His design was to prove particularly useful for executioners faced with the task of disposing of the remains of aristocrats drawn and quartered during the French revolution, and the vacuum cleaner which we all now know and love was born.

Well, that's a lie. What's true is that Gooshing provides a thorough ethical review of all the major companies involved in the production of vacuum cleaners, or hoovers, rating the companies on their attitude to a range of ethical issues, including pollution, energy efficiency and genetic modification. The issue of energy efficiency is particularly pertinent to the purchase of a vacuum cleaner, which wastes a huge amount of electricity in heat and noise. Although organisations such as the Group for Efficient Appliances are pushing for the establishment of energy efficiency schemes for vacuums and similar machines, such schemes have yet to become established. But you can reduce the amount of energy wasted by your vacuum cleaner by choosing the machine with the most efficient suction and replaceable dust filters when buying a new model, and making sure not to overfill your dust bag. And Gooshing's thorough ethical reviews of hundreds of vacuum cleaner models will also prove highly useful, particularly as many of the ethical policies on which the companies are rated, such as pollution and energy efficiency, have direct relevance to vacuum cleaners.

And Gooshing, through its search of over 350 retailers, gives you the cheapest on each of the hundreds of hoovers rated in our vacuum cleaner reviews. So if it's a Dyson vacuum cleaner, a Panasonic vacuum cleaner or a Miele vacuum cleaner or if you've always wanted a Dirt Devil or a canister vacuum, our vacuum cleaner ratings and best price search will help you save money and save the planet while choosing the best vacuum cleaner for you.