What my vacuum means to me

Quick, name your favorite household appliance. If you have a tough time thinking of one, you're not alone. Even if you do harbor a soft spot for a hunk of home hardware, it's probably visible and upscale -- a stove, say, or a refrigerator.

It probably isn't a vacuum cleaner. Few folks spend much time thinking about them at all. And except perhaps among allergy sufferers, the notion of a trophy vacuum is pretty foreign.

A few people, however, appreciate and even relish the job that vacuums do. For them, the machine that gets the floors clean is as much savior as humble servant.

Donna Andrews

45, estate cleaner and nursing student, Greenfield, N.H.

Vacuum: A metal, canister-style Electrolux, date of make and model unknown. Andrews said she got the vacuum when ''a lady I knew was moving and asked me if I wanted it."

What do you love about this vacuum? ''It's dependable and lightweight. It does a great job on Oriental rugs -- I don't use a beater on them. It's also good on ceramic tile and wood floors. I usually use clients' own vacuums, but I use the Electrolux in my home and, of course, on Orientals."

How often do you vacuum at home? ''Almost every day."

On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the neatest, how much of a neat freak are you? ''I'll say 8. I don't want people to think I'm crazy."

Pet name: ''I call my vacuum Toto because she's easy to carry and she's beside me every step of the way, like the dog in the 'Wizard of Oz.' "

Andy Polin

39, automotive shop owner, Roslindale

Vacuum: Miele. ''I'm not sure which model. One of my customers told me about it. At first I thought it was crazy to spend that much -- $600-$700 -- on a vacuum, but I'd already been through several cheap, stand-up vacuums."

What do you love about this vacuum? ''It does not create any dust. I actually use it to clear the air sometimes. It's really easy to use, and so are all the attachments. I bring it from home and use it to vacuum out cars at the shop. We have this giant shop vac but the Miele does a better job and it's easy to move in and out of the cars."

How often do you vacuum? ''Hmm, my wife and I actually fight over who's going to vacuum because it does such a great job."

On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the neatest, how much of a neat freak are you? ''I'll say an 8. I know there are people worse than me."

Have you ever been devoted to an appliance before? ''Not often. It's got to be something that really works."

Debbie Athearn

59, recently retired paper hanger, West Tisbury

Vacuum: Two robotic Roombas, the Roomba Pro and newer Discovery model.

What do you love about this vacuum? ''It cleans up pet hair. I have a cat, a golden retriever puppy, and a navy blue rug, and it does it by itself. It even returns to its charging station when it's done."

How often do you vacuum? ''About four times a week, which is about four times more than I used to."

On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the neatest, how much of a neat freak are you? ''A 1. I think a house is to live in, not to look at."

What's it like having a robotic device vacuum your floors? ''I'm usually laughing, because it's fun to watch. I call it my third pet."

Any drawbacks? ''You have to remember to clean it out. It doesn't do that on its own."

Elizabeth Kronberg

36, homemaker, Rowley

Vacuum: Dyson Animal, an upright designed to handle pet hair.

What do you love about this vacuum? ''Before I had it, I always felt like I was breathing in half of what I was vacuuming. I have a dog, and you know how when you vacuum, the air starts to smell like dog? That doesn't happen with the Dyson."

How often do you vacuum? ''About once a week."

On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the neatest, how much of a neat freak are you? ''My husband would say a 10 -- no, a 12. But I'll say 8."

What inspires you to vacuum? ''I have a baby who's always on the floor, and when he stands up and I see dog hair on him, I know it's time to vacuum!"