The warranty of a product generally indicates how confident a manufacturer is in the quality of their product.  Just as in all fields, this is also the case in the vacuum cleaner industry.  It allows companies to express faith in their machines and other components they spent time and effort perfecting.  Make sure you are purchasing your vacuum cleaner from an authorized dealer, as most manufacturers do not honor warranties from non authorized dealers or auction sites.

Authorized dealers are typically contractually obligated to distribute manufacturer’s products through multiple sales channels which are approved by the manufacturer.  Parts of the vacuum in question, as well as the attachments (such as the motorized power nozzle, hardwood floor brush, etc.) are covered under warranty, just as the motor of the machine is.  Keeping a sharp eye out for authorized dealers that represent the customer-preferred brands helps assure consumers that the quality of the vacuum cleaner, or vacuum parts they are receiving will operate to the manufacturer specifications.  This assurance can typically be found inside the box, in the owners booklet as well as on a registration card.

Dealers authorized by brands to distribute vacuum cleaners are generally also chosen to be warranty centers in order to better assist their customer base.  These centers are scattered throughout the country in hopes of being as accessible to cleaning advocates as possible.   Their purpose is to take in the vacuum parts in need of warranty service and help consumers replace the product, or products, through the manufacturer and maintain the performance of their vacuum cleaner for years to come.

With such an abundance of vacuum cleaner brands making a name for themselves, it can sometimes be difficult to choose which one is ideal for your specific living or business conditions.  Through the oftentimes overwhelming veil that is created by the cleaning industry, how is one to know which brand to choose?  Well fear not!  A list of the five best brands of vacuums has been compiled, in no particular order, to help alleviate the stress that can occasionally be associated when searching for the newest addition to your cleaning arsenal.

The first brand worth a notable mention is Miele.  Miele is a German based company that strives to provide consumers with the highest quality imaginable in terms of their upright and canister vacuum cleaners.  With over 100 years of experience in the field, it's obvious that they have applied their innovation and ingenuity to their machines, making them as consumer-friendly as possible.  Sealed HEPA filtration, durable design, light  weight, and overall silence are some of the features that help to separate Miele from the rest of the competition.  This brand has divided their vacuum cleaners into various series: the S2, S5, S6, S7 and S8 series.  The S7 series is the only series of Miele vacuum cleaners that is not canister type.  This particular series contains Miele upright vacuum cleaners, that are considered to be the best on the market today.  Similarly, the S8 line is considered to contain the highest quality canister vacuums and is also the newest series of the Miele vacuums.

Next on the list is the world-renowned brand. Electrolux.  As one of the most common household names for close to a century, Electrolux has created a name and fan base for themselves that seems to be insurmountable.  Considered to be the standard for canister, upright and central vacuums alike, this brand provides a certain quality of cleaning performance and filtration that leaves homes cleaner and fresher than they have ever been before.  From their humble beginnings with canister vacuums like the Model V and Model L, to their undeniable success with the Electrolux central vacuum systems like the PU3650 and PU3900, this brand is certain to provide you with one of the greatest ranges of machines available today.

The list of top five vacuum brands would not be complete without yet another German manufactured brand gracing its presence.  SEBO has been dropping the jaws of consumers for close to forty years due to their innovative design, causing their canister and upright vacuum cleaners to be considered the best pet vacuum around.  In fact, SEBO vacuum cleaners were some the first to have the automatic shut-off function when something gets caught in the brushroll.  This feature is ideal for pet owners, as well as any home or business owner interested in keeping their home/business and vacuum in optimum condition.

Another brand that simply cannot be overlooked when considering a new sweeper is Panasonic.  Oftentimes this brand name is associated with quality electronics, however the quality of the bagged and bagless vacuum cleaners available are definitely worth mentioning.   HEPA filtration is a standard among the majority of upright Panasonic vacuum cleaners offered by this brand which helps to guarantee that you and your family are breathing only the cleanest air imaginable; and with the option of bagged or bagless, you're sure to find a machine to suit your specific needs.  In addition to their diverse array of upright  vacuum cleaners, Panasonic canister vacuums provide one of the most versatile cleaning experiences of any brand.  Similar to the upright models, these canister style vacuums primarily operate using HEPA filtration but additionaly utilize OptiFlow technology.  This allows for a consistent flow of air in and out of the machine even when vacum vacuum bag becomes full.

Last , but certainly not least, on the list is Kirby.  This brand has been an established company for over a century and has since obtained plenty of experience with the competitive nature that is the vacuum industry.  Kirby vacuums are generally sold door to door and are made out of aluminum which makes them one of the most durable vacuum cleaners available.  Due to their aluminum bodies, these vacuums are projected to last consumers, smart enough to own one, well over thiry years.  This being the case, the only additional time and money that needs to be spent is maintaining the sweeper, which is much cheaper when compared to purchasing a new one every few years. Kirby vacuum bags are readily available for all models including the Ultimate G, the G4, G5 and G6, as well as the earlier models such as Generation 3.  Newer models such as the Kirby Sentria are also easy to obtain vacuum cleaner bags for.  Similar to the availability of the bags, Kirby vacuum parts such as brushrolls, hoses, belts and attachments are easy to come by and work together to keep your machine lasting a lifetime.

Floors dusty, cushions covered in dust bunnies, carpets soiled? Usually that’s a sign that you and your home are in need of a good vacuuming. But vacuums have more capabilities than just their standard yet versatile floor-cleaning functions. Especially nowadays, with the added features of air filtration, wet pickup, and a slew of other previously unimaginable uses, vacuums are proving to be the go-to appliance for otherwise unmanageable or perceptibly unsolvable situations, from giving hair cuts without making a mess to using a fire-proof vacuum to clean out fireplaces. And it seems like every week somebody else out there finds a new and useful purpose for his or her vacuum cleaner.

Most recently, The Vatican has announced that they will be installing a massive vacuum cleaner system for a use that many people have probably tried but nobody has actually considered making the primary purpose for their vacuum. Every day, tens of thousands of tourists pour into Vatican City, the tiny sovereign nation recognized as the religious headquarters of the Catholic Church where the Pope and other high-ranking members of the church reside, and an overwhelming majority of these swarming tourists have come to see one primary site, among the beautiful artwork, exquisite architecture, and fascinating history, and that is Michelangelo’s famous Sistine Chapel ceiling painting. While gazing at and observing the painting and other centuries-old canvases won’t do any damage to them, the dust, moisture, and foreign particles that the tourists bring with them into Vatican City can, over time, deteriorate the aging wonders of The Vatican. After what may have been hours, months, years, or decades of brainstorming or perhaps just one Vatican custodian’s bright idea, the tiny independent nation has decided to install a complex vacuum cleaner system intended to remove dust, debris, and moisture from the tens of thousands of daily Vatican entrants.

The primary result of not having a high-powered vacuum system in place has been a buildup of grime on the paintings, sculptures, and the fine details of the architecture. The grime is a mixture of dust, skin flakes, hair, and miscellaneous debris that, when combined with the moisture from sweat and humidity, turns into a gradual layer of intrusive grunge on the beautiful artwork, a hazard that is both harmful to the integrity of the pieces but also makes them less attractive. The new vacuum system will integrate high levels of traditional suction and state-of-the-art technology to allow for unique strategies to clean the tourists such as carpeting that will literally suck the debris from people’s shoes.

In order to move towards a more sustainable future, Green Seal and other related companies are working in an eco-friendly manner to expedite the process.  The floor cleaning industry is working together to provide green cleaning alternatives to abide by standards set by the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) and Leaders in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).  Vacuum cleaners are no exception.  In fact, vacuum cleaners are one of the major frontiers being explored regarding the expansion of environmentally friendly products.

The CRI categorizes vacuum cleaners into three levels based on certain factors that pertain to reducing emissions while cleaning with high efficiency.  These three levels of classifications are gold, silver and bronze, each of which has their own requirements that a vacuum cleaner must meet to be considered.  A bronze level vacuum must clean up 40 to 49 percent of soil and its emissions must hold particles less than or equal to 100 micrograms.  A silver level vacuum must meet the same emission requirements but must also remove 50-54% of soil.  For a vacuum cleaner to be classified in the gold level it must get rid of greater than 54 percent of soil and contain particles less than or equal to 35 micrograms within its emissions.  All of these statistics are calculated in a testing environment sanctioned by the CRI.  Among these tests, vacuums must also not alter the texture of a carpet or rug based on a simulation of a single year of cleaning.

There are obvious benefits found from using a CRI approved vacuum cleaner, validating why Green Seal recommends them so highly.  They encourage individuals to clean with machines containing only high-efficiency filters which have a vacuum bag, in order to help guarantee the best possible air quality for the home or business in question.  Green Seal advises that vacuum cleaner bags should be emptied when they are half full, as this helps to further prevent the escaping of harmful particles into the air.  Filtration is one of the primary factors to concern oneself with when in the market for a new sweeper, especially if allergies and asthma are an issue.  However, as outlined by LEED requirements, a green vacuum cleaner must operate at less the 70 decibels in order to keep noise pollution to a minimum.  Green Seal urges consumers to stray from cleaning products like dusters and move more towards self-contained vacuums in order to trap particles as opposed to circulating them.

Green vacuums are some of the best options to consider regarding floor care products of any kind.  They guarantee increased suction power with lowered emissions which means cleaner floors and better air quality.  Whether you’re a homeowner or a business owner this style of vacuum cleaner is sure to meet your specific needs and then some.  College students are also encouraged to make use of these eco-friendly machines as most colleges attempt to go green.  The low sound output from these sweepers make them the ideal sweepers for college dorm rooms and apartments, as they are less likely to disturb others.  The advancement in filtration and technology in general has been a beneficial process for the vacuum cleaner and there are certainly more improvements to come in the near future.

Regular maintenance of your vacuum cleaning can be extremely helpful in extending its useable life. There are many easy steps to take to maintain your vacuum at optimal performance, none of which involve bringing your machine to a repair man for expensive servicing. Whether you have a canister, upright or even a stick vacuum, taking care of your cleaner is the best way to avoid costly repairs in the future. Yearly maintenance of your vacuum does not have to be expensive or even difficult though, simply replacing the belt and filter in your machine can be extremely helpful in the long run. 

Locating and replacing your vacuum cleaner belt:

The belt is located in various places on different vacuum cleaners. On a canister vacuum, the belt will be located in the power nozzle. To access the belt, you'll need to either unscrew the bottom or top of the base of the vacuum, depending on your machine. From there you will locate the belt and swap it out using leverage from the brushroll to pull the belt into place.  On an upright vacuum, the belt will be located at the base of the vacuum. Once again, you'll have to unscrew either the top or bottom of the base, depending on the make and model of your vacuum cleaner.