Hardwood floors are a highly desirable feature in any older or newer home. And for those with dust or pollen allergies they can be an absolute godsend since they don’t trap dust, pollen, or pet hair and dander like traditional carpeting. However, this does not mean that regular vacuuming becomes unnecessary, as those allergens and dust, dirt, and debris will still collect in high traffic areas of the house, and these tiny grains of dirt can actually damage your beautiful floors if you don’t keep them clean and well maintained. Today we are going take a look at the best bagless vaccums for hardwood floors.
if you have a hardwood floor you should not be cleaning them with traditional carpet vacuum cleaners, since the beater brushes can scratch and damage the finish on the floor. A bagless vacuum designed for use on hardwood floor such as a stick vacuum or canister vacuum is always going to be your best choice, but knowing which one to buy for your home can be a little tricky. Fortunately, this buyer’s guide will teach you how to know what your vacuum needs are, and recommend specific high quality products that are more likely to meet your needs. So lets jump right in.
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One of the very first things that will become clearly apparent to you as you start shopping for the best bagless vacuum for hardwood floors is that there are numerous models that vary widely in price, quality, and intended purpose. The most expensive vacuum available may not actually meet your needs for hardwood floors, and some higher end vacuum cleaners may actually have built in features that can cause damage to the floors in your home if it isn’t carpeted.
Even products that are specifically labeled as hardwood floor vacuums may not meet your needs and the specification requirements for keeping hardwood floor clean, or may require you to activate or deactivate certain settings when cleaning a hardwood surface. Read directions for your vacuum carefully before operation to make sure you don’t accidentally scratch the finish of your floor because you weren’t aware of some specific feature or other.
Furthermore, if you find a vacuum you like at a price that meets your budget but it doesn’t say anything about whether or not it is compatible with hardwood floors, here are some features you will need to consider.
Ideal for hardwood floors, lightweight and ultra-lightweight vacuum cleaners are the best choice for cleaning hardwood floors. It is not an essential feature, but it is less likely to do damage to the floor if it doesn’t exert as much downward force during operation due to its weight, and the lighter the vacuum is, the easier it will be to move from room to room or floor to floor in your home.
This is by far the most important feature to verify on a hardwood floor vacuum. If a vacuum has motorized beater brushes, that means it is designed for deep cleaning carpet pile to remove dust and dirt thoroughly. Carpets can take that kind of aggressive cleaning though: it is what hey are designed for. Rotating brushes on a hardwood floor though will leave deep scratch marks in the finish, which exposes the raw wood to moisture that will cause buckling and warping over time if it is not immediately repaired. Make sure the vacuum you are choosing is not equipped with beater brushes, or if it is, make sure that they can be switched off or deactivated for operation on hardwood floors.
When it comes to choosing vacuums that have extremely similar features and capabilities, this is the feature that will most help you decide what to choose. Since hardwood floor vacuums rely entirely on suction to lift dust and dirt from the floor and the tiny crevices between floorboards, you will need a vacuum that has powerful suction. If you aren’t getting sufficient suction from a specific model that you chose or a model you currently own, it is going to take much more time to get your floor truly clean.
Among the best hardwood floor vacuums, those models that do not require replacement bags on a regular basis are generally the best overall value. Their cyclonic suction and filtering mean more powerful suction, cleaner floors, and easier cleanup for you. Additionally, you will not be adding an unnecessary expense to the upkeep of your vacuum or your hardwood floor by having the replace expensive vacuum bags every time you start to lose suction.
Check out the major features of your vacuum of choice. Are the wheels poorly designed or made with materials that will scratch the floor? Is there a felt or rubber strip around the leading edges to protect the floor from the vacuum head? Is the vacuum easily maneuverable under and around furniture? Is the cord long enough to clean an entire room from one outlet? These are extremely important questions about your vacuums design that will directly affect its effectiveness, so make sure you can determine these things before buying if possible.
Many buyers have the same questions about choosing a vacuum and cleaning their hardwood floors. Here are a few of the more common questions to help you with your buying decisions.
Q. Is it safe to use a wet vacuum on a hardwood floor?
A. There are a few models out there that are designed for use with hardwood floors, but whether or not you can use them on your floor depends on the type of finish that was put down on the raw wood. Make sure your finish is wet/dry compatible before buying a wet vacuum for your hardwood.
Q. How often should I vacuum a hardwood floor?
A. Most experts recommend vacuuming about once a week, but it is important to keep hardwood floors as clean and dirt free as possible so that whatever dirt is tracked in the house doesn’t scratch the finish. You may also want to consider using doormats, area rugs, and runners in high traffic areas or walkways around your home like stairs, main hallways, and certain parts of your living room.
Q. Is it safe for my floor to mop and vacuum?
Not all hardwood floors are safe to mop, which goes back to the earlier assertion that you really need to make sure you know what the manufacturer specifications of your hardwood floor are. Some finishes can be cleaned with a mop, while others that are exposed to moisture are irreparably damaged by it. If you do choose to mop, make sure the mop is only slightly damp when used, and never let water puddle or stand on the floor for any period of time. You also need to make sure that if/when you mop you use a brand and type of floor cleaner that will not damage hardwood floors.
The best bagless vacuum for hardwood floors is hands down the Bissell Hard Floor Expert Canister Vacuum. It is the most convenient for homes with smaller storage spaces, yet the cord is long enough to clean the largest of rooms easily. It also has the added benefit of its soft cleaning system that is specially designed for deep cleaning hard floors. Add to that the easy to empty dust compartment and washable filters, and you have a canister vacuum that maybe small, but still does it all. If you are in the market for a hardwood floor vacuum and want to know you have the best value, get a Bissell Hard Floor Expert Canister Vacuum today.
I have a passion for clean floors and living areas, so it is no surprise that I know a lot about vacuum cleaners and how to clean different surfaces. Sharing this knowledge gives me a lot of pleasure which is why I started this blog and I hope everyone who needs help will find the help they are looking for here.