Choosing the Best Commercial Vacuum Cleaner

What Makes a Vacuum Cleaner Commercial Grade?

While home vacuum cleaners do the job when used infrequently, a commercial grade vacuum is generally more durable, powerful, and built for continuous use. Where a residential unit would wear out quickly in a professional cleaning application, commercial vacuums are intended for heavy use and last longer.

Plus, most commercial units will come with a commercial power cord which is helpful for keeping your business within safety guidelines.

What is HEPA?

An acronym for High Efficiency Particulate Air or High Efficiency Particulate Arrestance, HEPA refers to filters that have been tested and certified to remove a high percentage of microscopic particulates and meet certain other standards.

While HEPA filters are used in a variety of applications, like the automotive industry and HVAC systems, using HEPA filtration in vacuum cleaners helps to trap pollen, dust, germs, and other common triggers of allergy and asthma symptoms so that they aren't kicked up into the air during cleaning.

All vacuum cleaners have some sort of filter but not all are HEPA filters. If you are concerned about dispersing allergens, viruses, or other contaminants into the air you may want to consider purchasing a vacuum cleaner with HEPA filtration.

Bagged vs. Bagless Vacuums

When considering whether your business should go bagless, here are some things to think about. First, while it is true that eliminating disposable vacuum bags can reduce expenses, bagless units do have additional filters that will need to be cleaned and replaced every so often. Second, emptying a bagless vacuum cleaner can be a dusty job so you'll want workers to be aware that this might cause symptoms in those with allergies or asthma. On the other hand, a bagged vacuum cleaner ensures that most of the dust and debris will stay inside the bag for disposal.

CRI Certifications

The Carpet and Rug Institute, or CRI, is one of the foremost sources for information about carpet and they lead many initiatives that help to protect air quality and extend carpet's lifespan. The CRI Seal of Approval program tests carpet cleaning equipment and chemicals to evaluate whether they are effective at removing soil without damaging the carpet itself.

Seeing the CRI logo related to a vacuum cleaner means that the unit complies with the Carpet and Rug Institute's performance standards for proper soil removal, dust containment, and carpet texture protection. By using a CRI approved vacuum cleaner in your business, you'll ensure better air quality and longer carpet life.

Vacuum Cleaner Features

• Hard Floor Option

  If you have hard floors, be sure that your vacuum handles them well or that you buy the right accessories. Upright vacuums are usually a good choice. Canister vacuums may need a special head attachment, for example.

• Edge Cleaning

  Extra brushes along the sides of the power head allow better cleaning on baseboards and walls. This is available on some upright models.

• Height Adjustment

  This accounts for carpets with thicker vs. shorter piles. Some adjust manually, others adjust automatically.

• Roller Brush Type

  This is a part, also called a brushroll, which agitates the carpet to loosen and remove dirt. Motor-powered roller brushes give more agitation for a deeper clean than suction-powered rollers, but they can spread dirt out across hard floors too. You can get around this problem by choosing a model that lets you turn the brushroll on / off or adjust the power levels.

• Easy On / Off

  Having an on/off that's easy to figure out and easy to access is important if your employees will be using the vacuum frequently.

• Hose Diameter

  Most commercial vacuums will list the diameter, which falls somewhere between 1 1/4" and 2". Narrower hoses are easier to use and store, but handle less debris. For light-duty cleaning a narrower hose might be enough, but for heavy-duty projects and renovations, a larger hose is a must.

• Cord

  Will you be working in very large rooms or in old buildings where power outlets are few and far between? If so, consider the length of the power cord when choosing a vacuum cleaner for your business. In many applications, like hotel suites or business offices, the standard 35' or 40' cord may be adequate. If you are going to be cleaning large rooms where outlets are scarce, consider a unit with a longer 50' power cord, or a cordless vacuum, so that you can reach a larger area without needing to find another power source.

• Bag / Canister Capacity

  Compare the capacities of the vacuums you are looking at to see which will hold more dirt before needing to be emptied. Those with smaller capacities will need to be emptied more often, which can run into downtime and extra labor expenses. Plus, if you opt for a bagged model, then a smaller capacity would mean purchasing bags more often.

• Weight

  In general, it's hard to go wrong with a lightweight vacuum cleaner. This is especially important, though, if you're planning to use your vacuum in multi-story buildings, for cleaning stairs, or as an accessory on a housekeeping cart. Not only will the lighter weight reduce strain on your staff but a lighter vacuum is easier to maneuver, lift, and store.

• Noise Level

  If you are going to be cleaning in areas where people are working or relaxing, like office spaces or hotels, you may want an especially quiet vacuum cleaner. If this is a concern, look for units with a noise level around or below 55 dB, which is the same range as most normal conversations, or choose one with power settings that allow for quieter operation when you need it.

Vacuum Cleaner Tools and Attachments

If you only need a vacuum cleaner to perform the most basic tasks, buying a unit without the additional attachments and tools may be a good way for you to come in on budget. But if you need your vacuum cleaner to arrive ready for anything then choosing a unit with the right attachment kit is a convenient option. If you decide later to add the complete attachment kit to your vacuum cleaner, our selection includes a wide variety of tool kits. Plus, you can also find just the tool you want rather than buying a complete set of attachments you may never use.

Some common tools and attachments are:

When purchasing attachments, it is important to be sure that they will fit your machine. If you have a 1 1/4" vacuum hose, you'll want to make sure the attachments are made to fit a 1 1/4" hose.

Vacuum Cleaner Bags and Replacement Parts

The most replaced components of any vacuum cleaner will be the bags and filters used to trap dust. When bags get full they greatly reduce your vacuum's ability to pick up and contain debris so it's important to make sure that you always have fresh bags and filters on hand to avoid downtime. Our selection of commercial vacuum bags and filters covers many of the available commercial brands.

After bags and filters, belts are the next component that will often need to be replaced. As with belts on any other type of equipment, vacuum cleaner belts develop wear and tear and can break at the most inconvenient times. To make sure that you aren't left with a broken belt in the middle of a job, you can take proactive steps by replacing your vacuum cleaner belts at regular intervals or by keeping an extra one with the machine when it is in use.