new thread
There must be brands of vacuum cleaners out there that allow the rotating brush to be disengaged so it doesn't become all jammed up with long hair.
I've ruined two good vacuums that way, finally resorted to a small cannister and wand, but that takes forever. I've heard there were vacuums that could disengage the roller brush but I can't find them so labeled in stores and even the guys in vacuum cleaner shops scratch their heads.
There must be some way you guys, or even lurking ladies, deal with the problem of vacuuming up the long hair around the house without smoking the vacuum cleaner...
Thanks for any suggestions.
You shouldnt be using a vacuum cleaner on your hair in the first place (I know it sucks-Im sorry, IM REALLY REALLY SORRY! BUT I HAD TO!).
That's what a vacuum cleaner is supposed to do!
Oh, that reminds me. Last year, I took one of our old vacuum cleaners to the Goodwill drop off. They asked me if it worked. I said, "yes". BUT, I should've said "it kinda sucks..." in a voice that sounded a bit unsure about it... :)
-J
If your vacuum cleaner does suck, then you should follow the instructions and detach the hose and re-attach it to the exhaust. This way, you have a blow dryer for your hair, and this thread will once again be on-topic!
Cool, I created a pseudo-bad joke thread.
bad case of 'jocular' itch -eh?
Most of the cheap upright vacuums that you buy at appliance stores don't have an adjustment lever for the brush, and the path is brush, motor, bag. So most of the dirt goes through the motor on it's way to the bag. Most of these don't last very long because of this exact reason, and long hair getting tangled around the motor's fan quickens this.
Look for a more expensive vacuum that has the bag before the fan so that dirt does not go through the motor. Just about all canisters are like this. One advantage that canisters have too is that you can unplug the power brush when you don't want it, or simply use a non-power attachment. Back to uprights, many of the more expensive models too have a dial on the head that adjusts the height of the brush, or disengages it completely. You can also simply disassemble the vacuum, and remove the belt drive from the motor's pulley to the brush. Only problem with not using the brush is that it is most of your cleaning power if you have carpets. I have hardwood floors in my house so it's not a big deal, but most of the cleaning that occurs to your carpet comes from it being brushed by the vacuum, not the sucking action.
The reason I mentioned Electrolux vacuums is that the power brush is VERY easy to disassemble to clean and repair. I own one of these that I bought at a yard sale for about $15. They can be found both new and used (but are not cheap new) they haven't changed much over the 50 or so years they have been built. Most of the Electrolux vacuums are canisters, are bag before fan and can use all sorts of attachments. I have sucked up half-dollar coins, small pebbles, and other solid objects with mine with absloutely no ill effects to the machine.
If the sales person knows anything about vacuum cleaners and cares about customers, they should show anyone with long hair which models are easiest to take apart and put together. Try another store or another town or write to the manufactorers if they won't let you find out which models can easily be taken apart to clean the roller brush.
Some vacuum cleaner models such as an Eureka upright, allow the bottom plate to easily be removed, the roller bursh removed and all put back together in seconds. Other models, the roller brush and bottom plate can't be removed.
Any vacuum clearner needs to be cleaned regularly, especially if anyone in the house has hair or pets. If you have a lot of carpet, the upright models with a roller brush are best to pick up hair. Most cannister models don't have a roller brush but work best for other uses such as cleaning chairs and couches.