SWEEPERS V VACUUMS
What is a manual sweeper?
A manual sweeper is a mechanical device which is used to clean floors, just like an electric vacuum. It consists of a body that houses a set of rollers and gears which, when pushed forward, rotate and sweep dirt into an integrated container. It does not require electricity or any additional assembly once put together. In comparison an electric vacuum does require electricity, through a power cord or using a battery pack. It may require additional assembly but is typically available in a wider variety of shape, size and style.
Why buy a manual sweeper?
The main and most significant positive for the manual sweeper is the price. Because they do not need electricity they are therefore inevitably cheaper; due to both the internal components not consisting of wires or motherboards, and also due to of the lack of running costs.
They too are incredibly easy to operate.
There are no wires.
There are no buttons to press for it to start – simply get up and go.
Manual sweepers such as the Ewbank EVO3 are also quiet, light and easy to store.
Electric vacuums
Electric vacuums (vacuum cleaners) when purchased cost on average £50 more than a manual sweeper*, plus the running cost of electricity. To start vacuuming they typically need to be plugged in and a button must be pressed which, although does not sound like much, is more than what is required for a sweeper. In addition to this they are frequently marketed as ‘quiet models’ but, when compare to a manual sweeper, the decibel rating is significantly higher. Furthermore, unless the vacuum is handheld, they too are likely to be much heavier.
That being said, this is counteracted by the superior cleaning performance and dust container size that most electric vacuums exhibit, including the Ewbank Motion.
A vacuum has the additional benefit of suction power which quickly and efficiently helps get rid of dirt. This dirt is deposited in a larger dust container meaning longer cleaning time and so increased coverage across the home. The final positive is that almost all vacuums have a secondary means of cleaning, be it attaching a tool or converting it to a handheld. This increases versatility beyond that of just the floor.
*According to the price of Amazon listed Ewbank products on the 2nd October 2019
BEST WAY TO PICK UP PET HAIR
Unbeknown to many, the majority of pet hair can be tackled using regular items found around most UK homes. Items such as rubber gloves and mops which, when spritzed with water, create a tacky static surface for the hair to latch on to. Simply pass over the area and it will collect. Tape and lint rollers are also great as they are naturally sticky, the latter of which is synonymous with almost all pet owners. Another method is a window squeegee, again because of the rubber.
The final unorthodox but effective option is to simply put on a pair of sports socks and shuffle around the hard floors. This works as static collects at your feet and attracts the hair away from the surface.
Note: do not do this if your floor splinters!
Bits that can be bought
In case none of the above quick solutions shift the fluff, try any of the following inexpensive options. They are either specifically designed for the job or innovative ideas which may not be considered.
Anti-static spray – prevents surfaces from being static and attracting hair
Humidifier – creates a fine layer of moisture, similar to that of the rubber glove method, to prevent hair from sticking
Pumice stone – hair gets caught in the fine minute holes which help clear surfaces
Vacuums
However if you’re still struggling with the hair, it might be worth investing in a vacuum which is designed to shift the most stubborn of fluff. This includes a handheld vacuum; easy to navigate and so isolating and getting rid of hair-ridden areas is simple. Alternatively, purchase a vacuum with a turbo/pet brush. These additional brushes are either motorised or wind powered and feature a brush bar which is specifically designed to latch onto strands of hair
PRODUCTS FOR DIFFERENT FLOORS
Almost every household has more than one floor surface, from vinyl through to deep pile carpets and rugs. Having a variety of surfaces adds character to a home but it does come with one added obstacle – how to best clean each one? Ewbank has a range of products which can tackle each and every floor, beyond just a vacuum. This article is designed to help you understand what product is best for which surface.
Hard floor
The term ‘hard floor’ encompasses a huge variety of surfaces and in short means floor which is not carpeted. A few examples include:
Wooden floorboards
Tiles
Laminate
Vinyl
The Chilli 4 Cyclonic is a vacuum which is equipped for all said surfaces and can even be purchased with an additional, specially designed hard floor euro head for maximum coverage. For a clean beyond a vacuum however, the following products are available.
Tackling wood, tiles, laminate and vinyl
To access the small gaps which are common in wooden floorboards the Spray Mop with Two Heads (200) is ideal. It has a microfiber flat head which effortlessly collects any small and stubborn remnants which may have been trapped. As for tiles, the Steam Dynamo comes equipped with an abundance of attachments to make light work of the dirt and grease which can collect. Using this gives a quality clean which is achievable without chemicals.
For laminate, one of the most popular surfaces in the UK, the Floor Polisher (EP170) polishes and buffs floors so that they appear as new as the day they were installed. It is light weight and comes equipped with a butterfly handle to make polishing as easy as possible. Another product designed with ease in mind is the Cha-Cha 2, a cordless duster which is great for vinyl flooring. It is fully portable and pairs a powerful 150 rpm cleaning head with a gentle microfiber duster to give an unrivalled finish.
Carpet
Carpet is typically categorised into two: short pile and long pile, of which both can either cover a whole room or just part of it. Pile is a term for the fabric loops which are woven into the base – short loops for short pile and long loops for long pile.
The NEW SurgePlus has been designed with carpets in mind. It has a versatile brush bar, suitable for all types of carpet and it is powerful enough to extract material deep rooted into the pile without pulling out any of the fabric.
If pet hair is the issue, the Motion vacuum comes equipped with an air powered turbo brush which is capable of extracting hair regardless of the pile.
Tackling a soiled carpet
If something has been spilt and has either engrained or stained the carpet, sometimes a vacuum requires a helping hand. To achieve a clean which could be mistaken for a professional job, the Cascade Carpet Shampooer is the answer. It is a robust shampooer which is capable of accessing all the deep fibres so that the carpet looks brand new.
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