If you like things done the old fashioned way, you might appreciate Kirby vacuum cleaners. You can't buy a Kirby vacuum in a store, though. Just like the old Fuller brush days, Kirbys are still sold door to door. They still look like the old days, too. Their designs aren't 'retro;' their designs have simply never changed.

What many like about these classic vacuums is that they are quite powerful. If there's lint, mites, crud, ick, or 'oh-my-gosh-were-they-really-that-dirty' items to be found in your home, the Kirby can likely find it, suck it, and contain it. Also, these sturdy models tend to last quite a long time, if properly cared for.

However, Kirby vacuums tend to be more expensive than other vacuum cleaners, often costing between $1,000 and $1,500. Also keep in mind that these machines are made of solid steel, which makes them more heavy than many other vacuums. You may also want to keep an eye on replacement parts for sale, which, fortunately, are not hard to find. (That's one of the benefits of never changing the original designs--consistency and availability.) Having extra blades, hoses, and belts on hand can be a wonderful convenience.

Not surprisingly, Kirbys can engender a nearly cult-like reverence among their most devoted following. Sweating and smiling, these owners may proudly proclaim that no other vacuum is quite like a Kirby. Kirby vacuum cleaners are an American original, and one of the few things that not only look like they used to, but are built the way they used to be, too.