With so many people suffering from the recent economic recession, it should come as no surprise that fewer people are shelling out the cash to have someone “detail” their car. If you are tired of your car being filthy inside but you don’t want to pay for someone else to clean out your vehicle, then it may be time for you to look at a car vacuum cleaner.
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What Is a Car Vacuum Cleaner?
We have all seen the large vacuums that the car detailers use or the ones that they have at the car wash. These are usually on large hoses that are hooked up to powerful vacuum devices. The types of cleaners that you would buy for your home use are a lot different than this. These are generally handheld models, some of which have attachments, that make it easy to get in small spaces such as under your seats or between the console and the seats.
If you eat a lot while you are driving, if you have children, or if you travel with your pets, then having a car vacuum cleaner may be the best purchase you ever make to help keep the value of your vehicle as high as possible.
Some people keep a car vacuum cleaner in the trunk of their vehicle so that they can vacuum at any time. Other people simply keep their device plugged in at home in their garage so that they can clean out the carpet and upholstery of their vehicle whenever they are home. Either way, these are great devices to have and they make cleaning out your car much easier than a traditional device.
How Much Does a Car Vacuum Cleaner Cost?
You will find by shopping online that some of the most affordable models will run you just a little over $20. Of course, when you pay this little, you shouldn’t expect a lot of power, but if you are looking for basic cleaning, this should be more than enough.
On the other hand, if you have a lot of debris both inside the cabin of your vehicle and in the trunk, then you may want to invest in a car vacuum cleaner that is both powerful and has more features. These can cost upward of several hundred dollars, especially if you are looking for one that you can mount in your garage.
How Do These Work?
It is important to remember that there are several kinds of vacuums that are designed to be used in cars but the one thing that they all have in common is that they have small, thin openings or crevice attachments that will let you get to all of the small, hard-to-reach areas that you wouldn’t be able to get to with a traditional vacuum cleaner.
Some of these devices are small and handheld and can be stored in the backseat of your car or even in your trunk. Some are much larger and are designed to be mounted in your garage or stored there, with long hoses and powerful motors. You will generally find that the handheld models are not nearly as powerful as the electric ones.
What Are the Advantages of a Car Vacuum Cleaner?
The biggest advantage of one of these devices is that if you spill something in your vehicle or you just want to pick up the normal debris of everyday driving, then you don’t have to get your car cleaned by a professional and you also don’t have to struggle with a large vacuum cleaner. You might also find that by having easy and quick access to a car vacuum cleaner, you are more willing to keep your car a little cleaner.
What Is the Downside?
Most people are a little disappointed by some of the lower end models and their lack of power. Because they are usually powered by battery and charged either electrically or on your car’s cigarette lighter, you shouldn’t expect a car vacuum cleaner (at least a handheld one) to pick up a lot of debris. You will get much better results by buying a product that has more horsepower and a rotating brush.
How Should You Choose Your Car Vacuum Cleaner?
The first thing that most people determine is how much they are willing to spend on a car vacuum cleaner. If you are looking at models that are less than $50, then you will probably be limited to the smaller horsepower with handheld models. However, if you want something that has more horsepower or will clean out a lot more debris than a simple handheld can handle, then you might need to spend a little more and buy a canister model.
Generally speaking, there are only two kinds of vacuum cleaners that are appropriate for your vehicle – a handheld and a canister. You can, of course, use your home’s upright vacuum cleaner, but that is often much more trouble than it is worth.
Within the category of handheld vacuums, you will find those that are powered by an electrical outlet and those that can be powered by a 12-volt battery (your car’s charger). These are helpful if you use your vacuum on a regular basis.
Some handheld models simply use suction while others also have a rotating brush or brush attachment. Of course, with these models, you will also need an attached crevice tool if you want to get between the seats or under them. But, for removing pet hair from upholstery, these cannot be beat.
If you do a lot of cleaning of multiple vehicles, then you might want to consider a larger canister model or even one that is mounted on the wall of your garage. This will turn your garage into a place where you can easily detail all of your vehicles and you may even find your neighbors coming down to clean out their cars, too!
How Can You Save Money?
Perhaps the worst place that you could go to buy a car vacuum cleaner is an automotive store. They usually only have a few models and those that they do have will be priced considerably over what you would find online. By going online, you will be able to choose from dozens of different models and choose by brand name, horsepower, attachments, or even the color of the unit!
How to Care for Your Car Vacuum Cleaner
The first thing to remember with any car vacuum cleaner that you buy is that if you aren’t buying one that is specifically designated as “wet/dry,” then you run the risk of ruining it by vacuuming up liquids. So if you are prone to dropping a lot of liquids in your vehicle, then make sure that is the kind of vacuum that you buy.
There are some car vacuums that use bags to collect debris, but most of them now use a canister that you can easily empty. It is important that you empty it long before it gets full, as leaving it too long could overheat the motor and ruin the equipment entirely.
Since most of the most popular models are made by major vacuum manufacturers, getting parts, replacement pieces, or consumables is not difficult. You can usually find them online without any trouble and at an affordable price.
Which Type of Car Vacuum Should You Buy?
Both handheld and canister car vacuum cleaners each have their place in this world and the one that you choose will likely depend on how often you plan to use it, if you want to take it on the road, and how much debris you will want to pick up. If you have a couple of pets you are dragging around with you, or kids who are leaving a lot of their garbage behind, then having a vacuum in the car with you at all times is not a bad idea. However, if you are looking for a more thorough cleaning, then a canister vacuum will provide you with the power that you want.
What Are the Most Popular Car Vacuums?
If you are looking at a low priced, handheld model, then one of the most popular models is the Black & Decker 12-Volt Cyclonic Action Automotive Pivoting Nose Handheld. This is extremely affordable and can be found for under $40 online. It uses cyclonic action to make sure that the filter is always clean and that the suction is constant. It has fingertip control, a 16-foot power cord, and a one-step emptying system. It comes with all of the devices that you might need, including a crevice tool, a hose, an upholstery brush, and a storage bag – and it plugs right into your car charter.
The Metro Vacuum Vac N Blo 120V, 500 Watt Vac/Blower is a very sturdy and sleek car vacuum cleaner. It has 500 watts of power and comes with a 19-inch flexible hose, a crevice tool, brush, upholstery nozzle, and an extension cord that reaches an additional 20 inches. This is a model that has a bag, and it comes with five extra bags for you to use. It is made in the USA and has a five-year warranty. Unlike most smaller car vacuums, this is made from steel so you know it will be sturdy.
The Dirt Magic Wet/Dry Car Vacuum Cleaner is also another popular model, but this is a handheld that operates as a wet/dry machine. It comes with an eight-foot cord and will plug right into your car’s cigarette lighter. It has a washable filter and a one-year warranty, and it is small enough to keep in your car. This is also one of the most affordable car vacuums on the market, priced at less than $20 when you buy it online.
Hoover also makes many car vacuum cleaner models that you can choose from, including the very popular Hoover S1120 wet/dry model. This is priced at less than $30 online and works with both wet and dry messes in your vehicle. You can also use it around your home to pick up whatever debris your family leaves behind. It operates on 7.2 volts and includes the battery and charging stand. It weighs only three pounds and also comes with a full one-year warranty.
Which Model Should You Buy?
Trying to decide which car vacuum cleaner to buy is actually extremely difficult because when you shop online, you will soon realize just how many of them there are. As long as you have first established that you are looking for a handheld model, then you can narrow it down from there. If you are looking for a vacuum that is more robust and sturdy and will stay in your garage, then your decision should be easy since there are only a few in each price range.
For the most part, you will be better off if you stay with some of the major manufacturers such as Dirt Devil, Hoover, Eureka, or Black & Decker, especially if you are buying a handheld. It will make buying consumables such as bags much easier and if you have problems with the machine, they are easier and a lot more affordable to repair.
Although most people don’t think that they have a need for a wet/dry vacuum, it is often a good idea to invest a little more into one of these. You never know when someone will spill something in your vehicle, or even in your home, and having the added ability to vacuum that up can save your car’s floor, your home’s flooring, and the upholstery in both.
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Also remember that when your sole purpose is to clean your vehicle, you will definitely want a model that allows you to get in small spaces easily and will still maintain heavy suction even when you are vacuuming at an angle. A handheld with a good crevice tool is often the best type of car vacuum cleaner for this type of cleaning and will allow you to get all areas of your car clean quickly.