Way off topic - Vacuum Cleaners

Shadowfax

Shadowfax

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May 8, 2013
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Location
Bucks County PA
Last month my trusty 20 y/o Kenmore Vacuum Cleaner bit the dust, literally. I am not a big fan of the newer Bag-less models and I also wanted lightweight in order to so the steps with ease. Many models don't even turn the vacuum part on until the handle is unlatched so that ruled out many. I also did not require a bunch of attachments hanging off of the cleaner, if I need attachments I can get the shop-vac out.

After reading lots of reviews and my standard week long Internet Searching, I decided to get the Soniclean VT-Plus. It is very lightweight, uses a hepa-filter bag and comes with deodorizing pods that drop in under the bag so your house does not smell like feet while you clean.

The unit comes with an ultrasonic pad behind the brush mechanism that is supposed to excite the dirt particles allowing them to be sucked up more efficiently. The theory is good if you have ever used an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner. It can be turned off when cleaning hard floors.

I got it 2 weeks ago and if it lasts half as long as my old one did, I will be happy. So easy to use, carry, and deal with the bag. The extra long cord is also nice. I can plug it in in my upstairs hallway and vacuum all 4 bedrooms and closets without changing outlets.

For anyone who needs to get a decent simple light Vacuum Cleaner, I highly recommend the Soniclean units.

soniclean.jpg
 
Brian,

Will the front end fit under a standard toe-kick on kitchen and bathroom cabinets? One of my complaints against uprights is they won't vacuum under a toe-kick or under the edges of beds.

FYI, I have a Dyson and, IMO, you were smart to pass it by.
 
Hmm, never heard of this thing. Interesting. I have a Eureka that kicks butt, it's bagless and an upright and not lightweight, but then again I'm on one level, so no stairs to drag it up, etc. I didn't think I'd like the bagless thing, but you get used to it. What I don't like is the maintenance, one has to clean all these filters often. On mine it's not too bad except for the main filter with the two parts and foam pad insert...PITA to clean. The bagless container filter and HEPA are easy.
That said though I'd be interested to see how this thing works.

As for the ultra sonic pad exciting the dirt..perhaps certain types of music might do the same thing...LOL! Yes, you can entertain the dirt before you vacuum it up, it won't know what hit it it will be busy being excited. Just a silly theory, because music gets me excited and I'm not that different from dirt. Well, ok, I do shower daily.:lol:
 
Dizzie said:
Brian,

Will the front end fit under a standard toe-kick on kitchen and bathroom cabinets? One of my complaints against uprights is they won't vacuum under a toe-kick or under the edges of beds.

FYI, I have a Dyson and, IMO, you were smart to pass it by.
Click to expand...

Dizzie,

I pulled it out last night to check. It went under my standard kitchen cabinets all the way and I know it gets under the edges of the beds.

I also got out the ruler and measured the front end. Since it is tapered, what I looked at is that at 3" back from the front, it is 3" high and slowly tapers up from there further. It will also click into a completely flat position to get way under things it can fit.
 
MDP said:
How's the suction Brian ?
Click to expand...

I am pretty impressed with what it does. The brushes are also strong enough to get 20 y/o compressed areas to stand back up. My house is pretty clean. No kids or pets and most things away and in their place. I vacuum once a week. It has left nothing behind after 1 back and forth swipe of any area.
 
Brian,

Thanks for checking. The information is very helpful. Neat feature that it folds flat to get under things. My old canister vacuum had a motorized head that was low profile with a handle that folded flat. I miss that feature on my Dyson. The front end is like a Mack truck.

Shadowfax said:
Dizzie,

I pulled it out last night to check. It went under my standard kitchen cabinets all the way and I know it gets under the edges of the beds.

I also got out the ruler and measured the front end. Since it is tapered, what I looked at is that at 3" back from the front, it is 3" high and slowly tapers up from there further. It will also click into a completely flat position to get way under things it can fit.
Click to expand...
 
Shadow, does it use tubes and what amplifier does it use?:)

My wife has a vacuum cleaner fetish. I think we own 5 or 6. We have a higher end Oreck which I like for the pet hair. And a Meile for a cannister with hose attachments. All our vacuums are quiet as I use to work days, evenings and nights so I needed it quiet during the day.
 
Mechnutt said:
Shadow, does it use tubes and what amplifier does it use?:)

My wife has a vacuum cleaner fetish. I think we own 5 or 6. We have a higher end Oreck which I like for the pet hair. And a Meile for a cannister with hose attachments. All our vacuums are quiet as I use to work days, evenings and nights so I needed it quiet during the day.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately it is all Solid State and does not have that life like sound of Tubes. Oddly, the only real negative complaints that I read was that is was loud. I guess that is all relative as my old Kenmore must have been dying for a while and was loud enough to wish I was wearing shooting muffs near the end.

It is mostly plastic and has a slight vibration on the backstroke on some of my carpets. I can deal with all the negatives of this unit because of all the positives it has such as size, weight, cord length, performance, and filter bags.

When we moved to this house, I had an even older Hoover that just ended up in the closet 20 years ago. When the Kenmore died, I pulled the hoover out expecting to finish the job but it smoked out as soon as I turned it on.

I then found I had my In-Laws older self propelled bagless jobber in the attic. I brought that heavy behemoth down to use while waiting for the Soniclean. Then I realized why it was up there. The on-off switch was broken so as soon as it was plugged in it was on. It also dis-engaged the vacuum when the handle was upright so you can't do steps. The self propel portion had a friggin mind of it's own and was really hard to control.

By the way, for anyone interested, the best place to buy this is at Bed Bath & Beyond with one of the thousands of 20% Off coupons they send in the mail each week. On top of that, Discover gave me another 5% cash back on BB$B purchases this quarter so I ended up getting it ordered at the store and delivered to my home in 3 days for under $200.
 
Brian,

Are you saying BB&B does not carry the vacuum in the store? I always like hands on before I buy. Maybe they would allow me to clean up aisle 6 to see how the vacuum works. ;)

How much are bags and do they carry them in the store?
 
Dizzie said:
Brian,

Are you saying BB&B does not carry the vacuum in the store? I always like hands on before I buy. Maybe they would allow me to clean up aisle 6 to see how the vacuum works. ;)

How much are bags and do they carry them in the store?
Click to expand...

I am the same as you and hate to buy things I cannot first touch. I took a chance but glad I did.

Our store did not have one in stock, but they have a liberal return policy, even if delivered to your home. Just take it back to the store.

It comes with 8 bags and 8 pods, which will probably last me a few years. The bags are easily had online when needed.

Just looked, BB&B sells 8 Bags for $16.99 and Free Shipping

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/sto...and_vacuums_&gclid=CIXV8Ni-9L0CFbBj7AodrVoAfg
 
My local store does not carry either the vacuum or replacement bags.

How bad does the stink pod smell? I always hate what some lab rat thinks "fresh" smells like. I assume using them is optional. All my soaps and detergents are fragrance free.
 
Curious--Is anyone else finding Soniclean ads displaying at the top and sides of AudioShark? I am wondering if they keyed off of the site or because I did an internet search and looked at them on BB&B online.
 
Dizzie said:
My local store does not carry either the vacuum or replacement bags.

How bad does the stink pod smell? I always hate what some lab rat thinks "fresh" smells like. I assume using them is optional. All my soaps and detergents are fragrance free.
Click to expand...


The pods actually don't smell all that bad, but they don't even have to be used. Its more to tame the smell of what gets sucked into the bag than for the carpet itself.
 
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