Vacuum cleaners are an absolute essential home appliance these days. We rely on our vacuum cleaner to help keep our homes free of dust and dirt; but how often do we go about our cleaning, without giving much thought to how efficient these machines really are?

Before electric vacuum cleaners were invented, home cleaning was a major task. Floors had to be cleaned with brushes, brooms and mops. Rugs and carpets had to be removed from the floor, hung up outdoors, and beaten to remove the dust. These methods involved a lot of time and effort, and also caused health complaints.

The early invention of non-electric floor cleaning devices made home cleaning easier. People started looking for ways to improve the efficiency of these machines, and all kinds of contraptions were invented. Throughout the 100-year history of electric vacuum cleaners, there have been many improvements. The first electric vacuums were produced in the early 1900's. In 1908, the Hoover Company built the first electric vacuum cleaner that used both a cloth filter bag and cleaning attachments. During the years that followed, many different models and designs were created, each varying in size, weight, suction power, and other features. Of all the designs however, the upright vacuum cleaner remained the most popular.

The latest upright vacuums available today make cleaning a lot easier. They are much lighter and versatile, and come in both bagged and bagless designs with handy tools to help remove dust from drapes, upholstery, and tricky, hard to reach places.

Owning a bagless vacuum means you dont ever have to buy vacuum bags. When it comes to emptying the dirt container, it can be emptied straight into your garbage bin. You'd want to do this outside in the yard or on the street to prevent dust going back into your house. If you're an allergy sufferer, you're best to stay with a bagged unit. The dust remains in a sealed bag, and when full, it can easily be removed and disposed of.

There are many other types of vacuum cleaners available including the canister, the wet and dry vacuum, portable hand-held units, and robotic vacuum cleaners.

When buying a vacuum cleaner, it's important to choose the best vacuum to suit your home cleaning needs. You'll also want to think about what you have in your home. Do you have carpets and rugs, wooden floors, or perhaps a flight of stairs? Are you an allergy sufferer? Do you have pets indoors?

If you spend a bit extra on a vacuum cleaner with stronger suction, consider it a good investment. Vacuuming regularly with a powerful vacuum will remove grit from deep within your carpets, and prevent them from wearing out.