<p>Dyson fans:
When we had our new carpet installed, we were cautioned that Dysons could actually pull the pile out of the carpet. I was surprised, because this was definitely not “cheap” carpet. Has anyone experienced this?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Thanks for the all the suggestions. I went to my local mom-and-pop vacuum store today to look at various models–Dyson, Miele, etc. Asked the owner what he thinks is the best machine and he recommended a Sebo vacuum. (It comes in canister and upright models.) It has the hepa features like Miele, very long cord, big bag for debris, and great suction. It’s slightly cheaper than the top-of-the-line Miele. Company is German and apparently its vacuums are used in nursing homes and hospitals and it’s only recently that the company got into the residential vacuum market. I’m leaning toward buying it, but I don’t know anyone who’s heard of it or has one. I did check on-line consumer reviews and it gets really good reviews, especially from the allergy websites. Does anyone here have one or know someone who does?</p>
<p>Bromfield: I’m just cynical enough to wonder whether the owner is getting better margins or an incentive from the manufacturer. If it’s a new line to him, he has no real experience with its long-term reliability, so if it were me, I’d ask for an extended warranty of some kind.</p>
<p>mafool: I’m absolutely positive that the pieces of carpet pile that I occasionally find in the dust bin of my Dyson were pulled out of the carpet by my cats, and the Dyson just picked them up 
My carperts have been Dysoned for 5 years or so, and still look great.</p>
<p>I looked up Dyson’s claims that their vacuums are certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation - yup, true:</p>
<p>[Vacuum</a> Cleaners](<a href=“http://www.asthmaandallergyfriendly.com/find-certified-products.html?page=shop.browse&category_id=9]Vacuum”>http://www.asthmaandallergyfriendly.com/find-certified-products.html?page=shop.browse&category_id=9)</p>
<p>One LG model is listed, too.</p>
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<p>I’ve used my Dyson on carpet in two different houses (one had Berber and the other had brand new, relatively expensive pile) - never had an issue with it pulling out carpet pile.</p>
<p>It does collect a ton of dog hair and dust though.</p>
<p>Thank you, MomLive and Bunsen!</p>
<p>I don’t know when/what I will do what! I have an ancient FilterQueen that still performs admirably. But I think I am ready to have an upstairs vacuum and a downstairs vacuum. Upstairs is 80% hardwood with orientals. Downstairs is 80% carpet. Our house was built when wall-to-wall carpet was expensive and a status symbol, so the cheap stuff: oak, was relegated to the second floor!</p>
<p>I have two old Miele’s, an upright for upstairs and a “broom” for downstairs. Both are starting to fade so I am looking for the next best thing. We have carpet, hardwood floors and ceramic tile in the baths. We also two Westies and some black area rugs (white hair needs to vacuumed off these rugs at least twice a week). </p>
<p>I have looked at the Dyson but I really worry about bagless vacuums. I don’t want to have to empty out the filled cannisters and have all that debris and god knows what else airborne. What about if you get a Flea infestation or someone gets head lice (that happened in our home about 12 years ago and we had to vacuum everyday for about a month)…don’t you WANT a bag to THROW away? How do you all deal with these issues? My daughter and husband have severe dust allergies. My current Miele’s are equipt with the optional HEPA filters. I can see why I would want a vacuum that picks up more of the fur, dander, and dust but who dumps it out and how do you do it without causing a bigger problem?</p>
<p>Seiclan, I have awful allergies but have never ran into an issue dumping the vacuum. I take the canister off the vacuum, take it outside, and dump it in my outside garbage can. That way there aren’t any dust particles floating around my house. My vacuum compresses all the dust into a firm “ball” that way it’s not 435345 loose things in there. It just dumps out in one heap and is ready to be put back on again. I much prefer it to my mothers electrolux. She’s had hers for about 25 years, and can’t complain because it works well, but I can’t tell you how many times as a kid I’d be vacuuming and it would pop open with a full bag and we would be out and have to go get new ones. With mine, I just go dump it and keep on going. Prior to this one I had a cheaper kenmore, which I had for about 7 or 8 years. It was awful. Let me repeat, awful. I’d have to re-vacuum each room like five times to get it clean. So this time around, I decided to fork out some extra money in hopes of getting a nice one that would last.</p>
<p>I was inspired by this thread, and bought a Dyson at Costco yesterday. I assembled it this morning, and vacuumed three “clean” carpets. OMG! What a revelation. I might just join Merry Maids so I can use it all day long. The canister was filled with debris.</p>
<p>Just put my still-working Hoover out on the curb for someone to cart away.</p>
<p>Went ahead and bought the Sebo vac today–it’s got a 5 year warranty on the motor, while the top-of-the-line Miele had only a 1 year warranty. Hopefully, the shop owner wasn’t pushing it because he gets better margins than with the Miele. He said he’s been carrying this brand for a year and hasn’t had any complaints or returns.</p>
<p>Jazzdrummum - Which Dyson did you get? The website lists that Costco carries two models, the DC 17 Absolute Animal for $379.99 or the Dyson DC25 Animal Ball
Upright Vacuum for $549.99.</p>
<p>Several years ago I had a bagless vacuum. Never again. When I dumped/cleaned the canister, there was no way to avoid getting particles in the air–I’d have to tap it on the side of the garbage can to get the dirt out. Bleh. And cleaning the filter was a pain, too. Bags are much easier and more sanitary, IMO. I just keep stocked up on the bags.</p>
<p>Once when I was renting a furnished house, Kirby salesmen came by. Though I told them immediately I wasn’t buying, they offered to vacuum rugs/furniture as a demonstration.
With the amount of “stuff” coming out of the (owner’s antique) rugs and furniture, and the EXTREMELY powerful suction, I was certain that this machine was doing some damage. (I didn’t tell the owner. . .) Also, the salesmen were so persistent and just wouldn’t leave–for like, 4 hours! It got sort of scary. I was starting to wonder what drugs they were on. All my kids were there watching as they kept vacuuming more and more stuff–couches, mattresses, etc. The “Kirby Guys” are legendary in my family ;)</p>
<p>Seiclan,
It is the Dyson DC 14 All Floors. I went to Costco with the intention of getting the DC 17 from the website. They had the DC 14 and one of the higher priced Animal models. Cost was $319.99</p>
<p>Bromfield, I’ve had a SEBO upright 2 years now and have been happy with it. It is a little heavy but keeps my arm strong. I have 2 dogs and 1 cat and it works well on floors and carpets. I also found mine in a mom & pop shop and it was a good value compared to the other well known top models.</p>
<p>Ok, I purchased the Dyson Absolute Animal from Costco online and it was delivered a few days ago. Just tried it yesterday on carpets that were professionally cleaned on Thursday and OMG, my bedroom carpet alone filled the cannister with grey hair and fibers (hopefully not my carpet tho). It is a revelation. My costco upright came with a bunch of attachments that I cannot seem to figure out what they are for (no info online or in the packaging. I did identify one as being a mini turbine head but the other two…no clue? Also, has anyone tried the Zorb carpet maintenance powder yet?</p>
<p>We have a Kirby that we bought used before my DS was born… yes the same one that is now a college Junior. It has to be close to 30 years old - and still sucks :)</p>
<p>If I were looking for a new machine - I’d try to find an old Kirby…</p>
<p>Bumping this thread up, since I just got the Dyson and would like to know about the Zorb carpet cleaner that came in the package (from costco). Anyone here ever use it? It it safe if you have pets? Anyone try the dyson carpet spot cleaner either? I have not yet tried the Dyson vacuum on my hardwood floors. I am a bit concerned that it will damage them, even with the beater brush turned off, any opinions?</p>
<p>I noticed that SEARS HAS A FLYER SHOWING 30% OFF CANISTER VACUUMS COUPON (3/10 to 3/17). </p>
<p>We spent several months contemplating a new vaccuum. Our old upright and our even older canister models both seemed ineffective, but we were not sure what type to get. We have carpet (including stairs), hardwood, and linoleum floors.</p>
<p>We ended up with the Kenmore 21614 Progressive canister Purple for under $300 (sale price). It has a HEPA filter and a small extra powerhead for stairs and upholstery. So far we are pretty happy with it. Unlike our old canister, you don’t have to disconnect any power cable when removing the power head. And a nice thing is there is a mini brush already installed at the end of the tube when you do. Initially I though it was missing a crevice tool, but it is mounted on the tube. </p>
<p>Consumer reports rated the Kenmore Canister Vacuum Cleaner Blue (28014) a little better, and we liked it a little better… but we could not justify the extra $200+ and the more expensive extended warranty. Usually we don’t do extended warranty, but it this case we decided it was justified - I think it was $75 for 5 years. </p>
<p>For the hardwood kitchen floor, I remove the power head and use a different wide head. Supposedly you can just turn off the power head, but I have not tried that. </p>
<p>We originally started shopping with a Dyson in mind. But reviews and feedback from friends revealed breakage issues (possibly the case with all vaccuums). It we had done the Dyson, we would have gotten the extended warranty. Also we didn’t like the mess with the bagless (the salepeople advise you to walk right to the outside trash with it) . Also the suggestion is to clean the filters often … which must be VERY dry when reinstalled. A bagless model would be more “green” (and save the expense of bags)… so I do see the appeal. </p>
<p>Just thought I’d add my update while Sears has this good sale running.</p>
<p>Hooray… hauling off the old vacuums to charity today (they work better than no vacuum, just not great)!</p>
<p>Just adding an update now that we’ve had the Sears purple canister (see post #38) for a while. One thing I liked about Sears is that there is a 30 day return policy (possibly true at other stores too)… but we’ve decided this one is a keeper. We had been avoiding vacuuming with the old/weary models, but not so much now.</p>
<p>I’ll add more feedback, not just as an endorsement of this model but to point out various selection factors. </p>
<p>Initially our major concern was lack of crevice tool, but we found it mounted on the handle. It could be a little easier to remove/re-install, but it is great that all tools are on-board. </p>
<p>The mini power head tool has been excellent for couches and stairs. It would be awesome for pet hair on furniture. </p>
<p>The non-power head attachment makes quick work of vacuuming the kitchen hardwood floor. The pricier blue Sears model (well reviewed by Consumer Reports) would have made the switch easier (it detaches from power head), but we could not justify extra $200+.</p>
<p>The mini-brush on the tube has been handy. At first detach was very hard, but getting easier. I was embarrassed to see how much cruddy dirt/dust we had on white metal wall return register grates… and I happily sucked it all up in about 10 seconds. </p>
<p>I like having a power switch on the handle. My mom bought a similar Pansonic canister online recently, and she likes this feature too. </p>
<p>The canister is light and rolls around nicely. I adore the extra long power cord, with the retract/wind-in feature.</p>