In June 2008, Rubbermaid launched its well-engineered and proven line of commercial vacuum cleaners. Their line of vacuum cleaners range in price from two hundred dollars up to eight hundred dollars. The complete line of vacuum cleaners encompasses an entire genre of vacuum cleaners, each well-suited to a particular task. The Rubbermaid UL12 is the smallest and lightest in the line, making it comparable to the Oreck XL at almost half the price. The UL12 vacuum consists of a compact base and a large front cloth bag system that has ample space for large amounts of debris. The vac is fairly tall for a compact vac with an extra-wide cleaning path and side bristles for convenient edge cleaning on bare and carpeted floors.
The debris recovery area is simply designed but very effective in its compact nature. The handle on this vacuum works as the pickup hose that connects the base unit to the bag assembly. Clogging could occur where the vacuum handle connects to the bag if larger debris is sucked into the unit. The vacuum bag is large for a compact model with nearly three times the capacity of the average commercial vacuum. The bag is a friction fit to the recovery spout and is very easy to change, taking only a minute for a complete bag replacement. The soft cover opens quickly and is made of quality materials with a plastic back plate that increases the sturdiness of the bag. Weighing only ten pounds, this vacuum is highly recommended for seniors or multi-level buildings. The vacuum can be easily transported from one level to another with ease and is stored in tight spaces quickly and easily. The unit’s cord is forty feet long, five feet longer than most commercial vacuums, giving it a little more reach when needed. The cable is easy to wind up and untangle and can be neatly wound from a hook on the top handle to a large hook in the middle of the rear axle. The switch is located on the handle and is easy to operate with one finger, making the vacuum easy to turn on and off.
The base of the unit is very simple in both design and features. The suction hose connection can be easily unhooked from the base if debris clogs the main recovery tube. The vacuum wrinkles into the main brush, providing deep penetration into the carpet fibers and requiring no height adjustment. The brush roll is made from quality materials that will hold up to a deep pile fairing, but will also be gentle on hard floors. The rear wheels are smaller than most commercial vacuums, making the vacuum slip around corners, but the rubber tread provides excellent traction on hard floors. The wheels are well attached to the rear axle with very little noticeable play. A unique feature of this vacuum is the mustache-shaped side bristles that create extra suction near the baseboard and remove debris that other vacuums can’t.
Overall, the Rubbermaid UL12 is a great light-duty commercial vacuum. The vacuum motor has ample suction for light-to-medium vacuuming tasks, but it lacks a handy onboard tool kit or wand. The vacuum cleaner is very colorful and sports a yellow and black pattern that makes it unique in appearance. At $100 less than Oreck’s flagship vacuum, the UL12 will give the XL a run for its money. The vac quickly disassembles into three pieces and fits into a small box for long-term storage or easy transport. This vacuum is recommended for residential use and light commercial cleaning where weight and portability are a factor.