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Need Vacuum Cleaner Recommendation for Area Rug Over Carpet!

19 years ago

I have an 7x10 persian carpet over a berber wall to wall carpet in our family room. I have one of those rug pads that are made to use between the two carpets. If I use my Kirby (G4) upright, it sucks the area carpet up to the cleaning head, forming a vacuum. I have tried changing the height of the cleaning head to no avail. If I use my little Hoover brush vac, I have to clean the filter cup out about six times-no exaggeration-in order to get the carpet clean. (I have cats.) I can't hardly stand this any longer, and want to go buy a vacuum that will be more effective in this situation. We've got a two level house, and I am planning on keeping the new vac in the lower level, and using the Kirby upstairs. Anyone else run into this problem? Any suggestions?

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Comments (9)

lindac
19 years ago
Yes.....!
I ditched the rug pad....figured that the carpet beneath was good enough. And for one rather light weight oriental....I enlisted a couple of kids to stand on it while I vacuumed.
But once I got rid of the pad, things went much better.
Linda C
lpolk
19 years ago
Any vacuum with adjustable suction (canisters?) should work. You have to adjust suction down until you find a setting that won't suck up the carpet.
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jamrock, I understand your hesitation of opting for a central vac. The last thing you want to do after an entire gut remodel is put more holes in finished drywall. Given that, I would certainly recommend a canister over an upright. As you've heard, most people prefer them for stairs, and uprights tend to be pretty lousy on wood floors for actually picking up particles. You are probably going to hear a lot of recommendations for Miele. And rightfully so; they're excellent machines. Keep in mind, they're bagged, so that is something to consider (I prefer bagged, but there are also a lot that prefer bagless). A less pricey option is a Sanitaire. My mother has had hers since 1972 and is still as powerful as ever. Sorry I wasn't incredibly sepicific about model numbers, but I do not personally own a Miele, so do not feel the best qualified to give an exact recommendation. However, hopefully I gave you some things to consider.
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:) third vote for the Dyson- I loathe vacuums. always have. never saw the point in them, honestly- I used a bissel carpet sweeper (you know, the no-tech brush thing) on rugs and took them outside to shake, and wiped everything else down with a damp cloth to deal with dust... we dog-sit for two rottweilers that belong to my BIL, and the place is so 'doggy' that I'm on benadryl from the moment I walk in the door...so, last time, when I walked in and my eyes didn't promptly swell shut, I knew something was up... the Dyson 'animal' was what's up. hair, dander, dust, everything...I even used the brush attatchment, and vacuumed the ROTTIES! bought one three weeks later with the very last of the wedding money, and have used the thing to death. under and behind the fridge, the mattresses, the pillows, behind the radiators, between the bannisters... love it, love it, love it.
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Very satisfied Dyson Animal owner here. In a home with two large dogs that shed enough hair daily to stuff another dog, as well as 4 cats, the Animal does the trick! I've had all kinds of vacuums over the years, and the Animal is by far the best at getting all of the hair. The worst was the Oreck. That was traded in soon after purchase as it really did nothing to pick up the animal hair. I know lots of people love them because they are so light to use, however, they don't have a roller/beater, ergo, it only picks up surface stuff. As soon as I started using the Animal, I loved it. I could see not only the pet hair, but everything that vacuum pulls off the floor! Vacuum also has a setting for hardwood or other flat surface. The Animal works well on all surfaces. DH even loves using the vacuum because he can see what he's vacuuming up. I know it sounds crazy, but I can actually get him to run the vacuum for me once in awhile. LOL While Dyson's products are not inexpensive, there are no bags, no odor, just a great purchase. A true workhorse. Worth every penny!
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Last year, on the recommendation of Raven and my brother (both of whom I trust), I bought a Shark Lift-Away Navigator Pro. I liked it so much that I decided to get another one for another level of the house. This time, I got the Shark Rotator Professional Lift-Away 3-in-1 vacuum. It cost a little more, but I love it (it even has the tools to clean out my sewing machines). I've had Kirby, Kenmore, Hoover, Bissell, Electrolux, etc., but the Shark is my favorite! I've had back and knee surgery, so I appreciate the fact that the Shark is easy to maneuver and not heavy.
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cacocobird
19 years ago
I have a Miele with adjustable suction, and it works very well. I also have an oriental rug over Berber.

The Miele is wonderful. I have very bad asthma, and I mostly bought it because of the air filtering -- my house smells clean after I use it.
nora_54
Original Author
19 years ago
Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions.
Lindac-I had the same problem before I put down the rug pad. In my case, the pad didn't make it worse or better. CACocobird-thanks for the suggestion-is it lightweight?

Thanks again,
Nora
cacocobird
19 years ago
The Miele is fairly lightweight, and quiet. It has three rolling feet, and is simple to move around. I love that it can get under most of my furniture.

Sue
nora_54
Original Author
19 years ago
CACocobird:
Sounds like just what I need! Which type of Miele vac do you have?

Thanks again!
Nora
cacocobird
19 years ago
I have the Champagne. I used to have a White Star, which was also fine. I upgraded because I have severe asthma, and the filtration is better on the Champagne. It also has Direct Connect -- which means I can just take the floor tool off and replace it with a dusting tool or whatever I need - much easier to handle.
nora_54
Original Author
19 years ago
CACocobird,
Thanks again for all your help-this is going on my "must have" list.
Nora
cacocobird
19 years ago
Nora,

You are very welcome. It's great to have a vacuum cleaner that I just love...
Keep us posted.

Sue

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