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If you have wall-to-wall carpeting, the ubiquitous
upright vacuum cleaner is your arsenal against dirt and
debris. Most modern upright vacuums also do more than just
vacuum; in fact, they often come with a number of different
attachments that will allow you to keep your hardwood floors
and upholstery looking great.
The vacuum process within an upright vacuum involves a
change in air pressure caused by a pump. This pump reduces
the air pressure inside a tube, and the surrounding
atmospheric pressure then pushes air through carpet fibers
into this tube. Dirt and debris is then sucked away from
carpets and floors. In general, this fundamental process is
the central idea behind most vacuum cleaners, including
upright vacuums. One of the first machines to utilize this
technology was the Whirlwind vacuum introduced in 1868 by
Ives W. McGaffney. As a result of this revolutionary home
appliance, home cleaning was forever changed.
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Modern upright vacuum cleaners are quite different from the
models initially introduced during the turn of the century. While
upright vacuums were very expensive when first available to
consumers, as vacuum technology became more cost-effective, these
appliances became a staple in every middle class home.
In terms of design, modern upright vacuums usually consist of a
head and bag or even a plastic dirt container. Included attachments
and tools also make cleaning hard-to-reach spaces easy, as suction
action is redirected to the attachment. Furthermore, today's
upright vacuums are even cheaper and more effective than before.
Older models were often awkward and noisy, but the latest models are
easier to maneuver, more powerful, and quieter.
As a general rule, upright vacuums are almost exclusively used on
carpets and do not perform well on hard floors because the air
movement created by a vacuum's revolving brush tends to scatter dirt
around as the unit moves towards it. Nonetheless, upright vacuums
are still the standby for households around the world and are often
more powerful and less expensive than comparable canister units.
When choosing an upright vacuum cleaner, there are number of things
to consider:
| Bagged Versus
Bagless Design |
| Perhaps the most important decision to make when
choosing an upright is whether
you want a bagged or bagless unit. Bagged vacuums will
require periodic bag changes. On the other hand, with a
bagless model, dust and debris is collected into a
receptacle that will need to be emptied. Bagless units also
utilize filters which will also need to be replaced on
occasion. For more information on bagged versus bagless
vacuums,
click here. |
| Power |
| Upright vacuums are known for their power, so it's
important to choose an upright with the most power in your
price range. When shopping for upright vacuums, it's common
to see terms like "Amps" and "Airflow." In vacuums, the term
"Amps" describes the amount of electrical current a vacuum
uses while operating. It is generally believed that the more
amps a motor draws, the more powerful it is. However,
airflow is oftentimes a better indicator of a vacuum
cleaner's performance and measures the amount of air that
moves though a vacuum cleaner -- usually expressed in CFMs
or Cubic Feet per Minute. This is one of the most important
criteria for determining a vacuum cleaner's performance.
Generally speaking, the better the airflow; the more
efficient the vacuum. Lastly, don't overlook a unit's "water
lift" measurement. Relative to vacuum cleaners, water lift
measures the strength of the vacuum produced by the suction
motor. Suction gauges are calibrated in terms of "inches of
water lift," and this is equivalent to taking a vertical
tube, placing the bottom in a container of water, attaching
the vacuum hose at the top, and measuring how high above the
water surface the water in the tube rises. This measurement
is also important when it comes to judging an upright
vacuum's power and cleaning abilities. |
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Self-Propelled Technology |
| Some of the newest upright vacuum cleaners on the market
boast what is called "self-propelled technology." That is,
they are designed with a transmission that powers forward
and reverse movements more easily. The self-propelled
mechanism also makes the cleaners more difficult to lift and
carry. |
| Filtration |
| Many upright vacuums will include some sort of
filtration system to help capture fine particles. Filtration
can range from micron filters to HEPA filters, which are
said to offer the most comprehensive filtration. Overall, a
more effective filter system will increase the cost of the
unit. |
| Included
Attachments |
| Upright vacuum cleaners will often come with onboard
cleaning tools such as upholstery nozzles or bare floor
attachments. Although an upright's tools will not clean as
well as those utilized by canister models, it's best to
compare the available attachments and flexible hose length
if possible. |
| Edge Cleaning
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| Another important component to look for in an upright
vacuum cleaner is an edge cleaning feature. This allows a
vacuum to pick up dirt under the entire area of the cleaning
head and is especially great for cleaning wall-to-wall
carpet. |
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Upright
Vacuum Cleaners at a Glance |
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Benefits and General Features:
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Ideal for homes with wall-to-wall or mostly
carpets
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Cleaning path of 12" to 15" (based on the model)
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Casters for maneuverability
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Carpet height adjustment
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Furniture and wall bumper guard to protect walls
and furniture
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Many include on-board tools including hose,
dusting brush, and crevice tool
Additional Features to Consider:
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Selection of Upright Vacuums >>
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