Oreck XL Halo UV Vacuum

Being a mom completely changes the way you think about clean.  Suddenly, those floors you haven’t scrubbed for two weeks are now being eaten off of, and literally everything eventually ends up in someone’s mouth.  You can’t simply dust your countertops or sweep your linoleum and call them clean, so why would you merely run a simple vacuum over your carpets and call it good? 

Sure, there’s carpet sprays and professional carpet shampooing to really clean your floors, but those leave chemicals and toxins down where your children play, and can even do more harm than good if you have a child with sensitive skin or allergies.  Not to mention they can be costly, especially if you have a large area of carpet to clean.  Thank goodness technology has come to save us yet again, and this time it comes in what is quite possibly the coolest package ever: The Oreck Halo XL UV-C Germ Killing Vacuum.

Plexi_Stage The Oreck Halo is the only vacuum with Ultraviolet-C light technology that can kill germs, mold, MRSA, dust mite eggs, flea eggs, and E. coli while you vacuum.  The UV-C light is built into the base of the Halo vacuum and can be activated with a touch of a button.  Their patented light chamber provides a concentrated UV light down to your floors that has been shown in lab tests to destroy 99.9% of common germs in as little as a second.  The slides below show what was found on both the bathroom floor, carpeted floor and then a tile floor.  Horrifying, right?  Now imagine what was in that 70s shag carpet that we used to roll around on when we were little.  Shudder.

Bathroom_Floor_Petri_Dish Carpet_Petri_Dish Kitchen_Floor_Tile_Petri_Di

 
When I heard there was a chemical-free answer for cleaning both bare and carpeted floors, I was more than intrigued.  But, when I heard that the solution was a UV-C vacuum that allowed you to vacuum and kill germs in one step, I was in love.  In fact, the Oreck Halo made it on my surprisingly short list of things that I absolutely coveted in 2009, and it pretty much made my birthday when my Halo arrived just a few short days before.  

In_Use_Tile1 Most everyone who knows me would have handpicked this vacuum out of all the other vacuums in the world based on the UV light alone.  And while they would have been absolutely correct that this was the vacuum for me, my decision to try it out was based on much more than the UV germ killing feature, and more on research and personal experience I have had with the Oreck brand. 

Back in my youth, I spent the swing shift working at a local hotel where we cleaned the hotel from top to bottom with an Oreck XL.  Partly this is because of how insanely light the XL is, which is great for cleaning multiple floors or rooms quickly and easily, but mostly we used the Oreck because we only wanted to clean everything once and then move on.  I should qualify this all by saying that the hotel’s Oreck may have only been 10 years old, but it had seen thousands and thousands of square feet in that time, and more than a few young houseboys.  Pretty it wasn’t, but what it lacked in appearance it definitely made up for in every other area. 

Even back then, I loved vacuums.  In fact, my mom got me my first vacuum when I was 17, which was the only thing I had asked for that year for Christmas.  That vacuum was an infomercial purchase, and something I was absolutely thrilled with at the time.  It was a great vacuum for a few years, but the one feature I really loved – the fact that it was bagless – I actually grew to hate.  I didn’t like how the whole vacuum was covered in dust and dirt every time I emptied the canister, or that I needed to take out the trash every time I vacuumed in order to really get rid of the dirt and not be worried that it would spread.  But, the worst feature was that I actually had to reach in to take off the canister top, which was always completely encased in grime, fuzz and dirt, in order to clean it.

Still, I continued to use it until not even the $80 worth of parts and pieces I had to special order from ebay stopped it from smelling like something was burning or got rid of the obnoxious squeal.  After tracking down the company, I was told I needed to send in the vacuum for repair at my expense or buy a new one.  Granted, the vacuum was 8 years old at the time, but after just spending $80 and faced with another high bill, I decided that it was time for a new vacuum. 

When I was choosing a vacuum to replace my old upright, I knew I wanted to go with an established brand that I could trust and that would be around if I needed parts or service down the road.  Having run into the problem of special ordering and a complete lack of customer service before, I was determined to get a brand that anyone else had ever heard of this time.  I will admit that it was hard to turn down the first vacuum company that contacted me to do a review, because at that point I really did need a new model, but this time I had my heart set on Oreck.  And that was before I knew they had produced the Halo, the most awesome vacuum ever. 

Home-page The Oreck XL Halo UV Vacuum is absolutely in a category all its own as far as vacuums go.  The fact that it has a higher and more controlled suction that my old model is great, but when you add in the fact that it is more maneuverable, has a more comfortable design, is quieter (even when it wasn’t squealing) and isn’t baggless, the competition is very much over.  When you factor in the UV germ killing properties, you realize there was absolutely no competition to begin with.  And really, how can you compare a vacuum with a sophisticated machine that cleans, sanitizes and leaves your house both germ and chemical free?  

The Oreck Halo XL specs and fetaures:
*Weight 17lbs
*Self sealing HEPA 13 filter bag to prevent dirt and germs from being spread through the air
*Brushroll with easy on/off control located on handle
*UV-C germicidal light with push button operation
*Included on-board tools for ease of cleaning, including a hose that extends 13 feet and can reach just about anywhere
*29 ft power cord so you can vacuum an entire room without having to unplug and change outlets
*5 level height adjustments allow you to clean both thick pile carpet and bare floors
*A great warranty with 3 annual tune-ups at any of their 450 Oreck stores for free

Attachments-1 Any time you’re talking about UV-C light, you should also be talking safety, which is why I was so excited that Oreck had included a whole bunch of safety features to protect you and your family.  The first is that the UV-C light is only activated if you are pressing the UV-C button on the Oreck handle, so if you let go of the button, the light will immediately turn off.  The secondary safety features include an automatic shut off if the Oreck Halo is turned over during use or if any of the wheels lose contact with the ground.  This feature does prevent you from being able to use the UV-C light feature on stairs – unless, of course, you have massively large stairs that an upright can vacuum with all four wheels making full contact.  For most of us, though, it does mean that you must use the hose and attachments to clean your stairs or for spots too small to run the entire vacuum over.  However, when using the on-board tools to clean the stairs, curtains, and more, the Oreck Halo is smart enough to know that the UV-C light should be deactivated until you return to regular vacuuming.  

The price tag at $599 might be steep, but when you consider that the Oreck Halo XL UV-C is the first vacuum that really cleans and eliminates germs, bacteria and mold, it could save you quite a bit on professional carpet cleaning while keeping chemicals off your carpets.  And, to sweeten the deal for after-holiday shoppers, Oreck is offering a Clean Up After the Holidays 3-for-1 Special where you get the 2-in-1 Oreck Speed Sweep (a $100 value by mail in voucher), and the portable Oreck Car Vac (a $40 value).  This limited time offer ends January 17th.

http://www.oreck.com/

And now for the Giveaway…

One Rave and Review reader will win an awesome Oreck Halo XL of their very own!  To enter, just visit the Oreck site and comment below with a vacuum you would love to own (besides the two named in this review).

And, as always, there are extra entries available!

1) Subscribe to Rave and Review, top of right sidebar (2 extra entries, must be verified to count)

2) Become a fan of Oreck on Facebook and leave a comment on their page!

3) Tweet about this Giveaway using @raveandreview and @Oreck after following us both (daily Tweet, just post link here)

4) Blog about this Giveaway with links back to this post as well as the www.raveandreview.com homepage 

5) Place my button or logo in your sidebar on your blog or website (must have an active link)

6) Comment love.  Enter any of my other Giveaways or comment on any non-giveaway post!

7) Email love.  Share this Giveaway with friends and family via email and cc Leanne (at)raveandreview (dot) com for two bonus entries (I will never, ever contact your email recipients)

8) Vote for Rave and Review on Top Baby Blogs, logo in right sidebar (daily entry)

On February 11th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email.

UPDATE! This giveaway is closed.  Thank you to all who entered (all 3,139 of you) and congratulations to Sharon, who won the Oreck Halo Germ Killing Vacuum!

Sharon said…

I entered the T3 Hairdryer giveaway

ChristmasRR125x125 copy

A huge thank you to Oreck for sending us the Halo to adore and for offering a giveaway to our fabulous readers.  No type of monetary compensation was received for this Rave Review.

3,138 thoughts on “Oreck XL Halo UV Vacuum”

  1. DutchTech Full Size 1400 Series Canister Vacuum Cleaners, nice and portable and easily switches betweet carpets and barefloors.
    Thank You!
    karenmed409 at comcast dot net

  37. DutchTech Full Size 1400 Series Canister Vacuum but looking at the site (I know its not a vacuum) the Steam mop looks wonderful!

  107. I would love to have the Oreck Housekeeper Ultimate Handheld Vacuum Cleaner. It has a long 5 ft. hose and an optional HEPA filter that eliminates allergens. We all have allergies in my house, so eliminating allergens would be a huge help here.

  108. Happy New Year! The Oreck XL Platinum Pilot with 360*
    Glide with the Ultimate Hand Vac would also be wonderful
    to own. Many thanks, Cindi

  112. Forgot to put my Facebook user name -Kimberly Kelly-Sydow
    Facebook Fan of Oreck and left a comment on their page.

  133. I would love to have the Steam-It™ as well.
    Thank you so much for the chance!
    girlygirlugh at gmail dot com

  155. I’m a subscriber.
    It’s not a vacuum but I’d like the The Oreck Steam-It. My Bissell Steam Mop died after only a year.

  173. I would love either the DutchTech Full Size 1400 Series Canister Vacuum Cleaner or the Steam It Steam wand (okay, the latter is not a vaccume, but I would love to have it!)
    andrea.kruse at gmail dot com

  198. I like the DuTech MidSize 1200 Series Canister Vacuum – straight suction tool for hard floor cleaning – Hepa Filter added on. Thanks for the chance!

  285. I’d love to have the Oreck Platinum Pilot with 360° Glide. I prefer an upright to a canister but usually they just go two directions – back and forth. This one pivots so it makes getting in tight places easier!

  314. I would also like the DutchTech Full Size 1400 Series Canister Vacuum Cleaner. It would be very helpful for our cleaning our stairs and the furniture too!!
    dropcqueen at yahoo dot com

  320. What a fabulous giveaway!! Of course I’d love the featured Halo vacuum the most, but the DutchTech Full Size 1400 Series Canister Vacuum Cleaner also would be wonderful. Thanks for the chance!

  400. I’d like the Oreck XL Little Hero Canister Vacuum Cleaner. Oreck is a wonderful co. My Mom always had an Oreck. Great giveaway, thanks!

  412. OK, I went to the site, and I would like ALL the vacuums… but what would be great too is the Oreck ProShield™ Air Purifier. Shows I looked all around 🙂 I have ALWAYS wanted ANYTHING Oreck… !!!

  459. The Oreck XL Little Hero Canister Vacuum Cleaner would be perfect for vacuuming stairs and performing other little jobs around the home

  462. Believe it or not, the canister vacuums are great. I’d love the DutchTech Full Size 1400 Series Canister Vacuum Cleaners for the stairs. 🙂

  472. Hi, wow, I would love to own the The New Oreck
    Steam-It the all-purpose steamwand. I don’t know if that counts as it’s not a vacuum, but if I were to pick another vac it would have to be the Oreck Deluxe Handheld Vacuum Cleaner. Thanks for a great giveaway!

  482. I posted my original entry above, but I am also a new email subscriber! lavendarlittle at gmail dot com. thanks and looking forward to more great reviews from you!

  509. I would like the Oreck Car Vac. Right now my husband drags my vac out to the garage and bangs it around cleaning the car.

  551. So glad you sent me to the site – I had no idea that oreck offered so many other products. I believe that the vacuum I’d pick to own (only since I can’t mention the Halo) would be the Ironman Handheld – great for home and office use – 2 speed, better suctioning, quieter, etc.

  556. I would love to win the Oreck XL Platinum Pilot vacuum! With a very large Labrador, I need a vacuum that can pick up that dog hair!

  578. I like the Dutch Tech Mid Size 1200 Series Canister Vac. Please enter me. Thanks!
    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

  583. rather than a vacuum, I’d actually want an Oreck Steam-It, but in case there’s a technicality and I have to say a vacuum, I’ll say Oreck Housekeeper

  618. The Oreck Platinum Pilot with 360° Glide would be an awesome vacuum cleaner to own and use. I love that it can maneuver around tight spaces like chair legs without wrestling with a straight back and forth vacuum.

  671. I would actually like to get the Steam It All purpose steamer. I know it’s not technically a vacuum but it is on the website and it’s pretty cool.

  684. I like the Oreck DutchTech Full Size 1400 Series Canister Vacuum Cleaners, I am sure all the vacuums are great though. I love how the Oreck vacuums are so light and powerful.

  708. What a really super prize. This is my wish vacuum to own. Another Oreck vac that I would love is the Oreck XL Platinum Pilot.
    Thanks so much for offering this wonderful prize.

  711. Well, I would love to have a handy vacuum like the Oreck Housekeeper Ultimate Handheld Vacuum Cleaner. That would be cool.
    I subscribed, I tweeted, and I commented!
    Thanks!

  712. I’m a facebook fan of Oreck and I commented on their wall. Here is copy of comment:
    “Margaret E. Smith Rave and review sent me over to you. Love your vacuums! Thanks.”

  729. Hmm, would also love the Oreck XL Platinum Pilot Vacuum Cleaner.
    Following you and @Oreck on Twitter! Tweeted the giveaway. @Bangie113

  742. The Oreck XL Platinum Pilot would be absolutely PERFECT for my house. 2 of the 3 bedrooms have Medium-long, Shaggy carpet. That vacuum has POWER! One of the shaggy carpet rooms is being occupied by a teenager, and you know what they’re like (Eating in the room, Pencil shavings… etc). That vacuum would save me so much time. It would be A-MAZE-ING. thanks again- Mitch

  776. I’d like to own their Oreck Ironman® Handheld Vacuum Cleaner so I can keep my new car tidy. Thank you.