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Pets are generally a constant source of love and
companionship for many people, but a lot of pet owners know that
keeping pets require maintenance, especially when it comes to their
homes. One of the biggest problems for pet owners is pet hair. If
your dog or cat sheds, you may know all too well how fur and hair
can get on and into just about anything. Moreover, pet hair is
extremely difficult to remove from carpets and upholstery.
When left to embed onto furnishings and floors, pet hair can also
cause allergic reactions.
Thankfully, many popular vacuum manufacturers are realizing the
potential in pet hair cleanup and have designed vacuum cleaners
specifically suited for cleaning up pet hair. These vacuums include
a number of different features and characteristics which make them
very desirable to a number of pet owners. As such, when it comes to
choosing a pet vacuum cleaner, there are a number of features to
keep in mind, specifically the power and suction the unit offers, as
well the accessories it comes with. See below for more details on
pet vacuum cleaners or
click here to
see or complete selection of pet vacuum cleaners:
| Power and
suction is key. |
Many residential vacuum cleaners are supposed to run on
an aggressive brushroll that first sweeps your carpet and
then pushes debris into a suction tube on one side.
Unfortunately, the problem with this design style is that
pet hair and fur tends to wrap around the brushroll and then
ground back into your carpet. As such, you may have noticed
that when this happens, you find yourself cutting out pet
hair out of the brushroll. With that in mind, two of the
most important features to look for when choosing a pet
vacuum are power and suction. A vacuum with sufficient power
and suction will actually clean your carpet over the
brushroll and suck pet hair into the vacuum's bag or
chamber.
Suction power demonstrates the "pulling" power of a vacuum
cleaner's motor and this is especially important when a
vacuum will be used on thick, plush carpets or to clean
debris like pet hair. Without strong motor ability, airflow
cannot continue under obstructed conditions and the vacuum
will "choke." With that said, when looking for a pet vacuum,
choose a model that provides ample power and suction. |
| Check the
vacuum's tubing. |
| In addition to sufficient power, a good pet vacuum will
have suction tubing located in the middle of the head so
that suction power is distributed evenly. As a result, this
prevents pet hair from wrapping around the brushroll. |
| Look for
upright vacuums as opposed to canister models. |
| As a general rule, upright vacuums tend to be more
effective than canister vacuums when it comes to removing
pet hair. This is because they often include motorized brush
heads that are better at pulling fur away from carpet and
upholstery fibers. Nonetheless, there are some canister
vacuum cleaners that come with turbo brushes that are
specifically designed for this task such as the
Eureka
3684D Mighty Mite with Power Paw Brush. |
 Vacuum
Cleaner Buying Tip: |
| Pets can also
leave behind unsightly stains on your carpet.
If this is the case, also consider purchasing a
carpet shampooer. Vacuums such as the
Bissell SpotLifter lift and remove stains and
dirt before they become set in. |
| Pay attention
to filtration methods. |
| Pet dander, as well as pet feces, urine, and saliva, can
also act as allergens, cause runny noses and eyes, sneezing,
rashes, and other undesirable side effects. Pet dander is
also capable of collecting and harboring other allergens
such as dust and pollen. In addition, pet hair is a breeding
ground for mold, fungi, and bacteria. As such, a vacuum
cleaner with a HEPA filter has the ability to catch 99.97%
of the smallest particles up to 0.3 microns, including pet
dander. Therefore, if you're in the market for a pet vacuum
cleaner, it's not a bad idea to look for a model with a HEPA
filter such as the
Miele S184
Powerhouse . For even greater protection against
microbiological contaminants, there are even vacuum cleaners
that utilize UV sterilization such as the
Halo 3290 UV
ST. This vacuum kills microbes, viruses, and germs on
contact. |
| Purchase
specialized pet vacuum tools. |
| If your vacuum cleaner does not come with specialized
tools for pet hair, you may want to see if the manufacturer
offers optional pet accessories. These tools are designed to
bend, flex, and pull out dirt and pet hair stuck on problem
areas such as upholstery, bedding, and stairs. An example of
this type of attachment would be the
Emer
Spazzola Turbo Brush. |
Vacuum Guide Main Page >>
See Our Selection
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