- You are here:
- Home »
- Product Guides
Category Archives for Product Guides
The Best Vacuum Cleaners for College Dorm Rooms 2020
Much like any other living space, a college dorm room is best enjoyed whilst clean. Some tools can be pretty over the top and useless to cleaning. However, not one of these items is a vacuum cleaner. A vacuum cleaner is essential when keeping spaces clean and would, therefore, be essential when trying to keep a dorm room clean. There is a variety of good vacuum cleaners out there advertising to be the best. However, why trust them when you can trust us. We have found the best out there and brought them together to discuss the design, pros, and cons as well as give you our feedback on what we think is the best option. So, don’t waste your time looking through product reviews after product review when we’ve done all the work for you. Continue reading
Best Vacuum for Vinyl Plank Floors
Asides from being one of the gorgeous looking and exotic flooring options, vinyl plank is also an affordable flooring option. It has a smooth surface and looks like a safe space for kids and pets to play and carry out their art projects.
However, regardless of how good looking and wonderful the vinyl seems, the biggest concern is avoiding scratches while cleaning. Most people need their vacuums for carpets and not much else. But for vinyl plank floors, you need a machine that can get the dirt wherever it may be and keep your house looking neat and shiny always.
This is why you need to go for the best vacuum for vinyl plank floors. They are selections from some of the best brands and models out there, with each one having at least a strong point to encourage your purchase.
Not only are we going to give you the top seven choices, but we will also give you a buyer’s guide and other information needed to make your selection. We hope our review points you in the right direction and helps you get the right vacuum to keep your vinyl plank floors sparkling. Let’s get into it!
Recommended Best Vacuum For Vinyl Floors Reviews
Shark Rocket DuoClean Ultra-Light Corded Vacuum
Pros
- Strong and powerful suction for the size
- Hard and soft bristle brush roll
- The light weight of only 4.6 lbs
- Easy to empty garbage
- Lift-away features to clean areas above the vinyl like stairs.
- Easy maintenance due to the washable filters
- Auto shut off roller brush and powerful LED lights let you clean at anytime
Cons
- Not battery powered in case there is no light.
- Cord is heavy
- It would not stand on its own
For flexibility and convenient cleaning, the Shark Rocket DuoClean corded vacuum can be converted into a hand cleaner. As an upright vacuum, it’s weight is under 10lbs, and when you turned your Shark Rocket to hand-held, it weighs around 4.6lbs. The hand-held is more comfortable to manage around the workspace, home, or garage.
The adaptability of this cleaning machine is an attraction since you can use it to clean different surfaces, depending on your interests. It has a bristle brush roll suitable for deep cleaning and potent suction to get the dirt out of the carpet.
The design of the soft bristle allows the vacuum to clean hard surfaces like vinyl floors with care. You can switch from various power levels and adjust between a variety of tools and replaceable powerhead depending on the cleaning condition.
With the soft brush roll, the cleaning process sticks the dust and grime sticks to the roller instead of pushing it around and then picks up the more essential items. This way, the finished floor looks polished.
Asides from the tools, car details kits, and accessories bag supplied with the machine, the Shark DuoClean has a front headlight to help you see while vacuuming in dark areas. Also, it will alert you if there are any problems, and direct you to where it can be resolved.
Hoover FH40160PC FloorMate Deluxe Hard Floor Cleaner
Pros
Cons
For a vacuum that can remove dry materials like hair or dust from your vinyl plank floors, you can get the Hoover FH40160PC. Not only this, but it is also a capable power mop that scrubs, washes, and gives deeper cleaning to the floor. It comes with two modes – the wet and dry setting.
The clean boost control keeps the dirty and clean water separated so that the dirty one never goes back to the floor. When it comes to washing at severe levels, you can expect this vacuum to take a bit longer than the conventional mop and bucket; however, the outcome is always excellent. In situations like this, you can use water and vinegar to sanitize, then clean naturally.
The wash settings scrub the floor with water and detergent, but switching to the dry mode vacuums all the water back into the unit. This would save you the stress of wiping the vinyl plank floors after washing. It has an advantage of two water tanks – one tank to hold the clean water while the other to hold the dirty one. This dual tank technology ensures that the process is kept simple, and you can avoid spreading germ-infested water all over your vinyl floors.
Dyson DC33 Multi-Floor Upright Bagless Vacuum Cleaner (blue)
Pros
Cons
Unlike most vacuum cleaners, the Dyson DC33 is capable of cleaning both vinyl plank floors and carpeted floors. It is probably the most multi-purpose cleaner that can handle cleaning tasks from hardwood to tiles and almost all types.
It does not have the wash feature. However, the Dyson DC33 is versatile and powerful enough to clean a whole house in the fraction of the expected time. This vacuum does not have to make so many passes; it can handle different floor types effortlessly.
The Dyson DC33 upright bagless vacuum operates on a cyclone technology. It spins the air in the Canister at an incredibly high speed to move dust and pet hair directly into the bin. The vacuum uses a washable HEPA filter, which after it is thoroughly dry, you can put back.
In case you or any member of your household have allergies for dust mites, Dyson DC33 is allergy-friendly. It traps the smallest pollens and dust particles, preventing them from returning into the air. The transparent bin allows you to see how much dirt the vacuum is picking quickly, and know when it is full and needs emptying.
iRobot Braava 380t Advanced Robot Mop
Pros
Cons
Robot vacuums have been around for a while now and are now becoming the next real deal. They use more sophisticated technology for their methods of cleaning. The iRobot suits almost all types of floors, including the hard floor types like vinyl plank flooring.
It can operate as a dry or wet vacuum, which means this iRobot comes the option to damp mop and also dry sweep the floors. Braava 380t Robot uses navigations like our car’s GPS only that it works indoors.
It recharges with a turbocharge cradle. A full charge should take 120 minutes, but it depends on the mode you are using. The sweep mode runs longer for up to 1000 square feet, while the mop mode is lesser with about 350 square feet before needing a recharge.
The Braava 380t Mop uses removable magnetic multi-purpose pads. It also comes with reusable microfiber cleaning cloths. Due to the limited water capacity, it is an excellent choice for cleaning up a small amount of dirt or mopping spills.
Overall, the robot ensures your vinyl plank floors stay clean always; however, you may still have to do a full mop once in a while. It is worth it!
Shark Sonic Duo Carpet and Hard Floor Cleaner (ZZ550)
Pros
Cons
The first thing you may notice about the Shark Sonic ZZ550 is the color-codes which is designed according to the use. The tool is an all in one vacuum cleaner with colors indicating the right accessories for cleaning hard floors, carpets, and polishing floors. It makes it easy for you to get the right one you need.
Apart from these, Shark Sonic ZZ550 is designed for all floor types. It assures you of a bright finishing after cleaning. Even if the vacuum seems a little complicated at first, it is quite easy to use. There is no need to get a polisher since the vacuum cleaner does not require wet polishing.
The Shark Sonic ZZ550 has a lightweight and swivel ability for easy maneuverability with less effort to push around. While in dark areas, you can always use the lights on the cleaner head to find your way. When you may experience some resistance while sucking up dirt with full force, with several other vacuums, this one lets the debris glides through with ease.
If your worry is about the toxin in cleaning products, you can feel safe since this liquid is non-toxic, pet, and human friendly.
Bissell Symphony 1543A Pet Steam Mop and Steam Vacuum Cleaner
Pros
Cons
For vinyl plank floors, the Bissell Symphony 1543A is another vacuum you should consider. The design is perfect for pet owners. When it comes to picking up dust, debris, or pet hair and steam mopping the floors at the same time, this tool fits.
The way the Bissell Symphony 1543A works, your vinyl plank gets sanitized after every wash. What’s more, is that it kills 99.9% of the germs and bacteria. During maintenances, or while you empty the dirt tank after cleaning, moistures are kept out, and the contents will be dry. This helps you carry out the whole process without getting your hands dirty.
With less effort from you, the microfiber cleaning pads combined with the suction power of the vacuum together loosens and sucks up the dirt from the floor. They are also disposable and easy to change after every cleaning task.
After every use, the room will have smell due to the scented water in the mop. Also, for any type of hard floor surfaces, including vinyl plank floors, you can trust this one to work well.
Eureka NEU188A Power Speed Turbo Spotlight Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Pros
Cons
With the weight of only 10lbs, the engineering of this upright vacuum from Eureka suits both carpet and hard floorings. If you need your machine to be modes up the stairs or into basements areas with ease, the Eureka NEU188A is right for you.
There is a LED light to increase visibility while cleaning darker regions. It also has stretch hose and other accessories tools to enable cleaning ceilings and light fittings. You can wash and quickly empty the dirt cup and filter since it is bagless.
For pet owners, Eureka NEU188A comes with a turbo pet brush attachment for beds and upholstery. There is a quick-release handle to help you switch between cleaning the ground floor level to above floor height during movements. It has five height settings for different types of floors, which is why it is one of the best vacuums for vinyl plank floors.
Buyer Guide – How to Choose the Best Vacuum for Vinyl Floors?
When trying to select a vacuum cleaner model for vinyl flooring, you need to get one that is suitable for your needs. This is where we have to consider the different types of vacuum cleaners.
Vacuum Cleaner Types
The types of floor surfaces are now more than we can account for, but the most common ones are the hardwood, vinyl plank floors, and tiles. Noticing this, vacuum companies try to continually look for new ways and technologies to improve their products.
This is probably a reason why there are constant releases of new types and styles of vacuums all the time. And as a result, it is difficult to follow up on them and avoid being misled, so we would discuss the most common types of vacuum cleaners you can choose from.
Upright
When most people consider a vacuum, the first thoughts on their mind is the upright vacuum. As the name describes, they seem to always stand in an upright position. From the top to the cleaning head, and the bottom, the entire tool is combined in a single unit.
Most models of upright vacuums are quite easy to assemble and use effectively. If you do not like cleaning so much, this one is perfect for you. It makes the task simpler, especially when deep-cleaning carpets. Upright vacuums cover a wide area and are easy to store.
The disadvantage here is that their design allows them to work on floors alone and no on other surfaces. Although they come with hose and attachments, you still have to deal with the limitation in reach and scope.
Canister
Unlike the upright, the canister vacuums have a separate cleaning head and a base unit, which allows free movement around the area. They are perfect for multiple surfaces in the home.
In case you have more than vinyl plank floors, or you plan to clean other surfaces, including carpets, furniture, and stairs, then the Canister is perfect. However, the downside is that they are bulky and quite difficult to transport or move from a room to another. Also, they are a bit more expensive than upright vacuum cleaners.
Stick
In recent times, the stick vacuum has not been around for long. It merely is an upright vacuum with a lighter weight and fewer features and accessories. Some sticks are corded, while others are cordless. However, they are highly portable.
One significant advantage of the stick vacuum is the ability to work as a multifunctional cleaning tool. Also, they are tall and convenient, so you do not have to bend while using them. When you need a cordless vacuum for vinyl floors, the stick is a natural choice.
They also come with quick and easy to interchange attachments and can easily be converted to hand-held versions. Storage spaces will not be a problem since they are streamlined and only need small places to be stored.
Robot
As much as we are used to the other vacuum types, the robot vacuum cleaners cannot be ignored. Although they are the newest technology, one way or the other, they have become a significant aspect of people’s daily lives. For robot assistants, this is a big deal.
They are a new-age technology with intelligent programming to map out and adjust to their environment and move around automatically. These robots can reach and clean places in tight corners that human hands cannot reach.
Even if Roomba is the most known robotic model, other types of robotic cleaners are perfect solutions for vinyl plank flooring. However, like the previous vacuum types, there are disadvantages.
Robot vacuums sometimes miss some spots and maybe selective with surfaces. Occasionally, they may also be ineffective with minor messes or spills.
Attachments
Asides from the type of vacuum cleaner, you also need to choose based on the attachments they have. The accessories determine the extent and amount of cleaning you can carry out with your vacuum.
These attachment kits come with your tool, enabling you to clean all types of surfaces, including furniture, stairways, countertops, upholstery, and even your car interiors.
If you need a versatile and powerful cleaning tool, then the importance of the attachment non-negotiable. To maintain a beautiful and clean home, you should go for one with a wide assortment.
Vinyl And Vinyl Plank Floors Are Not The Same?
Vinyl floors are also known as Luxury vinyl tiles. They look finished like stones or natural tile floors. Most times, they are used for bathroom or kitchen floors. The vinyl plank or luxury vinyl plank floors, as you may choose to call it, are more like hardwood flooring.
They are finished original wood. Compared to vinyl, they are thicker with about 8mm and are used for the original flooring of the house. Vinyl plank floors are more resistant to scratch than the vinyl floorings.
Although they are both used for commercial areas in the home, the vinyl plank floors also last longer and are way more expensive than the vinyl floors. Therefore you have to know the differences and make the right choice while selecting the cleaning tool.
F.A.Q
How to Care For Vinyl Plank Floors?
It is possible to have several types of floor surfaces in your home that will require different cleaning processes. Furthermore, the location of the vinyl plank floors in your home determines how you would care and maintain it.
However, the vacuum cleaner in our review ensures they are adequately cleaned. Using steam mops in the kitchen and washrooms works fine since the construct of this type of floorings has waterproof qualities.
Also, daily sweeping and vacuuming can keep the vinyl plank floor in good condition. It reduces the dirt and grime; it also does not leave scratches on the floor surface. However, to prevent damages on the finishing, avoid using harsh chemicals on the vinyl plank floors. Vinegar can also be dangerous to this flooring.
Ensure to read the instruction on any cleaning chemicals before applying them. Although it is quite resistant to scratches, be careful while moving objects like chairs or large furniture on the floor.
Can You Use A Steam Mop On Vinyl Plank Flooring?
There are so many types of floorings in our modern lives; it can be a bit frustrating to know that ones you can clean with a vacuum safely without causing any damage. Often, the confusion can be with either you can use a steam mop on vinyl plank floorings or not.
Well, the answer begins with understanding the type of material that makes up this type of floor. Like we have mentioned above, the vinyl plank is constructed from 100% synthetic materials with a finished veneer coat on top. Using steam mops to clean the vinyl plank floors should not cause any damage to the flooring. The cleaning process is not so different from how you clean other floors like tiles, ceramics, or porcelain floors. You just have to be conscious of the fitting since glues and adhesives are sometimes used. The temperature of the steam mop is also critical. Check the settings and ensure it is not too high.
How to Make Vinyl Plank Floors Shine?
Although it is advisable to ensure your floor maintains the natural shine, but sometimes it can get dirty that you use some dishwashing soap before mopping. This can reduce the shine of the flooring.
However, you can fix it by adding a few drops of baby oil to vinegar and water solution. Then follow the normal cleaning process, and the traces of lubrication should be removed while your vinyl plank floors shine again.
Can You Mop Vinyl Plank Flooring?
While cleaning the vinyl plank flooring, the mildest possible method is always the preferable solution. Sweeping or vacuuming regularly and wiping off spills right way works. However, when the broom cannot get the dirt out, use a dampened mop with warm water to clean the surface. If this does not work, you can use soap as long as it works for your floor. Overall, you can mop your vinyl plank floors as long as you are doing it the right way and using the right detergent.
The Best Vacuum for Couches: 4 Affordable Options
As dirty as your carpets get, sometimes your furniture can be nearly as bad. Cleaning upholstery thoroughly, safely, and efficiently can be a challenge. The best vacuum for couches has to be one that both has the suction power to remove tough stains and is maneuverable enough to reach all of the couch’s surfaces. Specialized attachments designed specifically for upholstery can also be a great help in cleaning up stains and messes.
Best Vacuum for Residential Cleaning Business
As a business owner, you know that you’re only as good as your equipment. As a cleaner, you need the best vacuum for a residential cleaning business. A typical household vacuum is great for the one a week clean of a run of the mill home, but you need something stronger and faster.
A Better Clean: What is the Best Shark Vacuum for Pet Hair?
We love our pets. They bring joy, fun, and comfort to our homes. Unfortunately, these irreplaceable members of our family also bring a constant stream of loose pet hair and allergens. Sometimes we feel like we spend more time sweeping and vacuuming than we do playing.
Best wet dry vac under $100
Most people just use a vacuum for dry messes and a mop for wet ones, but that’s not your only option. A wet dry vacuum cleaner can handle both. This versatility, combined with their compact canister design, makes them a great all-purpose cleaning tool—and while it might seem like a pricier piece of equipment, the truth is they can be very affordable.
Best Wet Dry Vac For Car Detailing
Cleaning and detailing any car is no easy feat. It takes a lot of work to get that automobile looking like it did when you drove it out of the lot the first time. That being said, it is definitely possible to detail your car again and make it look like new. However, you do need the right tools for the job. You can’t use just any old vacuum to detail your car. That probably won’t end so well and you will spend a lot longer cleaning than you would if you had the right tools. That is why we are here today, to help you find the best pick.Continue reading
Top 5 Lightweight Vacuums from Shark: Rocket Model Comparison
Shark is one of the leading names in vacuum cleaners. Do a quick Shark Rocket model comparison and you’ll quickly see why. None of these vacuums weigh over ten pounds, yet they have the suction to deep clean carpets and give your hardwood a dust-free shine. They also feature a convertible design and come with an array of specialized features, making them a versatile choice for any home.
Samsung POWERbot Models: Four Levels of Efficiency
In the past decade, robotic vacuum cleaners have gone from an interesting novelty to a truly powerful cleaning tool. These days, it seems like every cleaning brand has their own version of the device. Considering their impressive line of SmartThings smart home devices, it’s no surprise that high-end Samsung POWERbot Models are among the best-connected of the choices on the current market.
Best Vacuum for Dust Mite Allergies
It’s not always just about looking good, you also need to feel good too. When it comes to cleaning your home, getting rid of all the dust and dirt is only half of the job. Lurking amongst the fibers of your rugs and carpets are devious dust mites that will make you sneeze, cry, and cough. So, you don’t want any old vacuum, you want the best vacuum for dust mite allergies.