Unless you have only hardwood and tile in your home, you probably have a vacuum cleaner. Even some people who don’t have carpet have vacuums so they can clean furniture, draperies, and area rugs – and it’s not unheard of to put the vacuum on a low setting and clean hardwood or tile with it. If you’re just cleaning a small area, though, it can be a real hassle to drag out a heavy, bulky vacuum for a few minutes and then put it right back again. For little cleaning jobs, handheld vacuums can be a great choice. They’re small, light, and easy to use.
Some of these little vacuums plug in, but most of them are cordless. They sit on a base when they aren’t being used so they stay charged up. When you need it, the vacuum is ready to go. Of course, you can’t use them for extended periods. The batteries won’t last forever before they have to be charged up again. The suction they have is also not as strong as a full-sized vacuum, so they aren’t a good choice for high-traffic areas of wall-to-wall carpet. They’re great on stairs, and for picking up pet hair from couches and other furniture.
Handheld vacuums can also be used on draperies and for picking up sand, dust, and dirt from hardwood and tile floors. They have a lot of uses, and work well in apartments and dorm rooms. They’re often seen in garages, too, for picking up small debris that’s created when working with wood or metal. Since they aren’t very expensive, they’re a great way to have a vacuum handy all the time without the need for a costly and bulky machine. Save the big vacuum for serious cleaning and use the handheld vacuum for the basic, day-to-day things that need to be cleaned up quickly.