Sainsbury's guide to vacuum cleaners 

There are many different types of vacuum cleaner available and you need to choose carefully to ensure you get the right model for your needs; this guide will take you through the things  to consider.

Regular vacuuming and cleaning can improve the appearance, hygiene and life of your floors, whether they are wooden, tiled, vinyl or carpeted. 

There are important factors to consider when purchasing a new vacuum; first you’ll need to decide whether you want a cylinder or an upright vacuum and this guide will take you through their features, then you should consider what type of filter you will choose as this will play a large role in the performance of your machine. 

Stubborn stains and ingrained dirt can be tricky for a vacuum to remove, so you may want to think about buying a carpet cleaner for when your floors and upholstery require more thorough attention. 

Both vacuums and carpet cleaners come with an array of functions and accessories, we’ll run you through these so you can make an informed decision when it comes to making your purchase.

Uprights vs. cylinders?
In their most basic form vacuums come in two styles, upright or cylinder and you’ll need to decide which one will best suit your home. 

Upright

Best for large rooms and can be easily stored

• Generally heavier than cylinder vacuums
• Effective on loop pile or cut pile carpets as the brush combs the pile
• Easy to control and steer
• Can be cumbersome on stairways
• Not recommended for people with limited mobility or strength

Cylinder

• Smaller and lighter than uprights
• Compact and easy to store
• Easier to use on upholstery, stairs and around furniture
• Perform best on hardwood, vinyl, tiled and cut pile carpet
• Cylinders generally clean by suction so won’t comb the pile of a carpet
• Smaller cleaning head

Another option available to you is a handheld vacuum.  Small and cordless, handheld vacuums require batteries or charging at the mains.  Their size and weight offers them up as great car cleaners, equally as useful on kitchen crumbs and upholstery.

Bagged vs. bag-less?
When vacuums suck up dirt and dust it gets stored internally until you are ready to empty it.  You have two options as to how your vacuum will do this.

Bagged -  Bagged machines require a disposable bag to collect vacuumed dust and debris and are cheaper to purchase, however, bear in mind that outlay will be ongoing as bag stocks will need to be replenished.  Self sealing bags are available which are better for asthma and allergy sufferers as they lock dust inside when transferring an old bag for a new one. 

Bag-less -  Bag-less vacuums tend to be more expensive vacuum models, but no further expenditure on bags is required.  Bag-less vacuums are often considered cleaner and easier to empty than bagged versions.

Filtration 
The filter system on a vacuum is responsible for the level of dust particles that will escape back into the room via the vacuum exhaust.   The more effective the filter, the lower the dust emissions will be.  Some bag-less models are so effective at cleaning the air they expel it contains 150 times less pollen, bacteria and mould spores than the air you breathe.

There are 4 main types of filtration system.

Standard - These filters are generally found on less expensive vacuums, they are least efficient at removing dust particles from the exhaust fumes.  Some standard vacuums have multiple filter functions which can improve the performance.  A standard filter will need to be replaced over time, unless you opt for a standard lifetime filter.

HEPA/S – Class. Recommended above standard filters for allergy and asthma sufferers as these provide cleaner emissions.  Both this filter type and the standard require replacing once worn.

HEPA/S – Class lifetime filters.  The best performing filter for cutting out dust and particle emissions.  No need to update filter as life extends, as this filter type can be refreshed by washing under a cold tap.  Although the initial cost will be higher, the longevity of the filter will save you money.

Charcoal - A filter with a charcoal layer will remove nasty smells as air passes through the vacuum.  On premier models you may find a charcoal filter working in conjunction with a secondary HEPA one.

Carpet cleaners/washers
Carpet cleaners and washers are specially designed to remove dirt from deep down under the surface of the carpet and to tackle stains.  Most carpet washers are suitable for upholstery, car interiors, curtains, rugs and carpets and some are also suitable for hard floors and stairs. 

It is recommended to wash your carpets once or twice a year in addition to vacuuming to keep germs and dust to a minimum this is particularly applicable to allergy and asthma sufferers.

Regular deep cleaning of carpets and upholstery helps to avoid costly replacements as it rejuvenates and lifts fibres for a ‘just bought’ look.

Water Capacity - Choose a cleaner with a water capacity that suits the size of the room you are working on.  As a guide a 2Litre tank is suitable for a 10” x 12” room before the water will need changing.

Rotating brushes - A cleaner with rotating brushes can work deeper into problem areas.

Power-jets - Cleaners with power-jets will apply cleaning solution at pressure which helps to loosen dirt and stains.

Accessories and features

• Stair hose - For awkward corners and steps.
• Auto-cord rewind - Make for easier tidying and cord extension.
• Full indicator - Lets you know when the dust cylinder needs changing.
• Telescopic extension tubes - For cleaning high cobwebs and narrow areas.
• Polish accessory - For hard wood flooring.
• Anti-scaler - For use in a carpet cleaner/washer to prevent lime scale building up.
• Power - Be sure to bear in mind how powerful you want your vacuum to be.  Generally the higher the marked wattage the more powerful the cleaner, but this is more relevant to cylinder cleaners as dust has further to travel up the hose on this type of machine than on an upright.
• Performance - For upright vacuums the quality of the brush will improve performance rather than the wattage, so look out for models with multiple brushes to agitate, rotate and roll.

Glossary

HEPA – ‘High Efficiency Particulate Air’, also known as S-Class.  Vacuums with these filters retain even the smallest of allergy-causing particles.  Look out for the ‘British Allergy Association’ seal of approval.