Vacuums: Successful dust management starts with this simple task: regular vacuuming. However, most vacuums blow out a large percentage of the dust that they are supposed to be removing. For those sensitive to dust, this domestic chore can lead to an increase of symptoms. This is why it is essential to replace your vacuum cleaner with one that is equipt with a HEPA air filter and has hygenic sealable bags for disposal of the collected dust. These models have been tried and tested and I believe them to be the best range available.

Numatic International was founded in 1969 in Crewkerne, Somerset , England where it produced its first commercial vacuum cleaner designed for cleaning coal, oil and gas fired boilers.

At the beginning the company employed 6 people, the factory was not as big as a garage and the most sophisticated equipment was a drill. Thank heavens the days were 24 hours long!

The first vacuum cleaner designs were made from a combination of oil drums and components that were readily available such as suitcase handles, furniture castors and domestic washing-up bowls. All assembled in such a way as to provide a simple, reliable workhorse for commercial and industrial use.

By 1971 Numatic moved into a water-mill in Yeovil, Somerset which is where they learnt all about wet pick-up machines. When the river was high the factory flooded between 5 and 10cm, but production continued. It was in Yeovil that the first serious commercial vacuum cleaner was developed, the NV-2, followed very closely by the original NV-250. Both were all steel machines and the majority is still working today, 33 years later. Numatic pride themselves on the fact that they can still supply parts and replacements for all Numatic vacuum cleaners, ever produced, back to number 1.

By 1973 they started to enter the cleaning industry and produced there first floor machine and wet and dry cleaners.

By 1974 the mill was too small and they moved to there first serious home in Beaminster, Dorset where they stayed for 20 years. Beaminster was the home of Henry, the product for which Numatic is famous throughout the world, with sales increasing year by year since its inception in 1981.

Up to this point in 1990 Numatic were mainly assembling products from components supplied by sub-contractors in metal and plastic, they then branched out with there own tube manipulation facility to make improved, stronger, commercial products.

The Chard site on which Numatic International is situated today was acquired in 1990 and has been developed over the past 13 years. The site is 9 hectares, employing over 700 staff, parts of which operate 24 hours a day, it produces 3,000 products per day and encompasses many state of the art and fully automated facilities.

In 1995 subsidiaries near to Paris, France and in Johannesburg, South Africa were established to provide full support for there increasing overseas activities in these regions, Germany was added to the list in 2002 and The Netherlands in 2004.

The key to the success of Numatic International is the close relationship that has been established with both customers and suppliers worldwide.

Company statement: “ Our aim is to continue to be innovative, maintain a high standard of quality and to provide good value for money.”

Eco Policy
They are also an environmentally friendly company in both product design and operation and try as far as possible to recycle much of there waste material, for this they hold an ISO14001 accreditation.

WEEE Compliance Declaration
Electrical products designed and manufactured by Numatic International Ltd, and sold into the European market are all covered by the EU Electrical and Electronic Equipment Waste Directive (WEEE). The aims of the directive are to minimize the amount of material entering this waste stream, and to provide funding for treatment facilities in order to maximize recovery and recycling.
Producer Registration Number WEE/AA0045SY/PRO

RoHS Compliance Declaration
Electrical products designed and manufactured by Numatic International Ltd, and sold into the European market are all covered by the EU Restriction of selective Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS).This directive strictly limits the amounts of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chrome, and flame retardants PBBE and PBDE that can be present in our products.

If you or your children suffer from allergies or asthma, then the type of vacuum cleaner you own can make a vast difference in your quality of life. A good vacuum cleaner helps control dust mites, pet dander, and other allergens by sucking them up and trapping them for disposal, making your indoor air cleaner and more breathable. Choosing a good vacuum can be a daunting prospect, so Allergymatters have put together a quick ratings guide to make your choice simpler.

 

It is important to take the following into consideration:

Power
The motor power, measured in watts determines the horsepower of the vacuum. The higher the wattage, the more powerful the machine.

Weight and Comfort
Before purchasing a HEPA vacuum cleaner, look at the product specification of it and find out its weight. The last thing you want is a vacuum cleaner that is too heavy (especially if you have lots of stairs to contend with) and means you are unable to use it.

Tools and Accessories
To enable a thoroughly clean home you need a small army of cleaning attachments to assist your HEPA vacuum cleaner. Most vacuums come with standard attachments, which are extremely helpful when cleaning. If however you require other tools for more specialised cleaning jobs, the manufacturer's will usually supply additional attachments at an extra cost. It is therefore worth considering what cleaning jobs you intend to do and what tools you will need to carry out those jobs.

Our ‘Tools’ symbol explained:

Basic range

Good range

Comprehensive range

Dust Capacity
It is important to consider the capacity of the dust collecting chamber or bag on your vacuum. The larger the capacity the less often you will need to empty or replace it.

Power Settings
Many vacuums come with different power settings to control the strength of the vacuum suction when cleaning. This is very useful, particularly if you are using your vacuum for a variety of tasks. For example, you would probably use a stronger suction on deep pile carpets to ensure thorough deep cleaning between the pile, but you would not necessarily need to use the strong suction for dusting objects like skirting boards. A vacuum with this feature allows you to have more control whilst cleaning.

Filters
If you suffer with allergies, such as asthma, hayfever and eczema, it is really important that you choose a vacuum that comes with an allergy filter. We recommend that you choose a vacuum that comes with a HEPA or HEPA type filter which can capture 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns in size and can prevent the spread of bacteria making it the sensible choice all around. You may also need to consider whether the filter is washable or whether it needs replacing. If the filter is replaceable take into account the cost to replace it and how often you would need to change it.

Cable Range
There is nothing worse than the constant starting and stopping of cleaning, because your vacuum cable is not long enough to reach the other side of the room! When choosing your vacuum, make sure the cable range is long enough to clean the areas, including those hard to reach places that you need to do.

Noise
People often think that their vacuum cleaner is not working if it is not making a noise! Knowing this a manufacturer intentionally made their vacuum cleaners noisier to assure people that were doing their job. If your vacuum cleaner is quiet then do not fret – this is a good thing! It doesn't mean that the vacuum cleaner isn't performing correctly, it just means it is a great package overall! A quieter vacuum reflects a better quality of motor.

Style: Canister v Upright

Upright vacuums – stand on their own and are a favourite to buy if you have thick and plentiful carpet to clean. Some come with or without handy attachments that clean those hard to reach places. They are best for removing pet hair and for those who want a larger vacuum bag. Advantages of HEPA upright vacuums area it’s strength and power on carpeted areas and their simplicity of vacuuming upright.

Canister vacuums - are smaller than the upright vacuums but still are extremely powerful. Their compact designed case rolls along the floor and follows behind you whilst you vacuum carpet, furniture or upholstery. HEPA canister vacuums can move around easily hardwood floors without making wheel marks. A helpful long hose is attached to canister vacuum cleaners so you can clean thoroughly in those hard to get areas. HEPA canister vacuums come with many handy vacuum tools that provide easy and efficient cleaning of most surfaces. An advantage of Hepa canister vacuums is their ability to reach in and around furniture making sure you don’t miss a spot