I need another new hoover!

srichards

srichards

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Suz
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The carpet beater thingy died in my bissell lift off bagless a while ago. It's the best hoover I've owned. Now the cylinder bit which I was using has now packed up! I'm fed up as the Vax cylinder I bought to replace it a few months ago is utterly useless in comparison. It's much harder to empty (the bissell is one flick switch and the whole tub comes out with no nonsense). The vax has some stupid button system which makes it hard to remove off the top. Then you have to press a button on bottom bit which makes the lid open and all the crap stays in side so you end up pawing rubbish out of the damn thing into the bin which kicks up endless dust. The sole advantage of the vax is that it is easier to get to the carpet beater thingies and remove all the hair. I have long hair and it does a fine job of winding its way around all rotating parts and jamming them solid. If I forget to cut it out often enough then it knackers hoovers. Cylinders are utterly useless as they don't cover much carpet and the stick on fuzzy things fall off and they can't remove hair at all. A cylinder with a motorised doodad which is easy to keep hair free is a possibity but I generally want to cover areas of carpet with something with a bit of oomph. Dysons are out for this reason. The only one I used was pathetically weak and over priced. It had all the suction of a 10 year old hoover with a half full bag ie practically none.

The real annoyance with the bissell is that if you use the cylinder on its own it constantly falls over. I think this has what has done it in :( Saw a large orange spark and smelled burning and it now won't switch on :cry:

I'm after a hoover which is bagless and easy to empty. No farting about pulling bits out, pulling out hair and cat hair. I just want one that is unclip and tip ie as easy as a bag! Washable filters are better and less bother otherwise you spend a fortune on replacement ones all the time. A HEPA one is preferable and the HEPA filters are usually just replaceable. Those only usually need changing every 6 to 12 months so I don't mind that.

The bissel is also good because it is a cylinder and upright together so you can split the weight. A light upright which has a decent long hose on it (fnar) is what I'm looking for as Bissel don't sell the lift off one any more.

It's spider season so I need to get round all the dark corners and hoover the little gits out of them.

The hoover power I'm looking for is the sort that you can feel gently lifting the carpet as you hoover. If it can't manage that then it is too weak for me. The vax is actually quite powerful but the idiotic emptying is the problem.

This one (ironically from Vax) is a potential if it's not a fart to empty: http://www.vax.co.uk/vacuum-cleaner...ers/power-9-total-home-upright-vacuum-cleaner It's also rather heavy.

Anyone got one or know of a decent bagless upright that isn't a pain to empty?
 
We're getting adverts for hoovers up there ^ now, that's your fault that is.

I currently have an Electrolux turbo whatsit, does a good job of picking up the dirt but the bagless container is tiny and it's a pita to empty, I wouldn't buy another.
 
Miele every time.
 
Probably not right for you, but just in case anyone else is interested.
We've had 2 miele's, 3 dysons. 4 roomba's and a vax in the last 7 years.. All have been pants really bar the roomba's, but they aren't any good as your only vac.

We took a punt on the Gtech air ram thats been advertised recently, and I have to say its pretty damn good. The suction is better than all the dysons combined, its super light weight and is very easy to empty.

I too have long hair (down to my butt more or less) My wife has long hair, and we have a very fluffy long haired dog who maults a lot. All the previous hoovers would constantly clog up or burn out. The Gtech hasn't had an issue in the 3 months or so we've had it. We also bought the hand held model and thats also very good, much better than the handheld dyson we had that was 3 times the price and broke within a year and a bit.
 
I do still have a Bissel carpet sweeper that was my grandma's which still work brilliantly for a quick sweep around.
 
What is all this of what you speak??
 
How much floor will the gtech do before it is full? Capacity sounds small. Doesn't seem to have a hose either so it won't do stairs or upholstery?

Friend has strongly recommended an ugly vax that looks like a dustbin, has a bag but does wash as well so that's a strong contender for the less pleasant cleaning jobs. It seems to pick up hair just by sheer force too. Bag is huge so shouldn't need much emptying.

Tempted by a sebo as well but that is a bag and silly money compared to the vax orange donkey.
 
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PatrickO said:
No one should answer 'cos you're being mean to spiders.
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They know the score. If I don't see them they live. If I do they're squashed. Hopefully this will lead to ones that have the sense to not ride on the curtains or sit in the bath playing with the soap or run across the floor doing dance moves from Glee to make absolutely sure I've seen them.
 
srichards said:
They know the score. If I don't see them they live. If I do they're squashed. Hopefully this will lead to ones that have the sense to not ride on the curtains or sit in the bath playing with the soap or run across the floor doing dance moves from Glee to make absolutely sure I've seen them.
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But you are missing the bigger picture, they themselves are very efficient predators.
Think of all the other insects that would be infesting your domain,
if you didn't have the little sentries on guard ;)
 
Cobra said:
But you are missing the bigger picture, they themselves are very efficient predators.
Think of all the other insects that would be infesting your domain,
if you didn't have the little sentries on guard ;)
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But the acrobatic grandstanding and the impromptu cabarets are a step too far :LOL:
 
viv1969 said:
But the acrobatic grandstanding and the impromptu caberets are a step too far :LOL:
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Well as there is b****r all on tele as a rule, it seems OK to me :)
My "house guest" only walks across the carpet,
No Liza Minnelli impersonations, nuffin :(
 
Cobra said:
But you are missing the bigger picture, they themselves are very efficient predators.
Think of all the other insects that would be infesting your domain,
if you didn't have the little sentries on guard ;)
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I have a tub of diatomaceous earth so that deals with anything they'd eat quite well ;)
 
srichards said:
I have a tub of diatomaceous earth so that deals with anything they'd eat quite well ;)
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Not well enough :p
If there was no food for them, they'd move on ;)

Speaking as a pestie, diatomaceous earth
has its place, but its not that good on all insects,
or indeed arachnids.

Think about that for a minute ;)
 
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Cobra said:
Well as there is b****r all on tele as a rule, it seems OK to me :)
My "house guest" only walks across the carpet,
No Liza Minnelli impersonations, nuffin :(
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Mine resides in the conservatory. ..seems happy enough.
All calls from his agent are forwarded :-)
 
viv1969 said:
It's real work mate. ..dont worry your pretty little head about it ;)
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I don't. The thing I married sorts all that kinda stuff.o_O
 
A shoe quickly deals with the Arachnids ;)

I could do with a fly swat type thing that blats them with sufficient force and that has a disposable cloth on the back for wiping off any smear marks and left over limbs.

I just wish the sonic repellers actually worked. I'd rather have a few of those and keep the place free of the damn things than have to continually check all room corners all the time and have heart failure when one appears between me and the door. I hate the things and murdering them on sight is the only way I can even sleep at this time of year.
 
BRASH said:
I don't. The thing I married sorts all that kinda stuff.o_O
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Can you send her over to train mine then, because she has become all "bolshi" on me, and refuses to use the Dyson because I chose it (ten bl**dy years ago).
As for vacuum cleaners, they work better if you get rid of carpets and put down wood floors and tiles.
 
srichards said:
I just wish the sonic repellers actually worked.
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Biggest waste of money on the market, TBH.
You are better off whistling as you walk in the room. ;)

Maybe something tuneful and lively that they can dance to perhaps?

Although its a bit early yet, for some inexplicable reason, conkers (out of their shells) placed in corners, by doors etc,
do seem to have a limited effect.
 
andy700 said:
Can you send her over to train mine then, because she has become all "bolshi" on me, and refuses to use the Dyson because I chose it (ten bl**dy years ago).
As for vacuum cleaners, they work better if you get rid of carpets and put down wood floors and tiles.
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Tell yeh what, you send yours to me. I'll sort her oot:)
 
Cobra said:
Biggest waste of money on the market, TBH.
You are better off whistling as you walk in the room. ;)

Maybe something tuneful and lively that they can dance to perhaps?

Although its a bit early yet, for some inexplicable reason, conkers (out of their shells) placed in corners, by doors etc,
do seem to have a limited effect.
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I've got some conker spray. Sprayed that around. It's got cloves in it too.

They're not supposed to like lavender or citrus either.

Sonic repellers do work with mice as garage is free of them now with 2 in there.

Flea spray doesn't work on them though. It is supposed to but I've blasted big ones with it and they just saunter off!
 
srichards said:
I

Sonic repellers do work with mice as garage is free of them now with 2 in there.
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Yeah its brilliant in the summer months.
Mice prefer to be out side just like us :D
Very wet and very cold weather will drive them inside though.
but not all homes are graced with their presence :)

Mice do have a higher range of hearing than us,
but of course even a pulse noise they'll soon get used to.
I saw a great experiment once,
A guy I know tests new products on the market.
Both chemical and "environmental"

This guy has a few colonies of wild mice and wild rats.
He placed the sonic devices in a pen with around 100 each mice & rats,
(Separately of course) near the feeding area.
In less than 24 hours they had complexly ignored the devices,
(this also allows for the neophobia )
and continued to do so for the duration ( about a month IIRC) of the test.
That was proof enough for me :)

srichards said:
Flea spray doesn't work on them though. It is supposed to but I've blasted big ones with it and they just saunter off!
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Insecticides rarely, if ever, work on arachnids ;)
 
Can said it worked on spiders! It even had COSHH info on it so I assumed it was reasonable.

Mice haven't been in during the winter either... I've got the repellers with variable frequencies. The static ones definitely don't work. Did your friend try those as well?

They don't seem repelled by cats :/
 
srichards said:
Can said it worked on spiders! It even had COSHH info on it so I assumed it was reasonable.

Mice haven't been in during the winter either... I've got the repellers with variable frequencies. The static ones definitely don't work. Did your friend try those as well?
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As above, not all homes have mice ;)

He tried a few types, before they were given "type approval"
God knows how they got on the market though ;)
Still, if people are willing to pay, companies are willing to sell :)

Well anyway, having saved the life of a few more spiders & mice :D

Back on track.
I'm really surprised that no one has mentioned Dyson.
up right, with a flexi hose and various attachments, neatly stored in the appliance,
Yep it does lift the carpet.

Un clip the "dust collector" at the slide of a button, take the cylinder to the dustbin,
pull the little trigger at the top, and the bottom flips open releasing all the debris.
The filters are washable, (but will eventually fall apart).
and are dead easy to change.

One on the side, slide out the carrier and remove filter.
The other is under the dust collecting cylinder, once you remove this, lift up the flap and remove the filter.
Its so simple even a man I can do it.

The the dust collecting cylinder comes apart so easy, if you want to rinse that out too.
Top comes off, rinse and re-fit.
 
srichards said:
Can said it worked on spiders! It even had COSHH info on it so I assumed it was reasonable.
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Ah yes but it needs a COSHS rating :D
They have to put all that info, if they are recommending using it on spiders.
Just because they say it can be, it doesn't mean it works though.

It also works both ways,
Having been killing / controlling "stuff" for well over 20 years.
I know Chemicals, that will kill things other than the specified target species.

But you're not allowed to use them for that purpose, as they are not listed on the product data sheet
or indeed the Coshh sheets.
 
Looking at essential oil killers now :). Lavender, citrus and tea tree are supposed to be spider killers. Peppermint repels them and supposedly mice as well. Could he test that please :D

I've poopooed dyson as they're over priced and the one I tried wasn't up to much.

Will have to get rid of the ivy as well as that attracts spiders. Keep forgetting to chop it down.

Vax dustbin is most likely I think.
 
srichards said:
Looking at essential oil killers now :). Lavender, citrus and tea tree are supposed to be spider killers. Peppermint repels them and supposedly mice as well. Could he test that please :D
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LOL sorry but he is employed / sub contracted by drug companies.
I doubt that the likes of Bayer would be to impressed if he started checking out the homoeopathic products :D

However I will give you a heads up if you want to try the natural route.
look for something with pyrethrum in it, not pyrethrins,
as this is synthetic pyrethrum. Although it does still work well.

Pyrethrum is natures defence against insects and spiders.
Its "produced" by Chrysanthemums and daisy family of plants.
In its pure forum its bloody good against stings and bites too.
Very expensive and hard to come by these days though.
I always used to carry a tube of it.


srichards said:
I've poopooed dyson as they're over priced and the one I tried wasn't up to much.
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I agree they are over priced, but my present one, for must be over 10 years now,
still works very well.
Did you try the modern ones or the old classic type?
That's what I have. without looking I thing its a DC07 (yellow and grey)
And the warranty is excellent 5 years I believe.
No quibble. the couple of times I had trouble with the previous one to this, they
sent a courier to collect it, refurbished the whole thing, not just the "issue"
and sent it back in less than a week :)


srichards said:
Will have to get rid of the ivy as well as that attracts spiders. Keep forgetting to chop it down.
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:rolleyes:
Its a bit like people complaining that they keep seeing rats,
particularly in the cold weather,
while they they are feeding the birds and leaving spilt grain on the floor.
Or they have chickens and throw food around everywhere.
Its like a personal invite to an all you can eat buffet :D

Yes get shot of the Ivy.
It provides cover, and a food source
(the insects that also hide in it)

A lot of pest control is about barriers,
do you know where or how the are getting in?
Air brick? gaps in, that is under window sills?
Pipe work going to the outside, through brick work, that is not sealed properly?
That is upstairs as well as down.

This is the type of thing you are looking for,
and treat these area's. Not where you see the spiders.
They are long gone before you have put anything down ;)
 
I haved 2 vacuum cleaners in the last 16 years and they are Dyson and one is still going strong. So for me Dyson
 
Gave up on "beats as it sweeps as it cleans" type vacuum cleaners and went down the laminate flooring and a Henry route. Stil got carpets upstairs though and it does a good job on them too. Mrs Nod's studio is carpeted and she's got a Henry down there too (after 2 uprights crapped out in under 12 months [domestic machines]).
 
I reckon some of them are using the cat flap...

I think the vax wet and dry dustbin is probably the sensible choice for now.
 
No one has mentioned Henry either, had them for years and can't fault them including the wet and dry version.

As for spiders, not seen one inside since I moved in, if there are any they must be damned efficient because I've
not seen any flies or other insects inside.
Had a mouse when I first moved in but once that was dispatched nothing else so far:)

(@Cobra Don't you dare say a word )
 
I didn't know you could get a wet and dry henry... I will check those out as well. As much as I like nice looking hoovers a dustbin that does that job might be a more sensible idea :thumbs:
 
There is only one vacuum cleaner (not a Hoover) to buy - and that is Henry. The short round chap with a smiley face.

Don't buy anything with Dyson written on it.


Steve.
 
Gremlin said:
No one has mentioned Henry either, had them for years and can't fault them including the wet and dry version.

As for spiders, not seen one inside since I moved in, if there are any they must be damned efficient because I've
not seen any flies or other insects inside.
Had a mouse when I first moved in but once that was dispatched nothing else so far:)

(@Cobra Don't you dare say a word )
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Post #34, Ingrid. Not tried the wet'n'dry version or the powered head one - didn't know there WAS a powered head one until just now!
 
Anyone got a numatic charles? How long is the standard hose? Is it long enough to leave it at the bottom of the stairs and do the top? It'll be too big to sit on a stair and the current upright I have can't do that either.

The vax has a 10m hose but there seems to be some doubts over build quality.
 
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