Washing vacuum cleaners: features, models and tips for choosing

For decades, the vacuum cleaner has been one of the most important appliances in homes and apartments. But these faithful helpers are constantly evolving. And it is very important for modern people to know everything about the versions of vacuum cleaners designed for wet cleaning.

The idea of ​​what a washing vacuum cleaner is is very vague for many people. Often this even stops you from buying devices with a wet cleaning function. Sometimes it seems that the compilers of the descriptions are trying to confuse the consumer, they use a lot of professional terms and numbers. But it's actually pretty simple. This is just a design that, along with dry cleaning, can supply water to the floor to be cleaned.

Whatever approaches the engineers use, whatever solutions they choose, any model of vacuum cleaner works more or less the same. It has a special reservoir where clean water is poured. Sometimes not clean, but mixed with a detergent composition. In some cases, mixing takes place directly in the working chamber. Regardless of this, the mixture is pumped under pressure through the nozzle.

The spray wets the floor covering. But at the same time, contaminated water is collected through other channels. A special compartment is provided for it. After finishing work, it is washed. Of course, the capacity of both compartments is invariably the same.

Plain tap water is also suitable for filling a "clean" tank. There are no special requirements for its purity. A cleaning compound is used to tidy up fabric surfaces. The ratio between it and water is prescribed in the instructions. Dry mode involves directing debris into a bag or contaminated water compartment.

Wet cleaning is noticeably more effective than dry cleaning. And even hand washing with a doormat is a little worse. High quality vacuum cleaners work exactly so that no streaks or just stains remain. Fast, almost instant surface drying is a big advantage. When 5-10 seconds have passed, you can safely walk on the floor without leaving dirty marks and streaks.

Vacuum cleaners are recommended for large apartments and houses divided into several rooms. They combine two basic cleaning modes. Therefore, less time will be spent.

Contrary to popular myth, household cleaners can work without supplying water. Disabling this mode is very simple. A serious advantage of this design is also the effective cleaning of the floor in a house where various animals live. Collecting wool, food debris and other unpleasant substances is greatly simplified. Vacuum cleaners are also useful where there are deep carpets covered with thick pile.

However, they are not suitable for cleaning:

• parquet;
• foamed carpet;
• upholstered furniture covered with fine textiles.

The retraction power is of great importance in the selection of a washing vacuum cleaner for the house. In no case should it be confused with the amount of current consumed. For ordinary apartments, an indicator of 0.3-0.4 kW is quite enough.A lower level is impractical, and a higher level is not economical enough. Current consumption is considered secondarily; look at what it feels like for wet and dry cleaning.

Before buying, you need to check exactly which numbers are indicated in booklets and on price tags. The technical data sheets provide both nominal and maximum values. When compiling descriptions, marketers and sellers often indicate a more profitable number for product promotion. That's why you need to spend time getting to know the technical documentation.

The next significant parameter is the capacity of the water tank. If you need to clean 1-2 rooms, then 3 or 4 liters will be enough. But for an apartment of three rooms, you will have to choose a device with a tank of 5 liters or more. The largest rooms are cleaned using 8-10 liter tanks. It's more practical to pick the perfect version right away, rather than pouring in new portions of water all the time.

The next step is the selection of a mechanism for the dust filtration method. When garbage is collected, 90 to 95% of it is saturated with water and settles in a "dirty" tank. The rest of the dust could be blown back into the room with air bubbles. Various filters can help prevent this situation. Some of them trap dust and dirt particles, making them heavier by humidification.

Another approach involves the creation of barriers of a physical or chemical nature. No filter is able to stop all the dirt completely. However, reducing the amount of pollution from 5-10 to 0.03-1% is already a lot. The best filter systems should be selected:

• suffering from allergies;
• people with impaired immunity;
• pet owners;
• patients with asthma and other respiratory diseases.

Regardless of the degree of purification of the outlet air, it is also important how the vacuum cleaner collects it. It's about accessories. There is practically no point in buying models that are not equipped with telescopic tubes. These tips are easy to adjust according to their height, which allows you to use the device as conveniently as possible. To make your work even more comfortable, you should give preference to vacuum cleaners with control elements on the handle.

Then there will be no need to bend over to the body every time when you need to switch modes or stop the device. It is necessary to pay attention to the material of the tube when choosing. The lightness of plastic is considerably overshadowed by its low strength. Stronger aluminum quickly loses its visual appeal and fades. According to connoisseurs and professionals, tubes made of light grades of steel are the best choice.

But regardless of the quality of the product, the fasteners will gradually loosen. Therefore, you just need to be prepared that after a while they will begin to let water through. A wire-guided pipe is quite cheap. However, it is heavy. The infrared control circuit works with a remote control, but sometimes the impulses do not reach the target, since furniture is between the emitter and the vacuum cleaner.

Radio control is convenient and less prone to malfunctions. However, it is not found in every model. Besides, radio modules cost a lot of money. In addition to the telescopic tube, attention should be paid to the choice of nozzles. Normally, 5-7 nozzles are used; if there are fewer of them in the kit, then this indirectly indicates low quality.

A typical kit includes:

• nozzles for dry cleaning of floors and carpets;
• devices for washing them;
• nozzles for cleaning furniture;
• accessories for cleaning glass;
• adapters for hard surfaces;
• brushes of various shapes;
• rubber scrapers for cleaning mirrors;
• polish with antistatic effect.

Recently, more and more the assortment of auxiliary elements has been replenished with devices for cleaning television screens, blinds, even toilets. But it is important to understand that having too many accessories is not always a good thing.

Washing vacuum cleaners are divided into vertical and horizontal devices. The first type is traditionally popular and looks like a tall bucket. Such a device allows you to achieve significant capacity and usually allows you to put things in order in large apartments and houses. Horizontal designs are more similar to vacuum cleaners of the usual shape; they are appreciated for their design and decent maneuverability. However, they cannot cope with cleaning a large area.

When reading reviews, you should always pay attention to ease of maintenance. Even if the vacuum cleaner is very simple to use, but it requires sophisticated manipulations after cleaning, it is extremely inconvenient. It is very good if the whole procedure, including deep cleaning, takes 10-15 minutes. As with other pneumatic technology, loudness ratings are important. Too noisy vacuum cleaners are not only inconvenient, they are also most likely poorly assembled or made of low-quality materials.

The length of the vacuum cleaner is also considered an important indicator. The body together with pipe and cord must be at least 7 m in length. Otherwise, the device will be inconvenient to use.

If the vacuum cleaner will be used often, the automatic stop of the device at critical heating is of great importance. In the absence of such a function, it may break prematurely. It is easy to understand that this option is no less relevant in a large house. Experts advise to take into account the weight and dimensions of the device. It is not always possible to find a suitable place for a powerful, bulky vacuum cleaner.

And it is not very convenient to carry a heavy object. The one-piece boom is reliable but difficult to store. Disassembled - more compact, but after a few years it can "leak".

When you plan to find the optimal device for dry cleaning, and not for simple cleaning of floors with clean water, you will have to take into account the recommended compositions of reagents. They differ for each manufacturer and even models. And at the same time, it depends on the chemical composition of the mixtures whether they can be used in a particular case. As for the power, it is selected individually. It is worth being guided by an obvious universal rule: the larger the area to be cleaned, the stronger the electric motor should be.

Philips FC 7088 will definitely be included in the rating of optimal models. The vacuum cleaner is considered almost universal - it can wash, clean and slightly dry the surface. Therefore, it is suitable for any hard coatings, even capricious ones. By filling the tank, it will be possible to clean up to 60 sq. m. Indicator lights are provided.

Excellent functionality is achieved despite the limited current consumption (only 0.5 kW). The vacuum cleaner has received an international certificate confirming the effective fight against allergens. Other positive aspects include:

• long network cable length;
• the presence of a self-cleaning mode;
• ease of filling with water.

Thomas TWIN Helper can be an interesting proposal.Despite the comfortable price, the device has great functionality. There is an aquafilter and an emergency water pumping function.

The scope of delivery includes a brush that effectively cleans the parquet floor. With the help of a vacuum cleaner, both carpets and hard surfaces are well cleaned. Automatic wire twisting is provided. The filtration is very good: only 0.1% of dust is allowed through. Problems may be related to:

• insufficient length of the power cord;
• high power consumption (1.5 kW);
• weight (8.4 kg).

Deservedly participates in the review and Zelmer ZVC752ST. The Polish vacuum cleaner is equipped with a reliable electronic control system. That is why this compact device is attractive to the user for its simplicity. The scope of delivery includes a case for easy drying after work.

Despite the cheapness, an aquafilter and a telescopic tube are provided. In this case, the volume of work is 84 dB. The ZVC752ST consumes 1.6 kW. Its weakness is also the insufficient length of the power cord - only 6 m.

Karcher SE 4002 costs a little more. This vacuum cleaner is designed for dry and wet cleaning. During operation, it consumes only 1.4 kW; the garbage is redirected to the bag. The design includes a fine filter. The device was equipped with a long (7.5 m) network cable. Its weight is 8 kg.

Karcher SE 4001 is another vacuum cleaner suitable for spray-extraction. It helps to thoroughly clean both textiles and hard surfaces. The washing vacuum cleaner of this model works with paper filter bags. The special design can guarantee the deepest penetration of the cleaning composition into the surface to be cleaned. A capacious tank for clean water is also an undoubted advantage. The unit can be connected to a wide range of wet and dry cleaning accessories. After treatment with detergents sprayed through nozzles, the surface dries faster than usual.

But the choice of a suitable model, as well as taking into account technical characteristics, is far from all. Only if you use your vacuum cleaner correctly can you really benefit from it. And vice versa, inattention to "little things" depreciates expensive equipment, deprives the consumer of many conveniences. In the most difficult cases, the mechanism breaks down altogether. Preparation for the operation of a particular vacuum cleaner is scrupulously described in the instructions.

However, the general steps are fairly typical:

• filling a "clean" container with water or a solution of the prescribed composition;
• connecting the capillary tube on one side to the spray nozzle, and on the other to the connector made on the body;
• docking of the capillary and the intake pipe using clips;
• connecting the pipe to the hose;
• the location of the hose in the retracted connector;
• removing the cable from the regular storage;
• inclusion in the network.

Before these steps, you need to make sure that:

• network parameters correspond to the requirements of a particular vacuum cleaner;
• insulation of wires, socket, cable and case is not broken;
• the household appliance has no mechanical damage;
• the hose and other accessories are completely intact and serviceable.

When using the model with filters, the defoamer specified in the instructions is placed in the waste liquid collection compartment. Before starting the vacuum cleaner, each filter, with the exception of a completely new one, is cleaned, dried and placed in a specially designated place. If you do not plan to carry out wet cleaning, filling the tanks for water and cleaning agent is unacceptable. They are used only when there is a direct need for it.

Before using the steaming mode or separate cleaning compounds, make sure that the surface to be cleaned will not be damaged. Intuition and life experience are poor guides in this matter. It is necessary to obtain the most accurate and verified information.

When the floor is completely clean, it is time to take care of the household appliance itself. After turning it off from the network, first of all, place the cord in the designated storage. Draining water from the "dirty" compartment, wash it. Then wash each nozzle and hose separately. While these parts are drying, you can wash filters, partitions, and they also need to be put to dry.

Only as a last resort, you can pour out the water from the "clean" segment and dry it. The assembly of the vacuum cleaner is carried out strictly when the parts are completely dry. Even insignificant humidity provokes the appearance of colonies of mold and other pathological fungi. As a result, instead of improving the atmosphere in the home, the opposite effect is achieved. And even the most thorough care does not mean that you can refuse systematic filter replacement.

A standard HEPA filter can last 30 hours. In most cases, this time is exhausted in 5-7 months. But if the vacuum cleaner is used often and in large quantities, it will run out faster. Water hotter than 50 degrees is not suitable for preparing the washing solution. It can damage the cover of the special compartment. When preparing to clean upholstery, expensive or multi-colored carpets, it is advisable to check the effect of the detergent on an inconspicuous area.

If the result is frankly bad, you will either have to select a different composition, or, which is much more correct and safer, prefer dry cleaning. For dry cleaning of the most dirty areas, after spraying the composition, a pause is made for 10-15 minutes. This is usually enough to clear up the most serious blockage. Of course, the instructions for each specific shampoo are also taken into account. After treatment with a detergent composition, they pass through the same places a second time, but only with clean water.

On delicate surfaces and in other demanding cases, it is better to slightly reduce the concentration of the detergent mixture compared to the usual value. Carpets and jute rugs should be washed as carefully as possible. For them, even "simple" moisturizing can be harmful. When shampoo is used for washing, an antifoam must also be used.

Wet cleaning of 32 and 33 class laminates is quite acceptable. But the 31st class is subject to exclusively dry cleaning. It is recommended to increase the power of the vacuum cleaner to the maximum. This prevents water from flowing under the laminate. And therefore rotting of its boards is excluded, which often occurs during careless handling. Even if the laminate floor allows wet cleaning, it should be done no more than 1 time in 72 hours.

It is forbidden to use alkalis, acids and household chemicals instead of the recommended formulations. It is also undesirable to use mixtures including wax and silicone. Parquet can only be cleaned wet when a specially impregnated, varnished board has been installed. The vacuum cleaner must be turned on strictly at full power. In this mode, it will not wet the surface excessively, but will quickly collect the released moisture back.

If the unit begins to suck too weakly, you need to:

• clean the tank from dust;
• inspect the device;
• wash and dry it;
• change filters;
• remove dirt from the blades;
• in case of failure, contact a specialist.

The Zelmer ZVC752STRU washing vacuum cleaner has consistently positive ratings. The abundance of baits is especially appreciated. Consumers note the ease of management. Even washing a carpet in a bathroom, for example, cannot give the same result as cleaning with this vacuum cleaner. The turbo brush is also very good, which collects absolutely all wool and threads from the carpet. Subject to the basic rules of use, such a vacuum cleaner will serve for many years.

Tefal Clean & Steam VP7545RH also performs well. Its users find that the simultaneous removal of dirt and steam is extremely effective. Even weaknesses (interfering wire, high volume and heaviness, inability to clean carpets) are quite tolerable.A three-room apartment can be cleaned in 20 minutes without risking leaving streaks on the laminate.

Thomas Bravo 20 S Aquafilter, although introduced into production a long time ago, is quite competitive against the background of modern models. The name itself suggests one of its advantages. Judging by the reviews, the number of components satisfies the basic needs. The device is very easy to operate. The ratio of power and current consumption (0.49 and 1.6 kW) is very pleasing.

For information on how to choose a washing vacuum cleaner, see the next video.