes to violent weather patterns and creatures, and perform clever demonstrations listing miles of specifications that no consumer truly understands.  However, truly premium vacuum brands don’t resort to gimmicks, clean powerfully yet gently, and are engineered to withstand the typical abuses that cause other vacuums to fail. Brands like Miele and Sebo offer electronic belt protection as a standard feature in all models. Their super strong suction is always balanced by variable suction control to allow dusting of delicate surfaces and objects. They also utilize large, high-filtration bags that are very hygienic and easy to install.

3. Find the correct vacuum for your individual needs.  Buying a quality vacuum is key...buying the RIGHT one is even more important. Start with a durable, well-designed brand. Then get help in choosing the exact model with the features designed for your type of home and cleaning needs. For instance...Miele canister vacuums come in three different series. Within each series are several variants packaged with attachments used for different purposes. A Miele S6 Quartz is best for dusting hard floors. However, if you need to deep-clean wall to wall carpet, you’d need the S6 Topaz that comes equipped with an electric power nozzle.  If you already have a decent vacuum, consider investing in proper attachments that will allow you to clean more surfaces in your home.  

You DESERVE a good vacuum.  So does your family and the furnishings in your house! Bad vacuums can cause a lot of problems by either leaving a ton of dirt behind, spewing dust back out into the air you breathe, and/or causing damage to your floors and furnishings. Prepping for Turkey Day is a lot of work and nobody likes to be frustrated or waste time and money.  So don't YOU be a chicken...do your homework, give us a call and let's find you a REAL, good vacuum cleaner!  

By: Rachel Decker

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