literalview's Full Review: Dyson DC17 Animal Bagless Upright Cyclonic Vacuum
INTRODUCTION
Have pets? Got lots of pet hair, dander, tracked in dust and dirt from the yard? Then this is the machine for you! My house is filled with pets - two dogs and a cat - and they all shed differently and manage to track in unique dirt. One dog blows her coat about three times a year. The other, a terrier sheds all the time leaving long black hairs about. The cat is a Himalayan cross with very soft fur which she leaves about in large clumps. The machine was first recommended to me by my sister-in-law who's a veterinarian and uses it at her clinic and home.
SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED
When I received my Dyson after ordering it online it came in a box with some assembly required. However it was not difficult. Just read the instructions and go one step at a time. I had it together in less than fifteen minutes and it only took that long because I was being very cautious to follow the instructions and make sure everything clicked into place as it should.
THE GOOD STUFF
The machine is great. It has some heft to it which I actually like. If you draw it slowly over the surface you're cleaning it picks up just about everything in its path on the first pass. There's minimal retracing of steps. There are moments when it isn't quite as maneuverable as I'd like, but then that's when the attachments comes out.
And the attachments are pretty great themselves. Most are onboard. You push a button to release the handle, extend the hose, attach whichever attachment you need and you're in business. There's not a lot of fussing with the attachments and I really like that. I use most of them, including the animal turbo tool which, unfortunately, isn't attached to the machine and so must be retrieved and used separately. I don't use the floor too much, rarely in fact. I seem to get the job done without it.
Pet hair is swept up easily. Dust, which is in amazing abundance where I live, is also easily and thoroughly cleaned. I use the brush tool for blinds and furniture edges. Stairs are particularly easy to clean with the bulk of the machine at the bottom of the stairs, the hose extended and the wand with stair tool attached.
It's very easy to empty. Flip a button to release the dust bin from the machine, either wrap the bottom in a plastic bag for carry it to your garbage can, pull a lever and the contents are released. A smart tap and you're done. If you have a problem with dust I recommend the plastic bag method. Hold bag tightly about the bottom of the bin, release contents, let dust settle a bit, close it up and toss.
MAINTENANCE
Most of the maintenance is taken care of with a damp cloth wiping down the outside or perhaps rinsing the dust bin of you're so inclined. The most important thing to remember is cleaning the lifetime filter. The owner's manual has instructions at are quite clear on how to do it. It really is as simple as rinsing a sponge. However, don't forget it! It really does affect the efficiency of the machine's operation. It needs to be done about every 6 months - perhaps more often if you have a lot of very fine dust. You also need to do it when you can allow plenty of drying time - they recommend 12 hours before using the machine again.
THE BAD STUFF
There's very little. Maneuverability is a bit problematic in tight spaces of carpet, but the attachments make up for that. I did bump the machine one time when backing it up near a bed. That loosened a part and caused me to not be able to get the machine upright and locked. I couldn't figure out what I'd done do I had to call their helpline. That turned a bad thing into a good one. Their helpline was very helpful. A few moments on the phone with a tech and she walked me through getting the part back where it needed to be. That was when I was very unfamiliar with the machine. If I'm in a hurry now and whack it I simply take care of it myself.
CONCLUSION
I'm very pleased with how the Dyson Animal operates. It cleans well and is very easy to use and empty. Exceptional for pet hair and fairly quiet as these machines go. The owner's manual is very clear and well illustrated to help you with any questions or problems. And, as another reviewer commented, I can hear my phone ring as well when I'm using it. And no bags to buy!
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