Vacuum Cleaners - List of Terms - Glossary

Vacuum Cleaners - List of Terms

Attachments
Standard attachments include a crevice tool, dusting brush, upholstery tool, combination dusting brush/upholstery tool, and floor tool. 
A crevice tool is a long, thin tool used to clean hard to get at places. 
A dusting brush is oblong and has bristles. 
Upholstery tools are used to remove dirt from curtains, cushions, and other fabric-covered items. 
Combination tools include the features of multiple tools, such as upholstery tools and dusting brushes. 
Floor tools clean bare floors not carpeted floors and bare floor tools and wall brushes can clean hard surfaces. Wands and stretch hoses can extend the reach of cleaning attachments.

Bagless
Canister vacuum cleaners usually have a bag where the dust and dirt is stored. Thie bag is generally made of thick paper or synthetic material and must be changed from time to time when it becomes full. There are bagless models with dust and dirt storage compartments that must be periodically dumped out. Bagless models eliminate the expense of buying dust bags.

Bare Floor Switch
When cleaning carpets, the revolving brush dislodges dirt and dust from within the carpet. On bare floors, it can kick dirt behind the vacuum cleaner before the airflow suction can pick it up. A bare floor switch stops the revolving brush beneath the vacuum, allowing for bare floor cleaning with just straight suction.

Blower Operation
A blower port reverses the flow of air through the hose, so that dirt can be blown out from hard-to-reach places, then cleaned up.

Brands
Brands include names like Miele, Electrolux, Kirby, Hoover, Dyson, Rainbow, Oreck, Shark, Eureka, Royal, Panasonic, Kenmore, Bissell and Fantom.

Cleaning Path
This refers to how wide of a path the vacuum cleaner will clean. Most vacuums have a cleaning path of 12 to 15 inches in width.

Cord Length
The length of the electrical cord from the vacuum to the outlet can be an important consideration if you have a large living space or if few electrical outlets are available. Most cords are 20 to 30 feet long; the overall range is approximately 15 to 40 feet.

Dirt Sensor
Models with this feature can detect whether or not the vacuum cleaner is picking up dirt. A small light indicates when the surface seems clean or dirty.

Edge Cleaning
Some vacuum cleaners can pick up dirt under the entire area of the cleaning head. This is useful for cleaning wall-to-wall carpeting.  This feature extends cleaning to where the carpet meets with the wall.

Filtration
There are varying grades of filtration available. Vacuum cleaners without filters deposit particles into a bag or dustbin, but some particles may escape through the exhaust. Filters do minimize the number of particles that may escape. Filtration systems can have many layers made of paper, nylon, cloth or  even foam. Micron filters are said to provide finer filtration than standard filters, but are less than HEPA filters. True HEPA filters are said to have the very highest level of filtration.

Full Container Indicator
Some models have an indicator light alerting you when the dust bag or bin is full. Bagless models might have a transparent bin, letting you see the amount of dirt collected.

Handle
A variety of features sometimes can be found on the handle of an upright vacuum cleaner. Handles may be ergonomically designed to lessen arm and back strain, and may adjust up to 180 degrees for easy cleaning under furniture and for convenient storage also. The power switch and other controls may be located conveniently on the handle.

Height Adjustment
Carpets have varying lengths and heights. This feature adjusts the height of the brush to allow for easy movement and a thorough cleaning. Some models also include a height setting for cleaning bare floors. Height can be adjusted both automatically or manually with a switch. Some models also include a height setting suited for cleaning bare floors.

HEPA Filtration
HEPA is an acronym that stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air. A True HEPA filter is 99.97% efficient at retaining particles as small as 0.3 microns, which is the most difficult to capture. Filters must pass a test before they can be given this superior rating. HEPA and HEPA-type filters are made of the same material as True HEPA filters but they don't pass the 99.97% efficiency test. Vacuum cleaners with a True HEPA filter rating are recommended for buyers who want to remove allergens from their carpets and homes. The European brands have a similar rating known as a S-Class filter.

Motor Power
The rate or the strength of the electrical flow used by the vacuum, measured in amps or watts. Keep in mind that higher power does not necessarily mean better vacuum cleaning performance. A vacuum cleaner's ability to pick up dirt particles efficiently is largely dependent on the overall design of the model.

Revolving Brush
Also called a brush agitator, motorized brush or power nozzle. The revolving brush dislodges dirt particles from the carpet so the particles can be picked up easily. This feature is especially useful for picking up pet hair from a carpet. Without a built in revolving brush, canister vacuums have to use straight suction to clean. The revolving brush is optional on some models.

Self-Propelled
With this motor design feature, vacuums can be moved both back and forth with very little effort.         

Size
Canister vacuums come in many sizes. A compact vacuum usually weighs about 12 lb. or less and can be carried from location to location. Compact vacuums are ideal for quick cleaning or light jobs on both stairs and furniture. Midsize vacuum cleaners are slightly larger and heavier, typically weighing between 13 and 18 lb. Full vacuum cleaners are the largest, usually weighing 19 lb. or more.

Suction Control
Suction control lets you adjust the airflow through the hose, which can be helpful when cleaning your holstery and curtains.

Storage
Any of the attachments may be stored onboard or separate from the main unit.Upright Vacuum
Upright vacuums are self-contained and have a handle that extends up from its main unit. They are pushed in front of you, rather than pulled behind as canister vacuums are. An upright usually has a brush agitator for cleaning carpets and may have attachments for cleaning furniture, floors, and hard-to-reach places.

Upright Vacuum Cleaners
Upright vacuum cleaners are self-contained and have a handle that extends up from its main unit. They are pushed in front of you, rather than pulled behind you as canister vacuums are. An upright usually has a brush agitator for cleaning carpets and may have attachments for cleaning furniture, floors, and any hard-to-reach places.