Vacuum cleaners

A central vacuum cleaner was installed in this house when it was purchased. This massive canister in the basement sat idle for about 8 years, until the Hoover died. I spent about $500 on attachments for the central vac (attachments did not convey on the home sale), and $80 to replace two obscure little parts, so I could use it.

A few weeks ago, the power brush / beater bar broke and I went to the vacuum cleaner shop to get replacement parts. That’s another $40, bringing my total investment in routine carpet cleaning equipment to $620.

Last weekend, I bought a $44 Bissell vacuum cleaner, with ‘onboard attachments’. It’s magenta, and you can watch the dirt swirl in the holding area. Entertaining, attractive, and inexpensive.

Pound for pound, dollar for dollar, the Bissell is a far better value. I could by 16 of them for the amount I spent on the central vac. In different colors.