Dyson Vacuums Ideal for Allergy Sufferers, People with Asthma, Pets
A pioneer in vacuum cleaner technology, the Dyson vacuum is a big step forward from traditional vacuums. Unlike ordinary vacuums, which spew dust back into the air, lose suction over time, and require messy, disposable bags that have to be changed, Dyson vacuum cleaners have been engineered to suit pet owners, allergy sufferers – and anyone who wants to be able to achieve really clean carpets and floors more easily.
What’s Special About Dyson Vacuum Cleaners?
- patented “root cyclone technology” which delivers better suction and does not lose power over the lifetime of the vacuum
- balls instead of wheels for easier turns and better steering and maneuverability
- clean exhaust air – up to 150 times less mold and bacteria than normal indoor air
- works well on all floors, including hardwood, tile, and carpet
- washable filters and Hepa filter with a lifetime guarantee
- bagless canisters that are easy to empty with no mess, and simple to clean
James Dyson and the Development of the Dyson Vacuum
Engineer James Dyson has built a reputation for asking, “How could this work better?”
In the 1980s he designed a ball-barrow – a wheelbarrow built on a ball instead of a wheel so that it has greater maneuverability and doesn’t sink into soft ground. In the early ’90s, the first Dyson model vacuum was produced overseas, in Japan.
None of the major American or European brands were interested in a new technology that would make vacuum bags – then a £250/year business – obsolete, so in 1993 James Dyson began to produce the first Dyson vacuum under his own name.
That first vacuum took 5 years of development and 5,127 experimental prototypes. Since then, the Dyson labs have gone through another 18,457 prototypes.
“Technology starts with frustration,” says Dyson on his commercial website. “We get frustrated when technology lets us down. As engineers, we see how we could improve it. We try lots of ideas – most of which are wrong. That’s good. Wrong ideas and new mistakes are incredibly valuable to us. They spark unthought-of possibilities and answers. That’s how new technology comes about.”
Innovation has made Dyson vacuums one of the top names in quality vacuum cleaners, with over $6 billion in worldwide sales.
Dyson is Certified Asthma and Allergy Friendly
If you ask around for the vacuum cleaners that work best for people with allergies to dust and mold, or who have lots of pet dander in the home and don’t want to be inhaling it constantly, Dyson will be mentioned more often than not.
That’s because Dyson vacuums have more power than most other home vacuum cleaners, so they remove more dust, dander and pet hair from carpets without losing suction – even when the canister is full. The “root cyclone” approach generates centrifugal forces of over 150,000G, spinning dirt out into the canister and leaving air cleaner of dust, mold spores and bacteria than it was when it entered.
Dyson vacuum cleaners have been approved by 12 allergy worldwide organizations, including the Asthma Society of Canada, British Allergy Foundation, the National Asthma Council of Australia, and AHA Allergie Suisse.
Dyson DC23 Motorhead Canister Vacuum Cleaner Review
Vacuum cleaners come in all shapes and sizes. They also come in a wide range of prices. The Dyson DC23 canister vacuum is on the higher end of the price scale.
Performance of the Dyson DC23 Vacuum
Obviously, the most important part of any vacuum is its performance. After several weeks of use, this vacuum has performed better than expected. An expensive vacuum should suck up a lot of dirt, dust, and debris, and the Dyson did not disappoint.
The carpet that was used for testing was extremely dirty, to begin with. Renovations had been done to the apartment where it was used, so there was a lot of drywall dust in the room and in the carpet. There are also pets living in the house, so cat dander and fur are also in the carpet.
The carpet was cleaned the day before with an older vacuum cleaner so the carpet should have been fairly clean. Within a few minutes of using the Dyson DC23, it was evident that the room wasn’t nearly as clean as it should have been.
Almost instantly, drywall dust was whirring around the clear canister in the Dyson vacuum. After a few more minutes, the dust and cat hair was building up in the vacuum. It is clearly better than the old (admittedly cheaper) vacuum.
Dyson Hepa Air Filtration for Allergy Sufferers
Dirty carpets can be a nightmare for allergy sufferers. It is way too easy for dirt and dust to live in a thick carpet and cause allergies to flare up for anyone sensitive to dust. The Dyson DC23 cleaner uses its patented Root Cyclone technology along with 2 filters to help pick up even the smallest particles and keep them out of the carpet.
According to Dyson’s website, Dyson’s vacuums are certified as asthma and allergy friendly by 12 associations worldwide.
A huge advantage of this vacuum over most others is that its filters do not have to be replaced. The Hepa filter is built into the vacuum, and it has a washable pre-filter. Dyson recommends washing the pre-filter every 3 months to maintain optimal performance. The cost of replacing filters adds up over the years, so this is a very nice bonus for the Dyson cleaner.
Cleaning Up the Vacuum Cleaner
The Dyson DC23 Vacuum is a bagless canister vacuum, which is great for decreasing cost over time but can be a pain to clean up. Dumping out the contents of the canister can create as big a mess as was on the carpet in the first place.
The canister on the DC23 dumps out the bottom when pressing a button allowing the contents to drop into a garbage bag. This was the one feature that was a little disappointing.
Even though the bottom opens up allowing the dirt to fall out, the hair can easily get stuck in the filter. This defeats the purpose of having the canister open up from the bottom.
Dyson Canister Vacuum Overall Impressions
When doing research on vacuum cleaners, the first thing that most people will notice about Dyson vacuums is their price. Most models are double or triple the price of many basic vacuum cleaners.
The Dyson DC23 Motorhead vacuum cleaner is no different. The question is, is it worth the price? The answer to this question is not a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’. For people who suffer from allergies, have animals, a lot of carpeting in their house, and are willing to spend a little more money on a vacuum, this vacuum should without a doubt, be near the top of their list. It performed extremely well under difficult conditions and exceeded expectations.
For people without animals, and have mostly non-carpeted floors, a cheaper vacuum would probably suit their needs.
