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Kirby Vacuum Cleaners

Heavy duty vacuums that've been around a long time are Kirby vacuum cleaners. Their construction materials make them heavier than most vacuums on the market, but that also makes them more durable. By virtue of having been around for so many years they have a good reputation, sometimes one that's not deserved.

Kirby vacuum cleaners are made by the Kirby Company of Cleveland, Ohio. John Kirby, an inventor specializing in household conveniences, created a water-based vacuum cleaner in 1906. Deciding that getting rid of dirty water was too much trouble for consumers, Kirby invented a vacuum cleaner that pushed dirty air into a cloth bag, where the dirty was filtered out.

Kirby continued developing his vacuum cleaner through World War I. In 1925, he released the Vacuette Electric, the forerunner of modern multi-attachment vacuum cleaners.

Also in the mid-1920s, Kirby decided that his versatile convertible vacuum cleaner needed to be demonstrated in consumers' homes. He began the famous tradition of door-to-door vacuum cleaner sellers who made Kirby vacuum cleaners so successful and literally a household word.

Today, Kirby's signature product is the Sentria System vacuum cleaner. It has a variable-speed motor which enables it to operate in twelve distinct modes. Made of die cast aluminum, not plastic, it easily converts to a deep-cleaning upright, a carpet shampoo system, a canister Vacuum, a floor buffer, and more.

The Sentria Kirby vacuum cleaners have a powerful airflow and HEPA 11 filtration system. This filter removes 99.97 per cent of all particles larger than 0.03 microns, including dust mite feces that contribute to asthma and allergic reactions.

The Kirby vacuum cleaners have an on-demand powered drive head. Called TechDrive power assist, it allows the Kirby vacuum cleaners to be easily pushed ahead with just one finger.

A foot-activated control allows adjustment of the cleaning height for carpets, low-pile rugs, or bare floors. Why this is not an automated feature remains a mystery. And all Kirby vacuum cleaners have LED headlights that light up the darkest corners.

The quick-drying carpet shampoo mode provides professional results at a fraction of the cost, using off-the-shelf carpet shampooing liquids. Or consider the portable canister mode allows easy vacuuming of bedding, curtains, upholstery, and other hard-to-reach places.

In tests conducted by Consumer Reports, the Kirby vacuum cleaners (estimated price $1,350) performed about as well as $200 to $400 vacuum cleaners made by Dyson, Eureka, and other vendors. The Sentria weighs 25 pounds, more than most and more than many consumers are willing to haul up stairs. But that's where the convertibility to canister mode comes in.

A number of consumer report Web sites bear testimonials from consumers that Kirby vacuum cleaners are sold by rather pushy doorbell ringers. Complaints about Kirby sales reps range from refusing to leave when asked to breaking a consumer's current vacuum cleaner during a "demonstration" of the Kirby. Sales reps have also been accused of preying upon the elderly, humiliating potential customers, lying about free financing, and not honoring the company's three-day return guarantee.

Fortunately for the consumer, there are other places to buy Kirby vacuum cleaners. eBay lists many current and older models for sales every day. Used vacuum cleaner shops are reliable sources of refurbished Kirby vacuum cleaners. Craigslist is yet another good source of used, probably not refurbished Kirby vacuum cleaners.

Kirby vacuum cleaners are a venerated name brand, not so much because they are superior functionally, but because they have been around a long time.

Comments

Frankly, I was surprised by Consumer Reports "so so" rating of the Kirby vacuum. I own an Ultimate G Diamond Edition which is far superior to any vacuum I've owned. I've gone through the plastic models promoted by CR. They don't last and their performance never lived up to CR's rating -- that includes Kenmores and the Eureka Boss. I've owned them all. They can't touch the Kirby for cleaning superiority. I've discovered that Consumer Reports isn't always the most reliable source for information. Kirby is the best!

Bill at July 2, 2008 7:09 PM

Thanks for chiming in Bill, other people's input is always appreciated.

The Flooring Lady at July 2, 2008 10:27 PM

I've gone through 4 vacuum cleaners (about one a year) until I bought a Kirby in 2003. I had been ready to go back to cleaning my carpets by hand. I like the industrial durability of my Kirby and all of the attachments. I vacuum the ceiling, fans, walls, bed, floors, carpet and other furniture. I've not been able to break this thing yet. I've kept this vacuum for 5 years now. Yeah!

As a housecleaner, I've used other people's vacuum cleaners, floor cleaners, steamers and carpet shampooers. There are many things that I don't like about their cleaning machines: dumping the dirt used in bagless cleaners, wimpy electrical cords, plastic hoses and attachments that break and crack, hardly any suction power, dirt spewing out the back.

The Kirby is heavier than other machines. I don't mind. I do like the Oreck for doing stairs, but that's about it.

If you live in Colorado Springs and need a housecleaner, send me an e-mail.

Terry at November 20, 2008 2:13 PM

Yep, a Kirby is hard to tear up or break. ;o)

The Flooring Lady at November 20, 2008 2:52 PM

Not only can you never tear up a kirby but if u do (and u bought it from a kirby salesman like me) it comes with a lifetime rebuild warranty.

Ask someone who has owned a kirby for more than ten years if they have had to replace their carpet because of weaR AND TEAR??? THEN YOU WILL SEE Y KIRBY IS THE TRUE CADILLAC OF CLEANERS.

also the newest kirby model... the SENTRIA... weighs a mere 14 pounds plus has a transmission to make the kirby drive itself...

You must ask yourself...

If household cleaning was easier and done more efficiently, wouldnt you do it alot more often???

If you did it alot more often wouldnt your furniture and carpets last longer???

If you didnt have to replace your furniture and carpets due to wear and tear just once, How much money would that save you???

When is the best time to start saving money???

Can I say welcome to the KIRBY Family???

Kirby Man DJ E~Rock at January 20, 2009 9:22 PM

And Mrs. Flooring Lady thank you for your site... To anyone out there who has had an uncomfortable experience with a kirby salesman... I'm truly sorry... the kirby is not for everyone, but for those who appreciate quality, reliability, and performance... IN TURN, selling Kirby's is not for everyone either and im sure those salesman spoken about in the article above dont sell kirbys n e more... thank you guys

Kirby Man DJ E~Rock at January 20, 2009 9:31 PM

P.S. you cannot get a lifetime rebuild warranty without buying from an in home demonstration... all plastic cleaners have a 6 month to 2 year life expectancy, where as the Sentria's life expectancy is 35 to 45 years... i am terrible with math so im not gonna crunch those figures

Kirby Man DJ E~Rock at January 20, 2009 9:36 PM

From what i read if you buy from ebay or any other place but from the demo. Then you can not get it fixed repaired. It also is not covered by the waranty since they cant tell if its stolen etc.

michael at March 24, 2009 3:18 AM

It would probably also depend on whether who you buy a Kirby from is an authorized dealer/salesperson - whether they sell online or face-to-face. That's a very interesting though though, especially because I don't know for sure. Kirby should be able to provide an answer though. ;~)

The Flooring Lady at March 24, 2009 3:41 PM

I am completely anti kirby. A salesmen would not leave my house after I repetively told him I was not going to purchase the Kirby. I was told I was recieving a free carpet cleaning, which is the only reason I let the salesmen into my house. I don't care if the Kirby is the best vacuum cleaner, the tactics of the salesmen have turned me against them. There should be laws against the tecniques they use.

ken at March 27, 2009 3:24 AM

I for one love Kirby’s, I don’t know why, maybe its because I have always had a fascination about vacuums esp. Kirby’s. since I was a child and loved to push the family Kirby at 5 to help with the cleaning (well I tried but was not always successful pushing it) Maybe it is because of all the wonderful attachments or maybe it was because it was the only vac my dad would buy. Anyway I have the old hand me down Kirby Omega which still runs and it is about 40 years old though it is time for a rebuild as the suction is starting to fade. Anyway I would love to buy one of the new Kirby Sentria's but being on Social Security I could never afford such a wonderful sexy machine at least not in my lifetime. If I were not disabled I would not mind being a Kirby salesman just so I could get my hands on one.

Scott at March 27, 2009 7:33 PM

My husband and I are the proud owners of our first Kirby Vaccum cleaning system. I cleaned my nail salon with it and what a dirt sucker it is, the room actually looked cleaner than using my reg. vaccum and even smelled cleaner. I know I will love my new Sentria Kirby Vaccum. Thanks, (name edited - prevent spam!) for coming into our home and demonstrating the kirby system.

April in Milwaukee at April 29, 2009 5:23 PM

Hi April,
Glad to hear how much you love your new Kirby!

The Flooring Lady at April 30, 2009 11:56 AM

I have worked for a Kirby Distributor for 5yrs now, I worked my way from Independent Dealer to now the Office Secretary/Assitant Office Manager. My biggest complaint about Kirby is that those bad apples (bad dealers) make the rest of us look bad, as well as The Kirby. Consumers Reports found us hard to push - did anyone teach you to use the power assist transmission. It takes 3 ounces of pressure to push across the floor. All disposable cleaners come with a ONE inch suction hole, the Kirby has 14 inches of cleaning space, all with suction. There is a big difference in cubic feet of air being moved. Most disposable have 18-36, the Kirby has 168. Air flow is where suction comes from. I feel the reason that people fall into the belief that Kirby is not worth the dollar asked, is that we do not understand what dirt is and the ill effect of it. The necessity of getting all the dirt out.
Price - WE ARE NOT DISPOSABLE - WE CAN NOT BE COMPARED TO SOMETHING YOU WILL THROW AWAY IN A MATTER OF A FEW YEARS. KIRBY IS MEANT TO LAST A LIFETIME. BUY ONCE BUY RIGHT. As to price look at just a simple example 30 years in a home buying one vacuum every 2 years at $200. 15x$200=$30,00.00 plus the wear and tear of carpet and firniture. Our homes are our castles shouldn't we be just as aggressive about a clean home as we are about a clean world. After all this is the safest place for our children? Last note; NOT ALL KIRBY DEALERS ARE A--HOLES. SOME OF USE BELIEVE IN KIRBY AND THE GREAT NAME IT CARRIES.

Debra at August 5, 2009 11:13 AM

Wekk, I am 85 years young, and frankly, what would I need a vacuum system if I don't know how long I will be guest on this planet. Now comes the sad part about the pushy salesreps and their brainwashing tactics. They don't understand the word "N O". If you happen to live in an area full of retirees, what a feeding ground that is. They are trained to ignore an old feeble person, and put the senior victim through the meat grinder. The government ought to put a law out, where anyone using brainwashing technics on an old person to be prosecuted for elder abuse. I went through it, and I can tell that the stress put me almost in the hospital. So much for that. Does anyone know how much the Kirby Company is worth? I know they are on the Stockmarket. Possible a multimillion Dollar business. Sorry for the young people, that they train to do emotional harm to consumers. Consumers beware.

olga at September 21, 2009 4:15 PM

Olga,

Very sorry you had such a bad experience. Please remember that in most states there are laws allowing you to cancel any agreement you make with a door-to-door sales person.

Thanks for sharing.

The Flooring Lady at September 23, 2009 1:52 PM

the kirby is a great vac. from riding on the head unit on my moms old kirby. to pushing it when i was able. all the way up to being a kirby salesman. now my mom has a sentria thanks to my hard work and motivation. KIrby is the life for me. and when it comes time to purchase a top end vac put the kirby guy against the rainbow man, why not through a E.L in there. and see for your self. the kirby stands taller

corey at October 8, 2009 12:19 AM

Hello, just last week I had two men visit my home to demonstrate the Kirby. The first man told me a "white lie" to get into my house. His story - he was from a new carpet cleaning company just getting started and wanted to clean my carpet for free if I told everyone about them. I fell for it and for two hours the second gentleman showed me the Kirby vacuum. I admit I was perturbed at first but then spent the rest of the time in awe of this vacuum. Ultimately I said "no" about five times because I just simply cannot afford to spend $3100 on a vacuum right now. They brought the price down to $2800 after a $200 trade-in discount for my current vacuum. Still I could not afford the $200 monthly payments. Anyway the salesman eventually took "no" for an answer and was not rude about it. Actually the man that demonstrated the vacuum was very nice and really seemed to enjoy showing off the machine. Honestly, I loved the Kirby and was extremely impressed by it. The price tag was just too big. In the past couple days I've been looking on the internet and seeing that folks have paid between $1200.00 and $1500.00 for a Kirby - half the price that I was given! Just this morning I talked to a mom at my kids' playgroup who told me about her Kirby she bought less than two years ago for $1400.00

Okay I would be very interested in buying a Kirby but I'm concerned about being overcharged. Where can I go to buy a Kirby and know that I'm being given a fair price? Thanks.

Mimi at November 11, 2009 12:48 PM

Mimi,

I am not familiar with a location to purchase a Kirby at a lower price. But, I believe you are on the right to look around and find the best deal.

The Flooring Lady at November 17, 2009 8:44 AM