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[Mominohio]

I asked for input on vacuum cleaners. I had an older Oreck, and I knew for quite some time it wasn't effective anymore. I put off replacing for too long, as I simply didn't want to clutter my mind with trying to sort through what to buy. 

Based on reviews, money available to spend, and responses to threads about the subject, I decided to try a bagless for the first time. I liked the reviews for Shark products most everywhere, and bought not one but two Sharks. 

I got a Shark rotator lift away at Kohl's this past weekend. $400, marked down to $300, then 30% off, and ended up coming in at about $225 with tax and everything. They had it in stock and I brought it home, and have since been thoroughly disgusted at the dirt and hair I have been getting out of certain areas of my home. 

I also picked up a Shark Navigator, but it had to be shipped, and got here a couple of days ago. 

Many reviews said these two performed pretty much the same, but in my opinion there is a world of difference between them. 

They each weigh about twice what my Oreck did, and that is an adjustment for me. One of the reasons I chose an Oreck was the ease of carrying it up and down stairs. 

The Rotator is so much better made, the parts more substantial, it appears more filtering pieces, better attachments, longer cord, and an overall more solid piece of equipment. 

The Navigator has a much smaller head, and works well in the bedrooms and bathrooms where getting in tighter places is necessary. It just doesn't feel as substantial in any way though. 

I'm keeping both, as I have three floors in my house, all with stairways to go up and down, so having a machine on each floor would be ideal, but at least one for the uppermost level and one for the lower two, saves some carrying. 

This is my first go round with a bagless, and I'm kind of obsessed with emptying the container at this point. I find myself wanting to do it after every room, just so I can see how much I'm getting from each area. I'm sure that will pass in time. 

My biggest adjustment is going to be how/where to dump the collection canister. I'm just not going to dump it in any basket/trash container in the house. I've been taking it outside, but think I will have to come to place a waste basket in the attached garage to dump it in. 

Anyone who uses a bagless, what is your routine for emptying the machine, without getting that dirt and dust back into the air/home?

[jackthebear]

i empty the container into the trash every time I use it.

just be sure to be sure you clean the filters on the shark vac

[Mominohio]

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@jackthebear wrote:

i empty the container into the trash every time I use it.

just be sure to be sure you clean the filters on the shark vac

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@jackthebear

How often do you clean them? And from what I've seen online, just rinse them out (except the HEPA) and let dry for a day or two?

[RedTop]

We empty ours into a trash bag in the garage.  

[DiAnne]

I have two Sharks also.  I empty them in the trash container outside.  I used to be obessed with emptying them but at the time I had a long haired 75 pound dog and they would fill up fast.  The dog has been gone now about 5 months and I can vacuum many times before having to empy it since I don't have all the dog hair.. 

[viva923]

I owned 5 Sharks. All different models. Just didn't clean as well as I liked.

As I have been called by my kids "the queen of vacuuming".

I have used so many of those machines over the years.

Many have been OK, many are a waste of money.

I have found Miele to be the best, but are expensive. can run about $500.00 or better for each vacuum. they are very heavy but boy do they clean fantablously great!!!!!!!!

I just purchased a Bissell ($250.00 at Kohl's) that is a bit lighter weight than my Miele's. It is bagless, but does a very good good job at vacuuming. It is the Pet Eraser-swivel vacuum. It does pick up quiet well on carpeting. I have not tried it on flooring (only have bath and kitchen flooring) both rooms are to small for a full size vacuum to use. 

When I need super clean I pull out my Miele vacuum . The Bissell does well in the  super clean department but I still vote for Miele as the best.

[fthunt]

Husband bought me an Oreck years ago b/c he saw them in all hotels when he traveled.  At first - okay but we added a dog to the house and eventually hubby asked - what stinks around here?  Oreck had a cloth bag on the up-right and doggy hair - and all that comes w/dog just stayed in that bag.  Plus it didn't pick up much of anything.  Are they still in business?  Used to be on Q - but heard they sold the company.(the blue shirt son did the demos)

[Chicagosuburbangirl]

I walk to the big garbage recepticle outside that goes to the curb and dump it right in.

Usually I do this barefooted and hope a neighbor isn't walking by.

I know this is slovenly, but it is the truth.

[Sweetbay magnolia]

I just empty into the trash can and rinse the filters when they need to be/I have a chance.  I have two Shark Rotators.  Dust never sleeps.

[software]

I have a place   outside to dump mine and I dump every time I use it and I only have carpet in the hall and bedrooms.    I also clean out intakes and such as that as well as the roller.

I have a Black & Decker Air Swivel and the entire canister is about 4 pieces, I not only dump but I take it all apart to be sure there is nothing stuck where it doesn't belong as well as tap out the filter. I can actually wash all the parts.  I have cats.

If I needed to dump and didn't want to go outside, I would double bag a plastic grocery bag, dump in it then tie it up and put it in the trash in the garage.    Dumping before the canister is full will add to the life of your vac.