Hardwood laminates, carpeting, area rugs and tile. As with vacuums, there are many flooring options. Many people will have a preference for either a canister or upright vacuums. Both offer clear benefits, each with distinct advantages, and stick and vacuums are great to have for quick pick ups, too.

Take a look at the dust collecting on surfaces of your home that a vacuum could help you keep clean, like sofas, bookcases, curtains, blinds, crown molding, baseboards and fans. Vacuum attachments are important to some people and never used by others. In addition to above the floor surfaces, studies suggest filtering the air can reduce allergens, since the filters remove particles so small, we cannot even see them.

The age-old question of bagged versus bagless boils down to preference.
Bagless Vacuums
Pros: If you like instant gratification while you clean, complete with visual evidence, you’ll enjoy watching the dirt add up in the dust cup of a bagless vacuum. Since you don’t need to buy or change bags or run to the store for more, a bagless vacuum also can mean less hassle and easier maintenance.
Cons: Because you must come into direct contact with the dirt, emptying a bagless vacuum can let dust back into the air and should be done outside on a deck or in a garage. It’s also harder to remember to change the filter when you’re not changing bags. Nearly all vacuums have filters – check your owner’s manual for information on where it is located and how often to change it for the best performance.
Bagged Vacuums
Pros: If you don’t want to see dirt, or ever have to touch it, you’ll want a bagged vacuum. Vacuums with bags seal dirt and debris in an enclosed space for easy emptying. There are many different kinds of bags available from standard paper bags to synthetic bags that are nearly impossible to tear when changing. Many bags even offer a self-closing mechanism, which means you do not have to worry about breathing any dirt it captures. (See “Maintaining Your Vacuum” for more information on vacuum bags.)
Cons: You can’t run a bagged vacuum without a bag, so you’ll need to keep extra bags on hand to ensure your vacuum is ready at a moment’s notice. You can easily find the bag you need with the click of a mouse, check sites such as filtretevac.com or armhammervac.com.

What is HEPA?
Do I Need HEPA Filtration? You see it on the vacuum’s box, but what exactly is HEPA? HEPA, which stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air, is a very high efficiency air filter. HEPA is by far the best way to reduce dust, dirt and allergens from your home because it captures 99.97 percent of dust, allergens and other small particles. Whether you have allergies or not, it is in you and your family’s best interest to always check for the HEPA label on the box.
Sealed HEPA Filtration
A vacuum with a HEPA filter removes allergens out of the air while cleaning the floors, but may allow some dust to escape around the filter and through cracks in the machine. For an even better clean, look for a sealed HEPA filtration system that is designed to keep all the dust, dirt and allergens locked inside. Some of today’s top vacuums have a sealed HEPA filtration system, like the Oxygen3 ® Ultra by Electrolux or Capture+™ by Eureka. If someone in your family suffers from allergies, sealed HEPA filtration should be a top priority.