Which Vacuum is Easiest to Clean?

Which Vacuum is the Easiest to Clean?

Certain vacuum cleaners are easier to clean than others, but it’s not always that obvious from the reviews which vacuum is easiest to clean. If you’re looking for a vacuum that is simple and straightforward to clean, then this article will help you to find one that is not only easy to take apart and clean, but ALSO meets your other cleaning needs, as well.

If you are trying to decide which model is the best vacuum cleaner for a senior then be sure to check out my review article on The 11 Best Vacuum Cleaners for the Elderly (Seniors).

What are the Factors That Make a Vacuum the Easiest to Clean?

• The ability to take the vacuum cleaner apart easily
• Having few nooks and crannies for dirt and dust to accumulate
• Being able to wash or replace the filter easily
• Being able to remove and wash the dirt cup easily
• Not having a lot of small parts that can be lost when cleaning
• Having a bag to empty versus a dirt holder to clean
• Having a brush design that lowers the potential for hair wrap (esp. for pet owners)

Additional Factors to Consider when Purchasing a Vacuum Cleaner

Just as you wouldn’t buy a car based solely on the mileage it gets,

I wouldn’t recommend buying a vacuum cleaner based on ONLY one data point either.

That does not mean you can’t have ease of cleaning as a MUST-HAVE in your decision making process, but there are other factors to consider as well.

Having answers to these requirements will help you pare down your “best vacuum cleaners” list.

Do you have a preferred TYPE of vacuum cleaner? WHY?

• Cordless vacuum cleaners are lightweight and convenient to use, but they have shorter run times and less dirt holding capacity than other types of vacuum cleaners. Cordless stick vacuums are meant to complement your heavier-duty models like a canister vacuum cleaner or upright vacuum.
• Lightweight upright vacuums are easy to push and have enough range in power to suit anyone’s needs. But they can be hard to use on stairs, especially of you are older or have physical limitations. You can choose a bagless upright vacuum or bagged vacuum.
• Canister vacuums are light to hold while vacuuming, but do require you to pull them around. Same as for upright vacuums, these can be difficult to mange on stairs. Canister vacuums often come with a wide range of attachments to suit almost any need.
• Robot vacuums help get corners and clean under furniture that traditional vacuum cleaner models may not be able to. They are not as powerful as the traditional vacuum cleaners, but being able to program them to run every day is a nice feature.
• A handheld vacuum is meant to ASSIST in cleaning by handling QUICK jobs, as well as getting into hard to reach places. The best vacuum cleaners of this type are typically cordless these days.

Ease of Maneuverability

You’ll also want a vacuum that’s easy to maneuver around your home. To learn more, check out this article entitled Which Vacuum is Easiest to Push?

Who Will Be Using the Vacuum Cleaner?

There are a few reasons why it’s important to know if an elderly person will be using a vacuum cleaner.

Older adults may have difficulty maneuvering a heavy or bulky vacuum cleaner, or even a handheld vacuum, especially if they have arthritis. To learn more check out my article Which Vacuum is Best for Seniors with Arthritis.

Second, they may have vision or hearing impairments that make it difficult to use certain features on a vacuum (e.g., knowing when the dustbin is full).

Finally, some older adults may have cognitive impairments that make it difficult to follow the instructions for using a vacuum cleaner.

For these reasons, it’s important to choose a vacuum cleaner that is lightweight and easy to maneuver, has clear indicators for when the dustbin needs to be emptied, and comes with simple instructions.

How often and how long will you be using the vacuum?

If you have a large home, you’ll need a bigger vacuum. Pets often mean more vacuum time is necessary to get the job done. The same is true if you have a lot of carpeting or hardwood floors; larger upright vacuum cleaners or a canister vacuum will be able to handle more dirt and debris than other types of vacuum cleaners. Cordless vacuums have less than one hour of run time (the typical cordless stick vacuum has much less!) and are not practical for larger whole house cleaning all-in-one-shot.

What type of surfaces will you be cleaning?

The best vacuum cleaners don’t necessarily perform well on all floors. So, read the fine print, as some great products are meant for all floor types.

What are your specific needs and wants?

• Example: If you have allergies, you’ll likely want a vacuum that has a HEPA filter, to remove and hold the smallest dirt and allergen causing particles INSIDE the vacuum cleaner, rather than exiting them back out into your house.
• If pet owners, you’ll likely want to make sure to get a vacuum that not only has a HEPA filter, but also has a brush system design that minimizes “hair wrap”, like this Shark vacuum model.

Bagless Vacuum Cleaners versus Bagged Vacuum Cleaners

When you think aobut ease of cleaning, you have to consider bagged versus bagless vacuums. In general bag less vacuums are less costly to maintain, because you don’t have to buy replacement bags, but in my experience they are much more difficult to clean. As long as you have properly inserted the bag, then cleaning is just a matter of removing the bag and pitching it in the trash can.

FINAL WORDS

One last point – Vacuum cleaner pricing is all over the map – from less than $100 to thousand of dollars!

My advice is to decide how much you want to spend first and give yourself a range so you have something to work in.

Go ahead and get your MAIN priorities and feature list together BEFORE you shop.

This will go along way to reducing your frustration. And, most importantly lower the risks that you will spend more than necessary and possibly end up with a vacuum cleaner that you won’t meet your needs.

I hope this article has been helpful!