Vacuum Cleaners Terms

Bag Full Indicator – a bagged cleaner will let you know when the bag needs replacing

Bagged – any vacuum cleaner that collects dust and dirt in a disposable bag

Bagless – any cleaner that stores the dust in a removable container for emptying

Beater Brush Bar – a revolving brush on upright cleaners that picks up hard-to-get hairs

Cord Rewind – featured on cylinder vacuums, the mains cord is withdrawn into the body of the cleaner after use. This allows for compact storage.

Cylinder – small, manoeuvrable cleaners especially suitable for hard floors and confined spaces

Edge to Edge cleaning – the ability of a vacuum to clean all areas of a surface

Filtration – the process through which a vacuum retains unhygienic particles before pumping back out the air

HEPA – (High Efficiency Particulate Air) A method of S-class filtration that emits air which is safe for allergy sufferers

Lifetime Filtration – filtration which does not require a change of filter throughout the lifetime of the vacuum cleaner

Microfiltration – a form of standard filtration which can retain the finer particles

On Board Tools – tools for a number of cleaning purposes contained within the main body of the vacuum

S-Class filtration – a manufacturing standard for anti-allergenic filtration

Self-Adjusting Head – a cleaning head that remains in close contact to the surface regardless of the angle the vacuum is at

Stair Cleaning – an attachment for upright cleaners allowing them to be used to clean stairs. The vacuum unit itself should be stood at the bottom of the stairs for safe cleaning

Standard Filtration – a filtering system on less expensive models

Telescopic Tubes – a range of attachments that can be adjusted to the length required

Upright – a traditional cleaner that uses a rotating brush as well as suction. Especially suitable for large floor areas

All About Vacuum Cleaners

Vacuum cleaners are often the most effective cleaning tools in the house, so buying the right one is very much an investment. With all the different types of vacuum cleaners on the market, sifting through the various models can soon get very confusing. This guide should help point you in the right direction.

Upright or Cylinder?

• Generally, cylinder cleaners are smaller and lighter units and thus considered to be easier to move around. They have all their accessory tools inside them for quick retrieval and put-away, and the suction head is separate from the main unit giving a wide cleaning radius. Most models feature a cord rewind feature and foot operated start/stop pedals. All this makes the cylinder cleaner ideal for cleaning those hard to reach places, and especially good for stairs.
• The upright is usually heavier and harder to manoeuvre and is less suited to cleaning small gaps and spaces, although many models now include a set of tools for most purposes. The upright’s main strength is its carpet cleaning, which is especially effective over large floor areas due to its multiple cleaning heads. Also, a carpet height selector available on most models allows the user to adjust the height of the vacuum above the floor according to the length of the carpet pile. If pet hair is a problem, the rotating brushes on an upright should do the job.

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