With so many different types of vacuum cleaners available, it can be difficult to know which one is the best for cleaning the home. Some are good for specific tasks, while others are able to handle a variety of messes.
Understanding the differences between the two main types of sweepers can make it easier to know which one will be the best choice for your home and cleaning needs.
How Dirt Is Collected And Stored
Traditional vacuums use some type of bag in order to collect the dust and debris that the unit picks up. While this type of sweeper has been a staple in many homes for a long time, it does have a number of disadvantages.
The biggest disadvantage is that the bags tear, spilling the contents all over the floor. This can be a nightmare because this creates an additional mess that needs to be cleaned up.
Most canister vacuum cleaners collect dust and dirt in some type of basin, which is then emptied out on a regular basis. This is often a better solution because the canisters do not tear or spill their contents.
Versatility And Ability To Clean
Traditional upright vacuums typically can only clean on straight and wide or narrow paths, depending on how wide the roller brush is. They are ideal for cleaning near edges and open rooms.
Many uprights are also bulky, so it may be harder to clean under sofas or in tight areas without having to purchase additional attachments or even a separate handheld sweeper.
Another disadvantage to an upright sweeper is that it may not be powerful enough to remove all of the allergens and dirt from carpets. This means extra work if there is a tough mess to clean up.
A canister vacuum cleaner often features a HEPA filter, which is far more powerful and can remove significantly more allergens from the air, carpets, and any other surface that is being cleaned.
Because canisters are well-sealed and contained, there is little to no dust kick up when using the sweeper, which is a big improvement over traditional uprights that tend to release dust that escaped the bag.
A bagless canister vacuum typically has more parts that can be removed and cleaned, such as the filter and basin. Many of the seals and attachments are equally easy to keep clean.
Since the parts are meant to be removed and cleaned, it often means that the unit does not form the same strong and stale odors that uprights form if the bag is not changed often enough.
Lifespan And Ease Of Repair
Something else to consider when debating what type of sweeper to purchase is how long it is intended to last, and how easy it will be to repair if something on it breaks.
Many uprights are not designed to last for more than a few years and tend to feature cheap plastic parts that can be hard to find or expensive to replace if they break.
Higher-end canister vacuum cleaners are designed to last a decade or more and have easy-to-find parts that are inexpensive, and easy to replace, making them a better purchase for long-term use.
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