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The History Of The Vacuum Cleaner
Before the vacuum cleaner the simple task of cleaning floors
was not so simple. Area rugs would need to be taken outside, hung from
posts and beaten by a large wooden beating stick. Floors were swept and
the the debris was picked of by hand and then discarded. Today when we
vacuum our floors and carpets it usually takes about ten minutes, but before
1880 cleaning carpets and floors was an all day task.
When vacuum cleaners were first invented they did not resemble
the vacuum cleaners of today. These first vacuum cleaners were large and
heavy and were usually transported from house to house by horse and carriage or
were built in the attics of larger homes with a suction system that was run
throughout the house. One of the first large vacuum cleaner units was
invented by British engineer called Herbert Booth. Herberts invention
consisted of a large box with a gas powdered motor that turned large fans to
create suction. Long bendable houses were fed through the doors and
windows of a house and debris was sucked into the gas powered unit outside.
This first vacuum cleaner was large and heavy and required it to be pulled by
horses.
The vacuum cleaner as we know it today was invented in 1908 by
James Murray Spangler. This first version of the vacuum cleaner is a far
cry from the vacuum cleaners of today due to its simplicity and lack of power.
Around 1920 William Hoover purchased the patent for this first vacuum cleaner
from James Spangler and the Hoover Vacuum Cleaner Company that we know today was
born. This first upright vacuum cleaner resembled a box on a stick with a
satin bag attached to catch debris. The actual vacuum cleaner itself was
made from a pillow case, an electric fan and a modified soap box. The
beater bar was added to the vacuum cleaner around 1926 which dramatically
improved the performance of the unit. This Hoover vacuum cleaner soon
became know as the Hoover Model 700 and was an instant hit. William
Hoovers new patent was soon to catch on and by 1950 nearly every household in
America had its very own Hoover vacuum cleaner.
The basic design and principle of the vacuum cleaner remained
the same from the 1950's through to the 1980's. In this 30 year span
additional modifications were made to the principal design such as vacuum
cleaner self propulsion and an exterior hose that could quickly attach to the
vacuum cleaner to clean baseboards and other hard to reach areas. In the
1980's James Dyson invented the cyclonic bag less vacuum cleaner with increased
suction and the added savings of not needing a filter bag to catch the debris.
This cyclonic vacuum cleaner creates a vortex in the debris chamber that sends
the debris to the outside walls of the container and the air is then pushed out
through an exhaust vent.
In the late 1980's to early 1990's many vacuum companies
started to manufacturer hybrid vacuum cleaners that were built to perform
different vacuum duties. The back pack vacuum is one of these hybrids and
consists of a canister like vacuum cleaner that is worn on the back like a
back pack with a long hose that is used to clean walls ceilings and hard to
reach places. The wet dry vacuum cleaner was introduced not only pick up
dry debris but also liquids. This type of vacuum utilizes a motor and a
float valve that protects the motor against water contact and damage to the
electrical interior of the motor windings.
The latest and greatest innovation in vacuum cleaners is the
closed system vacuum cleaner. It is currently being designed in England
and its primary goal is to not suck air in and then exhaust it out but to
circulate the air in a closed chamber so that dust particles are not released
into the air. By keeping dust and other particles in the vacuum cleaner
chamber the air in the environment that is being cleaned is not polluted.
How Vacuum Cleaners Work
The are many different types of vacuum cleaners and carpet
cleaning machines but they all work by using the same principal or idea. A
vacuum is created in a tube or system and air is drawn into the system through a
filter which catches debris and then the air is diffused from the unit out of an
exhaust.
The residential upright vacuum cleaner uses the suction
principal combined with a spinning brush at the suction opening which is located
on the bottom of the vacuum cleaner. As the brush, which is commonly known
as a beater bar, spins at a high rate of speed this beats the carpet and pushes
and debris toward the suction opening. Once the debris has reached the
suction opening air forces the debris into a filter bag which catches the debris
but lets the air pass through. Once the air moves passed the filter bag it
is expelled through an exhaust vent usually located on the handle box unit of
the vacuum cleaner. Residential vacuums are given this name because they
usually have one motor that runs the whole vacuum cleaner. This motor
spins the brush and also operates the suction fan. Due to increased stress
on one motor these types of vacuum cleaners do not have the longevity of a
commercial vacuum but are priced relatively low.
Commercial vacuum cleaners work on the same principal as
residential vacuum cleaners but are built for abuse and constant operation.
Commercial vacuum cleaner parts are usually readily available and can be
replaced by a vacuum cleaner technician. Most commercial vacuum cleaners
utilize two motors, one running the beater brush and the other running the
suction fan or fans. These types of vacuums also utilize that latest
technologies by using circuit boards to distribute the power to the vacuums two
motors only when needed. On some newer commercial vacuum cleaners when the
suction wand is used the beater brush motor will turn off or divert extra power
for suction utilizing the entire motor potential of the vacuum cleaner.
Wet dry vacuums work on the same vacuum suction principal but
extra safeguards must be put in place so that water does not come in contact
with any electrical components or the motor. Wet dry vacuum cleaner motors
are usually positioned on top of a debris canister and air is drawn in through
the hose and up through the motor to an exhaust vent positioned on top. If
water starts to reach the motor at the top of the canister a floating ball will
close of the opening into the motor saving the motor from water damage.
All on and off switches and electrical components on wet dry vacuums are sealed
to prevent water penetration.
Cyclonic vacuum cleaners use high powered motors to create a
vortex in the vacuum which creates suction. A beater bar pushes debris
into the suction tube which is then drawn up into a sealed canister. Once
in the canister the debris is moved toward the outer walls using centrifugal
forces. The debris then slows down and is dropped into the bottom of the
canister by utilizing gravity. Most cyclonic vacuums don't use filter bags
but sometimes this can compromise air quality because of escaping dust
particles.
These days different types of vacuum cleaners are made for a
specific purpose. It is recommended that you purchase a vacuum that fits
it's duties. If you plan to use your vacuum cleaner multiple hours
everyday of the week it is not advisable to buy a residential vacuum cleaner.
You will save money up front but most residential vacuums will probably not hold
up over time and you will have to replace it faster. If wet floors are an
issue then your best bet is a wet dry vacuum, most upright dry vacuums can stand
some water but it will effect the performance of your vacuum cleaner over
time.
Tips on purchasing a
commercial vacuum cleaner.
Commercial vacuum cleaners range in cost from
200 to 2000 dollars . When you purchase a commercial vacuum cleaner you
should look at the purchase as an investment. If you are purchasing the
vacuum for a residential or commercial cleaning company you need a vacuum
cleaner that won't breakdown, is inexpensive to repair and is user friendly.
Some commercial vacuum cleaners can have a life span of up to 15 years whereas
single motor vacuum cleaners can loose power after just one year. There
are three factors to look at when buying a vacuum cleaner.
The first factor to look at when buying a
commercial vacuum is the manufacturer. Make sure to purchase a vacuum from
an established manufacturer that has had ample time to perfect their product.
You can usually purchase a commercial vacuum at a lower price from a newer, less
known company but you won't have a track record to compare it too. Some of
the largest manufacturers of commercial vacuum cleaners are Hoover, Eureka,
National Super Service, Proteam and Crusader. These companies have
established track records and you can easily find reviews on their vacuum
cleaner products on the internet.
The second factor in purchasing a vacuum cleaner
is its features. When looking at vacuum cleaners consider what you are
going to use it for. Do you clean main traffic areas, small work station
cubicles, large open areas or places that are hard to reach. If you vacuum
a lot of hallways or walking traffic areas a commercial upright vacuum cleaner
is usually the most efficient at this task. Commercial back pack vacuum
cleaners are perfect for vacuuming cubicles and hard to reach places. For
large carpeted areas such as banquet halls and conference areas a wide area
vacuum is recommended. These vacuum cleaners can clean paths up to 3ft
wide in one pass and are equipped with large debris tanks for extended use.
Features also include optional tools for the vacuum cleaner. Some
manufacturers of commercial vacuum cleaners like NSS give you a large selection
of additional tools that can be added to your vacuum to perform specific duties.
Attachments such as crevice tools, extension tools, bare floor tools and
extension tubes can be useful for a variety of tasks.
The third and final factor in purchasing a
vacuum cleaner is the warranty. If you intend to keep your vacuum cleaner
for as long as you can, you can reduce repair costs by getting the longest and
most comprehensive warranty plan possible. Repair service by a
knowledgeable technician can be costly so make sure to pick a vacuum with a long
service warranty. Vacuum parts are relatively inexpensive for vacuum
cleaners and usually amount to about a third of the cost on an average repair.
Also make sure to read the fine print on a vacuum warranty, it has been my
experience that some vacuum cleaner manufacturers have a warranty clause for
just about everything.
After you have considered all the factors that
come into play when buying a commercial vacuum cleaner and have picked out a few
models in your price range compare the specifications side by side.
Usually the vacuum cleaner with the most power and wider cleaning path is the
smart pick. Make sure you price out vacuum cleaner filter bags and vacuum
belts because this cost alone over time can add up.
How to properly maintain your vacuum
cleaner. If you own a cleaning
business you know how crucial maintaining your vacuum cleaner fleet can be.
Properly maintained vacuum cleaners can save valuable time and labor while
keeping your clients floors looking great. Keeping your vacuum cleaner suction
system void of debris and obstacles can increase the life of your vacuums motors
in turn saving you money on internal parts and labor. A simple monthly
inspection can save you time and money while increasing your vacuum cleaners
efficiency.
The first thing to inspect on your vacuum
cleaner is the cord. Check for any cracks or kinks in the cord make sure
the cord connection to the vacuum is tightly secured into the vacuums body.
A cracked or twisted cord can be an electrical hazard for your cleaning crew and
people around the work area. If the cord is cracked and bare wire is
exposed replace the cord immediately. The
next area to check on the vacuum cleaner is the filtration system. On a
filter bag system check for any blockages on the incoming suction tube and the
exhaust port. If your vacuum has any internal filters check for filter
blockage and replace or clean them if they are dirty. Some vacuum cleaners
have clips that old the filter bag in place, check to see if clips are cracked
or bent and if so replace them immediately. If the filter bag is not
sealed on the intake port debris could get into the vacuums motor and impede the
performance of the vacuum cleaner. If
everything checks out in the filter compartment then its time to move to the
underside of the vacuum cleaner. Lay the vacuum cleaner on the ground and
roll it over to expose the beater bar and suction area of the vacuum. Make
sure the intake suction tube is not blocked by debris that can cause a strain on
the vacuum belt and prematurely burn out the motor. Check the beater bar
for any cotton or fibers that might be wrapped around it. If material is
wound around the beater bar cut it off carefully using a scissors while being
careful not to cut the beater bar bristles. Spin the beater bar and listen
for squeaks or grinding in the beater bar bearings. The beater bar should
roll smoothly with light resistance from the belt. If the beater bar does
not roll smoothly have a vacuum technician inspect and and if needed replace the
bearings. The final part of the inspection
process is a quick look over the outer shell of the vacuum cleaner. Check
for cracks or protruding parts and then roll the vacuum to see if it moves
smoothly. If everything checks out then it should be good for another
month of great service. On higher priced vacuum cleaners repair costs can
amount to up to 500 dollars. A regular vacuum inspection can keep these
costs down and your cleaning business running smother.
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The Hoover light weight upright vacuum cleaner.
Sanitaire® Model SC886 Quick Kleen® Fan Chamber Vacuum w/Vibra-Groomer II®
Chrome Steel Brush Roll.
The Boss® Upright Vacuum. Powerful maintenance-free 5 amp motor combines with
high-efficiency direct airflow system for deep carpet cleaning.
Commercial Lightweight Vacuum with E-Z Empty™ Dirt Cup. Automatic carpet height
adjustment, molded handle grip, fingertip on/off switch. Three-position handle
lies flat for cleaning under furniture.
Maxi-Glide™ Bagless Vacuum. • UL Approved for commerciall use
Manufacturer’s one-year parts/labor warranty for commercial use Quiet, clean-air
design. Easy-empty, one-hand operation dust container.
Conquest™ 14" Wide Area Upright Vacuum; E-Z Empty™ Dirt Cup Collection System.
Uses E-Z Empty™ Dirt Cup Collection System HOO 58642015 (sold separately), or
cloth bag (sold separately through special order).
Model C1433 Guardsman™ Commercial Vacuum with E-Z Empty™ Dirt Cup. Dirt cup
eliminates bags. Extra-powerful motor with extra-strong polycarbonate base.
Sanitaire® Model SC689 Commercial Upright with EZ Kleen® Dust Cup. UL Approved
for commerical use. Manufacturer’s one-year parts/labor warranty for commercial
use Ideal for hotel/motel use.
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