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Need a new vacuum - priority #1: Cat hair! Suggestions?

post #1 of 21
6/19/10 at 12:03pm
Thread Starter 
It seems that it is the end of my vacuum... It is not really picking up much, and the filter gets so clogged with all the cat hair, it is not doing what it is supposed to.
I need another one ASAP. I was thinking about the Shark Navigator; I know there are flaws in the design; like the bin being small, and it tipping over sometimes when you are using the hose, but apparently it does amazingly well with pet hair, and like the Dyson, it never loses succion... And since I can not afford the Dyson...

What do you have, and how do you like it?
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post #2 of 21
6/19/10 at 12:30pm

The Eureka 442B. I give it an 8 out of 10. (10 doesn't exist imo) My cats aren't afraid of it even though it's not quiet. It can come within 1 foot of them and they don't care.

Filters for this unit (called dust cups) can last 9-12 months and are very easy to take out and clean (I use alcohol, then dry with a box fan). In fact the whole vac is easy. It has 2 settings-- brush spin or no spin. Weight isn't feather light, but not that heavy either. Price is around $40-48 and the filters are $9-12.

Even though I know you didn't ask, but on upholstery, I also use an Evercare roller after vacuuming as an extra step. When I see the Evercare doesn't have much on it, I know the vac is still good. I've also discovered a way to quickly vacuum my laundry before it goes into the washing machine (same principle as washing dishes before they're loaded into the dishwasher). Take a look
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post #3 of 21
6/19/10 at 9:58pm
Thread Starter 
Anybodyelse?
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post #4 of 21
6/20/10 at 12:18am
I had 2 great experiences with the larger bissells. want to say cleanview and helix. I still have one I need to swap filters out on(trust me if i didnt have the then 20 cats it would still be on its original filters...) This was used 1-2 xs a day in a 2000 sq ft house with no issues

The first one I had is now my sisters-It kept up with 15 cats for 2 years just fine I swapped filters and gave it to her shes had it another 2.

STAY AWAY FROM!!! the smaller bissells...the hose is not wide enough and clogs on anything to everything.

Also I returned a hoover after it burned a belt or something 2 weeks in.
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post #5 of 21
6/20/10 at 12:38am
Thread Starter 
So, by now these are the ones I am considering - I am not sure which of the four I am going to pick though...

Euro-Pro Shark NV22L Navigator Upright Bagless Vacuum Cleaner

Hoover WindTunnel Self-Propelled Upright Vacuum with Pet-Hair Tool, Bagless, UH60010

Bissell Healthy Home Upright Vacuum Cleaner, Bagless, 12 Amp, 16N5

Bissell PROlite Multi-Cyclonic Upright Vacuum, Bagless, 17G5
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post #6 of 21
6/20/10 at 1:01am
Funny you got me into this now

Since we have radiant heat we were going to do ceramic tile...but it broke and the fix is alot of money. I am thinking now of going with carpet tiles a few years(along with ripping down the wood panels, redooing the kitchen with self stick tiles for time being-dog is to stupid to put much money into this house just yet with anything decent....)Any way I am ordering a vacuum tonight and loking at tiles as we speak...Going to order this one

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Bissell-Pe...Vacuum/9223188

And making the current vac my abuse vac(aka pic up the dirty dirty things that this many cats leave behind in thier playroom
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post #7 of 21
6/20/10 at 1:30am
Thread Starter 
Yeah, I was considering this one, but there are lots of one star reviews for it (on Amazon)... That is why I didn't leave it in my list.

Here is the link on Amazon:
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post #8 of 21
6/20/10 at 1:32am
HMMM...I might take chance-at least its only a 5 mile drive if I hate it...Its funny they have two on amazon with same name the hepa is the cheaper one and better reviews-3 1/2 stars the other is more and 2 1/2 stars
I wish the breeders or MANY cat households would rank them never found that on any site jsut feed this feed that reviews...lol
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post #9 of 21
6/20/10 at 4:20am
I would consider getting a one from a vacuum store. The ones from the big box stores don't last like the others.

Yea, you may pay a bit more, but they last and the stores stand behind their products.

I find vacuums with bags much cleaner than the bagless ones.
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post #10 of 21
6/20/10 at 2:14pm
Thread Starter 
I am going to Target now - it looks like I am getting the Shark Navigator... It does have some issues, as I pointed, but as far as pet hair goes, the feedback seems to be overwhelming in its favor. It really beats all of the other ones...

I will go there and see it in person though - I will see how the built compares with the others on my list.
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post #11 of 21
6/20/10 at 9:06pm
Thread Starter 
So.... I got the Shark Navigator!

I went to Target and I confess that I was pretty tempted by the Bissell Pet Eraser, or the Hoovers, but I kept remembering the feedback on the Navigator, and since the warranty is of 5 yrs, I decided to give it a try.

Well, it it s very easy to put together, and it comes with the crevice tool, a brush, and a turbo pet brush tool. It also comes with several extra filters.

After about 5 minutes assembling it, I put it to a quick use. Now, keep in mind that my cleaning lady was here yesterday, and vacuumed the house twice with the old vacuum.

The Navigator BLEW MY MIND . Oh-my-goodness-gracious! That little vacumm is powerful! Damn! It took so much hair, that I was disgusted. It is one of those vacuums that really lift the fibers and suck the heck out of it.
Around the litterbox, all those little litter dust that get deep into the carpet? GONE. Imean, the thing is ridiculous, and makes your old vacuum look like a joke .

I also tried the Pet hair brush on my bed - very very very powerful... almost too powerful! I will try tomorrow on the cat tree and on the shelves.

My only complaint about this vacuum is really the canister size... It sucks SO much, that it fills the small cannister really quickly. But on the other hand it is very easy to empty and you don't need to get your hands dirty at all - push a button and all the dirt falls from the bottom.

I tell you that I really didn't give much when looking at the bigger guys next to it... They all look so big and powerful, and this one so small and compact... But I guess good things do come in small packages sometimes.... In thins case certainly! I am very happy with my purchase!
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post #12 of 21
6/20/10 at 9:35pm
I just bought the Shark Navigator at Costco for $158. But I haven't put it together yet!
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post #13 of 21
6/20/10 at 9:37pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dusty's Mom View Post
I just bought the Shark Navigator at Costco for $158. But I haven't put it together yet!
Ohhhhh you are going to liiiike it! By the way, it is SO easy to put it together! Really really easy! Click click done. You will need a coin or a screw driver to tighten up a screw, but that's it...

One more thing - GREAT box for the kitties!
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post #14 of 21
6/20/10 at 11:15pm
Just going to chime in here- yes, the bagless vacuums rock for a few months, but if you have over four cats, you are going to find that the filter keeps getting clogged with cat litter and cat hair and the vacuum will stop sucking. I have done them all- Bissell, Shark, Dyson then I got smart and called a vacuum repairman. He told me to switch to bagged vaccum and I so I bought n Electolux Sanitaire and I love it. Great suction, no clogging totally sold. My repairman (met him when my Dyson kept breaking down) has a sign in his shop "Dyson never loses suction, Until you turn it on!" All the machines that are bagless failed miserably in the suction department after about four months.
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post #15 of 21
6/20/10 at 11:35pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by hissy View Post
Just going to chime in here- yes, the bagless vacuums rock for a few months, but if you have over four cats, you are going to find that the filter keeps getting clogged with cat litter and cat hair and the vacuum will stop sucking. I have done them all- Bissell, Shark, Dyson then I got smart and called a vacuum repairman. He told me to switch to bagged vaccum and I so I bought n Electolux Sanitaire and I love it. Great suction, no clogging totally sold. My repairman (met him when my Dyson kept breaking down) has a sign in his shop "Dyson never loses suction, Until you turn it on!" All the machines that are bagless failed miserably in the suction department after about four months.
Yeah, I understand there is this risk... But then again, it does come with a 5-yr warranty, and that is the reason why I bought it localy and not online (unlike everything else I buy pretty much)... I have the full intent to return it if it goes down; no question about it. Now, if I can get at least a couple or a few years out of it, I am perfectly fine...
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post #16 of 21
6/21/10 at 6:02pm
I've had a bagless (Kenmore progressive) for three years and absolutely love it. Now, with two cats, I do change the filters every six months, and I wipe off the filter once a week, but, for me, it's so much easier than messing with bags. Maybe the newer bagged vaccuums are easier to deal with, though.

I have noticed that if I get forgetful about the filter changes, the suction lessens - but that's my fault.

Anyway, enjoy the new vaccum - I had the same reaction when I got the Kenmore - it was amazing how much more it picked up.
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post #17 of 21
6/22/10 at 3:03am
Hissy-you really made me think on that. I might just try bagged again as I have the cats in and out and thier rug in play room. That and fact we had the same vacuum growing up...ugly multi green colored only issue was when we(umm I ) vacuumed the cord and Had to get it re corded but mom was happy in sense as she got a cord big enough to do the whole house out of the bathroom outlet.
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post #18 of 21
6/22/10 at 6:40am
I have the Hoover Wind Tunnel and it has done "ok." I think I really need something better quality and more powerful with all my pet hair. I want a Dyson next time, but may not be able to afford one.
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post #19 of 21
6/22/10 at 8:53am
I just bought my first new vacuum in 20 years. I had my heart set on a Dyson, but just couldn't justify spending $500, even though I've heard such wonderful things about them. I bought the Eureka Boss 4870, on sale at Walmart for $125. Keeping in mind that I had just vacuumed with my old Regina, I completely re-vacuumed everything (furniture, drapes, carpet and rugs.) I was completely blown away by the suction....it was literally pulling me around behind it, lol! It almost sucked the cover off the cat's window seat! My off white carpeting looks...well...off white again!!! It took all of the cat hair off my antique slubbed-silk (navy blue) drapes. There was so much cat hair that my old vacuum missed, that just this one thorough cleaning filled a whole bag. I SO wish I'd done this sooner! I have a feeling that this is going to be $125 very well spent!
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post #20 of 21
6/22/10 at 12:42pm
I just vacuumed with my new Shark, and I LOVE it. I was amazed at the suction, and all the tools that come with it. It was $158 at Costco.
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post #21 of 21
6/22/10 at 1:54pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dusty's Mom View Post
I just vacuumed with my new Shark, and I LOVE it. I was amazed at the suction, and all the tools that come with it. It was $158 at Costco.
I knew you would love it - isn't it AMAZING??? That thing Really really really reaaaaaaallllyyyyy sucks hard!
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