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Building a Home

Hardwood Floors.....Central Vac or Swiffer?

12 years ago

I like using my swiffer in my house on hardwood floors and tile and hardly ever use a vacuum anymore for anything. I was just wondering if it would be worth putting in a central vac in the new build with those kick sweeps throughout the house or just stick with swiffers. Btw, no carpet in the house.

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Comments (5)

sis3
12 years ago
No carpets - my vote would be central vac with Hide A Hose, without question! In a new build you have the perfect, one time opportunity to install one before the walls are closed up!

I can't imagine using a Swiffer only. They are good but a CV will REMOVE visible dust and fine particles from your home, keeping it very clean and providing better air quality.

I have a kick sweep in my kitchen. I don't use it as much as I expected but it is useful sometimes. Others have suggested one in the master bath and/or if you have pets, where the pets are fed. These are probably good ideas. If you haven't heard of Hide A Hose check it out - I still love mine after 4 years! HAH is perfect where there are no carpets. I also have a dedicated hose for cleaning the garage, cars and the pool deck.
chisue
12 years ago
Love my central vac. We have hardwood throughout and low-pile orientals. The vacuumn suction is *wonderful*; no 'power assist' needed. I sometimes Swifter, but that doesn't get nearly as much dust and dirt off the floors, and I use the vacuumn for upholstery, blinds, lamp shades, etc. I'd never use a kick plate.

I credit the central vac with the fact that our central air cleaner filters last a LONG time.
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Went to "site" and yes they have been recalled and no indications as to when they will be available again. Dadgumit!! I'm in the process of having hardwood floors refinished and this would be the perfect tool for taking care of them. Well, maybe Swiffer will get their act together and take care of the problem & get them back on the market! Here's hoping!!!
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I agree with springer and greg above. We have hardwood everywhere except bedrooms and bathrooms. Maintenance has been so much easier with the hardwood compared to all the carpet in the last house. Sounds like you are using multiple methods of "sweeping" and it's exhausting you. Swiffer makes a vacuum & swiffer in one for hardfloors called a Swiffer Sweeper-Vac. It's all you need for quick & easy daily floor cleanup. Usually I don't even use the Swiffer-Vac daily except for under the kids seats at the island and at the entry). I break out my O-Cedar Spray mop once a week or so for a quick damp mop after using the swiffer-vac. I fill the spray reservoir with Bona Hardwood cleaner. That would take your multi-step process to a single process/tool on a frequent basis (odds are as often as you would pull out the vacuum) + a second tool on a weekly (or so) basis. You will definitely reduce your cleaning time and your frustration level. Hope this helps!
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Yes, for regular cleaning, Bona is the best cleaner and you should use with a microfiber mop. Swiffer is an example of a microfiber mop and Bona has their own version. You can buy these on Amazon. For vacuums on hardwood, you need to be careful as most are made for carpets and will scratch your floor. Bissell has a great one for hardwood. You can read more about that and some other options in this article: http://theflooringgirl.com/blog/best-vacuum-hardwood-floors.html
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Comments (18)
Central vac is the best, used with the hard floor tool of course (no wheels, no rotating brush, just soft bristles.) Swiffer sweeper does not have wheels. I have four of them that I keep plugged in, and that way no matter if it runs out of juice. I go over the floor sometimes afterwards with a moistened Quickie cotton mop (with removeable head htat can be washed in the machine). If someone is really a stickler about not using swiffer pads, is it possible to put a washable pad on there instead? -- a microfibre cloth? I currently have low end Miele. It works great on carpets with its rotating brush, but IMO the bare floor tool stinks. I'm also ticked that they made it a different size than normal USA attachments, so you're also stuck with their small brush, which also is not good. Either that, or use the attachment which allows you to go to the other size. Except this (a) keeps falling off, and (b) makes the transition between hose end and brush too long. I really miss my central vac, and that 30 foot hose is not hard once you learn how to handle it. Always sweep AHEAD of yourself, so you're not dragging dirt around with the hose, and you'll be just fine, no need to carry it.
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Sidney4
12 years ago
I have a Hide a Hose, kick plates and a Swiffer. I use my HAH almost all the time. My kick plate comes in handy when I sweep up the kitchen in the evening and don't feel like pulling out the HAH. I still use the Swiffer damp cloth once in awhile to clean heavy traffic areas that need more than a vacuum but HAH is by far my cleaning method of choice. I can't imagine life without it now that I have it.
User
12 years ago
"my vote would be central vac with Hide A Hose"

AGREED!

I have a kick plate in the kitchen, but I never use it. My HAH is just as convenient as grabbing a swiffer/broom/etc., so no reason to use the kick plate.

FYI - all our main living space/office floors are wood and tile in bathrooms .....(carpet in a few bedrooms.) HAH is so easy for any surface. We only have one HAH with a 60 ft hose for our 2600 sq.ft. home. The central vac hose is between the kitchen and dining room, which is the center of the home. If your hose ends up being far from the kitchen/the messy areas, then maybe a kick plate would be ok for you.
mgabriel
12 years ago
We use our cv all the time in our new house. The flooring is hardwood with the exception of tile in the bathrooms. We did not see any point in installing a kick plate, when the cv is so convenient.

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