The one thing I really regret giving away in our move was our Henry. We had it for 11 years and it was still fine. Sometimes the bags were difficult to get hold of, but they weren't vastly expensive and a set of six or so lasted for long enough for me to forget where I bought them from, so long enough, I think. Oh, and it cost under a hundred pounds.

For our new apartment (hardwood) we survived for a while with just a broom and a mop, but then my husband went out to buy a vacuum for the carpet on the stairs. He was a little worried that he didn't know any of the brands, so I said get something cheap, and whatever you do don't get an upright.

He can back with a Dyson stick. I absolutely hate it. It is awkward and heavy, doesn't get into corners (I am reduced to sweeping underneath things - what is the point!) it has a tubey thing that comes out of the top but is incredibly awkward to use, especially on the stairs. And it was expensive ($350 or so). The suck is ridiculous. I can't use it on one of the rugs because it tries to suck it up! The rolley thing is especially crap, as last time I used it it got hold of one of the phone chargers, and not only sucked it up, but ripped it to shreds. And yet it can't pick up bits of paper or Nerds.

Grr. I think it is incredibly badly designed. I might even get a Henry sent over! Nice cheery smile that's what I need for housework!

Bags can be a pain. We bought the cheapest little canister job we could find at Sears because that is all we need. Sears does not stock the bags in-store, nor does it sell them through its online catalogue. I have to sit for ages waiting for customer service to answer my valued call. I buy in bulk these days.

I have an Orek which I bought at great expense here in Scotland for about £400 and it will be the only electrical appliance that I am planning to take with me when I get the green light. I e-mailed their customer helpline and was assured I could buy a suitable adapter in Canada so that's one problem solved

Seriously

Iaink mentioned it earlier consider the Roomba

We had one and have never looked back, we only bring out the normal vac to do stairs, hard get places and furniture maybe every 4 weeks
Its seems to do a better job even than the Dyson (rigged to work on a 220v circuit) as its a cross between a sweeper and a vacuum
Some units can even be programmed when to vacuum
and it works just as well as a brush on solid flooring too......

We bought a Miele after a year struggling with a crap Bissell thing.
I love the Miele, expensive, cost $750 but I think worth it.

When we moved into our house here, they already had the built in one, it's ok and I do use it, but get the Miele out for a good clean.

Linda

Wow... who knew that lurking in BE was an obsession with vacuum cleaners!

I have a live-and-let-live relationship with dust. I don't bother it, it don't bother me.

I have an Easy-Flo central vac and have started to hate with a passion. I'm guessing its about 14 yrs old and comes with about 30ft of hose covered in its own quilt. Its a serious pain....plugging and re-plugging in and in some areas of the house the carpet attachment don't want to work (can't understand that). I'll be halfway through vacuuming and the thing will turn itself off....sometimes will restart if i'm lucky. OH doesn't seem to understand my frustration with it and says we'll just get it serviced. I don't think so! I'm also looking into getting a regular vac but need something reliable and with good suck. Fed up with having to get down on my hands and knees and give the carpets a good rub to get up the dog hairs. My dogs seem to know when i've been over the carpets as the first thing they do when their let in is have a good ole roll around. I used to have an upright Dyson and miss it.
Is the suction compromised here by the lower voltage? I also need to find a good carpet washer (had a bissell pro-heat in uk) any suggestions?

Just back from the vacuum cleaner shop. The man in there suggested a Sanitaire Commercial Multipro for 299.99. It looks like it will do the job, narrow and low enough at the front to go under things, long hose, and flex. Just such an odd name, but whats in a name.

He agreed that upright is the way to go for carpets. That sounds strange but good.

I didnt buy the thing but will think about it.

It used to be washing machines and washing powder. We've evolved.

Hey how are you?
Glad i'm not having too many visitors at the moment as having to put up with a hairy house. What do you use to clean up after Scooby - as you know I have double trouble and both are shredding like mad.
Must meet up soon for that coffee eh!...

Home with sick toddler who has just gone to sleep - pop over if you want!

Shame you're not in Canada yet - I'd have taken it off your hands - seriously! What model is it? I've not seen any Dyson's up here for anything close to that price, but then I know that exactly the same appliences, etc, are usually far cheaper in the US...

Yikes, no vacuum is worth that much, even a Filter Queen! I had no idea I owned something so valuable! IIRC, I paid about $300 for it back in 1977, and thought it was an insane price then. I bought my daughter a re-built one from a local vacuum shop, and she's still using it nearly 15 years on, and it's only had brushes and belts replaced, in the power head.

MIELE is the only way to go, quiet, good sucking power and does the job. Price ranges are medium, but worth it. You can get them at The Bay, those stores are all over the place.

Sorted! Just bought a Rigid shop vac. With a number 3 or even better 5 filter, they can be used for cleaning out (cold) fireplaces and BBQ's! (say's so on the box!)

Have just whacked out a weeks worth of ash from the stove.... gone in 5 seconds! Not even a smell of ash from the vac. Much cleaner than dumping shovels full of ash into a bucket! Worth every penny, already!