Home Design Ideas | Decorating | Gardening

Hand-held but very powerful, this Eureka model vacuum eliminates the hassle of lugging around a full-size vacuum for cleaning car upholstery, sofas, and carpeted stairs. A long 20-foot cord (which wraps for storage) provides good reach, as does the deluxe hose that stretches to three times its length. With the crevice tool on the end of the hose, this vacuum reaches into all kinds of tight places. And, with two motors, one to power the revolving brush and one for suction, the 5.5 amp vacuum cleans deeply.

One of Eureka’s innovations is the Riser Visor, a clear plastic cover that stays down for cleaning horizontal surfaces and flips up so the revolving brush can reach the vertical carpet on stair risers. There’s no bag to change, just a filter and clear plastic dust cup to shake out when necessary.