Eco-Chic: Allergens, Beware!

If you’ve been in the market for a vacuum cleaner lately, you may have noticed a tendency toward the “designer” units that look more like a plastic sports car than a really durable and efficient cleaning product. The Oreck XL21 Titanium Series does away with the brightly colored wavy plastic and offers a simple, well designed and durable product that is bound to last for quite some time.

A few design features do stand out — at only 9 lbs. it is extremely easy to roll or carry wherever you need it to go. It takes virtually no effort to push and is extremely easy to maneuver. The profile is low enough that it can get under most furniture, the overall size is surprisingly small, and the “Helping Hand Handle,” with its conveniently located on/off switch, provides a slightly better grip than the traditional vacuum handle. The Oreck does a good job on both carpet and wood floors, and though it doesn’t have different height settings, it won’t scratch bare surfaces.

The hypoallergenic filtration system works extremely well and, according to the manufacturer, does not need to be replaced. And, just to add a touch of elegance, the Oreck comes with a scent pack that diffuses the air with fragrance as you vacuum (though the smell is pretty strong). These features, along with the 30-foot-long cord and the easy to change multi-layer bag, make vacuuming an easy and fairly mindless task.

Though the $750 price tag is a bit high, you’re getting a vacuum that’s guaranteed to last you a long while. Check out all the bells and whistles @ Oreck.com.

Looking for more eco-chic finds? Check out our guide to Eco Cleaning and the rest of our green beauty and fashion finds on the blog.