Allergic? Consider This Particular Vacuum Model for Significant Improvement

Allergic? Consider This Particular Vacuum Model for Significant Improvement

Feeling allergy-ridden despite staying indoors? Your home might be the culprit, especially if it's carpeted. Dust mites, pet dander, and debris lurk in carpets and rugs, making them a hotbed of allergens. But there's a solution: vacuums with HEPA filters.

These bad boys are magic workers, trapping those tiny, allergy-inducing micro-particles that your standard vacuum can't handle. Plus, they nab particles from smoke and pollution, too. Dr. James Sublett, an allergist and air quality specialist for the Allergy and Asthma Network, explains why: "Homes with carpets are a reservoir of allergens. Each time someone walks across or vacuums the carpet, particles fill the air."

But don't worry! While vacuuming won't eradicate all mites and dander, HEPA vacuums help keep them from floating back into the air. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America agrees.

So, what's the best practice? Vacuum at least once a week with your HEPA vacuum. Pro tip: run a HEPA air purifier at the same time (like this popular Levoit option). "Using a HEPA vacuum will trap some particles, leaving others that are stirred up into the breathing space to be removed by room or whole-house air filtration," adds Sublett. (Bonus tip: wear a mask while you clean for extra protection.)

Now, let's talk about our favorite HEPA vacuum: Shark's upright model. It's equipped with a sealed HEPA filter, capturing 99.9% of allergens and dust with a whopping 1,416 watts of suction power. Reviewers love this thing so much, they're even buying spares!

Equipped with a large-capacity dust cup, multiple attachments for pet hair and crevice tools, and a detachable pod for high-up spots, this vacuum is a total game-changer. Plus, if you prefer a cordless option, there's the pricier-but-powerful Dyson V15 vacuum with a HEPA filter and up to 60 minutes of run time.

Here are a few reviews of the Shark Navigator:

• "Wow, for this money, a total home run. HEPA, detachable handle, and portable PLUS it cleans.... love the adjustable suction control, floor to carpet height adjustment is easy access.... My wife is a 'cleaner,' first time she used it was off the charts happy." -K. Wilson
• "Absolutely a great vacuum. Only had a month, but after seeing reviews online, it truly is amazing. Easy to assemble. Have two boxers who shed a lot. Suction and pickup is absolutely unbelievable. With HEPA filtration, no stinky vacuum smell." -Tom H
• "I did a test with this unit out of the box. I vacuumed with my older canister vacuum with a HEPA filter, then I repeated with my Shark. It picked up small dirt and tons of dust. I was amazed, embarrassed, and relieved to have a new unit that actually cleaned as I vacuumed." -Robert Wojnowski
• "Absolutely love this. I've been using a cheapy stick vacuum for a year. No pets, just me, my husband, and our toddler. We have three carpeted bedrooms upstairs and one rug in the downstairs. I did a VERY quick once-over all of the carpeted areas with this thing and this picture is the amount of dirt I got. Absolutely in shock. Prior to this, I was vacuuming at least three times a week with our stick-handle crap vacuum, and I try to keep the house very clean at all times (minimal amount of dust, grime, etc. We all have killer allergies). Heck, we use the highest-quality HEPA filters for our HVAC AND have a large-capacity air purifier. Still, the difference a good vacuum can make clearly can't be beat. This thing is no joke for suction, very powerful but still pretty easy to carry and maneuver considering its size. Easy to click together after unboxing. Canister emptying seems easy enough, and I like that the lifespan of the filters is literally years." -Olivia Dunn

Get it from Amazon for $139.99 (available in five colors).

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.

1. Despite staying indoors, feeling allergy-ridden might be due to having a carpeted home, as it harbors dust mites, pet dander, and debris.
2. To combat these allergens, opt for vacuums with HEPA filters, which effectively trap tiny allergy-inducing micro-particles that standard vacuums miss.
3. According to Dr. James Sublett, homes with carpets are a reservoir of allergens, and each time someone walks or vacuums, particles fill the air.
4. While vacuums alone cannot eradicate all mites and dander, HEPA vacuums help prevent them from returning into the air, as per the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
5. For optimal results, vacuum at least once a week with a HEPA vacuum, and consider running a HEPA air purifier concurrently, like the popular Levoit model.
6. When it comes to vacuums, Shark's upright model with a sealed HEPA filter is highly recommended, boasting 99.9% allergen capture and 1,416 watts of suction power.
7. This vacuum is equipped with a large-capacity dust cup, multiple attachments for pet hair and crevice tools, and a detachable pod for high-up spots, making it a game-changer for home-and-garden cleaning.
8. Alternatively, those who prefer a cordless option can choose the pricier-but-powerful Dyson V15 vacuum with a HEPA filter and up to 60 minutes of run time, suitable for fitness-and-exercise, health-and-wellness, and lifestyle needs.

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