Written by Len Amadora
The onslaught of the pandemic made us more aware of how clean our surroundings should be and being confined to our homes made us realize that we should be doing more than just making our homes look clean and sanitized. But carrying out this task is easier said than done and as thought leader Marcus Buckingham clearly puts it, "We dream of having a clean house -- but who dreams of actually doing the cleaning?"
Just recently, Dyson, a global tech company, has once again revolutionized a mundane chore most homeowners don't look forward to doing...cleaning. I know this task isn't rocket science; but with all the other chores waiting, I would rather lie on the bed than sweep/vacuum under it.
For years, Dyson has never failed to make cleaning easier and more efficient. They reinvent common household appliances integrating groundbreaking technology into it. They are known to convert something simple to something far more interesting and definitely useful. If I remember it right, it was about a decade ago when Dyson made far-reaching changes (no pun intended) with vacuuming when they introduced their cord-free vacuum technology. Millions of housewives rejoiced at this technology as it eliminated the countless bending, reaching, difficulty maneuvering, plugging and unplugging this particular chore made us do! Truly, anything and everything that would make chores easier and more convenient is considered divine providence. Just imagine how liberating and convenient vacuuming became by simply cutting the cord. But Dyson's motivation to innovate didn't stop there. Dyson believed they could do more and they just did!
The launch of the new Dyson V11, took cord-free vacuuming to a higher level. The new era of IoT (Internet of Things) made us live a smart life by having devices connected and this made our lives truly convenient. But what if devices are more than just smart? What if they are made to be intelligent? You may see no contrast between smart and intelligent; but with Dyson V11, you'll clearly see the difference.
As a homemaker, I know given the right tools, household chores can be done easier and faster. For a month, I've subjected the Dyson V11 Absolute to the challenges most homemakers face when cleaning and these are the highlights of how it went:
1. The intelligent machine -
Repetitive pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting can truly be exhausting. Homemakers may have super powers but as they age, they can only do what their body permits them to do. The good thing is with age comes wisdom...and that includes wisdom to choose the right devices for the right task! The V11 Absolute differentiates the fine line between smart and intelligent when it comes to devices. Stephen Hawking once said, "Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change..." and this is exactly what the Dyson V11 Absolute can do. Let me tell you how.
The V11 Absolute has an amazing AUTO mode that kinda' "thinks" on its own. Why do I say that? Well, when in AUTO mode, the device automatically adjusts power between surfaces. This feature was best exhibited when I was cleaning my bedroom. The bedroom has specific areas with hardwood flooring and areas that are carpeted. Usually what I do is, I use the vacuum to clean the carpet and switch to a broom or make an accessory switch to clean my wood flooring. I know, extra effort right? Not with the V11 Absolute. Using a High Torque Cleaner head (more on this below), users don't have to switch cleaner heads or to a broom (like what I've been doing). Through its Dynamic Load Sensors (DLS) the High Torque Cleaner detects brush bar resistance. The change in resistance spontaneously changes the suction power that'll suit the surface. And one would actually feel the change in suction power as you transition from the carpet to hardwood floor and vise versa. I didn't have to do anything because the device has the “ability to adapt to change”. I didn't have to manually change mode or change the accessory head. It just decided on its own. Now that is intelligence.
2. Understanding the power of the machine -
The act of vacuuming can be physically demanding; even strong women (housewives) get tired too. And so, to save myself from wasting further energy, effort and time, I relied on the power of the Dyson V11 Absolute to give me that extra mile that I need to accomplish other chores. The Dyson Digital Motor V11 features the Dyson Hyperdymium motor. As of this writing, it remains to be Dyson's most powerful digital motor. The motor spins at 125,000rpm and it generates 25% more suction power compared to its forerunner, the Cyclone V10. Now, I don't waste so much time in areas that require deep cleaning as it sucks the dirt instantly and efficiently. Apart from saving time, I save my energy too. So now I can do other chores which I normally just put off for the next day.
Another upgrade when it comes to power is its battery. One issue I had with my Dyson V8 was when I shift to maximum power the battery doesn't last that long. The powerful suction compromises battery life; hence, when you are at maximum strength, battery power drains easily. This prompts me to just stop cleaning. Now, the cordless V11 Absolute comes with a click-in battery that I can easily switch with a charged one so I can continue with my cleaning. The swappable battery has 7 larger, high-capacity cells with nickel-cobalt-aluminum cathodes. This doubles vacuum time to about 120 minutes delivering more suction power.
3. Tools of the trade -
Different floor surfaces require different cleaning techniques or processes. This is probably why most Filipino households have a "walis tambo" (used for smooth floors be it made of hardwood, marble or laminates) and a "walis tingting" (for outdoor, rough and uneven flooring). The Dyson Absolute V11 addresses this issue with flair by combining these two must-haves into 1 robust yet elegant device. Versatility is of no question as the Dyson V11 Absolute comes with various cleaner tools for specific tasks. But among all the tools, these are my favorites:
- High Torque Cleaner Head - What I love about this tool (as mentioned above) is that I don't have to change accessories even if I transition from cleaning carpets to hardwood, laminated or marbled floor. Through Dyson's DLS technology, power automatically adjusts to the floor type. This powerful sucker can deep clean through different floor types.
- Mini Motorized Tool - "Pet hair; don't care!" My family is blessed with a big husky and a Jack Russel that is why the mini motorized tool is heaven sent! With stiffer bristles, it works like magic sucking pet hair and ground-in dirt.
- Crevice Tool - This is another accessory that I most often use especially for cleaning hard to reach areas like awkward gaps or narrow openings and corners.
4. Noteworthy upgrades
Unlike the V8, the V11 now has a display at the top end of the device that shows the mode of suction - Eco, Boost and Auto. Obviously, I've tried all three modes and the Boost mode has become my personal favorite. With beast-like suction, this mode sucks everything that comes its way. Definitely no escape for dust, smut or grime that are deeply embedded and difficult to remove. What I like about it is that cleaning time is shortened. Dirt eliminated with just a very few strokes. Of course, the device's run time changes consequently. For the longest suction time, use the ECO mode. It'll last you for about an hour of cleaning time. But then again, there is the swappable battery feature, so if you want to continue cleaning, the V11 Absolute will definitely keep up. Apart from the mode of suction, the display also shows the remaining run time and maintenance checks (time to clean the filter or if there are blockages in the device).
Notably, compared to the V8 that I have, the Absolute is quite heavier and bigger. It has a bigger bin capacity and the contents of the bin is easier to dispose of. The bin opens differently. This time it is done by pushing a lever. The bin then slides off easily. The process is easier on the wrist joint and more convenient than the old push up extraction of the V8.
So how do we make chores suck less? With the right approach and using the right device for the task, one can easily enjoy doing chores. After a month of using the Dyson V11 Absolute, I am no longer grumpy after doing household chores as I get to do more in less time and that makes a lot of difference!