Eureka Envirovac: Can A Vacuum Really Be Green?
In today’s marketplace greenwashing is rampant. Many companies are purposefully misleading consumers to believe that their products are environmentally friendly in order to catch that ever-important environmentally aware segment of the population. In such a day, I wondered if there was really a thing as a green vacuum cleaner.
Sure, I’d heard the green benefits of installing a central vacuum system. Longer life and no bags both equal less impact on the landfills. With my modest pocketbook, the upfront price of $2000 plus to install a central vacuum system was out of my league. A portable vacuum was more my speed.
In my attempt to answer this question, the friendly people at Eureka offered to send me their new, green Envirovac to try for myself. I explained to them that I live in a busy household with two energetic kids, a frantic husband and one crazy cat. Carpet, hardwoods, linoleum, and drapes are all included in the household. The brave people at Eureka didn’t seem the least bit concerned. Game on.
The Eureka Envirovac arrived in a 100% recycled and unbleached box. The vacuum boasted such environmentally responsible features as an 8 amp motor (33% less energy to operate) and a washable HEPA filter (cleaner air and less waste). How very green!
Now for the real test. My eight year-old’s bedroom. Walls of pink and floor of stink. After a thorough going over with the Envirovac, average is the best way to describe the suction and power. It picked-up most of the crumbs and lint yet the carpet pile was left matted.
Then, came the baseboard test. Dust bunnies just love to party along my baseboards. This test involved a piece of graphite from a pencil lying ½ inch from the baseboard on my relatively new carpet. Pass after pass and that graphite didn’t budge. I eventually had to use the easily detachable hose that travels on the vacuum to clean the perimeter of the bedroom.
Finally, came the hardwood floor test. This was a first to me since I have never before vacuumed my hardwood floors for fear of scratching. The Eureka Envirovac left my floor just like I found it. Scratch free. Although chunks of sand and pretzel bits were kicked back at my ankles. Not the most comfortable of side effects. Wearing boots may lessen the sting next time.
Eureka Envirovac promotes their one touch, bag-free, emptying system. Easy and bagless. True. Yet, the weekly filter cleaning isn’t as easy and will probably take some practice to master without coating your floor with a new layer of dust.
Want to really green your cleaning of hard floors? Think of grandma and use a dustpan and broom. You will save electricity and maybe burn a few calories while you are at it. As for carpets, I can’t give you a firm yes or no. If it is electricity that you are looking to save, go for it and buy the new Eureak Envirovac. If it is performance that you are looking for, keep looking.
![[del.icio.us]](http://www.getwithgreen.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/delicious.png)
![[Facebook]](http://www.getwithgreen.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/facebook.png)
![[Hugg]](http://www.getwithgreen.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/hugg.png)
![[StumbleUpon]](http://www.getwithgreen.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/stumbleupon.png)
![[Twitter]](http://www.getwithgreen.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/twitter.png)
![[Email]](http://www.getwithgreen.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/email.png)
Print This Post
It is a great innovation in an eco-friendly industry and congratulations to all of the people who are making true and sincere efforts to boost this industry and trying hard to make the earth a living and green planet.