Kirby vacume cleaner , how good are they.?

Question

To any owner of one of these units with the shampoo system as well . How would you rate them ?what if any are the problems with them! Many thanks Laura

Answer 1

I have that one - the Platinum series model. It's an excellent vacuum with great suction but the attachments really feel like a holdover from the 80's. My Dyson attachments are much better than what I got with the Kirby. (Yeah, I have a lot of $$ invested in vacuums...lol) It weighs a lot, but the suction alone is what makes me a fan of the vacuum.

However...

The shampoo attachment is pretty cheesy. What it does is blow a shampoo foam onto the carpet and the roller brush just 'scrubs' the foam into the carpet. Then you have to wait for the carpet to dry and then you vacuum to remove the dried up detergent. There is some solution retrieval by suction, but it's minimal when you compare it to a true extraction machine. I prefer my Bissell upright carpet shampooer or the Bissell Little Green (I have way too many cleaning tools!) for carpet cleaning since it removes much more solution than the Kirby.

Bottom line: If you want a Kirby, buy it 2nd hand and get it cheap. Those Kirby dealers will try to gouge you for every cent you have, but this vacuum is a tank and I really expect a 2nd hand model to be in good enough condition to buy.

Answer 2

I used to own a Kirby. Not the shampooer, just the vacuum. Problem I had, was the belt, alsways wanting to slip off afte rI used the attachments, and went to put the original base back on.
Would I recommend a Kirby? No. Why? Too expensive, not worth it to me anymore. I bought a SEBO just over a yr. ago. Cheaper than Kirby, but better made. Lifetime guarantee on the drive belt. Lightweight, tools on board. Other benefits to the SEBO. That is my personal opinion.
I hope this helps answer your question. By the way, I got my SEBO at a vacuum and sewing store, in my local area. To me, it's one of the best investments I have made.
Take care.

Answer 3

im on my second kirby-my sister in law and i shared one and when i moved she got to keep it so i bought a new one.I didnt buy the shampoo thing because i have mostly wood floors- but i think the power of the kirby surpassas any other vaccuum ive used. its kind of heavy and cumbersome, especially up and down stairs- but well worth the effort. the only problem ive had, with both of them, is that the little nubby thing on the hose attachment broke off. without that little nubby thing(dont know what else to call it) the hose wont work because it doesnt push in the spot that engages the motor i guess. i havent replaced the hose, but rather cut the tip off an empty ballpoint pen barrel and stick it in the spot that neds to be pushed in,then lock in the hose. im sure you cant imagine what im talking about unless youre actually looking at the machine! sorry to prattle on- i wouldnt give mine up again!

Answer 4

My mother in law and her mother in law have their "refurbished" Kirbys they got as wedding presents 36 yrs. ago and 60 yrs. ago... They were used then and they work fine.. .I don't know anything about the shampoo attachment, but if you are looking for a vacuum that will last forever.. Kirby's do...They get them serviced/rebuilt for about $20 or so depending on the age of the unit and it's like having a new vacuum... So, if you can find one used it's a good investment...

Answer 5

I have one for the last 5 years and love it. However I still am not happy with the price I paid for it. Now that I have it, I will never give it up.....because I paid so much for it. It works really well as does the carpet cleaner but I think the stand alone cleaners work better.
Hope this helps.

Answer 6

I used to repair them, they are as good as any brand out there,, the carpet cleaner is pretty much a generic one and you would be better off with a Hoover cleaner, or professionally get your carpet cleaned every few years,

they dont have alot of problems because they do not suck air through the motor like most units, but they cost alot to repair

Answer 7

Kirby Vacums are VERY heavy! I would recommend an Electrolux it is about the same price with some nifty features and not nearly as heavy. I LOVE mine!

Answer 8

I HAVE ONE THAT IS A YEAR OLD AND NO PROBLEMS. JUST SHAMPOOED THE CARPETS THIS WEEKEND AND IT WORKED GREAT BUT TAKES A LOT OF TIME. ON A SCALE OF 10 BEING THE BEST, I WOULD RATE THEM AT A 9.

Answer 9

I love mine. I don't have the shampooer.

Answer 10

they are horrible. i had a friend who used to sell them and quit because he couldn't back the product