Bagless Vacuum

For over seventy years, Kirby vacuum cleaners have been cleaning up the way people live. One of the most notable characteristics of this brand is that these vacuums are built like tanks and last forever. Another thing that sets these machines apart is that they are sold only through independent dealers, usually through door to door sales.

The way these vacuums are presented to the prospective buyer is through an in-home demonstration. You can sign up for one of these demonstrations through the Kirby website, or you can call a local distributer. Kirby vacuum cleaners command a high price as vacuums go, but besides bags and filters, it will probably be a lifetime investment. Be aware, however, that you may be able to bargain with your sales rep and bring the price down some.

You may be able to find an old Kirby vacuum in a pawn shop or second hand store. There are web resources that can help you refurbish an old machine so it is like new. If you buy a new one, the current model is called the Sentria System.

The Sentria is more than just a vacuum cleaner - the company claims it is really twelve cleaning machines in one. Some of these are a carpet shampooer, canister or upright vac, and floor buffer. The filter is HEPA 11 quality for cleaner air. The portable mode can be used to vacuum dust mites out of your mattress.

The modern Kirby is equipped with a self-propelled feature called "Tech Drive Power Assist" which makes it possible to move the machine around with just a touch. The controls for type of flooring you are working on can be operated with your foot so you don't need to bend over.

A previous model was the Ultimate G Edition. This vacuum, if you can find one second hand, has 7 height adjustment settings and is self-propelled. It has a HEPA filter called "Micron Magic." It cleans a 15-inch wide path and has a side discharge exhaust system unique to Kirby.

On the down side, some Kirby's, including the Ultimate G, do not have on-board tool storage, so you have the chore of going to get the parts you need for the cleaning you are doing. This can slow down routine cleaning considerably, if you are moving along briskly and run into some debris that requires the attachments.

The Kirby Sentria System is made from die cast aluminum unlike cheaper vacuums, which are usually mostly made of plastic. It does use bags. Kirby quit making bagless vacuum cleaners in the 1980's because of the mess involved in emptying the dust. The bags cost around $6 for a package of three.

Some experts feel that the new Sentria System is not necessarily the best Kirby vacuum cleaner out there, and that you might be happier with one of the previous models, as well as being able to save a bundle of money. In fact, most of the features of any of the last four models, the Sentria, the Diamond, the Ultimate G, and the Gsix, are similar.

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