CRI: Olympic Cleaning? Has Your Vacuum Been Awarded a Gold, Silver or Bronze?

Olympic Cleaning? Has Your Vacuum Been Awarded a Gold, Silver or Bronze?

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Is your vacuum cleaner an award winner? Check out the Carpet and Rug Institute's Web site for vacuums that have met stringent requirements for excellence in soil removal, indoor air quality and carpet protection. These vacuums include:

Riccar Brilliance, Radiance, RSL1A, RSL3, RSL5, Vibrance Delux, Vibrance Premium, Vibrance Standard Uprights
Simplicity F3300, F3500, F3700, Symmetry Delux, Symmetry Premium, Symmetry Standard, Synchrony, Synergy Uprights
Oreck RU3770H, RU4150H, RU7000E, U2000 Classic, U2160, U3700 Silver, U3770, U3770H, U3771, U3773HHFL, U3773HHGA, U3773HHLSU, U3773HHOSU, U3773HHTN, U3773HHTX, U3773HHTXAM, U4100 Gold, U4150H, U4160, U7000 Platinum, U7000E, XL Series, Halo 100 Uprights
Garry Ultralight Upright
Cleartrak Bagless Upright

These forward-thinking vacuum cleaner companies have voluntarily had their equipment tested via the not-for-profit CRI Seal of Approval (SOA) program, and those vacuums that passed rigorous testing have been awarded a Gold, Silver or Bronze SOA designation for effective soil removal, indoor air quality protection, and minimal carpet wear.

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Performance Level Guide

Soil removal — A machine's performance in soil removal is measured precisely through NASA-enhanced X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technology. The entry level of Bronze requires a 10 percent improvement of soil removal over the [previous] Green Label program and the standards are even higher for Silver and Gold levels.
Dust containment — A residential vacuum must not release more than 100 micrograms of dust particles per cubic meter of air (35 micrograms to meet the Gold level standard). You want all that dirt, dust and pet dander locked tight in the vacuum, not escaping back into the air where it can be inhaled.
Carpet fiber protection — The vacuum must not affect the appearance of the carpet more than a one-step change (shop speak for "not very much") based on one year of normal vacuum use.

For a list of all CRI Green Label and Gold, Silver or Bronze Seal of Approval (SOA) vacuum cleaners, visit the CRI Web site. When using any vacuum cleaner be sure to vacuum slowly and to make several passes over each area of carpet, to clean or change filters regularly, and to keep belts, brushes and cords in good repair. For more tips on vacuuming, visit the Vacuuming Section on the CRI Web site or search Vacuum Cleaners on The Housekeeping Channel Web site.

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The Housekeeping Channel (HC), a for-profit educational LLC, provides the information on HousekeepingChannel.com as a free service to the public. The intent is to disseminate accurate, verified and science-based information on cleaning and housekeeping.

While an effort is made to ensure the quality of the content and credibility of sources listed on this site, HC provides no warranty - expressed or implied - and assumes no legal liability for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, product or process disclosed on or in conjunction with the site. The views and opinions of the authors or originators expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of HC: its principals, executives, Board members, advisors or affiliates.

Olympic Cleaning? Has Your Vacuum Been Awarded a Gold, Silver or Bronze?: Created on November 30th, 2009. Last Modified on February 4th, 2010

About The Carpet and Rug Institute

The Carpet and Rug Institute, headquartered in Dalton, Georgia, is the national trade association for the carpet and rug industry. Its members are manufacturers, suppliers, and service providers, representing over 90% of all carpet produced in the United States. CRI is the source for science-based information and insight into how carpet and rugs can create a better environment — for living, working, learning and healing. For more information, visit the CRI Blog.