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Help a clueless single guy!

D

Deadtrees

Platinum Member
When I opened the computer, it was so dusty that it looked like I have a carpet in there.
Then, I realized that I don't have a vacuum and never used one for 8 month.
Now that I've been in serach of finding a vacuum, I noticed that there are just a vacuum and a steam vacuum. What a pity. I may be an expert on computer-related stuffs, but a clueless moron on these vacuums.
Anyway, what is a steam vacuum? Is it just like a regular vacuum with a extra steam function?
Does it work like a regular vacuum(meaning... can it actually pick up stuffs like hair and dust?)
Should I get the steam one or the regular one?

BTW, I'm just living in a apartment with carpet.
 
Here's some information I got from http://www.vacuumcleanerdiscounter.com/wilvapsteamc.html

Traditionally, the phrases, "Steam Vac," and "Steam Cleaner," have brought to mind machines that were made to clean carpets by spraying down a solution of hot (steaming) water and cleaner and then vacuuming up most of that solution and dirt into a recovery tank. Some of these machines also have rotating brushes to help work the solution into the fibers of the carpeting and loosen embedded dirt and grime. By and large, these machines are more accuratly described as Carpet Extractors or Deep Cleaners. The key differences are:

They don't actually make steam, although some of them have heating elements to marginally increase the water temperature.
They have suction and recovery tanks to pick up the dirty water.
They require the use of chemical additives to make the solution for cleaning.
They are much more effective at getting the deep down dirt embedded in carpets.
They are much less effective at cleaning hard surfaces


It sounds like Steam vacuum is way to go as it pick up the DEEP DOWN dirt.
or is it?
 
How can anyone not know this? Buy a regular vacuum. Use it. Then rent a heavy duty steam vac and use it.
 
Originally posted by: Deadtrees
When I opened the computer, it was so dusty that it looked like I have a carpet in there.
Then, I realized that I don't have a vacuum and never used one for 8 month.
Now that I've been in serach of finding a vacuum, I noticed that there are just a vacuum and a steam vacuum. What a pity. I may be an expert on computer-related stuffs, but a clueless moron on these vacuums.
Anyway, what is a steam vacuum? Is it just like a regular vacuum with a extra steam function?
Does it work like a regular vacuum(meaning... can it actually pick up stuffs like hair and dust?)
Should I get the steam one or the regular one?

BTW, I'm just living in a apartment with carpet.
Click to expand...

Personal steam vacs are a scam -- my mom got taken in by one on HSN. Before I even get to why, keep in mind that most steam vacs require you to use a regular vaccume on the area first unles you want a incredible mess when you get rid of the waste water. Also, dirt + water hardened becomes like cement . . . really screws up the waterworks.

-Chu
 
Might I also recommend a fan filter for the PC? Or maybe just stretch some pantyhose over the intake.
 
regular

some types of carpet can be damaged by water/steam

just stick to something that sucks really good
 
take the PC outside and use compressed air.
as for the vacuum issue, 8 months? call a carpet cleaner and then buy a vacuum.
 
This is what I bought: Sharp
It has a METAL brushroll, or agitator as they call it. Most are plastic or wood. It also has a metal bottom plate for durability. The twin fan design is also a nice feature because it creates more suction. Last and not least it has a clean air system. This is very important. Many cheap vacuums have the motor and fan between the floor and the bag. This means all dirt, rocks, etc. will pass over the motor and fan blades. It can destroy the vacuum in time. A clean air system has the motor and fan blades after the bag. It sucks air through the bag...with the dirt hopefully staying in the bag, then the air goes through the fan blades and over the motor and finally out the vacuum. I'm simplifying things a bit since there are other stages of filters, but the main thing is that the fan and motor are AFTER the bag.
Oh, and this vacuum is pretty darn quiet too.
Riccar is the best brand you can get, but they cost hundreds of dollars. Some sharp models are good, but not all have these features. In fact some more expensive models don't have the metal brushroll or bottom plate for some reason. Simplicity is good good too, but expensive. And some Panasonics are good, but you need to know what to look for.

edit: I know these things because a carpet cleaning guy told me what to look for in a vacuum. He uses only Riccars that cost him about $550 and he's a dealer. He doesn't do any steam cleaning but uses a dry clean process that's pretty cool. He says steam cleaning is crap and pushes most of the dirt deeper instead of really cleaning well. He also says the water isn't good for the carpet and mildew can form.
He's been in the business for about 35 years and really seemed to know what he was talking about.
 
household steam cleaners do NOT have enough suction to extract water from the carpet. It pulls of the top layer of dirt, then as the water evaporates it pulls more dirt up. Result - your carpet looks awesome when your done, but as it dries it looks like crap again. Also, the amount of water they dump on your floor seperates the backing from the carpet.

You're MUCH better off buying a good vacuum (dyson's are awesome) and paying a reputable carpet cleaner $150 or so once every year to properly clean your carpet.
 
No it is probably not a good idea at all to use a vacuum cleaner to clean the inside of the computer because of the static electricity that it produces. I have never tried it but I do not want to risk damaging my computers.
 
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