Guide to Clean, Green-Friendly Vacuums

Undoubtedly, the biggest word on any potential vacuum buyer's mind is "clean." Obviously, the point of a vacuum is to banish messes and clean up everything from carpets to hardwood floors. However, picking up any dirt and dust that inhabits one's floor isn't the only meaning of clean in our modern society. Another facet of cleanliness is in respect to the environment. Going green may seem like a trendy marketing topic, but it is incredibly important, and the smaller the impact one's everyday activities on the environment, the better.

You might not consider a vacuum cleaner to be a major source of environmental concern, but choosing the wrong vacuum can have significant consequences. Vacuums deal with a lot of dirt and dust, some of which might have been trapped in a carpet for years. Unfortunately, if this leaks out, it can trigger asthma and allergies, irritating eyes and lungs. In addition, a low-quality vacuum will deteriorate more quickly than a higher-quality one; this will result in the vacuum being discarded prematurely, adding to waste in landfills.

With so many vacuums on the market, though, the decision can seem daunting. However, there are a few choices that stand out from the field in terms of their ability to clean your home while keeping the environment clean as well. Here are a few top picks:

Dyson DC25 Ball Upright Vacuum

While most of the appeal of Dyson vacuum cleaners is the revolutionary ball design that facilitates easier movement, that's not the only reason this vacuum is great. The Dyson DC25 features a hygienic dust bin and is also certified asthma-friendly. This hypoallergenic model features a third-gallon dust bin that eliminates the need for messy bags. This reduces the risk of spills and won't result in getting one's hands dirty by touching dusty bags. In addition, the Dyson DC25 has earned the recommendation of National Geographic's Green Guide, indicating that it is a very environmentally-friendly model. And if those attributes aren't enough to sway you, the Dyson DC25 can be used on all floor types, has a motorized brushbar, onboard tools and a Telescope Reach wand HEPA filter.

Miele S251i Plus Powerbrush 1200

Unlike the Dyson model, the Miele does employ bags, but that doesn't doom it to an eternity of creating environmental chaos. The 4.5 quart dustbag is dual-layered for maximum security against leaks and is disposable, minimizing the risk of old dust remaining in the machine and eventually escaping into your home. And in addition to the primary filter, the Miele has a secondary filter that helps remove more than 95% of pollutants in the air. While this is a very green-friendly machine, that doesn't mean it lacks power; the Miele boasts airflow of 118 Cubic Feet per minute and 1200 Watts of cleaning power.

Electrolux Oxygen3 Upright

The Oxygen3 is another vacuum that is changing the way people feel about bag vacuums in terms of cleanliness. This model features Microseal Fresh Air Technology and an Optimum Sensor System. The Oxygen3 is also hypoallergenic and has a sealed HEPA filter. This model also earned the recommendation of National Geographic's Green Guide, meaning you can be confident that this is a smart buy. Other perks of this model are integrated attachments, finger tip controls and electronic height adjustments.

As you can see, there are many vacuum cleaners that are both economically and environmentally friendly. In addition, these models do not sacrifice effectiveness for their green aspects. Of course, there are still other models that offer similar advantages; as with any major purchase, adequate research should be done before a decision is made.