Swiffer Sweep + Vac® Review

I'm not a fan of floor cleaning but I also know it's one of those many dreaded household tasks that must be done on a regular basis. Sweeping floors with a broom isn't a pleasure, but it has been made easier by this device, Swiffer Sweep Vac, a combination broom and vacuum cleaner.

Sweeper Commentary:

Swiffer Vac is a handy product manufactured by our friends at Proctor & Gamble, one of the largest consumer goods companies in the world. Using a broom can often prove to be inefficient for sweeping a room, depending on the size of the room and the size/amount of particles that need to be picked up. This device adds the convenience of a vacuum, making it much faster to clean up a floor than with a broom alone.

My favorite part of this small appliance is, of course, the vacuum because it makes sweeping so much easier. Brooms are ok for most purposes, but with Swiffer Vac, there is no bending or stretching. The broom can be used without any strain because it can be used (and the pads and cartridge emptied) while standing in an upright position. I noticed this difference right away. There was no need to bend down and sweep the particles from the kitchen floor into a dustpan. The vacuum gathered up most of the dirt and particles and what it didn't vacuum, the cloth pad picked up via its cling surface.

When the vacuum is not in use, it is important to charge it as quickly as possible to make sure it's ready for the next use. The manufacturer recommends using up the charge completely until it is plugged in again, but I don't agree with this recommendation because, if you follow it, there is a good chance the vacuum will completely run out of juice in the middle of a cleaning task. I have found it best to charge it right away, the moment you finish using it, in order to make sure the vacuum is ready to go next time.

The fact that this vacuum has to be plugged in and charged periodically isn't a big deal, but it would be nice if it lasted longer on a charge. It takes a long time to charge it completely, but the charge runs out in a relatively short time. From my experience, a full charge is good for only about 15 to 20 minutes of continuous use. I have found that I tend to move faster when I use the Swiffer Vac- faster than I should- because I worry that the charge will run out and I will not be able to finish. I'm the type who likes to finish what I start, so this short run time on a single charge is a little frustrating. There is also the somewhat nasty task of emptying the vacuum cartridge (there is no bag- you just dump it out), but this is a small price to pay for something that offers this level of convenience.

The cloth pad of the Swiffer Vac is also very good and it is designed to gather up dirt and dust and not let go. Part of the reason for its efficiency is the V- shaped ridges in the cloth. They are angled so that particles are trapped and don't get away. The cloth pads have to be replaced after several uses and this can get costly. They wear out regardless of whether the vacuum is used or not so there is no choice but to bite the bullet and buy a few boxes of replacement pads.

Bottom Line Viewpoint:

Overall, my Swiffer Vac has proven to be a valuable investment and I'm happy it has become a part of my household. My new house has more tile and wood floors than any other home I have ever owned and Swiffer Vac has been a welcome addition to the cleaning process.