I'm going to be purchasing a vacuum cleaner for our church and I was hoping for some recommendations. I don't know if it is really necessary to get a commercial vaccum cleaner or if a really nice residential type would be sufficient. It's not a large church, but it does have an upstairs, so we don't want it to be too heavy for hauling up and down the stairs. It also needs to go from carpet to tile easily as we have both. I'm trying to limit it to the $300-$400 range. I was looking at the Orecks, but their commercial ones are so expensive. I wondered if the regular old classic would do. I've also heard good things about Dyson, but they seem so big and heavy. Any suggestions out there? Anyone maybe have a small business and have found something they are happy with?
There is a sew and vac store in Cary in South Hills Mall..the owner there does repairs and he also sells them. He will help you more on what you will need. My family has known him for years, I have never gotten anything from him, I just know him from my parents store being in the same mall. Worth calling or something. sheri
I bought my Oreck around April and I love it!!!!! I have just the regular Oreck XL and I got a hand vac, cordless iron and 6 yearly check ups to go with it all for about $400. I have a two story house so the hand vac is great for the stairs (and the cars). It is amazing how much it picks up. Every time we vacuum it leaves marks on the carpet that look like we just steam cleaned. It goes from carpet to linoleum (?) or wood floors very easy. It is light weight (only 8lbs I think). I bought mine from QVC, but there is an Oreck store in Crossroads in Cary and they are the nicest people. The hand vac was used so much and it picks up so much that I ran out of the 3 bags I got with it and had to go buy more. I would recommend this vacuum to everyone!!!
Ok, had to go look it up on QVC. I have the Oreck XL Shield vacuum w/Microban. Here is the description from QVC: Find out what clean really means. The powerful, lightweight XL Shield upright vacuum cleaner from Oreck provides outstanding filtration. It's treated with Microban, an antimicrobial agent, on the handle, baseplate, and bag dock to inhibit the growth of mold, bacteria, and mildew on their surfaces. With a nine-layer filtered bag system featuring a layer of odor-absorbing charcoal, the XL Shield helps eliminate unpleasant odors as it cleans. The four-layer inner bag is up to seven times more effective at capturing odors than Oreck's traditional paper bag, and, along with the five-layer hypoallergenic outer bag, it helps ensure dirt stays trapped so you can dust less. The included canister vacuum makes it a cinch to clean those previously hard-to-reach places. With two extension wands, it boasts a flexible 3'5"L hose and a shoulder strap for easy carrying. Great for stairs, furniture, or the car, it helps complete your clean impression. And for your curtains, linens, and clothing, the innovative, full-sized iron is here to drive away wrinkles. It's equipped with an ergonomic handle and can be used with or without the included cord for reliable performance that goes the distance. From Oreck. The upright comes with six annual tune-ups to be performed at any Oreck Home Clean Center or authorized Oreck Service Center. Includes Oreck XL Shield upright vacuum, canister vacuum, and cordless iron Upright: one pre-installed odor-fighting bag and one Oreck challenge bag Canister: 3'5"L flexible hose, bare floor/wall tool, crevice tool, fabric tool, tool adapter, dusting brush, strap, two extension wands, and two filter bags Microban protection on upright's handle, baseplate, and bag dock Five-layer hypoallergenic outer bag Four-layer odor-fighting inner bag with charcoal Ergonomic helping hand handle Incandescent front lights Captures dust and allergen particles measuring 0.3 microns and larger Carpet and Rug Institute approved Arthritis Foundation Ease-of-Use Commendation Measurements: Upright 48"H x 12-1/2"W x 9-1/4"L; Canister 14-1/2"W x 8-1/2"H x 5"L; Iron 12"W x 4-3/4"H x 5-3/4"L Upright: UL listed; 6-year Limited Manufacturer's Warranty Canister: ETL listed; 3-year Limited Manufacturer's Warranty Iron: ETL listed; 2-year Limited Manufacturer's Warranty Iron made in China; Upright and Canister made in USA If you go to oreck.com it says their vacuums weigh between 8 and 9lbs. I have two dogs...one with very short hair and the other with longer hair, plus two teenage boys...I have light colored carpeting and it is amazing the job it does. I have never spent this much on a vacuum and never thought I would but I got tired of paying $100 every year or year and a half. This one is on easy pay right now too.
Oreck I have to agree with the Oreck XL. I have a zoo at my house--dogs, cats, birds...--and I love my Oreck. Light enough to carry up and down the stairs and powerful enough to pick up scattered bird pellets.
Consumer Reports rates the Kenmore's as one of the best all around. It sounds like a canister would work the best for the variety of surfaces and elevations. And it would fit your price range.
I've always had Kenmore ... basic model. I loved them until I recently bought a Bissel Pet Eraser. It is astounding how much more it picks up than the Kenmore did.
I have the Dyson "Animal" purple for over 4 yrs now and not one problem or complaint. I would buy another. No nasty vacuum smell either.
Thanks for all of the replies! To those of you with Dysons, are they all heavy? I picked up a few at the store and they were way too heavy to be lugged up and down stairs. That is a big factor here. And to those of you with the regular Orecks, do you feel they can handle the type of use I'm describing without having to upgrade to the commercial ones? Thanks for all the input!!
That sounds like my house, and I have burned out 3 vacs this year. I always sweep up the bigger stuff from the birds and I still burn out the vacs. sheri
The Oreck XL's are 8-9lbs depending on which model of the XL that you get. I have a 2000sqft house that I vacuum about 3 - 4 times a week upstairs and downstairs and it still works as well 6 months later as the day I bought it. Without knowing the sq footage of the church or how often it would be used, it is hard to say whether it would work or not.
Probably not affordable, but one thing you could do is buy two of them. One for upstairs and one for downstairs.
You should base your choice on often and how much dirt it will be picking up. If you'll be using it daily and picking up dirt from a lot of foot traffic, you'll need a commercial vacuum because they have metal parts inside, rather than plastic. Be careful of the Oreck, even the commercial version may have plastic parts. I've purchased Oreck (but may have been home version) for heavy foot traffic areas. Each one would last about 60 days and have to be replaced because of lost suction. If you'll only be picking up small amounts of dirt, then a household model should work well for you. I've never used a Dyson, or looked inside them. There is a chance that even though it appears plastic, it may be more durable because it may have a different type of intake design. You may want to do google search, I'm sure there's some feedback on them.
We have the Kenmoore Progressive... It was a consumer report top vacuum and we are very happy with our purchase!! It works great and they are on sale this week at Sears too!!! ($90 off) http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02035922000P?adCell=A3
Well, like I said we have the dyson and would get another. We have 2 boxers had 3 cats (2 now) and a parrot and no problems at all. What is also nice is they have a clutch or safety in the brush. If you happen to go over something like a lightweight carpet or curtain. The brushes will stop if it gets pulled into it. As for power/suction. We have those heavy rubber backed rugs in the bathroom and you have to keep your foot on them to keep it from pulling/pushing the rug across the floor. As for weight, I don't think you will find anything really light that is going to be dependable. Dyson does have a pretty good website for more info.
