I use mine, a Dirt Devil, mostly for just picking up dog hair. I have hardwood floors so I use a dust mop and broom also. It does pretty good. DH used to laugh like I was nuts because I actually washed the see-through canister. It's all plastic so why not. I also wash the plastic attachments. If I don't they smell like dog. I sprinkle baking soda into the canister. When the air spins the baking soda does also and helps when I empty the canister. It's like the dust sticks to the baking soda and doesn't float so much. The canister empties cleaner. I've had my dirt devil probably 12 years.