Good "cheap" vacuum cleaners?

[Brónach Druid]

My vacuum has died! I have two dogs and two cats and will soon have a toddler visiting so I need to replace it asap, but I don't have a lot to spend on one right now. So before anyone tells me how much they love their dyson, that is not an option! :lol:
Just wondering what type of cheaper vacuums anyone has or has had that did a decent job.

[TheWomanMonster]

I got a cheap little dirt devil canister vac at Walmart. (Think we paid just under 150 Canadian for it). It works great, doesn't have the suction of a pricer one but it's alright even on my ewww-70s-apartment-shag.

[aranarose]

I actually use one of those push vacs that don't use any power. It works surprisingly well. And I've got a dozen cats if that gives you any clue!

[Brónach Druid]

I got a cheap little dirt devil canister vac at Walmart. (Think we paid just under 150 Canadian for it). It works great, doesn't have the suction of a pricer one but it's alright even on my ewww-70s-apartment-shag.

Oh that is good to know the one I was looking at is a dirt devil from walmart, this on is a bagless though. I have always had Eureka's and was wondering if dirt devil was a good brand. Thanks.

[Brónach Druid]

I actually use one of those push vacs that don't use any power. It works surprisingly well. And I've got a dozen cats if that gives you any clue!

Do you mean like a carpet sweeper? I like those too, but I really need something with attachments, I get a lot of weird dust where I live and need something that I can get those cobweb type things from the corners with. :p

[TheWomanMonster]

Do you mean like a carpet sweeper? I like those too, but I really need something with attachments, I get a lot of weird dust where I live and need something that I can get those cobweb type things from the corners with. :p

hehe yeah that's why I got the dirt devil.
And for the couch... it's woooonderful.

edit to add: the dirt devil I have takes bags, bagless are good too so long as you keep the filters in good shape and don't mind cleaning the canister every couple weeks.

[aranarose]

Do you mean like a carpet sweeper? I like those too, but I really need something with attachments, I get a lot of weird dust where I live and need something that I can get those cobweb type things from the corners with. :p

Yeah, it doesn't quite work on those, but I've got a good feather duster for that stuff :) I'm a bit old fashioned in my housecleaning. I even wear a frilly apron.

[TheWomanMonster]

for the record: the model I have is called
Dirt Devil Featherlite CAN VAC. (with 10amp motor).

:)

[Brónach Druid]

hehe yeah that's why I got the dirt devil.
And for the couch... it's woooonderful.

edit to add: the dirt devil I have takes bags, bagless are good too so long as you keep the filters in good shape and don't mind cleaning the canister every couple weeks.

Yeah, the one that just died was bagless so I am used to that, but thanks for the info, I am going to look at that model too.

[Brónach Druid]

Yeah, it doesn't quite work on those, but I've got a good feather duster for that stuff :) I'm a bit old fashioned in my housecleaning. I even wear a frilly apron.

:hehehehe: That is too cute! I just might decide to see if I can find a frilly apron! Anything to make housecleaning a bit more fun is good in my book. :)

[TheWomanMonster]

:hehehehe: That is too cute! I just might decide to see if I can find a frilly apron! Anything to make housecleaning a bit more fun is good in my book. :)

I wear high heels when I do my dishes. *winks*

[materra]

Call a few vacumn stores and see if they have any affordable "reconditioned" vacumns. My friend got an oreck canister vac that way with attachments for dusting and floors. You could see if they have reconditioned good brand items that might work.

[Libris]

We just bought the cheapest model from Wall-Mart, it works pretty well for us. When we first moved in, I had a person try and sell me a vacuum (Kirby or something like that) for well over a thousand dollars! I can think of a lot of things I'd rather spend a thousand dollars on :/

[Lyrien]

I know this is an old post, but I just had to put in my two cents.

I have a dyson and it really isn't all that much more fabulous. I've had it for about 3 and a half years, which is longer than I've managed to keep other vacuums alive; but it's not what most people hype it up to be.

[Brónach Druid]

Thanks for your input Belleshazar, I have always wanted the Dyson because you always hear how wonderful they are. That is good to know.

To anyone who may be interested, I ended up with a Eureka Optima. Its a tiny sparkly green thing. I have a very small place so the size is great for me. It still has a 12amp motor though. So far I love it. I have a lot of animals and it gets up all the hair with ease. A bit of a pain cleaning the filter though.

[blackroseivy]

My small Eureka cost about $50 & has been great - but now needs to have its belt replaced & I am waiting for it in the mail, my floor! @#$%^#%!!!! UGH!!

[Rick]

Ya know... back when I was first single & didn't get custody of the vacuum, I bought a Shop-Vac for under $30 (US). Works great! It'll suck up dirt, nails & bolts & such, even water.

[mephistopheles]

I know this is an old post, but ever try Electrolex (I have no idea how thats spelled...)? My mother has had the same vacuum for nearly 20 years and its still in very good condition :smile:

[WitchJezebel]

We just bought the cheapest model from Wall-Mart, it works pretty well for us. When we first moved in, I had a person try and sell me a vacuum (Kirby or something like that) for well over a thousand dollars! I can think of a lot of things I'd rather spend a thousand dollars on :/

Kirby vacuums are definitely expensive, but I guarantee that if you take care of it you will never have to buy another vacuum for the rest of your life. The only money you'd have spend is to replace old hoses when they get old and crack.