Need vacuum advice [looking for certain features]

[Clutterbug Jen]

Hi!

I soon need to buy a new vacuum [especially after the dumb thing I did today. Ugh!]

Okay, I had a vacuum that I got maybe a year or so ago and it worked fine but it had a roller on it and my hair that was on the floor kept getting wrapped up in the roller.

It was so bad that I literally could only vacuum one room and my rooms aren't very big and then I'd have to stop, turn the thing upside down to get to the brush and literally cut the hair out of it.

By the sounds of it, some would think that with that much hair lost that I'd be bald but actually I'm far from it [Thank God!]

I just have long hair and well, for some reason alot of it does come out at least judging by my vacuum it does.

What I'm looking for in my next vacuum [or broom vac or at least something along those lines ...]

1. It has to be light weight [maybe 4-5 pounds]

2. I absolutely do not want a roller brush on it

3. It has to have a dust cup to empty

4. Must have some sort of filter in it that is easy to empty

Long story but I called Eureka this afternoon to see if the vacuum I had here would work without the roller brush in it.

The lady said yes - so, I started taking screws out [I got 9 out of the 11 in there].

Had my friend [a guy] come help me to get the others and one come out - the other one didn't and it was stripped.

So we did get it pried apart but then discovered there were wires connected inside.

This is NOT frugal, I know but I got so frustrated and mad at it that I took the thing down and threw it in the dumpster.

Most likely I could have tried to put the thing back together and screws back in and it would have worked [maybe?] but I didn't.

So, does anyone happen to know of a vacuum or broom vac thing that would fit those specifications and if so, what is it?

I am horrible about vacuuming and I know with a light weight one with no brush to deal with, I'd do it much more often as I should.

Thanks for any and all help and for reading this if you made it this far.

Love,

Jen

P.S. I do have a little Dirt Devil that I picked up for $20.00 that is nearly exactly what I want except that it doesn't have any filter type system on it and all the hair and my cats hair goes right into the motor part.

Tonight my friend found a way to get it out of there [by unplugging it and sticking tweezers in it and pulling the hair out like that.]

Nearly as big of a pain as the other one was ... other than that, it's perfect!

[scrap_candles]

I think that most of them have the roller brush bar but as long as it has a bare floor setting that usually turns the bar off and keeps it from turning. At least thats how it has worked on the 3 previous ones I have had and on my Dyson. If you are wanting to spend the $$ I would recommend a Dyson over any other vaccuum. I am extremely hard on them (usually go through one a year) and the Dyson has held up really well.

[nuisance26]

~When my hair was long I would take my dustpan brush and brush my carpet before vacuuming. Just move the brush in circles and all the hair will make a ball. Toss the hairballs and vacuum. I really think you have to have the roller brush bar, otherwise how would the vacuum get dirt from between the fibers? Have you priced an Oreck? They're super light and they have a money back guarantee.~

[Shoshana]

Another vote for the Dyson, or the Dyson Animal. I've never had a problem with hair getting stuck -- and for a while I had three dogs living at my house! The Dyson picks up more than any vacuum I've seen and appears to be virtually industructible.

[Clutterbug Jen]

I've heard of the Dyson but have no idea how much they cost or anything. I'm not looking for one that is expensive.

Good idea about sweeping first but I don't know ... if I had to do that before I even vacuumed, I'm afraid that it'd never get done.

I had no idea that you could shut the roller brush thing off on some vacuums.

Most likely that is what I'll look for when I do a search.

I only have 2 rooms [not big ones] that need vacuumed so I don't need a top of the line one or anything.

Was hoping that there was some sort of broom vac that would work.

I'm gonna go now and do a search on the Dyson and also about brushes being able to be turned off.

Thanks so much for all the help!

Love,

Jen

[Natalie]

Maybe one of those "cyclone" ones?

Whatever you get, make sure you get one that really sucks! (That, for a vacuum, is a compliment!)

[Palooka]

I love my Dyson! Money well spent.

[ladykemma2]

the Long Hair Community website has several discussions about this very topic. i hope this won't be deleted because it is helpful and relevant.

i am a long hair too, and have tile throughout. Nowadays, i simply use a broom.

do you have hard floor or do you have carpet?

[Moonblossom]

My hair is to my waist and I have never had problems with my Dyson picking it up and it has never clogged I dont think i'll ever buy anything else when I need to replace it.

[Clutterbug Jen]

ladykemma, I have carpeting [kind of like berber ... not sure if that's spelled right or not though. ]

Do you have a link to the long hair community? If so, I'd love to have it!

Ummm, I know that everyone seems to love the Dyson but there's no way that I'd spend nearly $500.00 on a vacuum. Ouch! *lol*

I'm looking to spend probably less than 75 bucks for a vacuum.

No kids here, just me and my cat and so it doesn't get real dirty or anything [very seldom have company coming in and out either.]

Love,

Jen

[Moonblossom]

I got mine at walmart for 179.00 on sale I'd check craigs list or ebay never know might get a deal

[ladykemma2]

ladykemma, I have carpeting [kind of like berber ... not sure if that's spelled right or not though. ]

Do you have a link to the long hair community? If so, I'd love to have it!

Jen

i have vista which is really annoying. it won't let me copy the http address at the top of the page.

do a google search "long hair community". best i can do. you want the forums.

[Natalie]

I use to have long hair, but I've decided you use a lot more shampoo, conditioner, and other hair stuff... So I usually have it about shoulder length.

[Clutterbug Jen]

Thanks ladykemma!

[yankeegal]

I love my Dyson...and while the intial cost is high($500 plus) it has been a good investment for me. I would usually go thru a vaccum a year-I am fanatical about the dog hair in my house-and this one has lasted me the last four with no issues.