Kobold VK200 Upright Vacuum Cleaner feedback thread - NON testers - chance to win a handheld vac NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

This is the feedback thread for the 10 Mumsnetters trying the Kobold VK200 Upright Vacuum Cleaner.

Non testers - we also have 5 handheld vacuums to be won - simply share on this thread what your least favourite room or place to vac is and you will be entered into a prize draw where 5 non testers will each win their very own Kobold VC100 handheld vacuum cleaner (RRP £129.00)

Back to the test, the team at Kobold say “compact, unbeatably handy and extremely powerful, the Kobold VK200 Upright Vacuum Cleaner is the ideal addition to your household, making life easier and cleaner.
Designed by global German household appliance manufacturer Vorwerk, the Kobold VK200, in combination with two different attachments, takes care of all your floor cleaning needs. Whether it’s carpets or hard floors – the VK200 Homecare System has it covered.
The unique SP530 DuoClean head allows you to mop and vacuum at the same time – a world first! It uses just 100ml of water to cover up to 20 m² of hard floor. And the best part? Simply remove the cleaning cloths when you’ve finished and pop them in the washing machine ready for next time.

“The EB400 brush head meanwhile ensures vacuuming is thorough, gentle and hygienic – driven by its own motor, a special rotating brush scans the floor 16 times per second and removes dirt and dust completely. Even the finest dirt particles do not stand a chance!

“Visit kobold.vorwerk.co.uk to find out more about the Kobold VK200 vacuum cleaner and discover the array of clever additional accessories that turn this machine into the Ultimate Homecare System! Simply click and swap to the attachment you need to expertly deal with upholstery, furniture, mattresses, textiles and anything else you need cleaned. Built to last, the Kobold VK200 is the only vacuum cleaner you’ll ever need”.

Testers - please share below your first impressions (we will add more Qs later on)

~ how did the demo from the Vorwerk rep go? What were you the most keen to try out?
~ how were the instructions in the box?
~ what did the demo cassette bag show after the first use - are you surprised by how much has been picked up?
~ please share a photo!

Testers thanks for sharing your first impressions - after you have used it a few times, please now share the below:

~ Do you think the Kobold VK200 will save you time?
~ Did you think that the vacuum was powerful?
~ Did you think the vacuum was easy to manoeuvre?
~ And do please share a photo!

Finally, testers - now please share the below

~ What are you overall views on the vacuum cleaner?
~ Would you recommend it to other people with similar floors to you?
~ please share a photo and add a review here

Thanks
MNHQ
Standard Insight T&Cs apply

Worst place to Vac - stairs as find it cumbersome. Wish I had a handheld device to make it easier - and to save my poor back!

Non tester.

My least favourite place to vacuum is the study, three desks and chairs, pencil shavings, pens lids, dog chews all have to be moved....

Non testers - I hate vacuuming the stairs - my vacuum is so heavy to carry and the stairs seem like they never end!

Non tester. My least favourite place to vacuum is the stairs. Although I'm sure that would change if I had a handheld!

Hate hoovering 'everywhere'!! A lovely new Hoover would help though

My least favourite place to hoover is definitely the kitchen. We have so much clutter in there and between food spillages and a messy dog it never seems to stay clean for more than 5 minutes.

non tester: my least favourite place to vacuum is the stairs. this is because my vacuum cleaner is heavy, cumbersome and i have to drag it up to do them and then drag it back down again! Its not easy and heavy work.

Non tester: DP's home office where he cuts his toenails , with a hand held he could Hoover them up!

~ Do you think the Kobold VK200 will save you time?
Yes! The DuoClean head is already saving me a great deal of time - it cuts the labour required by 50% immediately because of the fact that I needn't vacuum then go back over 'old ground' with the mop! Fitting the DuoClean head and associated cloth has become a complete doddle - plus, when you have made up the bottle of cleaning fluid you just swipe it over the cloth and it's ready to go. You only need to make up the bottle once every few uses so it really couldn't be easier.

~ Did you think that the vacuum was powerful?
Very much so! We have inherited some pretty 'special' carpets from the old couple that lived here before - including a very dubious green one in the living room. It already looks like a slightly more palatable shade of green since I began using the Kobold and I think that's because of the 25+ years of dust and grime that I'm now able to get rid of!

~ Did you think the vacuum was easy to manoeuvre?
Incredibly easy, yes. The DuoClean almost propels itself around and it's equally easy to use the standard vacuum head. Being able to vacuum with the Kobold horizontal to the floor is a real boon and the fact that it switches from carpet to hard floor settings by itself (because it has a clever little sensor for these things) means you don't have to fiddle around with any settings or stamp on it in some way, like you have to with the other vacuum cleaner!

~ And do please share a photo!
The photo is of two, used DuoClean cloths that are affixed to the bottom of the Kobold before you start the vacuum and mop function. One from the kitchen and one from our wooden-floored hallway. The troubling thing was that both floors had been mopped the traditional way less than five days earlier, and vacuumed the day before!

~ Do you think the Kobold VK200 will save you time?

Like previous posters I'm spending more time hoovering than ever before. However, my floors are so clean and the duo clean is AMAZING. Such a timesaver - I hardly ever mopped before, now I'm always whizzing it around!

~ Did you think that the vacuum was powerful?

Yes, when I use it on max on carpet, I can't move it. The auto function is fantastic though, so I don't need to do that!

~ Did you think the vacuum was easy to manoeuvre?

Yes, very - it goes under sofas and beds with ease, is great on the stairs and the long cord means I'm not forever unplugging it. The kids find it easy to use and actually fight over it!

~ And do please share a photo!

To follow!

Has to be the eldest boys bedroom! 13 years old it is not a pleasant place to encounter!

Vacuuming under the heavy oak dining table. All the legs you have to negotiate or chairs to be moved. Always crumbs from Dd around, difficult to do the job quickly after dinner.

Non tester - i should add

non-tester - least favourite place is the lounge as it's always a bombsite.

What I've also noticed since using the Duo Clean head (and I use it pretty much every day), is that items stood on the kitchen floor remain clean and dust free. I was forever cleaning the bottom lip of the bin and around the bottom of the feet on our stool because they just picked up so much dust and fluff. Now, because the floor is so clean, these items are also staying clean too. It really does mean that the kitchen in particular looks really nice on just 10mins a day of cleaning. In fact our downstairs bathroom is now a pleasure to relax in because there's not bits of cat litter and muddy paw prints on the floor. I love our downstairs now (sounds like a total over statement but I really do think the Duo Clean has changed my life ).

non tester here - For me its hoovering in general! Although I love the look an feel of a newly hoovered room!

I particularly hate doing the dining room - there are challenging stains, and debris - and a rug as a wall hanging, as well as a hard floor to carpet transition, AND we have a fish tank and hamster in the room - all of which need careful Hoover attention! :)

Definitely the car, it's always hard work dragging the vacuum outside and having to use extension lead through the window.

NON TESTER:

I must say that my living room is quickly becoming my most hated room to vacuum! It's long with hard wood floor, but in this weather, there are muddy paw prints all the way from the back door to the dog's bed. Driving me MAD as I need to vacuum and then mop them up!

Non tester. From a practical point of view it's the stairs. My current upright vacuum just isn't good for them. The power turbo brush doesn't pick stuff up. The pipes not long enough even with attachment. I have to lift it up on each step and use main bit then get into corners after with nozzle. Not easy at best of times let alone when pregnant!

My least favourite place is the bathroom - loads of nasty hairs!

The stairs are a nightmare! Either trip over the cat or the vacuum lead and always hurts my back

Under my bed

I hate vacuuming the living room. We have a long-haired elderly rescue cat who is long haired and moults constantly (big clumps of fluff). Needs vacuuming again 30 mins after I've finished. Feel like I get stuck in a never ending cycle of vaccuming!

the stairs, such a pain to manouevre the hoover

The staircase is the worst place to hoover it's so awkward to do