Made-To-Order

For those in the sanitary supply business, the challenge is always the same: matching customer needs and desires with the latest product trends and innovations. Manufacturers strive to develop equipment that is cutting edge in both capability and style; distributors, in turn, must show their customers what products are best suited to their needs.

Nowhere is this more true than with vacuum cleaners. Consumers have higher expectations than they did even a year ago, and those expectations continue to rise as more needs arise for facility managers and cleaners.

The vacuum cleaners of today don’t much resemble the earliest models on the market. A century ago, one early vacuum cleaner prototype was so heavy it had to be pulled by four horses. It was in 1908 that the first portable vacuum cleaner was marketed to the public. It weighed more than 40 pounds — ease-of-use was not its most attractive feature.

Vacuum cleaners today are a whole different breed than early models, but the concept remains the same. Dust and soil must be captured and contained, so it can be removed from indoor surfaces. Making this pleasant for the user — and effective in dirt-removal — is where the challenge lies.

Convenience and ease-of-use are key customer concerns when selecting a vacuum cleaner, according to Bill Griffin, president of Cleaning Consultant Services, in Seattle, Wash.

“With upright models, people like such features as an easy-to-use off and on switch, and accessories that are located in a convenient place,” says Griffin. “There is a trend toward more ergonomic handles that cause less stress on the back and arms,” he adds.

Griffin also points out the growing popularity of bagless vacuums, which have a cup for collection of dirt. “These cups are easy to empty, cause less mess, and save on the expense of bag replacement.”

The new uprights also have a sleeker design, with snappy art-deco styling, and flashier, brighter colors like red, blue, orange and green.

“Consumers want a vacuum cleaner that looks attractive, rather than an ugly, dirty machine they feel they have to hide in the closet,” Griffin says.

Today, most facility managers are also familiar with the term HEPA filter, and how it relates to filtering particulates captured within the vacuum, preventing their release into the air. Indoor air quality issues continue to be a concern for both residential and commercial markets.

“People realize that dust, dust mites, and infrequent vacuuming can contribute to allergies and asthma, and using vacuum cleaners with true HEPA filters is a major benefit to a healthier indoor environment,” says Griffin.

That One’s In the Can
Canister vacuums are becoming more popular again, as well. “We see more customers lately asking for these new generation canister vacs — especially contract cleaners,” says Steve Watson, of Tower Industries, Tacoma, Wash. The new design with a lower center of gravity makes them less likely to tip over than older models. “Casters on the back and front offer better lateral movement, rather than just forward or backward. Also, the hose is attached to the top, rather than the side, so that it swivels 360 degrees,” he explains.

“The newer line of canister vacuums are smaller and lighter, which makes them attractive to older customers as well,” Watson adds. “After all, it is easier to pull a small canister than push an upright.”

Many of the new designs also address the maintenance needs of vacuum parts such as belts on beater bars. Belts are often toothed, and made of a more durable material. These belts last longer, and have less tendency to stretch or break, saving maintenance down time, and reducing exposure to the burning rubber smell a broken belt causes.

Newer uprights on the market are being built with more solid, durable construction, according to Stan Allman, owner, The Vacuum Vendor and Janitorial Shop, in Provo, Utah. “The public is recognizing the need for quality vacuums that clean better, and last for years,” he says.

Dual-motor models are also very durable. These vacuums have two motors — one for suction and the other for turning the beater bar and brushes. These models are more expensive, and are sold primarily to the commercial market, Allman says.

Lighter weight design is a sought-after feature as well, he adds. “There are commercial upright vacuums that weigh eight pounds and less, which reduces the physical strain of long hours of vacuuming in large buildings such as schools and offices.”

The new generation of vacuums also takes noise into account. There are quieter motors, and different designs to surround internal moving parts, which reduces overall decibel levels. This is especially helpful in healthcare facilities such as nursing homes and hospitals.

They Can Do It All
Recent years have seen a shift toward hard surface flooring in most markets. Multi-purpose vacuums are popular because they can be used on both carpet and hard surface floors. Wands are now available with accessories that can convert from carpet cleaning use to hard surfaces such as laminate floors, wood, stone, ceramic and resilient floors, such as vinyl and linoleum.

“On-board tools are features that customers definitely want when it comes to uprights and canisters,” says Allman. Customers want crevice and upholstery tools, and venetian-blind attachments.

Backpack vacuums continue to become easier to use since they are now designed to fit more comfortably on the back than ever before. And, as with many other vacs, they can be used to clean both carpet and hard surface floors.

Backpacks are a very versatile cleaning tool. There are numerous uses in the commercial segment, Allman says. “Especially in areas with tight, confined areas.”

Timothy Todd, custodian in the Monroe School District, Monroe, Wash., agrees. “Years ago, all we had to vacuum with were either the heavy, bulky, noisy uprights, or canisters that seemed to blow out almost as much dust as was vacuumed up,” he says.

“Now we have backpacks available that are lightweight, and fit on the back better,” he says. “The wands and long hoses make it easier to vacuum under desks and tables in classrooms, and we don’t have the problem of bumping against furniture, and maybe scratching something, as can happen with upright vacs.”

Overall vacuuming time has been reduced by at least one-third by using backpack vacs in the classrooms and offices, Todd says. Backpack vacuums are available with HEPA exhaust filtration, which is especially helpful in areas with sensitive indoor air quality requirements, such as cleanrooms, computer rooms, and medical facilities.

Jack Campbell, sales representative of All City Vacuum, Everett, Wash., sees the popularity of bagless uprights increasing, but notes that some customers are surprised at the expense of replacing the filters in HEPA vacuums.

“Main HEPA filters need to be replaced every one to three years, depending on usage, and they are expensive,” says Campbell. “Secondary filters are less expensive, but require more frequent replacement.”

Air filtration will be an issue in the future, as well, and new models are being designed that allow even less particulate matter to be released into the air.

The past century has seen cleaning standards increase, along with concerns about indoor air quality and health. Fortunately, new vacuum cleaners are being created to meet the needs of discerning markets. Keeping current on innovations in the industry will make distributors a valuable resource when customers come to them with special requirements and requests.

Glen Franklin is the owner of Franklin Floor Care in Snohomish, Wash., and is a certified hard surface inspector, consultant and trainer in the floor-care industry.

Questions or comments? E-mail us.