Cleaning

Clean Like a Professional— with Organic Ingredients

Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Soap, Spectrum Organic White Vinegar with Arm and Hammer baking soda. — _{Contrary to myth, you rarely need specialized cleaners with mystery ingredients. Soap made with organic ingredients can have you cleaning like a pro. Add baking soda for tougher spots, and rinse fast with organic vinegar.}

Last updated 2022-12-30

Contrary to myth, you rarely need specialized cleaning products. Simple products, some with organic ingredients, can work effectively and efficiently. And surprisingly, even for many tough spots.

We’re talking hard, washable surfaces you clean frequently. Like your counter top, stove top, small appliances, sinks, tubs and showers.

No fussing with recipes! Just add water, and you’re good to go.

2022-12-20 Update: If you have hard water, or dealing with serious grease, skip the simple soap and vineger in this post. And try Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds instead. Sal Suds contains no organic ingredients but is still non-toxic— and works! For other challenges check out my piece, Using the Least-Toxic, Simplest Cleaners That Work.

Assuming you have soft water, and no serious grease, as with Mike and myself, read on!

Gallon bottle of Dr. Bronner's in granite shower stall. — _{Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Soap is made with oils certified under the USDA National Organic Program. Plus is Fair Trade, and comes in a 100% post-consumer waste bottle. Here’s the gallon size in a clent’s new granite shower stall. Not a pretty bottle but it this stuff works!}

Pure castile soap

This plant-based, petrochemical-free soap can clean almost everything. Check out basic facts about castile soap.

Buy in bulk when you can find it, to reduce packaging waste. You may need to bring your own bottle. If you can’t find bulk, buy the largest size you can. In the shot above is the gallon size.

At least three brands contain organic ingredients. Here are a few I’ve checked out.

Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile-Soap. The most widely-available. Works awesomely.

Dr. Woods Liquid Castile Soaps. Works every bit as well as Dr. Bronner’s! Check out my brief testimonial here.

Vermont Liquid Castile Soaps. I’ve not yet tried this brand, though it should work like the others.

_{Distilled white vinegar is great for cleaning non-greasy surfaces. Spectrum’s organic brand is widely available in natural grocery stores. Here’s the 32-oz size.}

Organic distilled white vinegar

Green Myth alert— Vinegar doesn’t work on grease! Not for me, at least. Its’ often better as a rinsing agent. For grease, try a plant-based dish liquid instead, like Seventh Generation.

Some brands of vinegar are USDA Organic, Including Spectrum Organic Distilled White Vinegar. The only ingredient in Spectrum is organic distilled vinegar.

Did you know— some vinegar brands may be made with petroleum-based ingredients. Not to worry— that would not make the vinegar toxic. Personally speaking, though I prefer organic when it’s available. I just assume that organic farming is more sustainable than petroleum production into the future.

Buy vinegar in bulk when available— again, to reduce packaging waste. You may need to bring your own bottle. If you can’t find bulk, buy the largest size you can.

Baking soda box with two scrub sponges on clean, shiny granite counter top in kitchen. — _{When you hit tough spots, reach for baking soda and a damp scrub pad— adding soap! Any baking soda brand should work. Buy in bulk when available.}

You’ll need baking soda too— for tough spots

OK, baking soda is not organic. It’s made from trona, a naturally occurring inorganic mineral.

Use baking soda for light- to medium-duty scrubbing. It won’t scratch, the way some dry scouring cleaners do.

Green Myth alert— Baking soda’s not an “all-purpose” cleaner. Soaps and detergents work better for that purpose, especially when dealing with oils or grease.

When shopping, get baking soda in bulk when you can find it. If you can’t find it in bulk, buy the largest size you can. Either way, you’re minimizing packaging waste.

Store your baking soda in a wide-mouthed plastic jar with a tight lid. This keeps baking soda dry and flowing. Kept in cardboard in a damp spot, it can too easily cake.

What’s worked for you?

Have you tried cleaning with soap, vinegar or other simple products made with simple ingredients? And baking soda? How are they working for you, in the real world?

Breathe Easier— and Clean Easier— with Health-Based Cleaning

Small, short-haird cat sits in an open screened window, above a sofa. A narcissus bloom stretches over the sofa’s edge. — _{Sophie, my buddy with feline asthma. Her symptoms improved after a big house cleaning detox, plus frequent damp-dusting and HEPA vacuuminng. And switching her cleaning over to using least-toxic products.that work.}

Updated 2021-09-28

There’s more to keeping a clean, healthy home than “eco-cleaners”, microfiber and HEPA vacuums. Based on my years in the cleaning industry, I’m here to fill in some gaps. And share what’s worked on the job.

Sick of cleaning?

I’m talking literally.

Did you know— over 80,000 modern chemicals are in use today, but most have never been fully tested. Many of these chemicals are in everyday consumer products, like cleaners. Some may pollute our indoor air. Learn more…

Get some relief

Health-based cleaning protects your health, and the health of your loved ones, with the least impact on the environment.

Based on my hands-on experience in professional settings, and extensive research, here are some key elements to start with. More details in coming posts!

Use the simplest, least-toxic cleaners and tools that work, while involving the least waste. Here are a few simple products to get you started.

Keep germs under control by keeping everything clean and dry. Then disinfect as needed, selectively and safely.

Damp dust, as recommended by allergy and asthma experts. A textured cotton or linen cloth works great in most cases.

Vacuum rather than sweep. You’ll pick up more with your vac, and scatter less dust. Be sure your machine is equipped with a true HEPA filter.

Work efficiently.

Handle and store any toxic products safely. Most toxic cleaners are obsolete in my experience. Safety tips coming!

De-clutter to streamline your cleaning. Update 2021-09-28: Check out Debra Baida at Liberated Spaces who works virtually or onsite. Her pioneering service has been named Best organizer in San Francisco Magazine’s annual Best of SF issue and is one of the first Certified Green Businesses in San Francisco. Check out her blog that goes way behind the scenes.

Design and decorate for low-maintenance cleaning. Think streamlined, with smooth, easy-to-clean materials. And fewer of them. Keep small items you don’t use constantly in drawers, or in cabinets or glass-covered shelves, to keep dust off.

Big House Cleaning Detox — On the Job

Cleanign supplies under the kitchen sink. — _{Organizing under the kitchen sink during our house cleaning detox. When I’m nearly done, Theo the cat jumps to the faucet to ask for water.}

Last updated 2020-06-26. Last edited 2021-08-25

A new client, “Ava“, and her husband are preparing for a 3-story remodel. For the move-out she has me de-clutter her cleaning supplies. Then create health-based cleaning systems for when they move back in. A big house cleaning detox unfolds in the process.

Migraines, respiratory and skin conditions turn up in the home, possibly related to indoor air pollution. Clearing out irritating chemicals, and getting windows open finally, seems to bring relief. Next a pandemic hits, and we finish the project virtually.

For how it all unfolds, read on! Names changed to protect individuals’ privacy.

The backdrop— lots of remodeling, and lots of cleaning

A three-story remodel is underway throughout the project.

Plastic sheeting taped over doorway. Tables on either side of door, one with lamp. — _{One of the first remodeling steps is sealing off rooms from construction dust. Here it’s the piano room.}

_{Construction dust escapes in spots. Here I’m vacuuming a runner, laid over construction paper to protect the new wood floor. Using a true-HEPA Miele vac with power head. I require every client to own an efficient-to-use healthy vac, Miele being just one brand.}

The team

Working with me during the day are Personal Assistants (P.A.s), and sometimes the Contractor. Plus a dog and two cats.

Home Managers

In this house, officially called Personal Assistants. Among their many tasks are inventory, ordering and stocking of supplies, which we work closely together on. Plus organizing, light daily housekeeping, running errands, and much more.

Cecilia, the first, is also a Real Estate Agent. And cleaned professionally for a decade, as I’m grateful to learn. She’s brought in many of the house’s existing cleaning products, and skeptical of anything remotely “green”. We test new products together, keeping only what works for all.

Ruth, the second, steps in after Cecilia leaves. Ruth’s worked as Environmental Compliance Consultant, so automatically on board. And, miraculously, an expert in restoring historic building interiors. Knows her surfaces and fabrics. Wow.

Regina (yours truly) takes on much of Ruth’s role by default, after Ruth leaves for a job in the couple’s business. I’ve learned much from working with P.A.s and House Managers. OK, I’ll learn on the job! As I always have.

The Contractor

Frank, the Contractor, is present throughout the entire project. Our rock. I gather new care instructions and user manuals from Frank, scanning as needed. Plus I fetch supplies, haul things, hold things steady, and update him on the owners’ schedules. And for getting him paid, make sure all his checks get to him!

A dog, and two cats

We all take turns managing the dog and two cats.

When two pets develop serious health conditions, we’re all care-giving too— with the Contractor as backup.

Springer Spaniel dog with big cat. — _{A dog and two cats live here. Keeping both safe and loved is part of my job. The family loses a dog and a cat during the project. We’re all help with care-giving.}

Contractor facing gutted downstairs room, from outside. — _{Having a house expert around— the General Contractor— so helpful! I gather all the new care instructions— surfaces, finishes, appliances— and compile them for future House Managers.}

Symptoms in the home— migraines, allergy, respiratory, skin

In the family, Ava suffers from migraines, which may be triggered by certain foods or fragrances. Then there are the cats. One with feline asthma; the other with chronic skin sores— seasonal allergies, Ava says, that seem to worsen in dusty conditions.

Two P.A.s have other respiratory symptoms. Cecilia has chronic bronchitis, barely suppressing symptoms on the job (pre-COVID). And previously had asthma. Ruth has frequent severe throat and skin inflammation “from so much dust here!”

Feb. 16, 2018─Women who work as cleaners or regularly use cleaning sprays or other cleaning products at home appear to experience a greater decline in lung function over time than women who do not clean, according to new research published online in the American Thoracic Society’s American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
American Thoracic Society

Dust levels may be a factor too. Well, there are two cats and a dog around, plus a remodel in progress. With very poor ventilation. Indoor air pollution may be at work.

Improving symptoms — can a house cleaning detox help?

Some symptoms improved after the house cleaning detox— anecdotally. In any case, for such symptoms, health experts recommend reducing exposures to fragrances or other chemical irritants. Learn more at American Lung Association. Plus, check out Hayward Score’s online survey to find out how common such symptoms are.

Plaster bust of young woman. On round glass table with bottle of air freshener. In bathroom, with hand towels haning in the bathroom. — ^{_{To clear the air we’ve moved fragrances out. Keeping only pure essential oils for now, with 100% disclosed ingredients. Anecdotally, migraines, and feline asthma have improved in the household since, though we can’t know what helped. Please forgive the poor lighting— total remodel is disrupting everything!}}

Initially assessing cleaning supplies

Ava’s vision in hiring me— “Green cleaning. Homemade recipes in refillable spray bottles”.

What Ava’s got now— dozens of conventional products, many labeled “Danger, Toxic, Flammable”, “Avoid breathing spray or mist”, and the like. I’m no toxics expert. But according to the American Lung Association, Ingredients commonly used in such products are linked to respiratory and other health conditions. Such hazards are virtually unnecessary for effective cleaning.

Also boxes and boxes of disposables, Despite the big myth, disposables are virtually unnecessary for convenient cleaning.

“We’re clearing most of this out for the remodel”, Ava says. Not only from her main cleaning closet, shelves, but also from under sinks, in broom closets, and laundry areas.

My to-do list: evaluate every cleaning-related product, eliminate any toxic hazards, and gradually transition the house to health-based cleaning. Somehow all squeezed in on top of actually cleaning. Plus manage pets. Plus, in a few months I’ll be taking on the P.A. role as well.

I tie on my work apron, open a few windows (when screens are delivered that I’ve requested), and get to work!

Woman pulling out a can of laundry soap. On a wood floor is a roll of paper towels, Mrs. Myers spray, and Jet-Dry Rinse Agent. — _{A new Personal Assistant pulls out cleaning products from under a kitchen sink for us to evaluate. This is one of two kitchens in the house, to be transformed into a new room. This P.A. is soon diverted to managing the Big Move-Out. So I’m on my own again}!

Diving deeper— assessing over five dozen products for hazards and waste

I check everywhere for cleaning-related products— big cleaning closet, counter tops, under sinks, over sinks, in broom closets, and laundry areas.

Over five dozen different types of cleaning-related products show up in the house. But before we can simplify…

To eliminate any potential safety hazards we first check for hazard signals. For this I create a big spreadsheet.

Brands are legally required to include hazard signals on labels to alert consumers to short-term (acute) health effects, along with safe handling instructions. Heads-up hazard signals include:

Danger
Toxic
Flammable
Corrosive
Poison
Sensitizer

Even stored and used correctly, some products may emit volatile organic chemicals (VOCs). Even when sealed— as you may notice walking in the supermarket cleaning aisle.

Waste is another issue. So many unnecessary disposables!

On bathroom floor, boxes and buckets filled with cleaning-related products, mostly liquids. — Sorting and assessing product types by hazard levels: **DANGER, WARNING** and **CAUTION.** And by **acid, chlorine** and **ammonia.** Mixing any of the latter three can be extra hazardous. This shot taken **right after losing** a family **dog to cancer,** though we’ll never know the cause.

Losing two pets to cancer

During our house cleaning detox, the family loses two pets to cancer. First a dog to massive nose cancer. Then a cat to feline lymphoma. Throughout the best veterinary care we all help in home care-giving, then say goodbye. Not so easy after our bonding.

We can’t know what caused the cancers. But we do know that some chemicals in household dust are linked to cancer. Ava’s phasing out some already, starting with stain resistant coatings on carpets and upholstery.

I tell both pets I’ll strive to help their kind and their families in any small way I can. And thanked them for teaching me so much. Still missing my buddies!

House cleaning detox— the basic steps

The basic steps for detoxing seem simple enough:

Ensuring all existing cleaning products are used and stored safely.
Gradually transitioning the house to practical, least-toxic products that work.
De-cluttering. In this house it’s cleaning-related supplies during the transition.
Safely disposing of now-unused toxic products.
Deep cleaning, removing old, built-up cleaning residues along with dirt and dust. Again, using the least-toxic products that work. Lighter routine cleaning follows.

Transitioning the cleaning supplies, cat litter, and dry cleaning service

A collaborative spirit is key— between the client, her family, the P.A.s, and the Contractor. Even the pets, who help me tell the story at least.

Among the main house cleaning detox steps are the following, roughly in the order they happen.

Bringing in a healthy vacuum cleaner— a Miele Cat and Dog canister (for two cats and a dog). I meet Ava at the shop to demonstrate how I use the machine. The shop owner jumps in with his own expertise as needed. I’m so grateful Ava goes with this machine, one we’ll all be using.

Researching safer brands of cleaning-related products, and their ingredients.

Field-testing to find the least-toxic products that work in this house. In this case, testing on the job, aiming for efficiency, cost-effectiveness and convenience. Additionally, all new products are free of synthetic fragrance too (one sneaks in!). And involve the least waste.

Having Ava and the P.A. try the more promising product replacements. The only difference Cecilia and Ava notice is lack of fragrance—

Creating new systems from what’s working. Gradually integrating them into cleaning closets, counter tops, under sinks, and more.

Rooting out unnecessarily-harsh cleaners from the entire house. Also disposable wipes and other wasteful tools. Many of both contain synthetic fragrance. Some fragrance ingredients may trigger migraines, asthma or other respiratory symptoms, though the jury may still be out.

Preparing now-unused products for household hazardous waste disposal. We close these up in an unused downstairs bathroom, away from the pets.

Replacing the existing cat litter with a transparently-labeled pine brand. It’s just pine, and fragrance-free. We later switch to non-clumping pine formula, with only mineral oil added.

Update 2019-02-20: Always discovering more uses for safe products! For example, tea stains in stainless steel thermoses. So far, baking soda wins out over fizzy denture cleaner or Bon Ami. Quick tip: make a paste with baking soda and soap. Use with damp sponge or stiff brush, or both.

Update 2019-02-25: Switching the family’s dry cleaning from a hydrocarbon method to a new steam method. And researching the professional wet cleaning method with help from Megan Kalsman, in Small Business Toxics with San Francisco Department of the Environment.

Coming up with transitional set of supplies, customized for this home

Ava and the P.A. quickly adopt the safer brands among the categories they use, for “all-purpose”, dish liquid, dishwasher. The P.A. quickly adopts the laundry products too.

It helps that the safer brands work the same way their conventional counterparts do— conveniently. No fussy recipes to learn! Bringing in better tools is part of the answer— I’ll write about that another time.

By the time the family moves out and then back in again, the transition is complete. The most hazardous product we’re all using— Ava too— is non-chlorine bleach, in this case hydrogen persoxide bleach at around 4% strength. We’re practicing all safety precautions.

Cleaners. Plus bottle brushes, spatulas, paper towels snd trash bags. Cleaners here: Green Shield Organic Laundry Detergent, Ecover Zero non-Chlorine Bleach; 365 Stain Remover Prewash; Shout stain remover; Mr. Clean Magic Sponge; Ecover Dishwasher Tablets (with unexpected fragrance), Seventh Generation Disinfecting Wipes, Bon Ami Powder Cleanser; Nice! White Vinegar; Arm & Hammer Baking Soda; Method Dish Soap. Hanging are three refillable spray bottles containing Biokleen BacOut Stain and Odor Remover (for pet accidents), vinegar, and water. Please note: As a reminder, these is a transitional set. — _{Ava’s transitional set of cleaners, customized for her needs and preferences. All products are subject to change, based on my ongoing research and field-testing, and on Ava’s experience.}

Preparing hazardous products for safe disposal

Thanks to Megan Kalsman at San Francisco Department of the Environment for recommending I include information on safe disposal, and sending me a link. It’s too important to wait until my new site is up, as I had planned.

Not down the drain, in the trash, or abandoned outside

Find out about safe disposal in your local area, safely. If you’re in San Francisco, check here. For anywhere in the U.S., check here.

Every household has hazardous products. Old containers of household chemicals can deteriorate and leak [like our old chlorine bleach did!], causing dangerous fumes and fires when stored inside your house, or polluting rainwater runoff when stored outside.

When disposed improperly, these products end up in the landfill or down the drain. They can leach toxic chemicals and heavy metals into the soil and groundwater. Workers can be injured when these products are crushed in garbage and recycling trucks or poured down the drain.
San Francisco Department of the Environment

Toxic cleaning-related procucts in cardboard boxes, on glazed ceramic tile floor. — _{Organizing toxic products for safe disposal, for this house cleaning detox. We’re keeping everything safely locked up in an unused bathroom to be remodeled. Clockwise from the dog bowl: Toilet bowl cleaner (acid-containing), bleach-containing products, window cleaners (ammonia-containing), dish liquid refills, laundry products, and mops that use fragrance-containing disposable wipes. In the red bucket are unnecessarily-specialized products for wood and stains.}

_{Chlorine-containing products safely stored in an unused shower stall, until they can be safely disposed of. Well, that was the plan until the remodeling crew used everything up.}

Donating toxic cleaners to the remodeling crew

After our big house cleaning detox, I arrange for safe disposal at a Household Hazardous Waste Facility. A Personal Assistant packages them up per City requirements.

Shortly after, the construction crew swoops in and takes the outgoing supplies home to their families to use up. Indeed, cities recommend donating unused products when possible.

Adding the Personal Assistant role

My new cleaning-related P.A. tasks

Between P.A.s, I take on much of their role, for a total of sixteen-months. My official role remains Health-Based Cleaning Service. I’m now “holding down the fort” two very-full days per week.

For each type of the following cleaning-related tasks I strive to find safer approaches, as each come my way, Including the following.

Laundry. Learning proper care of natural fabrics, along with quality synthetics and blends. And safer bleaching. Plus new spaceship machines!

Dry cleaning pickup / drop-off, using the new less-toxic steam method.

Inventorying, shopping, taking in deliveries, re-stocking. I’m integrating least-toxic products, with ordering links, directly into the “Household Inventory” Google Sheet, adding a new columns for more product information.

Recycling, composting, trash. Getting access to the outside bin area is somewhat tricky with a major remodel underway. In any case, we’re reducing bag waste. For trash and recycling we’re re-using bags when possible. For composting we’re using non-GMO “Compostable” bags vs “Biodegradable”.

Bed-making. Keeping sheets and duvet covers perfect, with a dog and two cats who make their homes there.

House-sitting and pet-sitting. More pet messes! Especially when pets are under home medical care.

Getting plumbers and appliance repair persons in. Participating in solving puzzles: First a dishwasher drainage issue, then washing machine vibrations rattling the downstairs neighbors. I arrange repeat repairs until work-around solutions are that require my attention.

Please note: Other P.A. tasks I performed are missing from this list, as they’re not related to cleaning.

Providing remote support during COVID

Update 2020-06-26: Since COVID hit, the family’s been working from home. I’ve continued to provide support—remotely— on everything from grout sealers to pest control. For non-urgent matters we use shared Google Docs. Otherwise, emails.

Tweet your comments— until my comment tool is working here

Share your own experiences, or any expert advice— on Twitter @reginaryerson. I’ll get my blog comment tool working asap, along with all my social media buttons.

Finding Vacuums for my Healthy Home Services

Last edited 2021-07-20

A black Miele canister packed with healthy and efficient features. — With this Miele Capri, you can switch between surface types using the dial in the center. Choose from a range— carpets to upholstery, or anything in between.

I’m passionate about protecting my customers’ health, and vacuuming efficiently. In my healthy home services, these go hand-in-hand. So when it comes to household vacuums, I look for models that are:

Canisters, vs uprights or backpacks. Canisters are agile in tight, cluttered spaces, like in most homes I see. Uprights and backpacks are better for wide-open, streamlined spaces, like hallways in institutional settings.
Packed with healthy features, especially for indoor air quality and ergonomics. Quiet, too! All are must-haves for health-based cleaning.
Use self-sealing disposable bags. I hate waste! But hate spreading toxic dust even more. Empty a bagless vac or cloth bag, and you’ll see what I mean.
Highly efficient to use. Time and labor are money, for me and my customers alike. Why waste either?
Easily maneuverable. Go ahead and pull the chassis behind you, without wearing out the hose.
Agile at detailing.
Tough on dust, hair and grit. This takes a strong motor, great suction, and the right combination of brushes.
Gentle on surfaces and finishes. A good vacuum minimizes scratching, nicking, scuffing and marring. All the less refinishing, refacing and replacing you’ll be faced with. (Say that five times fast!)
Rugged and durable, needing the fewest repairs. These vacuums stand up to real-life cleaning, year in and year out.
Warrantied the longest.

Relying on Miele vacuums— five benefits

Miele Canisters meets all my standards I talked about above, keeping me and my customers satisfied. To sum up, Mieles:

Are pricier up front, but protect you and your loved ones from toxic dust and allergens.
Spew the least dust. All models come with filtering bags and pre-motor filters. True HEPA filters are included or optional. And several models are sealed with a rubber gasket to keep dust from leaking.
Multi-task better and faster. Almost seamlessly, you can switch between higher and lower surfaces. Or nearer and farther. And detail with ease.
Quieter!
Have lasted longer than any other brand I’ve used. And come with extra-long warranties. A Miele I helped a customer select has lasted her over a decade, with only three trips to the repair shop.

Checking out other brands

I haven’t tried the following canisters directly. If I get the opportunity at some point, I’ll report back!

ProTeam commercial models. ProTeam’s a leader in commercial canister vacuums. and indoor air quality education. Among important features are 4-stage filtration, large-capacity filters, and quiet operation. I hope to try a ProTeam canister model sometime soon!

Clean Team NaceCare Canister— PVR 200-Henry Deluxe. One of my customers owned Clean Team’s earlier version of this vacuum,”The Big Vac”, with many of the same features. I used The Big Vac for two years on the job. Overall, I found it better than most other canisters I’ve tried, except for Miele.

Kenmore Elite Canister. I vacuumed an entire a two-story house for several years with an earlier version of this model, which shares many of the same features. Definitely an efficient HEPA canister. However, I’m hoping the newer model is more ergonomic than the one I used.

The takeaway

Health-based cleaning, and thorough cleaning, go hand in hand. Invest in a vacuum that does both efficiently, and lasts. You may even save money in the longer run!

Canister vs upright: A Vacuum for Your Healthy Home

When you need one machine that will do it all, go with a canister vs upright. Here are Meile canister models. — When you need one machine for everything from ceiling to floor, go with a canister vs upright. Here are **Meile Canisters** at F & H Vacuum Repairs in San Francisco. Meile’s well-engineered, and built to last.

Healthy home experts have their mantras. One is “Vacuum frequently with a HEPA vacuum”. That’s especially important if you have allergies or asthma. Or living with toxic dust like flame retardants (too many of us). But too often, they don’t say how much extra work it all is (alot!). Or the advantages of canister vs upright vacuums.

Got big carpets areas to vacuum, and not much else? Either type of machine will work. Many people find uprights simpler to use, but go with your own preference. I prefer a canister, for carpets, myself.

But if your home has lots more than carpets, you’ll get more bang for your buck with a canister vs upright. With a canister, you can hit everything from ceilings to floors. And tight spaces everywhere. Carpets, too.

Here’s what’s the same, and what’s different, between a canister vs upright. And why you probably need a canister.

What’s the same

All uprights, and some canisters, come with a rotating brush for carpets or rugs. Upright brushes are powered electrically, of course, while canister brushes are powered electrically or by airflow.

Canisters and uprights both come with a hose, along with a wand and tool attachments for different tasks. Standard attachments often include the following.

Hard floor tool, for hard floors and walls.
Crevice tool, for nooks and crannies. And, of course, crevices.
Round brush, for dusting window frames, shutters, and much more.
Upholstery nozzle.

Look for even more attachments from various brands. You’ll even find some for vacuuming blinds, pets, and inside your car. And much more.

What’s different

Some people believe that an upright does the same job as a canister. That’s sort of true for wide-open carpet areas. But not so for using attachments. Here’s why.

Canisters

With a canister, you can make better use of your attachments. That’s because the hose is longer, more flexible, and better positioned than on most uprights. That means you can efficiently reach small spaces. And even vacuum above waist level.

And not only that. With a canister, you can switch from floors to dusting— and back again— almost seamlessly. No stopping to attach a hose first, as with an upright.

Then there’s the noise level. If you prefer a quieter machine, go with a canister vs upright.

Check out my brand recommendations in my blog post, Finding Vacuums for my Healthy House Cleaning Service.

Uprights

Upright Meile vacuums at F & H Vacuums. — Got **big carpets areas** to vac, and not much else? In the canister vs upright debate, either could win. Many find uprights simpler to use. But I still prefer canisters, which are far better at detailing, and easy enough to use. Here are a few **Miele uprights** at F & H Vacuum Repairs in San Francisco.

Uprights are designed for wide-open carpet areas, not for using attachments. Think wide hallways with wall-to-wall carpet. Or your carpeted living room, if your furniture’s spaced far enough apart.

Here’s the beauty of an upright. When vacuuming without the hose or attachments, there’s nothing to tug along behind you, as with a canister.

However, every time you switch to attachment mode, you must stop to attach the hose first.

Also, you can’t tug an upright around by the hose like you can with a canister, because the machine will tip. So, when detailing surfaces throughout a room, with the hose attached, you must continually backtrack to get the machine.

So, if you mainly have carpets and area rugs

Got wide-open areas of carpets and rugs, and not much else? If you already have an upright, you may as well keep using it.

A canister works fine, too, as long as there’s a rotating brush attachment. A rotating brush works far better than suction alone.

If you have throw rugs, kitchen mats, or entrance mats

If you have heavy-duty mats in your kitchen or entrance, check the manufacturers’ recommendations.

For softer materials like fabrics, use a hard floor tool attachment. If that doesn’t work, try an upholstery nozzle. Remember, attachment mode is easier with a canister vs upright.

Of course, you can launder some cloth mats. Or shake them outside, weather permitting. However, shaking is likely to expose you to more dust than vacuuming. That’s especially important if you have allergies or asthma. Never mind if your dust is contaminated with lead, flame retardants, or other toxics.

Canister vacuum cleaner: Turbo carpet brush used on kitchen floor mat. — Vacuuming a kitchen mat with a turbo brush attachment. This air-powered, rotating brush works well on low-pile rugs. The underside looks a bit like the brush roll on an upright.

If you mainly have hard floors

Using a hard floor tool is easier— and smoother— with a canister vs upright. Agile and nimble are words that come to mind. Especially in smaller spaces and corners.

An old Hoover canister. — Vacuuming under the same kitchen mat. This time, with a hard floor tool.

An upright, on the other hand, is too clumsy for use on hard floors. But if you need to use an upright in a pinch, turn off the motorized brush roll (on all uprights), so you don’t scratch the floor finish or scatter debris. With some uprights, you may also need to select a floor height.

If you need to detail your floors

You’ll need to use tool attachments. That’s easier with a canister vs upright. Details includes the following.

Edges and baseboards
Corners, nooks and crannies
Under low furniture
In narrow, awkward spaces between furniture
Registers and grilles
Kitchen mats and throw rugs

If you want to vacuum stairs easily

A canister’s easier to maneuver on stairs than an upright. Especially when detailing edges, corners and vertical spaces that call for attachments.

If most of your vacuuming is above the floor

Detailed vacuuming involves plenty of above-the-floor surfaces. Here are a few examples where a canister comes in handy.

Upholstery and mattresses
Radiators, registers and grilles
Heavy drapes
Shutters
Tracks on sliding windows and doors
Wicker
Electronic cords
Dryer vent and lint trap
Misc. nooks and crannies
Walls and ceilings

Miele canister vacuum cleaner with adjustable, extending wand. Nature photo by Emil Flock, nature and industrial photographer. DSCF7501 copy — Canisters are far more agile on above-the-floor surfaces than uprights. Here I’m vacuuming a wall with a Miele extending wand and hard floor tool. Nature photo by Emil Flock, a nature and industrial photographer, and long-time customer. Click on the photo for more of Emil’s work.

What’s your own your experience been with canisters vs uprights? Your comment just might help others.