What is a Floor Vacuum?

A floor vacuum is a vacuum that can be used on carpet, hard wood floors, tile or linoleum flooring. A floor vacuum is available in a large array of models and styles, not to mention they are made by numerous manufacturers.

Upright

A upright floor vacuum is one of the most common vacuum cleaners on the market. The vacuum has a long handle to push the vacuum and many now come with other hardware for cleaning. These items can include additional cleaning attachments, hoses and brushes. A upright vacuum can have a bag that collects the dirt in or it may be a bag less vacuum that has a filter inside that is removed to clean the dirt from.

Canister

A canister vacuum cleaner is a smaller vacuum that has attachments as well, however they are very light weight and can be carried around the area that needs to be vacuumed. A canister vacuum is used for hard to reach areas or places that can not be cleaned with a standard upright vacuum, such as stairs, under furniture or high shelves. There is a handle on the vacuum itself and a long hose and stick for cleaning. A canister vacuum can use a bag or a filter as well.

Stick

Stick vacuum cleaners are very light vacuums that have no attachments or hardware, they are very simple in design. There is a long handle and these usually has a bag that collects the dirt. Stick vacuum cleaners are best used for hard floors or for small areas, such as in a small office that does not collect a lot of dirt or in a bathroom to pick up what a mop can not.

Hand Held

A hand held vacuum is small and compact. There usually are very few additional attachments or hardware that comes with a hand held vacuum cleaner. At the most there may be an additional nozzle to place onto the vacuum to reach into small corners or spaces. A hand held can be corded or cordless, which then it will have a battery and a charging station for when it is not in use. A hand held is perfect for small cleanups, such as dropped crumbs on the floor or to clean the floor of a car.

Steam Cleaner

A steam vacuum uses steam and heat to remove set in dirt and grim. A steam cleaner vacuum may have a carpet cleaning option as part of the vacuum. They have a filter system that is emptied of the dirt and grim, as well as there may be a canister to hold water for the carpet cleaning option. If the steam cleaner comes with attachments, they are usually additional brushes or scrubbers to clean with. A steam cleaner vacuum looks very similar to an upright vacuum with a long handle and the vacuum head at the bottom.