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Floorcare buying guide
Available in a variety of types - from lightweight, battery-powered vacs to large carpet cleaners - it can be hard to work out exactly what floor cleaner you need, but help is at hand with our buying guides.
We’ve highlighted some of the key considerations and features of our range of vacuum cleaners and floorcare products, to help you make an informed decision before you purchase.
- Upright - Typically designed to cover larger surface areas and carpeted floors, upright cleaners tend to have a larger dust/debris capacity too. This means you won’t need to empty it or replace the bag as often.
- Cylinder - Cylinder vacuum cleaners are often easier to transport and, since they tend to be smaller, they can be stored away more easily.
- Stick cleaner - Stick cleaners are like a compact upright but, as they’re usually cordless, they’re best for short bursts of cleaning. Sometimes, a room doesn't require a thorough clean, and this is where these vacuum cleaners can come in handy. Usually, they can be used as just a handheld unit, making them small, light and portable. This is ideal for cleaning hard to tackle areas such as the stairs, under the dining table or the upholstery in your car. Easily rechargeable, a stick cleaner with up to 20 minutes run time is perfect for everyday cleaning but you may want to look for a model with a longer run time per single charge if you want to regularly clean large areas in one go.
- Steam cleaner - These are great for cleaning hard floors. If there’s a floor that you usually have to mop, then a steam cleaner is for you.
- Carpet cleaner - In busy households with lots of footfall, vacuuming alone will remove dust and debris, but a carpet cleaner will deliver a much deeper clean leaving them refreshed and looking like new.
Another thing to consider is whether to have a bagged or bagless vacuum. Vacuum cleaners with bags may be less expensive in terms of initial cost, but buying replacement bags could prove to be more expensive in the long run.
- Bagged vacuum cleaners - These are more hygienic and ideal for asthma/allergy sufferers, as exposure to the dust is reduced and disposal tends to be easier.
- Bagless vacuum cleaners - As well as being able to see when the dust container is full, bagless cleaners are better for the environment as there is no need for bags.
The higher the wattage, the more powerful the vacuum cleaner. In some cases, this might make the machine heavier due to a larger motor. Keeping your safety in mind, each product listing will show the power and weight to help you compare models.
The dust capacity is the maximum capacity of dust/debris that can be stored before the bag needs replacing or the dust container needs emptying.
Cleaners fitted with a built-in filter don’t just clean your floors, they can also remove particles that we can’t see which may help to reduce odours too. Standard filters help to remove fine particles, preventing them being emitted, but specialist filters are also available on some machines.
- HEPA filters - These remove microscopic allergens and are often a great choice for allergy sufferers or people with asthma.
- Pet models - If you have pets, it’s always worth looking for specialist pet vacuum cleaner models. These have advanced filtration systems that are designed to deal with pet fur and dander as well as help to eliminate pet odours.
A final point to consider is the weight of the machine, particularly if you need to move it to different floors. Each product listing will show the weight of the machine (in kg), allowing you to compare models.
Did you know that many of our products are also available for rental? Enjoy the latest tech with low, monthly payments and regular opportunities to upgrade, find out more about Hughes Rental here.
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