Looking for a good Animal Hair Focused Vacuum Cleaner

ka7e

Also make sure it has removeable brush head so you can clean them outside or over a bin. I have had 2 vacuums that you had to upend and clear out hair from the brushes in situ - very awkward! I have used a Shark Liftaway for 4 years and regularly handwash the sponge filter and the brush head is very easy to remove (2 long-haired dogs, I white and 1 black...so no surface is safe)

Nanako

flo22 said:

Maintenance of a bagless can actually cost more because you have to clean the filters more often and replace the filters.  Of course most people don't do this which is why they end up with Vacuums that lose suction - if the filter is blocked then it puts strain on the motor and it loses suction. The vast majority of 'dead' bagless vacuum cleaners I fix are not dead at all just poorly maintained (filters not cleaned/replaced).

Now this is interesting to hear. I currently have a Vax Mach Zen 2 and i have noticed the suction declining over time.  What does filter maintenance involve, and how might I do it?

I suspect this one won't be adequate for pet hair even operating at full capacity though.
You've definitely convinced me to avoid the shark, i will look over the other options proposed here!

BlueonBlue

A rubber bristle broom will lift cat or dog fur but some wont like putting in the effort needed even though it works .
Rubber gloves can help on sofas curverd areas.
On some synthetic carpets industrial wet/dry vacs with two 1200w motors wont lift dog/cat fur which is far more power than any household hoovers.
The natural cat/dog hair clings to synthetic carpet fibres its like the two form a electric charge or static electricity and just wont lift.

A rubber broom or used as a hand brush will do the job with some effort .
You find these in those bucket or bargain shops possibly robert dyas.
https://www.robertdyas.co.uk/jml-rubber-wonderbroom

To give you more of a idea in pictures here is what Amazon has
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=rubber+carpet+brush&crid=HKD3FDDUXQ2D&sprefix=carpet+brush,aps,70&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_6_12

Alot of people are sold carpets believing they are wool but they are often more synthetic than anything else .
Variables will exist in how easy it is to get pet hair off different composition carpet types rather than the type of hoover used .

Albermarle

Nanako said:

flo22 said:

Maintenance of a bagless can actually cost more because you have to clean the filters more often and replace the filters.  Of course most people don't do this which is why they end up with Vacuums that lose suction - if the filter is blocked then it puts strain on the motor and it loses suction. The vast majority of 'dead' bagless vacuum cleaners I fix are not dead at all just poorly maintained (filters not cleaned/replaced).

Now this is interesting to hear. I currently have a Vax Mach Zen 2 and i have noticed the suction declining over time.  What does filter maintenance involve, and how might I do it?

I suspect this one won't be adequate for pet hair even operating at full capacity though.
You've definitely convinced me to avoid the shark, i will look over the other options proposed here!

There will be clear instructions in the user manual. If you can not find it they are usually available on line from the manufacturers website

pmartin86

We have one of these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shark-NZ801UKT-Lift-Away-Anti-Hair-Technology/dp/B07WQH7TJ4/ref=sr_1_5?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.BdCJc3Y9FCLZyo1tGmKyetuv8ff5BLyi29sW-fiwNr07Ivgcs9ZGyWGNzjP0y_BB3v16KoSh0prnjv4fGMaaQdjyGsWfnOdjb3J9NRF5mPom-ABI9U8Mc40740i9sEqAjKkpOhs3sncJoqYxGD-I4nakEBpA3BEydrvCbZI938nryn4lo2G35gOgaHHgmmyx3o-oVlacBFfCzhNF4pH9GdsYbnM31X_WtVRA8KPsLNc.Py6dgz34p7OfBx0o-uALyHuvL14Cr4zlwUwgkrm0Who&dib_tag=se&keywords=shark+corded+vacuum+cleaners&qid=1726307266&sr=8-5&ufe=app_do:amzn1.fos.16386313-b7bf-4b29-bfa1-0d3d5f3a0dd5

When the last one broke, we bought another. 2 Border Collies, 2 kids and 2 adults in the house, it handles it all easily. For people who faff about filters etc, cleaning them is easy, they pop out in a few seconds and can be washed under a tap, get a "second set" and just swap out instantly and leave the other ones to dry thouroughly for a few days. I've never had an issue in years.

bex2012

I have a Shark vaccum, which replaced a very old dyson. So far im very pleased, it handles my long hair and the cats fur with ease. However i would also second a rubber broom before vacuuming, and also one of these

https://www.amazon.co.uk/MOTONG-Remover-Scraper-Clothes-Reusable/dp/B096B2N5Z1/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1R4WEFY5TXI2D&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.1RzMiticXkEWprTshkNVZpT0aUM2iZ5avASniUNPfMA1RMwjk1LI2BhFppPxxIX_I_bx0FGMCqmGqEwls2hptE13FQztC6d08IFSVVAlshuHJMLkfNf-Y6nOIENGex38lRDTTC8BZXAZb-_mXHO6_ODKFXaxhJOU8jcSmSb2KBeDQS5EmRRBIYscnvZgHZk2BgkSsef1svSK4DJWyWuFzrDhxOPHJB7MopSl0yz1Ijn1CENoiQurtwfb7LnHeZsvKFC-WwXDwaeilyQLCOj5i8ddMVlndaa7UOr5exqU9m8.omndXpLuNEdMIaNAeU0dxS7sHhJHFedGxtlTDes8d80&dib_tag=se&keywords=carpet%2Bbrush&qid=1726308907&sprefix=Carpet%2Caps%2C478&sr=8-5&th=1

I literally couldn’t be without this in my housework kit.

twopenny

Before we had all these I started off with a damp sponge which lifts all the hair but a whole living room!

Then we had steam cleaners. Brilliant. They lifted the hair and rolled it up leaving it on the surface so you then went over with a vaccum!

Those steam cleaners don't appear any more but there are plenty smaller ones for floors and kitchens.  I'd give it a try as it will save you hundreds.

I used it on synthetic and antique wool and it was fine with both.

flo22

Nanako said:

flo22 said:

Maintenance of a bagless can actually cost more because you have to clean the filters more often and replace the filters.  Of course most people don't do this which is why they end up with Vacuums that lose suction - if the filter is blocked then it puts strain on the motor and it loses suction. The vast majority of 'dead' bagless vacuum cleaners I fix are not dead at all just poorly maintained (filters not cleaned/replaced).

Now this is interesting to hear. I currently have a Vax Mach Zen 2 and i have noticed the suction declining over time.  What does filter maintenance involve, and how might I do it?

I suspect this one won't be adequate for pet hair even operating at full capacity though.
You've definitely convinced me to avoid the shark, i will look over the other options proposed here!

It will have a pre-motor filter within the cyclone, this needs removing and washing about every 2 months (this will be in the manual).  Take it out, wash it under a tap until the water runs clean, then what I do is just bung them in the washing machine as they will dry much quicker. 

There is also a post-motor filter under the cannister/bin - if you have not kept the pre-motor filter in good condition dirt can end up going through the motor and the post-motor filter may need replacing.  You can rinse these but not put them in the washing machine.  Usually if these are bad just buy a new set of filters and bin the old post-motor filter.  If the cannister is smelly then the easiest way to tackle it is to airline it out - remove the cyclones out of the clear bin and take it to a garage if you don't have one at home - give it a good old blast of air (pointing it away from cars), this will remove a lot of the stinky dirt in the cyclones.  If you want these can also be taken apart and washed properly, take pictures at each stage to help you when you put it together.

If you have a cylinder now and you are happy with a cylinder but want something better for pet hair then go for a Henry pet.  Henry Pet has an additional powered brushhead.  You can't go wrong with a Henry, I use a Henry for cleaning out other vacuums cleaners.  Henry bags are cheap and frequently on offer with 2 boxes for a tenner, a bag will last months on normal use.  The bag is the hepa filter so a new bag is all you need for maintenance.

https://www.myhenry.com/henry-pet-200?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwrp-3BhDgARIsAEWJ6Sy_bLsv_wWZh05Rmwtw-7tPpz3EquEl9dPpXGkeLWw--UQikxM4PocaAuJ5EALw_wcB

If you want to spend more and go for the more premium Miele or Sebo then it doesn't have to be new, a good reconditioned one will last years longer than a new Shark or Vax.

Joanthebone

A clean pair of trainers.  Put them on and 'shuffle' and 'swipe' your feet across the carpet, it will come off in rolls, easy to pick up.  Wear rubber gloves to reach/swipe the corners/awkward bits and rub over upholstered furniture, it all comes off in rolls, then vaccuum with whatever you like, there won't be much, if any, fur left.

Emmia

Joanthebone said:

A clean pair of trainers.  Put them on and 'shuffle' and 'swipe' your feet across the carpet, it will come off in rolls, easy to pick up.  Wear rubber gloves to reach/swipe the corners/awkward bits and rub over upholstered furniture, it all comes off in rolls, then vaccuum with whatever you like, there won't be much, if any, fur left.

Wouldn't a rubber broom be easier? And (as you'll need to reserve trainers for this...) cheaper?