Advice on Best Sweeper Vac to Clean Hardwood/linoleum

I used to have a Swiffer vac and loved it (until the kids threw it down the stairs one too many times). The short battery life was an issue, I agree. I got the Shark to replace it and I DO NOT recommend it. It doesn't pick up enough of the small crumbs or reach the edges like the Swiffer did, so I end up using a regular broom instead. It's OK on an area rug between vacuumings to pick up big crumbs and some lint and pet hair, but really not worth it.

Hi K.. The Swiffer Sweep is the best, nothing else like it. I would recommend calling the co at their 1-800 number and letting them know. They might give you some suggestions about recharging the battery and most likely they will send you a new one for free. My friend just did this and that is what happened.

I also love my swivel sweeper. I have a 6 yr old boy & a 4 yr old dog, & this sweeper picks up wonderfully after both of them. It is also light enough that my son can use it when he wants to help around the house (which is rare). I also like it over the shark since it has sweeper bristles on all 4 sides, where the shark only has it in the front. This lets me just rotate around when hair is in the roller & I am almost done.
Good luck,
T. A

I have tried so many different battery ones and was so frustrated with the same problems you were having. Downstairs, we only have hard surface floors. I LOVE my "blue dinosaur" as we call it. LOL It's an electric Bissell 3 way bagless stick vac. Even my 3 yr old knows how to get the "blue dinosaur" and with help plugging it up, he can suck up what I sweep up. It also has an attachment so you can just run the vac over the floor and not have to sweep. It has great power and really gets the mess up. We are a homeschooling family with three boys ages 13, 8 & 3. We are always sweeping the floors around here. LOL

God Luck to you!

Take Care,
N. R.

I have two swiffer vacs - one for my bathroom upstairs and one for the downstairs hardwoods/vinyl. I keep the one downstairs plugged in all the time in the laundry room (I can't use it for extended periods of time, so I just keep it plugged in and use it when needed). The battery stays charged just long enough for me to do the floor once all over and then I plug it in again...it's annoying, but it helps me to keep it in the laundry room as opposed to the pantry where it isn't charging. I do spot clean-ups as well - crumbs from kids (they are so messy!) and cat hair/litter/leaves in the entry, etc...I also bought a handvac that stays plugged into a charger as well, so when the kids are messy, I will have them use that small one to clean up their own messes....it's a good backup. Maybe your 5 year old can start with something like that...

My sister in law loves her dirt devil one.

Hi K.,
I love the swivel sweeper. It cost about 30+, don't remeber exact price. They have them at Target and Wegmans. At Target they are in unusal places not in the vacuum area. Anyway it is a reachargable battery system too but it works great. It has brushes on all four sides and gets crumbs from around the basboards too! You may be able to check the Battery warehouse to see if they carry replacable batteries for your other vac.
M.

Call the 800 number on the vac. I've had the same problem- also with the Wet Jet literally breaking in half but I can't live without either one. They will send you a coupon for a new one. Then just save ur receipt so if it happens again u can call again.

Bissell has a little vac that I love...for flat floors...bagless. like a dirt devil with a handle! and the handle is removable! long cord and light weight! I LOVE IT for quick cleanups! I purchased it at Wal-Mart

Hey K.,
I feel 'ya... I went through 2 swiffer vacs myself before I realized that rechargable was just NOT the way to go. My mom then gave me a Eureka stick broom vac that worked great, but emptying the dust cup caused such a mess and the built-in filter was completely unable to be cleaned and became totally clogged once you use the vac the first time (ridiculous design), so that too went out in the yard sale. I finally settled on an Oreck canister vac (the one you see advertised that "picks up an 8 pound bowling ball". They are expensive, but I wound up finding mine on Craigslist, and you could probably do the same. If not, I'm sure you could negotiate a good deal on a new one, since the stores operate as independent franchises and the salesmen are probably dying to make a sale right now in this financial climate. Anyway, I couldn't be happier with it. It's SUPER powerful, has an extending hose with sweeper attachment, lightweight (carries comfortably on your shoulder while you use it) and has a bag and replaceable hepa filter just like a real vacuum. Oreck also services them for you for free and they have a very long (like 20 years or something) warranty, which Oreck is standing by even though I bought mine used. Our house is all hardwood and tile, and we couldn't live without this thing to clean up after our two dogs and two boys. There is an Oreck store in Vienna --you can go there to "test drive" them (that's where I take mine for service and cleanings), but like I said, you might want to check online or Craigslist too.

~M.

Hi K., I have a Miele sweeper vac. I have had it for about 6 years! My 15 year old vacuumed milk one day and blew the motor so I had to replace that, but nothing else has needed replacement or repair in the time we have had it. I LOVE it. I would recommend it to anyone and all my friends want one. It is a bit pricey, like $250.00. I can assure you it is well worth it. I don't know any other vac that will last you that long. Remember, it is at least 6 years old and works like new. Good luck!