Vacuum for Pet Hair: Canister, Upright, or Robot?
I have a lot of pets. Enough to call it a zoo, anyway. Four out of my five animals shed, and not just a little bit. They each shed a horrendous amount of hair, especially since we live in, arguably, the hottest state in America. But I love them, so I will do what needs to be done and vacuum every other day.
If you are in the same boat as me, then this much vacuum use means that you are going to need something high-quality and that deals well with pet dander and mounds of fluff. Let’s dive into the different types of vacuums and what the pros and cons of each vacuum are, in order to determine what type of vacuum is the most effective in keeping your home free of pet dander and pet-related allergens.
There are four main features that you will want to make sure your vacuum has that will be most effective in eliminating pet dander: powerful suction, strong airflow, rotating brush, and a bag-less cleaner. So which of these vacuum types has all of the above?
Robot Vacuums
Robot Vacuum Pros:
- You don’t have to be there while work is being done at home.
- Connect your robot to your smartphone and program when it starts and stops, again without even needing to be in the same room.
- The convenience of having a robotic vacuum allows you to multi-task easily.
- Maintain the dust and dander all over the house, without having to upkeep everyday.
Robot Vacuum Cons:
- Robot vacuums can be high maintenance. They need to be emptied after every use and cleaned thoroughly every month or so.
- They are low-powered, so they won’t pick up everything.
- Robots are challenged on heavy and high-pile carpet. You may want to move your rugs when you run them.
Robot vacuums are great to have to maintain the amount of pet hair that collects in between deeper cleaning. But it definitely is not a replacement for your heavy-duty vacuum. If you have mostly carpet, you will want to be in the vicinity while it is running so that you can empty it frequently.
Canister Vacuums
Canister Vacuum Pros:
- Canisters are pretty lightweight, so they are easy to carry up and down stairs and maneuver throughout the house.
- They have very high power, so they will pick up everything with ease, leaving you breathing a little easier.
- Because of the level of power, canisters are great for hardwood, tile, or carpet.
- Canisters come with a variety of attachments that connect to a hose, so they can easily get to hard-to-reach areas.
Canister Vacuum Cons:
- Canister vacuums have multiple pieces, so they can be bulky and difficult to store.
- They are usually a more expensive type of vacuum.
Being powerful and maneuverable, canister vacuums can be convenient to use and effective in collecting pet hair and dander throughout your living spaces. Since they include many attachments, they can be used in a variety of ways and in a wide range of areas. If you have stairs, vacuuming them will be much easier with a canister.
Upright Vacuums
Upright Vacuum Pros:
- Upright vacuums have a rotating brush, which allows high-pile carpeted areas to be cleaned thoroughly.
- They are powerful, picking up anything that sits in their way.
- Most stand-up vacuums are built strong and heavy duty, so they will last a long time.
- Being less expensive than canister vacuums, you can get a powerful vacuum for an affordable price.
Upright Vacuum Cons:
- The heaviest type of vacuum means cleaning won’t be nearly as much fun.
- Uprights are bulky so they can’t get to hard-to-reach places, which are sometimes the spots that collect the most dust.
- Unraveling the cord, plugging it in, changing outlets when the cord runs out, hauling the heavy vacuum back and forth, rounding the cord back up when your done… I’d say this isn’t the most convenient vacuum.
Uprights may be big and bulky, but they are powerful and effective in eliminating the dust and pet dander from your floors. Perhaps you can pair one with a robot, since they are less expensive than other types of vacuums. This will give you a bit of a break from the heavy lifting.
The most effective will ultimately depend on the layout of your house. To be most effective in handling pet dander, you will need a powerful vacuum, either a canister or upright. If you have stairs in your home, a canister will certainly be the more convenient option. Pet dander surrounds us daily, however, so maintenance will be essential in eliminating the dust and dander. Pairing a robot, that you can run every other day, with a heavy duty vacuum to use once a week, will be the most effective way to maintain a clean and dander free home.
Resources— Good Housekeeping, Consumer Reports
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