Comments on: Review: Dyson DC31 Vacuum Cleaner

By: Jeff in Texas

Jeff in Texas — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 19:07:54 +0000

Just to follow up, I also bought a Miele Capricorn since it was one of the only truly sealed vacuums out there. Dysons, Hoovers, Orecks, and others are NOT completely sealed.

However, it’s all moot. The first time you open an outside door to your home, your sealed vacuum was canceled out. The moral – buy whatever vacuum you want and don’t sweat the details.

By: Michael Richmond

Michael Richmond — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 05:56:34 +0000

Just a comment in response to Jeff above. Many of the Dyson vacuums have a HEPA filter on the air that will be vented into the room. All vacuums, including the Miele eject air into the room and the concern for allergies is typically about the air returned to the room being sufficiently filtered.

My DC17 certainly is completely sealed and has a high-quality HEPA grade filter on the air before it returns to the room. Many of the Dyson vacuums are certified as Asthma and Allergy friendly by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. An additional benefit of Dyson vacuums from an allergy perspective is that the vacuums can easily be disassembled to an amazing degree.

All filters in my DC17 and DC16 vacuums can be washed by hand in water to remove dust and contaminants. Both vacuum cleaners can be easily disassembled. After disassembly, the majority of the vacuum components are simply moulded plastic parts that can be easily washed with mild soap and water. A good wash once a year does wonders to keep the vacuum operating well.

No affiliation with Dyson, just a happy customer.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:23:22 +0000

I couldn’t resist – I got the Capricorn. At the time (and I think this is still the case) it was the top end canister vacuum. Had I not been so focused on particulate discharge, I probably would have purchased a Dyson.

Having said all that, I wonder if it’s worth it sometimes. Given that we come in and out of the house at least twice a day and open the windows when the weather’s nice, I suppose we’re letting in more allergens than ANY vacuum can remove.

Oh, well. I can always spend more money on cars…

By: Kamil

Kamil — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 01:45:24 +0000

Hi Jeff,

Thank for your comments. I have no experience with Miele vacuum cleaners but you’re not the first person to mention them to me. I got the Dyson because it was such all huge improvement over the hoovers/eureas of the world – I did not even see the Miele brand at my retailers. Fortunately for me none of us have allergy issues, and I’m sure if that was the case I would look specifically for a vacuum with minimum particulate discharge.

Out of curiosity, which model Miele did you get?

By: Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:59:20 +0000

I should say that the reason the sealed system was so important is that my entire family has allergy/hay fever issues. That was a very important consideration.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:58:37 +0000

I wanted to get a Dyson, because I thought they were the best. However, I discovered that Dyson, like most other vacuums, are not sealed and therefore don’t really filter the air that well. I ended up with a Miele vacuum which is sealed and does filter the air extremely well.

I found videos on killdirt.com where a vacuum shop owner (who sells Miele and several other brands) had a meter and was measuring the air being discharged from the vacuums. The Mieles were the only ones not expelling particles. It was eye-opening to say the least.

There are other brands that are sealed as well, but the Mieles were the first ones I found and I couldn’t be happier with mine. I just wish they had the upright back when I bought mine.

By: yoshi

yoshi — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:36:38 +0000

We have the Dyson DC14 animal. Love it!

-y