Vacuum Cleaner Races - Page 1

Some time back, we had a discussion about Dyson vs. Rainbow. I got inspired to buy a used Rainbow to try it out in a competition against my $550 Dyson, which I swore by. Note the past tense...

First I vacuumed the hall with the Dyson. The hall is carpeted and is where my dogs insist on hanging out. I went as slowly as is humanly possible without standing still. Got lots.

Then I hooked up the Rainbow, a beat-up old thing I bought used on eBay. OMG, the sludge! OK, I admit that dirt looks bigger and uglier when it's in two quarts of water, but OMG! Not only did it get up a bunch more, but the carpet actually looks better after dogs have been on it for 5 years! And the air doesn't stink which, no matter what the English guy says, DOES occur with the Dyson.  

Drawback: It's kind of hard to get all the yuck out of the water compartment of the Rainbow.
Advantage: There's a hard-floor cleaning function! 

OK, back to playing with my new-old toy. I hope I don't have to vacuum everything with the Dyson first and then the Rainbow.

VM,
I also have a Rainbow and a Dyson.  My wife bought the Rainbow, I bought the Dyson.  I did a similar experiment, vacuumed one section of my den with the Rainbow first then the Dyson.  Both vacuums were clean prior to my test.  The Dyson still picked up hair the Rainbow missed.  Then I picked another part of the den (large room about 18 x 25) and used the Dyson first then the Rainbow.  The Rainbow picked up dirt the Dyson missed.  So, overall both vacuums missed dirt the other vacuum picked up.  I do agree about the Rainbow smelling better we add Eucalyptus to the rainbow water and it smells good.  But for a $1,000 more I didn't see a big difference between the Dyson and the Rainbow.  And I hate emptying the Rainbow water canister, don't let it sit for a couple of days with out emptying.  It gets really stinky.  

My wife really prefers the Rainbow, I still prefer the Dyson.

Jim 

OK...so I have to keep both! But I only paid $200 for the experimental Rainbow. Can't imagine blowing a grand or two. I will definitely try the scenting stuff. Maybe tea tree oil. Also, I emptied it in the toilet. Was that right? 

I empty the water in the toilet but I don't like emptying the dog hair in the toilet.  My wife paid something like $1400 for the Rainbow new a couple of years ago.  $200 is a good deal for that price it beats the Dyson.

jim