(NAPSA)—Are you in the market for a new vacuum?If so, look no further than an independent floor care professional to find the perfect fit for your home. Here are a few helpful facts and some questions to ask: Remember that one size vacuum doesn’t fit all types of homes. Don’t buy a vacuum out of a box or off the shelf. Try it out first and ask the salesperson how each attachment works. How well will it handle cleaning conditions in your home? Do you have different types of flooring? What you clean can make a difference in the vacuum you need. The most popular type of vacuum cleaner in the United States is the upright. Many uprights, however, don’t have the power, convenience or filtration of a canister vacuum. Also, if a vacuum is rated high for cleaning, it may have aggressive brushes that aren’t good for woodfloors. If you have allergies or asthma—according to the government, one out of every two Americans suffers from some sort of allergy—a HEPA-certified vacuum is what you should lookfor. High-quality vacuums, such as those made by Miele in Germany, offer many options and can be customized with tools that reflect the needs of your home and family. Most independent dealers walk customers through a needs assessment that helps determine the best vacuum fit for their home. This is something you won’t find at most chain stores. For example, Bob Boffoli of the Cape Cod Vac- IT’S ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA TO TRY out the vacuum first. This will give you anidea of its weight and how easy it is to use and transport around the house. uum Mart, Orleans, Mass., has more than 100 vacuums in his store and compares this needs assessment to “writing a prescription for a customer.” “T prescribe which vacuum the customer needs based on the surfaces in their home, the traffic in their home and whether they have allergies, pets or children,” says Boffoli. Some of the most popular vacuum cleaners are manufactured by Miele, a company that provides a full range of vacuums, from lightweight and full-size canisters to uprights. Some are ideal for low-, medium- or highpile carpets, some for floors and somefor both. Remember, the best place to buy a vacuum is from an authorized dealer, so you can try it out first. To find an independent dealer, call (800) 579-4583.
