Rainbow Vacuum
If you haven't seen a Rainbow vacuum demonstration, you're missing out. Not only do you get your living room carpet cleaned, but also you get your chair and sofa cushions cleaned. The demonstration shows how effective the Rainbow is compared to your present vacuum, running a comparison in your home. As with all vacuums, there are pros and cons. Water disposal and weight are the two big cons. Versatility and effectiveness are the two big pros.
The Rainbow vacuum is unique because it uses water to trap dirt vacuumed from surfaces. A reservoir containing about two quarts of water sits beneath the patented "Separator", a device that agitates the water and traps dirt in it, effectively power-washing the air. Atop the Separator sits a powerful motor. The current model, dubbed the e2 and in production since 2000, accepts an assortment of accessories such as a power-driven beater head, long-hose stair and upholstery nozzle, carpet-cleaning system, and a wet-vac head for bare floors.
The e2 can double as a rather noisy air purifier using high or low speed settings. More commonly, it is placed under a plastic tent along with pillows. The e2's water-washing air filtration system sucks dust, pollen, and even tiny mites out of the pillows. Rexair sells additives for the water reservoir that freshen and scent the air expelled by a Rainbow vacuum. A sprayer attachment uses the blower outlet to spray water and fertilizer on houseplants, or to spray household cleaners on major projects such as furniture and walls. The dusting brush can be used on delicate china, lampshades, or even the family pet. Using the un-powered nozzle head to clean up wet spills makes the Rainbow uniquely versatile.
All is not peaches-and-cream for Rainbow vacuums. They're heavy; the e2 weighs 32 pounds! While it does an excellent job of trapping the dirt it picks up, reviewers have been split on how well it picks up dirt for its premium price. (My teenaged son concurred; he was glad to see the old Rainbow go.) A new e2 costs well over $1,000, and buying accessories is like buying performance car parts.
On the other hand, Rainbow vacuums are famously rugged and reliable, ranking among the vacuums with fewest repairs. Indeed, a Rainbow vacuum repairman is just as lonely as the proverbial Maytag repairman! That vintage 1950s Rainbow of mine needed only two repairs in almost half a century. Perfectly serviceable Rainbows from decades past are plentiful on eBay, Craigslist, and other secondary markets for a fraction of a new machine's cost.
Consumer Reports rates the Rainbow vacuum among its top picks for pet hair pickup. It notes the Rainbow vacuum is rather noisy and does not far outshine other high-end vacuums on carpets. The unique, water-enabled versatility of the Rainbow vacuum earn it an editor's choice award.
No other vacuum has been the centerpiece of a work of fiction (if you don't count marketing hype). In "The Vacuum She Left", a housewife falls in love with her Rainbow vacuum and ends up running off with the man who sold it to her. Now that's true love!
I've had the pleasure of seeing a demo for the Rainbow e2, and while it is a little on the bulky side, I think 32lbs is a bit exxagerated (not sure, but it didn't seem quite that heavy, no more than your standard vaccum cleaner) It does however come with a removable wheel base as well. While it is about as noisy as a vaccum cleaner on it's high mode, the e2 also has a dual power setting, being that it's meant to run on high for only about 10-15 minutes and then used on low to maintain the cleanliness of the air (the vaccum on the e2 is actually a secondary function, the air cleaner is it's primary purpose as I understand it) on low setting it's reduced to a light hum, quieter than most fans on low setting. I definitely reccomend at the very least checking out a demonstration.
Jason at March 6, 2008 3:02 PMI have to agree with all the wonderful things you have to say about the Rainbow and have to disagree with your cons. Changing the water is one of the most cathartic things about the Rainbow. You throw ALL the dirt out with the water, whereas, with a dry vacuum, you fill up landfills with the bags and filters, plus you need another vacuum to clean your vacuum. As I have asthma, I cannot use a dry vac nor can I change the bag or clean the filters because of the dust.
The wheel base carries the system around with ease...there is not reason to pick it up as you clean almost every aspect of the house.
I think it is worth every penny I spent and I would do it again a thousand times over.
Regards from a very happy Rainbow user....Carol.
Carol at July 25, 2008 11:36 AMThank you for your input Carole. I can understand why Rainbow is perfect for you can't handle the vacuum bags or filters due to the dust.
The Flooring Lady at July 25, 2008 11:43 AMI know th Rainbow is an amazing system. I had a family member pass away in the house and lose the human bodily fluids and it was removed with a Rainbow. I will swear by this machine. It is wonderful and not only is it a vacuum but an air purifier. How wonderful is that.
AKA at September 4, 2008 9:46 PMOoh, that's a tough one. Thanks for your input on how good the Rainbow vacuum helped out in a bad
The Flooring Lady at September 5, 2008 9:35 PMsituation. I'm sorry to hear about your loss.
Yes, it's a bit heavy with the water, but you don't need to carry it much. If you have stairs, fill it upstairs. Also, it's not so flimsy as some of the lighter ones, and doesn't have a cord retractor to break. It seems to be very solid.
The older models didn't have the HEPA filter, so certain types of dirt (uncommon in most homes) did not get filtered by the water (like talc, ashes, etc). I think some consumer reviews may have tested it with this. I think it works very well, and the floor cleaner gets under our couch and in places that are hard for other vacs to reach. The only con is the price, but at least you don't keep paying for the bags and filters forever.
Marty Fried at September 11, 2008 4:49 PMI sell rainbows. I honestly have tried to sell other things in my life, even cars. I have never been able to feel good about selling these products to consumers because I truly didnt believe that they needed them. The Rainbow e2 is a machine that I have even sold to my mother becuase I believe in this product beyond words! It is worth ever penny, and a think every one in the world should own one. Everything has pros and cons, nothing in this world is "absolute", but you can not go wrong owning a rainbow. I truly truly think all should own one.
Robby at January 5, 2009 9:38 PM-Robby Wichita,ks
How do I get information on how to sell rainbow vacuums? please send me an email or write on here if you know. (email address edited/removed to protect privacy)
Rebecca at February 2, 2009 8:35 PMhttp://www.rainbowsystem.com
The Flooring Lady at February 3, 2009 8:07 AMDoes the rainbow work good for long hair? My daughters and I all have hair down past our waist. We have to do the routine haircut on the vacuum so that the motor doesnt burn up and we still go through a vacuum a year. I am curious if the rainbow vacuum is capable of trapping the hair in the water or will it still need a haircut? Thanks in advance. Jesse
Jesse at April 16, 2009 10:44 AMGood question Jesse! I can't say for sure as I don't own a Rainbow myself. I can tell you that their motors are better, but I don't know if they're sweeper has rotating brushes or not. I know that there's lots of different attachments, so there may be one without the roller. There's a link above your post for Rainbow - I'm sure they could answer your question much better than I can. ;~)
The Flooring Lady at April 20, 2009 11:46 AMWould like to comment on the long hair situation. The reason hair ruins other systems is because of the lack of air-flow. If no air to pull it up then all it does is wind around the beater brush. The rainbow never has a loss of air-flow so EVERYTHING gets pulled out of the floorings, upholstery, etc... Hope this helps!
rainbow lover at August 21, 2009 3:02 PMI own a Rainbow. The secondary reason for the purchase was for its cleaning power. I seem to be developing alergies and the Rainbow effectively keeps the air clean. I run it on low 24/7. The unit has a 20 year warranty but the motor is rated to run continuously for 50 years. Yes... you read that correctly; 50 years. If it should break down it will definately happen within the first 20 years. On low speed it is not as noisy as you might think. I sleep just fine with it in the room. When I leave the house I put it on "Hurricane" (or "Turbo") mode. This way it draws in greater amounts of air-bourne contaminants while I'm gone and the extra resulting noise is not a problem. The price may appear to be a bit steep, but it's hard to put a price on ones health. This unit will improve your overall quality of life, especially if you have a problem with alergies. I can't really think of any "cons" to speak of regarding this quality American made (AND American built) product... If you want to become part of the "Stimulus" Plan for this Country, buy American...
Dale Beshears at August 29, 2009 10:43 AMI used to have a rainbow e and it was amazing. My mom fell in love with it, so I let her have my rainbow and purchased a e2 model. I swore by rainbow but now I don't know. The model e was super however, I feel that the e2 does not have enough suction. I vaccumed a floor rug and instead of the floor rug coming right up, it didn't. It just vacuumed right over it. Now I can't find the person that sold it to me. Can someone help? Where can I go to get the vacuum checked out/repaired/replaced. Will this cost me alot? :( I already paid way too much for it already.
Lo at September 23, 2009 7:19 PMLo,
I am not sure a location or the cost of the inspection/repairs. But, I would try a Google search for the manufacturer.
If you have purchased the vacuum within the last year, it may be under warranty and the manufacturer should be able to confirm that if you can provide the serial number.
Either way, they should be able to direct you to an Authorized Warranty Repair Station.
The Flooring Lady at September 25, 2009 11:38 AM