Oreck XL Helps me XL at Cleaning!
Written: Jan 21 '01 (Updated Feb 21 '01)
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Pros: Easy to maneuver; Cleans well
Cons: Expensive; Doesn't reach every corner
The Bottom Line: The Oreck XL is a workhorse vacuum cleaner--dust bunnies don't stand a chance under beds, sofas or tables, and yet it is so lightweight, it hardly feels like you're working.
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| Jenmommy's Full Review: Oreck XL2600 Upright Vacuum |
Do you like to clean? I know I like to have a clean house, BUT the actual work involved in cleaning is not as fulfilling to me as it could be! One tool that has helped me feel more like spiffing up the house is my vacuum cleaner. I have been cleaning my floors and carpets with the Oreck XL 2600 for over three years now, and have some perspectives on David Oreck's vacuuming phenomenon.
My Oreck arrived after my original vacuum cleaner died (while in the midst of house-selling, no less.) I was exhausted by the weight of my old vacuum cleaner, and was intrigued by the 8-pound Oreck. Before ordering, I visited a vacuum dealer in my town to get my old heavy-weight fixed, and also spoke to the owner about the Oreck cleaners. His opinion swayed me to the "BUY" column, particularly when he mentioned that outside of running over the cord, there was little damage I could do to the Oreck and should expect many years of trouble-free use.
It seems funny now, but I was SO excited the day my Oreck XL arrived! I was only a little disappointed that I couldn't immediately vacuum with it, since it needed to be assembled and I couldn't figure it out. (Feeling a little dumb here having to admit that.) Anyhow, after my husband got home from work, he got it together, we put in the included vacuum bag and we got sweeping! I loved it from the first swish across the floor--and it almost slipped out of my hand because the Oreck was so easy to push and pull across the carpet. We got out our repaired vacuum to compare the weight, and it easily weighed 15 or more pounds than the lightweight Oreck 8 pounder. Outside of the physical fitness benefits from lugging, pushing and pulling a heavier vacuum, I could see no good reason to keep straining myself while vacuuming.
The Oreck XL easily fits under most chairs, beds and tables, and has a padded base to help protect wood and painted finishes from damage while you vacuum. It also has lights at the base to help illuminate the (ahemmmm) dust bunnies that might have accumulated since the last time you vacuumed. The extra long, 30 foot, electrical cord is a blessing! I love not having to find a new outlet in every room just to vacuum! I can reach at least two adjacent rooms, or part of a hall and large gathering room. If you are the vaccuumer in your home, you know how aggravating it is when you are just about able to reach a spot, but because the cord is too short, you are stuck--and either leave the dirt behind or find a closer outlet to plug in to reach that one little area.
I have been using this cleaner for more than three years now, and feel it does a good overall job, though there are a few concerns to share with you:
1. Cleaning in corners is difficult--you can almost make it, and the little brushes on the base do help, but there are some things that do escape. It would be wonderful it there were on-board attachments to get to those quirky little crumbs and such. I do use the bonus hand-held vacuum Oreck included in the package, but it is one more thing to plug in and walk around with--something I don't always have the extra time to do.
2. Hair tends to get stuck in the tube--As my older daughter has grown her hair longer and longer, I have found that I need to check the spot where the tube attaches to the vacuum bag because it often gets blocked with hair and dust balls that have gotten trapped by the hair. I have noticed that when the cleaner is leaving behind dust trails on uncarpeted floors, that is when the bag opening is getting clogged. This is an annoyance.
3. Replacement bags only available from authorized dealers. This could be a problem if you don't have a local Oreck vacuum dealer. The bags are available from the Oreck company, however you will need to plan ahead to make sure you have them ordered before you need them.
4. It's tippy! The ease of putting the handle into the vacuuming position with just a touch of your foot to the base, has the downside of being easy to NOT put back into the locked upright position--and just as you walk away, the handle falls to the ground. This isn't a huge concern, but it has scared me more than once.
The Oreck XL 2600 has performed extremely well for me over the last three-plus years, and I would not trade my lightweight Oreck for a heavier cleaner unless it promised it would vacuum the house all by itself! Now THAT would be a product I would buy!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 350
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Epinions.com ID:
Jenmommy
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Location: Pennsylvania
Reviews written: 50
Trusted by: 26 members
About Me:
I enjoy reading, writing and arithmetic! Handy skills for mom of two, wife of one.
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