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Vacuum Cleaner Review In
June of 2008 Rubbermaid launched its well engineered and well tested lineup
of commercial vacuums. Their vacuum cleaner line ranges in price from two
hundred dollars up to eight hundred dollars. The full vacuum line
encompasses a full genre of vacuums each well suited to a particular task.
The Rubbermaid UL12 is the smallest and lightest of the lineup making it
comparable to the Oreck XL at almost half the price tag. The UL12 vacuum
cleaner consists of a compact base and large front cloth bag system that has
ample room for large amounts of debris. The vacuum stands quite tall for a
compact vacuum with an extra wide cleaning path and side bristles for
convenient edge cleaning for carpeted and bare floors.
The debris recovery area is designed
simply yet very effective in its compact nature. The handle on this vacuum
cleaner doubles as the pickup hose connecting the base unit to the bag
assembly. Clogging could occur where the vacuum handle connects to the bag
if larger debris is sucked into the unit. The bag on the vacuum is large
for a compact model with almost three times the capacity of the average
commercial vacuum cleaner. The bag is friction fitted to the recovery
nozzle and is very easy the change taking only one minute for total bag
replacement. The soft cover unzips quickly and is made from quality
materials with a plastic backing plate adding to the sturdiness of the bag.
Weighing in at only ten pounds this vacuum is highly recommended for the
elderly or buildings that are multi level. The vacuum cleaner can easily be
carried from level to level with ease and stores into tight spaces quickly
and easily. The cord on the unit is forty feet long, five feet longer than
most commercial vacuums giving a little extra reach when needed. The cord
is easy to wrap up and unravel and can be wound neatly from a hook on the
upper handle to a large hook midway down the rear shaft. The switch is
located on the handle and easy to operate with one finger, making the vacuum
easy to switch on and off
The base of the unit is very simple in
both design and features. The suction hose connection can be easily
unhooked from the base if debris clogs the main recovery tube. The vacuum
cleaner rides on the main brush giving deep penetration of carpet fibers and
no need for height adjustment. The brush roller is made from quality
materials that will hold up to deep pile caret but also be gentle on hard
flooring. The rear wheels are smaller than most commercial vacuum cleaners
making the vacuum cleaner slide around corners but the rubber coating does
give excellent traction on hard floors. The wheels are securely fastened to
the rear axle with very little play evident. A unique feature to this
vacuum are whisker like side bristles that create extra suction close to the
baseboard removing debris other vacuum cleaners will not.
Overall the Rubbermaid UL12 is a great
light duty commercial vacuum cleaner. The motor has ample suction for light
to medium vacuuming tasks but lacks a handy onboard tool kit or wand. The
vacuum is very colorful sporting a yellow and black motif making it very
unique in looks. At one hundred dollars less than Oreck’s flagship vacuum
the UL12 will give the XL a run for its money. The vacuum cleaner tears
down quickly into three pieces and can fit in a small box for extended
storage or easy transportation. This vacuum is recommended for residential
use and light duty commercial cleaning where weight and portability is a
factor.
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