Daniel Hess appears to have been the first to patent (#29,077 U.S. issued July 10, 1860) a vacuum cleaner. Hess, a resident of West Union, Iowa, called his invention a carpet sweeper, not a vacuum. The machine did, in fact, have a rotating brush like other sweepers, however, the machine also possessed an elaborate bellows mechanism on top of the body to generate suction. The amazing thing about his machine was that it incorporated two "water chambers" to capture the dust and fine dirt. He states that the air is cleansed as it passes through the device. There is no record that this machine was every produced

The sales of Kirby vacuum cleaners are unique in that they are based on door-to-door sales and this is not practiced by any of the major companies. A customer can ask for a demonstration on any of the models which the salesperson would then bring to the prospective consumer’s place.This is when the deal is either made or not. The salesperson has got only one chance to convince his consumer.
The general method is to ask the prospective buyer to bring his old vacuum cleaner with which a part of the room is cleaned by the demonstrator.Then the demonstrator takes out the Kirby vacuum cleaner and cleans the same area to prove that the older vacuum cleaner is no match to the Kirby.This is a very engaging demonstration and most consumers are very pleased with the results. If the customer is satisfied and shows interest in buying the product an initial price is quoted which is also negotiable. If both parties settle on a figure then the customer is sold the cleaner with which the demonstration has been given. The customer is also briefed in detail as to how to use their specific model of the Kirby vacuum cleaners family.
However there have been complains regarding Kirby’s selling techniques. It has been said they are too aggressive and even try to push their cleaning units to people like senior citizens who wouldn’t be able to handle such machines.
And then there is the problem with negotiable price. Often customers who pay more, only to find out his neighbor paid much less, feel cheated of their hard earned money. Kirby is aware of the problem and is trying to tackle it. Any agent who is found to make wrong usage of the Kirby selling scheme is immediately disqualified from the Kirby team.
The warranty offered by Kirby is also special. Though it varies from model to model, no model comes with less than three years of warranty which is a lot when compared to other companies. In fact the latest model that Kirby has introduced, the Ultimate G Diamond Edition, comes with a lifetime warranty.
So we can conclude Kirby is a mixed bag.They treat you personally to demos, offer you top quality Kirby vacuum cleaners but you will have to pay a price for that and if you don’t know how to bargain be prepared to pay a few bucks more than your neighbor.

The 14-gallon Ridgid WD1450 wet/dry vacuum is the top-rated consumer-brand shop vac in its size range, which experts say is large enough for most general uses around the house and garage. It scores well for low emissions, excellent suction and quiet performance. A drain makes it easy to empty liquids, and Ridgid offers a lifetime warranty once you register the shop vac. This consumer-brand shop vac isn't especially convenient for collecting dust from power tools because it lacks the auto-start feature, but reviews recommend it for both wet and dry pickup around a workshop or home. If you need a tool-triggered shop vac for power tool use, reviews recommend the Bosch AirSweep 3931A (*est. $400).
Consumer Reports tests the Ridgid WD1450 shop vac along with 22 other models, running them through objective tests before rating and ranking their performance. The more recent comparison tests at Popular Mechanics also include the Ridgid WD1450. For a longer-term perspective, we found useful owner-written ratings and reviews of the Ridgid WD1450 shop vacuum at HomeDepot.com.

The Hoover Platinum Collection Lightweight Bagged Upright removes more dirt from carpet than other lightweight bagged uprights tested.* The unit also comes with a versatile, portable canister vacuum with onboard tools for above the floor cleaning. Two highly effective cleaners, together for one great package–designed to get your home floor-to-ceiling clean! Patented WindTunnel™ Technology has three paths of suction to prevent dirt scatter and pick up more dirt in one pass from carpet than other lightweight bagged uprights tested.** HI and LO power settings provide the correct amount of suction power for the cleaning job whether it's carpet or hard floors.

Because of the multi-speed power plant. It makes everything possible. Made of die cast aluminum, not plastic, it easily converts to a Deep-Cleaning Upright, a Carpet Shampoo System, Canister Vacuum, Floor Buffer and more. It's not just a vacuum, it is a complete home care system. There is no need to invest in multiple appliances or try to find places to store them all ... with the Sentria® home care system, you get them all!

JUST SOME OF THE SENTRIA® SYSTEM'S EXCITING FEATURES
Powerful airflow combined with a HEPA 11 filtration system means that dirt and debris have no where to hide.
Thanks to our state-of-the-art TechDrive® power assist, it only takes a featherlike touch to push the system.
Toe Touch Control gives you the proper cleaning height every time without bending.
The LED headlight brightens even the darkest corners.
Quick-drying carpet shampoo process provides professional results at a fraction of the cost.
Use the portable mode to remove irritating dust mite allergens from your bedding.
Clean even hard-to-reach areas with our wide variety of attachments.
Easily remove pet hair and debris from upholstered furniture
Polish and buff hard surface floors to a lustrous shine.
And the list goes on!

Dyson engineers spent three years developing DC28 Animal with advanced Airmuscle™ technology. It combines three technologies: a powered cam, a pneumatic actuator, and a high-torque clutch - each precisely adjusting the cleaner head to thoroughly clean every floor surface. And, like all Dyson vacuums, it doesn’t lose suction.

Whether you need the increased strength and capacity of the 16-Gallon Pro Vac or can manage with something a little less powerful like the 4-Gallon Wet/Dry Vac, Ridgid provides many options that can easily satisfy the bulk of your household cleaning needs. Ridgid provides the public with the option of 4-, 4.5-, 5-, 6-, 9-, 12-, 14- and 16-gallon shop vac products that effectively handle most wet or dry tasks.
When it comes to the features and capabilities of the Ridgid product line, a variety of unique qualities help set this line of shop vacs on a higher level of performance. Rigid shop vacs are quite a bit larger than other brands on the market, offering an all-inclusive tool filled with helpful accessories and hoses. These features make life much easier when it comes to cleaning jobs both small and large.
Have a water mess in the basement? Let the Ridgid soak up this irritation with a convenient rubber squeegee that easily cleans up concrete. Need to get into deep crevices, hard-to-reach spaces or pick up enormous piles of dust? Ridgid vacuum cleaners have a tool just for you. For heightened use, these tools are conveniently stored on the unit for easy access.
Ridgid tools are also sturdy. No more hoses popping out during a round of spring-cleaning. The shop vac from Ridgid is also convenient for large jobs with bulk. No job is too big for this superb line of shop vacs and hoses. Want a quieter shop vac? A baffle is included on Ridgid models to cut down on noise pollution.
Important Ridgid Shop Vac Parts
Whether you need a new filter or bags, there are many different ways to locate the Ridgid vacuum parts you require. The Internet is a great way to purchase these parts in bulk, as well as find the best deals. Contacting the manufacturer will also help to replace damaged or worn goods. Sometimes, when lucky, a local specialty shop vac store may carry just the part you need. Some of the Ridgid parts most often in demand includes: extension wands, locking hoses, utility nozzles, wet nozzles, car nozzles, expandable hoses, dusting brushes, crevice tools, mufflers, diffuser filters and mounting hardware.
Owning a Ridgid Shop Vac: The Advantages
While there is a standard Ridgid filter to consider for your shop vac, there are other selections that allow users to take advantage of varying levels of mildew and mold protection and prevention. This is a great opportunity to not only efficiently clean your home, but also contribute to improving health levels in your home environment.

Sebo

The company was founded in the late seventies by a group of German engineers and has since grown to be one the biggest commercial upright vacuum cleaner companies in the world.SEBO prides itself on its technological advances in the vacuum industry as well as producing machines that are user-friendly, reliable, consistent, effective, and feature great filtration.Because SEBO has grown so significantly since its beginning, it now has offices in the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom.Millions of customers the world over are satisfied by the high quality and durability of SEBO vacuum cleaners. In fact, these machines carry a seal of approval from the British Allergy Foundation.SEBO produces both upright and canister models of its exceptional vacuum cleaner. Because of the products’ excellent filtration systems, SEBO vacuum cleaners can actually improve the air quality indoors and reduce allergy and asthma symptoms of those in the household.All SEBO vacuums take advantage of the HEPA filtration system, which is able to remove about 99.97% of all allergens and pollen, even at the most miniscule sizes.
SEBO Vacuum Cleaners Popular ModelsSome of the most popular models are the SEBO X4 Automatic, X4 Extra, X5 Extra, G1, Felix 9804AM, and the SEBO Airbelt C2.1 and K2. Of course, this is not a comprehensive list.Anyone concerned with achieving and maintaining good air quality should consider purchasing a SEBO vacuum cleaner for his or her home.These high-end vacuums use the best in filtration technology (HEPA S-class filtration), powerful motors, electronic sensors for floor type and carpet height, and are built to last up to fifteen or twenty years.While anyone can see the positive effects of purchasing SEBO vacuum cleaners, these machines are not without criticisms. While they may not be the most expensive vacuum cleaner out on the market, they can be quite pricey.However, the price is a direct result of the quality and technology of the machine. Many people are not prepared to spend more than several hundred dollars on a vacuum cleaner.Additionally, while these vacuums do a great job filtering the air, most SEBO vacuum cleaners empty their contents into bags that need to be emptied and disposed of quite frequently. Many people find bagless vacuum cleaners to be much more convenient and cost-effective.One of the most popular models is the SEBO X4 Extra Upright Vacuum Cleaner. This model generally retails for about $759, however, by spending a little time to research and shop around, a better price may be found.This machine comes in a classic red and gray design and is one of the most powerful and effective uprights on the market. Although it is an upright, it is extremely lightweight, weighing in at just less than 17 pounds.This vacuum has an electronic sensor that will adjust the double brush for the thickness and height of the carpet. The X4 meets all HEPA filtration requirements and features a three-layer filter bag, electrostatic microfilter, and an exhaust filter.

Oreck got their start making upright vacuums for hotels but their success allowed them to branch into the household industry. Today they are a world-wide recognized name, providing many types of upright, canister, and hand held vacuum cleaners for a variety of tasks. Their focus is on providing a lightweight model with commercial grade power that is easy enough for anyone to maneuver. Oreck cleaners can be used by people of all ages.
One thing that is certain is that no matter what needs cleaning they have a vacuum cleaner for the job. They have spent alot of time in both the commercial and household areas, and thus have seen it all. One major plus to all of that experience is that they have been able to apply it to their research in developing the latest cleaners. Their machines and replacement parts and bags can also be readily found at discount prices.

Pet owners and allergy sufferers are going to find the Dyson DC17 Animal Cyclone a fantastic pick. Those who are looking for a vacuum cleaner for the tighter budget will value the price and quality of the Hoover U5507-900 Elite Auto Rewind or the Hoover U5140-900 Tempo Wide Path for its durability.The low priced Bissell 2080 Quick Steamer Power Brush is a good value that consumer reviews have cheered. The Clean Surge Technology of the Hoover F5914-900 is great for families with spills and high traffic areas. For a vacuum cleaner that provides a high quality and consistent suction with easy navigation, the Dyson DC25 All Floors upright is a perfect choice.The Eureka 4870MZ Boss Smart-Vac and the Hoover S3765-040 Wind Tunnel both offer a wide array of features to make cleaning easier and more effective.

The Dirt Devil Kurv vacuum cleaner is more for looks than anything. It has a good looking curve design, which is so good that I don’t mind leaving it out when company comes over. Since it is a cordless unit, the batteries don’t last that long. In fact, I’m lucky to get 20 minutes out of it at a time. This only allows me to clean up a couple rooms before it needs to be recharged. The suction is actually decent, so it’s not all bad performance-wise. The only way it does a good job with the suction is if you hold it level with the ground. If it’s tilted at all, the suction is terrible. I think this is why so many people complain about the suction power.
Other vacuum cleaner reviews I’ve read complain about the fan on the machine, saying it blows around the dust you are trying to vacuum up. I haven’t really had this problem, but I still don’t think it is a good design. I wouldn’t say the Dirt Devil Kurv is great, but it’s not horrible either. And, if you are wanting a vacuum that looks nice, this is the one.

Rainbow cleaners have been marketed as a commanding machine that uses advanced techniques to rid households of their worst cleaning nightmares.New and used popular vacuums with the public include the D2, D3, D4, and E2 models.With a strong motor accompanied by a two-speed power control, users are able to effectively utilize additional tools and features to clean their home.A convenient power nozzle with adjustable height; trigger control; stainless steel wands; water bath filtration; and HEPA neutralizer filtration are just some of the things that consumers may look forward to with their Rainbow vacuum cleaner.A variety of tools also supplement the power and efficiency of the Rainbow cleaners, including a dusting brush, crevice tool, as well as a floor and wall brush. An attachment caddy keeps all tools safe and sound.

Question: Are Vacuum Cleaners Damaging to Carpets?
Vacuum cleaners are supposed to keep carpets clean. Why do some people say that vacuum cleaners actually damage carpet fibers? Are vacuum cleaners bad for carpets?
Answer: The argument here is that a rotating beater bar/brush pulls, stretches, and wears out carpet fibers. In reality though, dirt does more wear and tear on carpet than most vacuum cleaners could ever dream of.
That being said, it is possible to overwork your carpet. If your vacuum cleaner has multiple settings, you shouldn't be vacuuming your carpet on the bare floor setting.
Consumers get a little freaked out when they see carpet fluff in the dust bins of their vacuum cleaners...but overall carpets can stand to be vacuumed several times a week without sustaining damage. Leaving dirt in a carpet, however, actually breaks down the pile underneath the carpet fibers. It also creates a breeding ground for dust mites and bacteria.
Bottom Line:Carpets sustain much less damage from regular vacuuming than they do from dirt left in the carpet.

Upright vacuum cleaners are best for carpet, say reviews, although most upright vacs can also clean bare floors. However, if you mostly have bare floors with just a few rugs, a canister vacuum is a better choice. Canister vacuums are also easier to carry up stairs or to the garage, though they tend to be more expensive than upright vacuum cleaners.

Consumer Reports performs the best vacuum cleaner testing, and in its latest review, 36 upright vacuums are rated for cleaning ability on carpet and bare floors plus performance with tools, as well as noise, emissions and ease of use. Consumer Reports editors also test how well vacuums can pick up pet hair on carpet. Which? magazine, the U.K. equivalent of Consumer Reports, also tests upright vacuums. Although not all tested vacs are available in the U.S., editors go into great detail about Dyson vacuums, including reliability issues and company response. Consumer Reports and Which? Online are easily the most comprehensive reviewers of vacuum cleaners.
Along the same lines, Australia's Choice magazine tests and compares vacuum cleaners in four separate price categories. The issue with Choice is that most of the vacuum cleaners reviewed aren't available in the U.S. It's still worth a look, though, to see if the model you're considering is included in the latest round of reports.
We found a number of less-formal reviews from The Wall Street Journal, Good Housekeeping and The Independent, a U.K. newspaper. Owner reviews posted to Amazon.com, Viewpoints.com and Epinions.com are very useful when it comes to upright vacuums. Many vacs at Amazon.com have received hundreds of owner-written ratings, giving us a good picture of long-term reliability and ease of use. While it's not yet comprehensive enough to rival large text-based user review sites, ExpoTV.com has some interesting consumer-posted video entries. The big advantage of video is that owners can actually demonstrate features, specs and failure points rather than just describing them.

Myth #1: Amps Mean Performance

Amps is a measure of electrical current, not vacuuming performance. Measuring a vacuum cleaner’s performance based on amps is like buying a car based on how much gas it guzzles. The design of the entire machine and how it handles and controls airflow and incorporates filtration determines its quality, not the electrical energy it consumes.

Myth #2: Everyone Needs HEPA

HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) is a technical definition that refers to a filter that will remove not less than 99.97% of 0.3 micron diameter particles or larger from the air that passes through it.
You need to have the fewest particles released or driven into the air — regardless of whether that vacuum is HEPA or not. Some microfiltered systems accomplish this just as well as some systems called HEPA. Find out what the "particles out" are, and you’ll have the all-important information you need.

Keep in mind that even high-end HEPA-filtered vacuums may still be driving dust airborne by the impact of a beater brush against the carpet. With uprights or canisters equipped with power heads, the critical information to have is how much airflow and lift are occurring at the beater brush / floor interface to help determine whether or not particles are being pulled into the vacuum or driven airborne.

The extra-wide orifice on some upright vacuums and power nozzles results in greatly diminished suction at the tool head and poor soil capture. More on this later under "The Venturi Principle".

Myth #3: Picking Up a "Bowling Ball" Shows Cleaning Power

The bowling ball trick is just that — a trick. This sales technique is based on the power of a suction cup. Have you ever stuck a suction cup on a mirror and tried to remove it by pulling directly away from the mirror? It’s hard to do. Why? Once a seal is created on a smooth surface, the seal is difficult to break. Does a vacuum tool’s ability to form a seal around a bowling ball and pick it up like a suction cup have anything to do with how well the vacuum can remove soil from a surface? No!

Myth #4: All Vacuum Bags are the Same

Again, not true. Multi-ply microfilters greatly increase vacuum efficiency over generic single-ply paper filters. For this reason, microfilters are now increasingly used in commercial vacuuming applications. Microfilter bags have greater media density and thus capture far more fine dust. One-ply generic bags have relatively large pores that permit fine dust to escape, lowering indoor air quality, increasing health risks and the need for dusting.

Also, filter bag size does matter. The greater the "area" of the filter media, the longer airflow, suction and cleaning can be sustained. For this reason, at least one major manufacturer of vacuum cleaners promotes its filters by measuring and publishing the total area — in square inches or centimeters — of its filter bag media.

Myth #5: All Vacuum Belts are the Same

Not all vacuum belts are created equal. A cheap vacuum belt will stretch, slip and wear out quickly, whereas a high-quality belt is geared or sprocketed like an automobile timing belt, and can literally last for years. In addition, geared/sprocketed belts do not slip, ensuring better and more consistent soil pickup and removal. Sprocketed belts help ensure better overall performance, and enable you to spend more time cleaning and less time changing belts.

Myth #6: Cyclonic Systems Do Not Use Filters & Require Less Maintenance

Virtually all cyclonic or bagless vacuuming systems use a final filter to catch the dust that cyclonic filtration cannot remove from the airflow. This is often a HEPA media filter. This final filter will require regular cleaning or replacement to ensure optimal performance. If you fail to perform the needed filter maintenance, the vacuum will not perform as intended. The cost of replacing the final filter may equal or exceed the cost of using conventional bag filter media. The quality of cyclonic systems varies widely. Do your homework and request the all-important "particles in, particles out" information in the form of test data from the manufacturer to determine overall performance.

Some vacuum cleaners are actually designed to produce cyclonic airflow even with conventional microfilters. Ribbed panels in the filter containment area create a rotating column of air inside the filter bag so soil is deposited evenly on the sidewalls of the filter where it has the greatest surface area, ensuring sustained airflow longer.

Myth #7: All Vacuum Cleaners Have Similar Design Features and are Equally Easy to Use

Ergonomic design, weight and other factors affecting ease of use vary widely among vacuum cleaners. Handle weight is a critical factor with uprights, as is ease of rolling and maneuverability.

Canister vacuums vary widely in shape and design affecting usability. One model balances the weight primarily over the large rear wheels to facilitate nimble handling and ease of pulling. Some canisters trip over power cords, while others roll over such obstacles easily. Design and weight distribution makes the difference.

Backpack vacuums now weigh in at less than 10 pounds, with precision suspension systems that distribute the weight across the hips and not the shoulders for ideal balance and maneuverability. One manufacturer produces a backpack vacuum station that enables the operator to simply back into the "port" and slip on the backpack without lifting it.

Myth #8: Suction Alone Makes a Vacuum Work Well

Actually, it’s the entire vacuum system that makes it effective — or not. There are four key benchmarks to use in evaluating a vacuuming system:

A) Airflow
Airflow is the amount or volume of air moving through the vacuum, usually measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM). The amount of air moving through a vacuum affects the amount of soil that can be carried along by the airflow and contained in the vacuum’s filtration.

B) Lift
Lift, also known as static lift or water lift, is the ability of the vacuum’s airflow to lift dirt. It is typically measured in "inches of lift" determined by how many inches the vacuum cleaner’s airflow can pull water up a tube in a lab test.

The higher the two numbers — airflow and lift — are, the better, since this combination largely determines the vacuum’s ability to pull "particles in".

C) Filtration
Filtration captures the soils and is mainly responsible for reducing "particles out". Filtration must be designed and proportioned to work with the vacuum’s airflow and lift so that the particles are stopped but not the airflow.

D) Design
In some cases, good vacuuming potential and/or filtration are defeated by poor design. Examples of poor design include a tool orifice that lowers air velocity by being too wide (many beater brushes require an excessively wide tool orifice that reduces suction significantly) and body tolerances that allow dust to leak from non-filter areas.

Printed carpet allows tufted carpet to take on some of the design potential of woven styles. Printed carpet manufacturers have elevated carpet printing to an art form and printing provides even more design potential than woven styles. Printed carpet can actually become a work of art and the size of the printed pattern can be as large as ballroom size. Printed carpet can be custom printed based on your design or a special design can be created for you.