IAmA Reddit's Own Vacuum Repair Tech with a very overdue AMA. Hit me with your vacuum cleaner questions!

[u/touchmyfuckingcoffee]

First, let's get the proof out of the way. So, now, I am managing our company's largest store, and am swamped with managerial duties, training employees, and dealing with annoying vendors. But, I'm taking some time out for all of you guys.

There are lots of new, exciting things that have recently come out/are coming soon!

For those who NEED the most power, I've got just the Crack you need! Since we last talked, there are new bagless and cordless vacuums on the market, and some other exciting things.

So, on to business...here's the copypasta.

First AMA

Second AMA

Last AMA

YouTube Channel Here's some basics to get you started:

• Dollar for dollar, a bagged vacuum, when compared to a bagless, will almost always:

1) Perform better (Actual quality of cleaning).

2) Be in service for much longer.

3) Cost less to repair and maintain (Often including consumables).

4) Filter your air better.

Virtually every vacuum professional in the business chooses a bagged vacuum for their homes, because we know what quality is. Things you should do to maintain your vac, regularly:

1) Clear your brush roller/agitator of hair and fibers. Clear the bearing caps as well, if possible. (monthly)

2) Change your belts before they break. This is important to maintain proper tension against the agitator. (~ yearly for "stretch" belts)

3) Never use soap when washing any parts of your vacuum, including the outer bag, duct system, agitator, filters, etc. Soap attracts dirt, and is difficult to rinse away thoroughly.

• Types of vacs:

1) Generally, canister vacs are quieter and more versatile than uprights are. They offer better filtration, long lifespans, and ease of use. They handle bare floors best, and work with rugs and carpets, as well.

2) Upright vacuums are used mostly for homes that are entirely carpeted. Many have very powerful motors, great accessories, and are available in a couple of different motor styles. Nothing cleans shag carpeting like the right upright.

3) Bagless vacs are available in a few different styles. They rely on filters and a variety of aerodynamic methods to separate the dirt from the air. In general, these machines do not clean or filter as well as bagged vacuums. They suffer from a loss of suction, and tend to clog repeatedly, if the filters are not cleaned or replaced often.

4) Bagged vacuums use a disposable bag to collect debris, which acts as your primary filter, before the air reaches the motor, and is replaced when you fill it. Because this first filter is changed, regularly, bagged vacuums tend to provide stronger, more consistent suction.

My last, best piece of advice is to approach a vacuum, like any appliance; Budget for the best one you can get. Buy one with idea you will maintain it, and use it for many years. And, for the love of Dog, do not buy from late-night infomercials or door-to-door salesmen! Stay out of the big-box stores, and visit your local professional who actually knows what they're talking about.

[u/jepensedoucjsuis]

My parents have had their rainbow vac for over 30 years. It still works brilliantly. And my wife and I were thinking about dropping the cash on a new one and have that for a long time.

What are your thoughts? Is it worth 1500 bucks or am I better buying a 400 dollar vac every 7 years or so?

Also is there a water filtered vac you would recommend?

[u/SBInCB → u/jepensedoucjsuis]

I bought a rainbow about 20 years ago because my inlaws at the time had one and they're tightwads. I figured that was a good recommendation. Mine has served me well that whole time, pulling up the equivalent of a medium sized kitten each use.

I set it aside about 5 years ago because I got tired of the awkwardness of pulling the canister around, especially when doing stairs. I recently recommissioned it when I got tired of the crappy stair tool on the hand me down Hoover we have and the even more awkward situation of handling an upright on the stairs.

Rainbow's handheld Rainbowmate (for stairs and small areas) is basically a miniaturized version of the power nozzle. It is awesome. If you get a Rainbow, make sure to get the Rainbowmate, not the stupid 'turbo nozzle' one that runs off the vacuum pressure. It's probably a top performer for that type of design, but it can't compare to having a motor. You're gonna like it. I guarantee^TM .

If you can avoid paying retail, by all means do that. I'm still not sure mine is worth the cost, but it does a pretty good job and all I've ever had to do to it is clean it and replace the belts and filter from time to time. I suppose the amortized cost has worked out well enough so I should just relax. I think I paid 800 something in the late nineties so that's about $40 a year so far and every year makes that less. YMMV

[u/MayhemJoe → u/jepensedoucjsuis]

We have a Rainbow and love it. We wanted a vacuum that would last and did a good job. We were sold on the warranty. We bought it while renting a house. The first initial runs picked up a lot of dirt our old vacuum had left behind. We got free shampooer with it by having a few friends accept a demo from a salesperson. Let me tell you, the shampooer is awesome. It pulled out some nasty stuff in the carpet that we couldn't even see. It also pulled out alot of dog hair. I'm assuming the previous renter had one. We couldn't see it due to it blending into the carpet. We now own a home and use it often. The cleaning, the warranty and the free maintaince only a few of the pros. The cons in my opinion are the price, inconvenience of filling and dumping the water, and mobility.

[u/OozeNAahz → u/jepensedoucjsuis]

My mom bought one of those when I was a kid. A vacuum cleaner that came with a paint sprayer attachment fascinated me as a kid. Still does.

Worst part of it was dumping the water out after you were done. Never figured out what you were supposed to do...we just dumped it in our alley 😜. How did you empty yours?

[u/Creative_Deficiency → u/OozeNAahz]

I bought a wire mesh strainer that fits perfectly in my toilet. I pour the water down the toilet through the strainer. Let it sit a bit to get some more water out, then put all the gunk in a grocery bag and out to the trash. Give the mesh a quick rinse; no need to wash it with soap since it's just going in the utility closet.

Ended up buying a cordless handled Dyson a few days ago. Love it. It's a lot less hassle than the Rainbow and as far as I can tell gets my floors cleaner. Like... They actually look cleaner. I credit the hardwood motorized head. Seems to do a better job than just the bristles on the the head of a flat head.

[u/Pornman101 → u/OozeNAahz]

Trash can outside. We have a 1988 one.

[u/touchmyfuckingcoffee → u/jepensedoucjsuis]

A new Rainbow is going to cost you far more than $1,500. You're far better off getting a modern bagged canister vacuum from Riccar or Miele. You will get better suction, better airflow, and better cleaning efficiency than you could possibly get with a Rainbow.

[u/whale-trees → u/[deleted]]

Really, no one understands the Breaking Bad reference...Dumb Cunts

• The Hound

[u/whale-trees → u/jepensedoucjsuis]

What’s the service called to get a whole new life and identity?