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What is a Vacuum for Pet Hair?
Not all vacuums are created equal, and if you live with pets, you're going to want something with strong suction and attachments designed to get into the nooks and crannies fur always winds up. Here are the major things to keep in mind before buying a vacuum for pet hair.
Type of vacuum
Depending on the size of your home and how often you plan on cleaning your space, you may want to stick to a certain kind of vacuum. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages for a clean sweep.
Stick vacuums: These lightweight vacuums are ideal for quick cleans and minimal fuss. You won't have to deal with a pesky cord and they often can transform into a handheld vacuum. However, the battery life won't exceed an hour and the canister needs to be emptied often.
Upright vacuums: These vacuums often come with multiple cleaning surface options, so they're good for homes with both carpet and hardwood floors. Some models are bagged while other use canisters to best fit your preference.
Canister vacuums: Dragging a canister around isn't always ideal, but these vacuums come with powerful suction, a large dirt bin, and multiple attachments to clean every nook and cranny.
Robot vacuums: These 'bots do the dirty work for you and can be set to a cleaning schedule of your preference. Note that they may not pick up every ounce of dirt and need frequent emptying, but they are good for tidying up in between deeper cleans.
Handheld vacuums: For spot cleaning, it's a good idea to have a handheld vacuum on hand. While not ideal for cleaning your entire home, it will swiftly suck up a tuft of fur or spilled dog kibble.
Air Filtering Abilities
Some vacuums are equipped with built-in filters that can remove allergens like dust and dander and lock them tightly away in the canister. Top-of-the-line vacuums may even feature a HEPA filter, which can remove at least 99.97 percent of any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Easy to Clean Brushes
While it's important to have a vacuum that sucks up pet hair, you also want to make sure you can remove any fur that gets caught in the vacuum's bristles. Opting for a vacuum with wider barrels can reduce any clogging, and some models even come with cleaning brushes to help you remove hair.
A good vacuum can help reduce the amount of pet hair around your home. But prevention, like frequent brushing to remove loose fur, can make it so you're not overwhelmed with hair.
Vacuums designed with pets in mind can pull fur from carpets and furniture. You can also use dryer sheets, pumice stones, lint rollers, or duct tape to get dog hair off furniture or clothing.
Different dog breeds shed in different amounts with thicker double-coats more likely to shed year-round. But shedding can be managed (and cleaned) with proper grooming and tools.
