Water Vacuum Cleaners

  Water vacuum cleaners are similar to Hepa vacuum cleaners in that they are designed to remove pollen, dust mites, allergens, and other particles from the air that is exhausted by the vacuum cleaner.  There are only six or seven models of water vacuum cleaners currently on the market today, and they do not sell as well as the Hepa models of vacuum cleaners, for several reasons.  They have been found through scientific testing not to remove particles from the air as well as the standard Hepa filtration systems, even though those that make the water vacuum cleaners continue to say that they actually perform better.  In addition to this, the water vacuum cleaners are heavier and bulkier than the Hepa vacuum cleaners or the standard vacuum cleaners that do not have either the Hepa filter or the water filter.  Some of the companies that offer water filter vacuums are now making them with a replaceable Hepa filter after the water filter device in their vacuum cleaners, indicating that the water filtration system that these companies have offered for so long does not remove particles from the air as stated.  Another problem with this idea is that water vapor is then being blown across the Hepa filter, which may actually cause bacteria and mold to grow on the filter itself.  This would completely defeat the purpose of the filtration system to protect the consumer from allergens and irritants in the air.

Water vacuum cleaners are also very heavy and bulky, and they weigh considerably more than the standard vacuum cleaner.  Most people that purchase these vacuums do not realize or remember that water weighs around eight pounds per gallon.  Even adding one-half of a gallon of water to the machine will increase its weight by four pounds, which will be enough to be noticeable to the consumer that must push the water filter vacuum repeatedly across the floor.  A further concern with a water filter vacuum is that the water that is used to filter the air must be emptied every time the vacuum is used.  If the area that is being vacuumed is particularly large and/or particularly dirty it is possible that the water in the vacuum will have to be emptied and replaced more than once.  This water is dirty, foul, and often contains mold particles, pollen, and other unpleasant particles.  Emptying the water puts much of these things back into the air that they were just removed from.

An advantage to the water filter vacuum cleaners is that they often come with fragrances that can be added to the water to make the house smell nice.  These are great for most people but they are not recommended for those that suffer from asthma, allergies, or other types of breathing problems.  The chemicals that are added to the water to make it smell fresh are often very irritating to those with respiratory ailments or difficulties and this can then cause further ailments.  With all of the problems that can come about from water filter vacuums, most consumers find that they are not worth the time and the trouble.  Instead, these consumers usually opt for vacuums with Hepa filters or ‘standard’ vacuums that do not offer any extra features when it comes to filtration, finding that a good quality vacuum cleaner, used often, along with a good quality air filter in the heating/cooling unit, changed often, is enough to keep the allergens and irritants to a minimum in their homes.