Floorcare

Cordless vacuums are lightweight, manoeuvrable, and quick to pick up for everyday use. There is no cable to manage, making them particularly good for stairs and multi-room homes. Battery life has improved significantly — most modern cordless models give 40 to 60 minutes of runtime, which is enough for most homes. The battery will eventually need replacing.

Corded vacuums offer unlimited runtime and consistent, powerful suction throughout — there is no battery to run down. They are better suited to larger homes or thorough weekly cleans where you do not want to stop and recharge. The cable can be inconvenient but power is never a concern.

For most households, a cordless model handles daily cleaning with ease, and many people find they never go back to a corded machine.

Upright vacuums stand tall and are pushed across the floor. They tend to have wider cleaning heads, making them efficient on large carpeted areas. Most have a motorised brush roll which is effective at lifting pet hair and deep-seated dirt from carpet pile.

Cylinder vacuums sit on the floor and are pulled behind you by a hose. They are more compact to store, easier to manoeuvre around furniture and under beds, and often better suited to hard floors. They are also generally quieter than uprights.

If you have mostly carpet, an upright is often the better choice. If you have a mix of hard floors and rugs, or a smaller home, a cylinder is worth considering.

Bagless vacuums collect dust in a transparent bin that you empty and reuse. No ongoing cost for bags, and you can see when it needs emptying. Emptying can release a small cloud of dust, which is worth considering if anyone in the household has allergies.

Bagged vacuums seal the dust inside a disposable bag, which is more hygienic when emptying — particularly good for allergy sufferers. You do need to buy replacement bags, but suction is often more consistent as the bag fills compared to some bagless models.

A vacuum removes surface dirt and debris. A carpet cleaner goes deeper — it injects water and cleaning solution into the carpet pile and extracts it along with embedded dirt, stains, and odours. The result is a noticeably cleaner, fresher carpet.

A carpet cleaner is worth having if you have pets, young children, or high-traffic carpeted areas that pick up stains. Many people use a carpet cleaner a few times a year for a deep clean alongside regular vacuuming.

Steam mops use hot steam rather than cleaning chemicals to sanitise hard floors, killing bacteria and removing grease and grime. They are chemical-free, fast-drying, and effective on tiles, laminate, vinyl, and sealed wood floors.

If you have mostly hard flooring and want a hygienic clean without using detergents — particularly useful in homes with young children or pets — a steam mop is a worthwhile addition to your cleaning routine. They are not suitable for unsealed wood or waxed floors.