To make your own cleaning solution for hardwood floors, combine one part vinegar with 10 parts warm water and wipe your floors clean with a mop. (BestReviews)
Cordless vacuums take some of the hassle out of cleaning, but you want to choose one that’s suitable for your hardwood floors. The best cordless vacuums for hardwood floors not only clean them effectively but don’t pose any risk of scratching, gouging or otherwise damaging them. Rectangle Microfiber Mop
The Dyson V15 Detect Cordless Stick Vacuum is a powerful, high-tech choice with laser illumination and a fluffy brush to tackle invisible dust on hardwood floors.
If you have hardwood floors throughout your entire home, how you adjust your vacuum between floor types won't be an issue. However, if you have some carpeting or area rugs, then you should pay attention to how your chosen vacuum switches between floor types.
In many cases, this is manual. Ideally, there should be a button you press on the handle of the unit, as this makes switching extremely easy. However, some basic models have a switch on the cleaning head, which is more of a hassle to adjust. The most high-tech models have sensors that detect floor type and switch modes automatically.
Cordless vacuums run on a battery, and these batteries aren’t huge (remember, they have to fit inside your lightweight vacuum). Battery life varies from around 20 minutes to an hour. Fortunately for most homes, a 30-minute battery life is enough to give the house a good cleaning. If you live in a larger space, choose a vacuum with a longer battery life.
While most cordless vacuums have a standard suction attachment, some have additional accessories that are designed for cleaning different areas and different types of messes. Some of these are particularly suited to cleaning hardwood floors. For instance, vacuums with fluffy brush attachments make close contact with floors and pick up dust that bristle brushes can leave behind.
Before you get a new vacuum, check the battery charge time. Depending on how often you vacuum and how much space you have to cover, you may want a machine with a shorter charge time. Better yet, opt for a vacuum with the ability to charge on the go. This way, you have the option to plug the machine in while you work.
One of the great parts about cordless vacuums is that they tend to be lighter and more compact than corded vacuums. This is great for small households where storage space is at a premium. Before buying a new vacuum, check the dimensions and weight to make sure it will fit in your storage closet.
If you have skittish pets or just don’t like the loud hum of an appliance indoors, consider how loud a new vacuum is before purchasing. Most appliances have a noise rating in decibels. The average vacuum cleaner is 75 decibels.
Vacuums have a pretty wide price range. High-end cordless vacuums for hardwood floors can cost up to $700. On the other end of the spectrum, you can find high-quality vacs for $100-$300.
A. For most homes, unless you have electrical outlets everywhere, a cordless vacuum makes things much easier to clean. In addition to not being tied to an outlet, it's also easier to set up a cordless vacuum. Plus, they tend to be lighter and easier to maneuver, unlike heavy and bulky traditional vacuums.
A. While traditional vacuums may have bulky, dusty bags inside, most cordless options have a simple canister that collects dirt and debris as you clean. When you're done vacuuming, empty the canister. This way, there's no extra packaging or products to buy to keep your vacuum running smoothly.
Dyson V15 Detect Cordless Stick Vacuum: available at Amazon and Wayfair
Our take: Dyson makes vacuums with a cult following, and this cordless model lives up to the hype, thanks to high-powered suction, a long battery life and filtration to remove common household allergens.
What we like: The fluffy brush and laser illumination are specifically designed for picking up dust on hardwood floors. There's an automatic floor type sensor. It has impressive suction power and a 60-minute battery life.
What we dislike: This vacuum is on the expensive side.
Bissell Featherweight Cordless Stick Vacuum: available at Amazon
Our take: This extremely lightweight stick vacuum is perfect for homes with pets.
What we like: It's great for all kinds of floors, including hardwood. It also comes with tools specifically designed for pet hair and upholstery.
What we dislike: The battery only lasts 20 minutes.
Shark Anti-Allergen Pet Power Cordless Stick Vacuum: available at Amazon
Our take: By making close contact with hard floors, it cleans thoroughly and effectively.
What we like: The 50-minute battery life gives you plenty of time to clean your whole home before it runs out of juice. It has an anti-tangle brush roll, so it doesn't get hair wrapped around it. The HEPA filtration is helpful for people with allergies.
What we dislike: It doesn't work as well on rugs and carpet, which is something to think about if you don't have hard floors everywhere in your home.
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Lauren Corona is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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