Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Ode to my Shark Vacuum cleaner - how do I hate thee? Let me count the ways

207 replies

Belleende · 30/12/2020 17:10

Is it because you block every time I use you. EVERY SINGLE TIME.

Is it because even after spending 20 minutes unblocking you, then vacuuming after, you block again and spew everything out all over the floor the moment I switch you off, and I then have to do the unblocking rigmarole all over again.

Is it because you block not in one place but in three places, which can take multiple implements and 20 minutes to unblock.

Is it because the brushes are so harsh they have considerably hastened the need to replace the hall and stairs carpet.

Do not do what I did last year on a mumsnet recommendation and get one in the sales, I nearly launched ours out my bedroom window this afternoon.

OP posts:
JoeCalFuckingZaghe · 30/12/2020 18:26

I don’t understand the Henry love. All I’ve used have been shit, needed bags!! And toppled over especially in doorways so knackered all the paintwork

WanderingHopefully · 30/12/2020 18:29

We were given one, it's spectacularly useless and they are so filthy with all that dust and hair and skin flakes floating around every time you empty the bloody thing, which lets face it is every 5 minutes, never mind emptying the filter. I detest it, and go back to my lovely Sebo every time.

The Shark is the equivalent of a boy racer's car. Flashy, lit up, loads of buttons, but not very effective at getting you from A to B. My Sebo quietly gets on with its job in an understated, solid and effective way. Probably more like a Volvo.

pictish · 30/12/2020 18:29

I hear you. Hate the Shark, spits everything back out and blocks at nothing. Our old Henry with the cracked hose was reinstated after a fortnight...does a far better job. What a waste of money.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Cleaning
Frouby · 30/12/2020 18:30

I've got a cordless stick shark thingy, love it tbh! It does block occasionally if I hoover sweet wrappers or something but generally works really well on hard floors downstairs and carpets upstairs. Had it 18 months, did buy a spare filter set but other than that it's been much easier than a big, clunky corded one. We have a dog, dd with long hair and have horses and an allotment so quite a high maintenance house.

It's done a lovely job today upstairs on the new Christmas sock fluff anyway 😁.

ChasingRainbows19 · 30/12/2020 18:30

Bought a cheaper cordless Argos exclusive shark 3 years ago... it’s never blocked. Only two of us no pets ( my bloody long hair tho!) it’s been great.

Had issues with the roller but only when too much hair was wrapped around it.

pictish · 30/12/2020 18:31

Though I must agree that Henry is a clumsy, cumbersome twat. Couldn’t take a corner to save his life.

Ithinkimaunicorn · 30/12/2020 18:31

I love mine! On my second.

takemetomars · 30/12/2020 18:32

Mine is also shit. Consigned to the garage and gone back to my Miele. I bought the Shark on the recommendation of the Mumsnet massiv

Chicchicchicchiclana · 30/12/2020 18:34

Miele catanddog cylinder vacuum cleaner on sale in Currys about 8-10 years ago. I think it was about £90? Still going really strong and sucking up everything it comes in contact with. I think if you insist on cordless you'll just not get the power you need. For myself I don't find it too onerous to plug in as we only vacuum once a week absolute max (upstairs once a fortnight max).

JamSarnie · 30/12/2020 18:34

Yes Henry's are heavy and cumbersome but they are bloody good at sucking up dirt unlike my shark that just rattles it about and then spits it back out. If my DH does try and use the shark I have to get the Henry out to pick up the shit it's left in its trail Hmm

Shmithecat2 · 30/12/2020 18:36

Get a Dyson V11 Absolute, it'll change your life.

pictish · 30/12/2020 18:37

@JamSarnie

Yes Henry's are heavy and cumbersome but they are bloody good at sucking up dirt unlike my shark that just rattles it about and then spits it back out. If my DH does try and use the shark I have to get the Henry out to pick up the shit it's left in its trail Hmm
Aye agreed. Henry isn’t slick but he works.
RudolphtheRemaindeer · 30/12/2020 18:39

My Shark was delivered today, the upright corded version - and I've just done a bit of lounge hoovering to test it out and it seems to have sucked all the crap out of my rug without having a hissy fit. So far I'm happy and it seems much better than my rubbish cordless Hoover.

Pamperedpet · 30/12/2020 18:44

Mine is corded, anti hair wrap and is brilliant! Great suction, easy to clean out, and no hair on the roller.

Bluebellbike · 30/12/2020 18:51

I have a Henry downstairs and I love him. Cleans up carpets and hard floors beautifully, even stubborn cat hair. However he's too heavy for the stairs or for carrying upstairs so upstairs I have a Shark Liftaway which also vacuums really well, never clogs up ans is easy to manage on the stairs.

Lindy2 · 30/12/2020 18:51

I like my Shark. It's a corded one and it works well. The only time it blocked was when I hovered up a sock and had to perform vacuum cleaner surgery to remove it from its insides. It was fine after the sock surgery though.

StealthPolarBear · 30/12/2020 18:52

I do love the edge light. Why they couldnt do it for both edges though?

JamSarnie · 30/12/2020 18:53

I notice those that love their shark say it's corded. Maybe it's the cordless ones that are the problem?

pictish · 30/12/2020 18:54

See Henry makes short work of socks. Yum yum.

BrightonForWine · 30/12/2020 18:54

I'm with you OP, we got a shark because bloody MN recommended it.

It was shite.

Kept it for 6 months, hated it, sold it and bought another Miele which is excellent.

WeAllHaveWings · 30/12/2020 18:55

Ours blocks regularly too in the hose, due to the curve at each end of the hose making it inaccessible for sticks etc, the only way we have found to unblock is using a powerhose, which then means we need to leave to dry for 2-3 days before using again.

I find running the vacuum cleaner after use with the hose expanded and shaking it for a couple of minutes reduces the frequency of blockages, but it is pain in the arse.

tasmaniandevilchaser · 30/12/2020 19:01

I like the analogy of a racehorse! My cordless Shark drives me up the wall, if I don't clean the filter every month, it won't vacuum a thing. DH refuses to use it. Our corded Dyson is a lot more reliable but less manoveurable

EveryFlightBeginsWithAFall · 30/12/2020 19:02

I hate mine, I've bought a new roller and filters for it but haven't gotten round to changing it yet as I'm scared I'll still hate it!

I'm going to buy a Henry turbo when I've got the money

Scbchl · 30/12/2020 19:04

Genuinely never have this issue. You need a henry if you are always sucking things up that blocks it. Henry can suck up anything with no issues.

JamSarnie · 30/12/2020 19:08

@Scbchl

Genuinely never have this issue. You need a henry if you are always sucking things up that blocks it. Henry can suck up anything with no issues.
I have to confess I actually have two Henry's.

One is the garage Henry which is used to suck up ANYTHING including concrete and nails. It has lost a bit of suction but I think that is because I can't be arsed to clean the hose out as it still works well enough Grin