Ok...this might be a silly question...but I have asked a bunch of people and stores and am getting different answers! I have 3 Maine Coons and there is tons of cat hair! Can anyone recommend the best vacuum cleaner for this type of hair??? Thanks. Libby

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2000

Answers

This question is not dumb at all! If we ever find the right answer, I will be the first one in the store buying the machine! The question came up some months ago on the Maine Coon list and a number of opinions were put forward. The Fantom Fury and others like that (the ones with the "cyclonic action" and without the paper bags) seemed to be popular but there was no particular brand which was voted best. I would suggest the following - what I am about to do myself - and that is to take a bunch of cat hair and fluff into the stores with you, ram it down really deeply into the sample carpeting they always provide for vacuum demos, and see how well the machines get it up again! Alternatively, if you have a small mat at home which the cats use as a "shedding place"(!), take the mat into the store with you and see how well the vacuums work on it. Let us know the results you find!

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2000

Hi--a few months ago I had no answer to this pressing question but now I certainly do! We bought a Fantom Cyclone XT and it is wonderful. Friends have come over and commented that the carpets look new. Its very very effective--hate to sound like an infomercial. I haven't had this vaccuum for years so can not speak to its durability but it does pick up the cat hair.

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2000

I had an Electrolux canister since 1976. It finally got banished to the basement and I bought a new model last summer to the tune of about 800 dollars but since the first one lasted so long I figured I'd get another. I love it and it picks up anthing Mozart leaves behind. The hardwood floor attachment even has little notches cut from the brush to pick up stray dry food. It's great.

Linda & Mozart

-- Anonymous, January 06, 2000

I got a used Kirby vacuum when my cat's hair clogged up my other vacuum. Apparently it is best to ones with a metal base and metal fan blades are less likely to get clogged by hair.

-- Anonymous, January 09, 2000

I have one cat, who I'm pretty sure is a Maine Coon, and another longhaired calico, both of which I adopted. I don't have the cash to buy a great vacuum (my dirt devil sucks, or not, actually) but I did find a neat sponge called the "Gonzo Pet Hair Lifter" It is yellow and you use it dry. I found mine at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, but I've also seen it at pet stores. It costs about $5, and it picks up ALL HAIR AND DUST It's awesome. It's also great for getting the hair in between the wall and the carpet, and in other odd places the vacuum won't reach. Good Luck!

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2000

I swear by Oreck products. I use the upright on carpet, the Buster B XL on hardwood floors and throw rugs. It's so powerful it will suck the rugs up off the floor.

-- Anonymous, January 14, 2000

this is a little late but was looking over old posts and saw this one. I too have an Oreck after having a Hoover upright Wind Tunnel. The Oreck and Buster B are the best buys I ever ever made, I have a Maine Coon and 5 other cats and this vacuum cleaner is the best I ever had, it is great for cleaning out A/C filters too.

Cindy

-- Anonymous, October 05, 2000