New vacuum cleaner regulations cause outrage

by Bernadette Fallon

Depending on who you believe – ie The Independent or The Guardian, or if in fact you put any store by either – the EU have either ruined our lives or done us a huge favour in the cleaning department.

‘Meddling eurocrats to ban super-charged hoovers’ fume The Independent. ‘The super vacuum ban isn’t meddling EU bureaucracy,’ reasons The Guardian.

You’ve probably heard about the new EU regulation by now. It was a key topic for debate recently in a field where a group of my friends had gathered to pitch tents, drink cider and celebrate a birthday. You can probably guess it was a middle-age birthday, given our conversation …

Since September 1, all vacuum cleaners sold in Europe must be powered by motors of less than 1600 watts. All machines more powerful than this have already been removed from sale. And while the EU won’t be round your house checking out your wattage, once your super-powerful machine dies, you will have to replace it with a compliant model.

‘Nonsensical,’ rage The Independent.

‘Vital,’ assert The Guardian, who go on to point out that the new regulation is all about making designers come up with energy-efficient models that do the job just as well. However, a Daily Mail story of the ban reportedly sent consumers into vacuum cleaner stores in their droves, buying up super-charged models before September, leading The Guardian to wonder ‘Can Mail readers' houses really be so dusty that they need a turbo-charged, Jeremy Clarkson-approved machine to clean their floors?’ and ‘Do people really have enough money to stockpile vacuum cleaners?’

However there is a way around the ban. Cordless cleaners fall outside of the EU regulation, so if you missed the September deadline but fancy blasting a powerful motor to lord it over the neighbours, opt for cordless. Just don’t tell The Guardian …

 

Testing the power: the new Hoover Hurricane SX70_HU01001

The Hurricane is, like its name, a little powerhouse and eats up everything my carpet throws at it, quickly and efficiently. Maybe it’s because I’ve always had small vacuum cleaners and so don’t notice the ‘demotion’ in wattage, but I defy anyone to claim this model provides an inferior performance to its high-powered counterparts. It’s fast to pick-up debris, easy to manoeuvre and simple to empty – just dump everything out of the bin, no messing around with bags.

It costs £179.99

 

The alternative: Unplugged UNP252C_001

I’m a sucker for good looks – yes, even when it comes to a vacuum cleaner – so I was a bit bowled over by the ultra-slim contours of this sleek cordless model, and its luscious gold finish * shiver *.Fully charged in four hours, its good to run for 60 minutes and dips and swivels gracefully to clean event the trickiest nooks and corners. Easily manoeuvrable, it’s light and simple to run, and a joy not to have to worry about that awkwardly trailing cord. What it doesn’t have is that big blast of noise when you turn it on, and despite its 25.2 volts, it doesn’t seem to have the power of the smaller Hurricane. I don’t find it as effective at picking up the debris on my carpet.

It costs £279.99

 

And now that we have had more energy-efficient vacuum cleaners thrust upon us, I’d like to make a plea for prettier names. The Unplugged UNP252C_001 just does not roll off the tongue. Why not call it ‘Smooth ‘n’ Sleek’, or ‘Goldfinger’, or even ‘Hello Boys’? EU, I’ll leave it with you.

 

For more information and to buy, visit www.hoover.co.uk

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About The Authors

Carla  Griscti

Carla Griscti

Editorial assistant on allaboutyou; Music lover, travel bee and food fanatic.

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Emma Marsden

Emma Marsden

Food consultant of All About You, loves creating something out of nothing and decluttering.

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Bernadette  Fallon

Bernadette Fallon

Editor of All About You; an online journalist with a fetish for glossy magazines.

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Adrienne  Wyper

Adrienne Wyper

Deputy editor of All About You. I love cycling, cooking and creating

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Carol  Muskoron

Carol Muskoron

Associate editor of All About You, loves life (mostly) and one-pan recipes (always).

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Lauren Floodgate

Lauren Floodgate

Freelance food stylist, loves anything handmade and has a passion for DIY.

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