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On Sunday, the red carpet at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood will take a beating as celebrities arrive for the 88th Academy Awards. Glitter, sequins, beads, and maybe an errant splash of champagne will fall to the carpet only to get ground in by the spiked heels of the next arrivals.
Instead of asking, “Who are you wearing?” Consumer Reports is asking, “Who’s going to clean up this mess?” Our nominees? Dyson and Kenmore.
Small but Mighty
A standout in the light vacuum category, the cordless Dyson V6, $300, nabbed first place in our tests of stick vacuums. Weighing a mere 4.75 pounds, the rail-thin Dyson was a top performer in our tests vacuuming carpet, cleaning bare floors, getting into corners, and picking up pet hair. And with its colorful styling, innovative features, and upscale advertising campaign, Dyson is the Dior of the vacuum world.
Other nominees: Dyson V6 Motorhead, $400; Shark Rocket HV302, $180; Hoover Platinum LiNX BH50010, $160; and the Shark Navigator Freestyle SV1106, $100.
A Heavyweight Performer
Kenmore has been a contender in our tests year after year. Typically, upright vacuums are better at cleaning carpet than other types of vacuums and the bagged Kenmore Elite 31150, $350, is no exception. It weighs 21 pounds and is loaded with such extras as a brush on/off switch, suction control (protects delicate fabrics), and manual carpet pile-height adjustment. Strong airflow for tools, clean running, and superb pet-hair pickup are other attractions.
Other nominees: Miele Dynamic U1 Twist, $450; Miele Dynamic U1 Cat & Dog, $650; Kenmore 31140, $200; and the Kenmore Progressive 31069, $200.
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Carpet Cleaning Tips
To clean red carpet, or any other type, set the vacuum’s power head to the correct height for that particular carpet. Deep-pile carpeting needs a different setting than a flat-weave rug, for example. Some vacuums adjust automatically. Change the vacuum cleaner bag when it becomes full. An overstuffed bag impairs a vacuum’s ability to suck up the detritus.
Now about that champagne. To avoid stains, blot—don’t rub—the area with a cloth dipped in a mixture of one teaspoon detergent added to one cup of warm water, then dab with plain water and let dry. Finally, roll up the red carpet until next year. It’s been a long night.
Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2016 Consumers Union of U.S.
