This article contains: Best Vacuum Cleaner, Washer, Dryer, Clothing Iron, Lawnmower, Bathroom Cleaning, Home Safety Items, Air Purifier
Best Vacuum Cleaner
Premium: Miele (only vacs sold to doctors offices specializing in area asthma and allergy). The best model is the Miele Dynamic U1 Twist Upright $450 [Amazon]. This vacuum cleaner will even scale if you upgrade to a bigger house from an apartment, and works well on both flooring and lots of thick rugs/carpet/hair (ie from pets). (better than the canister vacuum cleaners even though those are slightly lower profile for an apartment, ie the Miele S2121 Capri Canister $400 [Amazon] which works well on both flooring and hair / non-thick carpetting because it has a separate heads for each, or the the Miele Delphi $500 which specializes in thick carpet [Amazon], wouldn’t get the cheaper single combination head Miele S2121 Olympus Canister $330 [Amazon] as the combination head isn’t great). A bagged vacuum like the Miele Twist goes through four bags per year on average, and needs its filters replaced once—seasonal upkeep.
Two other great substitute brands: Riccar, Sebo
2nd Tier Brands: Hoover, Royal, Panasonic, Fuller
Don’t get: Dirt Devil, Shark (ie Rotator Professional Lift-Away NV501), Bissell (used to be great, not anymore), Eureka (only top models good), Kirby, Rainbow, Dyson (ie DC59 DC59 Animal Cordless Vacuum Cleaner) – brand doesn’t have the long term durability and even the other models are bulky, supposed to be more environment without using a bag but annoying to clean., Kenmore (only last 3-4 years while warranty on Miele is 7), Miele Titan $600 [Amazon] (the HEPA Filter is unnecessary as the other Mieles filter perfectly). [Source, 2]
Best Washer, Best Dryer
Preferables: Front-loading (allows for bigger loads)
High-End: Samsung (405s are extremely quiet) [Amazon Search] is top of the line. Washer has a 10 year warranty on the motor compared to whirlpool, maytag, etc.
OR
LG Graphite 5.1 Cu Ft Front Load Steam Washer and 9.0 Cu Ft Steam Electric Dryer set [Amazon], slightly smaller is the LG 4270 Series [Amazon Search]
For Apartment/Condo living:
Budget – A combination washer/dryer machine like either the Panda 10 lb (1.3 cubic feet) $250 [Amazon], or just washer Sonya Compact Portable Apartment Small Washing Machine Washer 1.9cuft./15.4lbs $350 [Amazon]
Expensive – Midea 2.0 Cu. Ft. Combination Washer/Dryer Combo $2900 [Amazon] (albeit expensive, if you had space could get the
Don’t get: Haier HLP21N Pulsator 1 Cubic Foot Portable $230 (1 cubic foot is small and no dryer like the Panda) [Amazon], Tide Swash $600 (too expensive), Asko (high end Swedish but washer is loud and dryer breaks easily), the $50 tiny ones like the Wonder Washer or Wonderwash
Best Clothes Iron and Clothes Steamer
A Steamer and Iron have different pros and cons. The steamer is great for quickly taking out most of the wrinkles, especially delicate materials like silk or large areas like coats and curtains and bed spreads (even the mattress itself if necessary ie if slightly dirty or to kill bed bugs), and you can also freshen up dry-clean only clothing. The iron, however, takes longer but is still the best to smooth out all wrinkles and make clothing look more crisp (ie make crease lines on pants, easier to flatten the collars of button-downs and getting around the buttons and shoulders compared to the steamer). Source theironingroom
Best Clothes Iron: Best Budget – Rowenta DW5080 Focus Steam Iron $67 [Amazon]
Substitute: to save a little money (but the Rowenta is worth it): Black & Decker D2030 $45 [Amazon]
Best Clothes Steamer: Jiffy J-2 $170 [Amazon] or J-2000 $170 [Amazon] (get the J-2000, same power, little cheaper but slightly smaller water tank for steam, more low-profile). It’s better (more powerful) than the hand-held portable fabric steamers ie the PureSteam or Steamfast or DBTech or ESTEAM. One of those could be better for travelling, however, both the portable steamers or the cheaper upright Steamfast SF-407 will not be as durable/long-lasting.
Don’t get: Steam Station (ie Rowenta DG8030 or DG5030 or DG8430, Reliable) – not reliable and high complaints of leaks and spits and 7 minute heat up, Steamfast
Best Bathroom Cleaning
Best Plunger: Neiko 60166A Heavy Duty All-Angle Power Toilet Plunger [Amazon] best plunger for low flow toilets – plunge on a certain angle and with a few plunges it’s done (#1 best selling plunger on Amazon)
Home Safety Items
Fire Extinguisher: Kidde FA110 Multi Purpose 1A10BC $28 [Amazon]
Fire Alarm:
Carbon Monoxide Detector:
Best First Aid Kit:
Best Home Air Purifier
Note: Before spending money on an air purifier, most important is to: 1) Get rid of the source of the contaminants (ie stop smoking cigarettes indoors, cleaning and preventing mold or pet dander, vacuuming dust), 2) Dilute the air in your house (open windows unless there are allergens outside) to sweep away contaminants
If you do buy, make sure you buy one that will clean well (ie this $48 one doesn’t). And make sure the filters aren’t too expensive.
Research Based on: SweetHome and other reviews
Best Popular Budget: Honeywell 50250-S 99.97% Pure HEPA Round Air Purifier $110 [Amazon]. Not recommended to everyone, as the Winix and Coway are both quieter / better quality / more energy-efficient. You won’t be able to sleep with the noise of this in the bedroom on “high setting” and this is not great for odor removal (but great if you don’t require it)
Best Mid-Range: Coway AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier with True HEPA and Eco Mode $250 [Amazon]
Best Premium: Austin Air HealthMate $540 [Amazon] (does better with odors, need to spend $400+ for odors) (Secondary: IQ Air HealthPro Plus – as used in operating rooms, and dental offices, but expensive ($900 + $100/yr for filters) [Amazon]) (better than Blue Air, Elan)
Don’t get: Air Oasis $400 does not filter, any purifier with Ozone Ionizers (hazard), GermGuardian, Rabbit Air SPA-582 better than Alen 375UV lack of reviews, Whirlpool Whispure 450 or 510 (lame looking), expensive Winix 6300 4-Stage PlasmaWave $350, Holmes from Target
Best Air Conditioner: Window AC Unit
Heavy-duty/Industrial: Frigidaire FFRH2522R2 25000 BTU 230-volt Heavy-Duty Slide-Out Chassis Air Conditioner with 16000 BTU Supplemental Heat Capability $860 [Amazon] or to save the $260 that goes towards the heater capability [Amazon]
Best Space Heater
Best Bathroom Cleaning
Zip it (for hair stuck in shower drain) [Amazon]
Bar Keepers Friend (powder) [Amazon] – great for cleaning almost anything – Cleaning sinks, bathtubs, toilets, calphalon pans, stainless steel pans, a grill, stainless steel anything, silverware, the kitchen sink, glass in the shower
Best Trash Can
