Miele Universal Upright Model S168 Introduction

Miele has been designing and manufacturing products for the home since 1899. They produced their first vacuum cleaner in 1927. Their products are world renowned for their power, durability and performance. Sitting elegantly in their Universal Upright Series of vacuum cleaners is the Miele S168 vacuum with its beautiful white finish with accenting black on-board attachments. It is not a mere stick broom with mediocre performance but a powerful 1,000 watt upright with strong suction and 96 CFM of air flow. As with all Miele products, all its advanced technology and incredible power is harnessed within a truly beautiful work of art. You may even be tempted to purchase a Miele Universal Upright on its looks alone.

The Universal Upright vacuums are superb in their design, performance and construction. Like Miele's canisters and power teams they are designed to produce high air flow rates at very low noise levels while lasting a long, long time. Unlike most uprights, these Miele Universal Uprights perform extremely well on non-carpeted floors with their deluxe Rug/Bare Floor Nozzle. This same nozzle can also be used to clean low to medium height carpets although when this model is configured with an optional SEB 217-3 Powerbrush it will deep clean these carpets much more efficiently. These upright are ideal choices for cleaning small apartments & loft spaces, yachts, RVs and campers or as a companion to your canister or power team for quick pickups.

Effective 1,000 Watt Motor

The powerful 1,000 Watt motor produces plenty of suction for doing an outstanding job on non-carpeted floors as well as a fairly good job on low to medium height carpets with its strong air flow. Featuring lifetime lubricated ball bearings and well balanced motor parts, it will perform quietly for many years. Because of its enhanced motor suspension and sound absorbing material in the motor housing, the Miele S168 Universal Upright is extremely quiet.

Electronic Variable Speed Control

This Miele Universal Upright is also equipped with an electronic variable speed control which adjusts the air flow up to 96 CFM, giving you complete control when you clean. This enables you to select the proper amount of power for cleaning anything from draperies to medium height carpets. Reducing the suction prevents curtains, upholstery or area rugs from inadvertently being drawn into the cleaning nozzle.

Multi-Layer Filtration System

The Miele Universal Upright uses a multi-layer filtration system which increases the life of the high efficiency exhaust filter. The air passes through a triple layer IntensiveClean Plus Dustbag dustbag and a secondary electrostatic filter before reaching the Certified S-Class HEPA exhaust filter. Each layer of filtration captures more particles as the air passes through them. Ideally, multi-layer filtration enhances performance by ensuring good air flow through the system. It prevents large particles from reaching and blocking the exhaust filter, saving it for critical particle retention.

Certified HEPA Filtration

The Miele S168 Universal Upright comes standard with their Certified HEPA Filter which is tested and certified that it will meet the stringent HEPA specification. It will retain all particles as small as 0.3 µm (micrometers - formerly microns) in size with an efficiency rating of 99.97%. The HEPA acronym is used primarily in the USA whereas Europeans often refer to this same filter as an S-Class filter. This indicates that the filter meets standards like the British Standard 5415 and German norm: DIN 2418B Ti-E EU 13 for filtration performance.

In a study conducted by the Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology at the University of Virginia, the Miele vacuum cleaner with the Super Air Clean filter was tested, along with eight other leading brands, to determine if vacuum cleaner efficiency affects the level of airborne allergens commonly found in the home, such as pet dander and dust mite feces. The results indicate that some vacuum cleaners substantially increase allergens in the air. The study proved Miele captures virtually all the dust, dirt and allergens you pick up, improving the quality of the air you breathe. Certified HEPA filters provide even greater filtration, producing net filtration which meets the stringent HEPA specification.

The Miele Completely Sealed System

Using the Miele Universal Upright differs from your typical home vacuum cleaner because of its special high filtration capabilities and its completely sealed system. This means that the sub-micrometer dust you pick up actually reaches the high filtration exhaust filter and is not blown out through minute cracks in the case or around the exhaust filter like many competing cleaners with high efficiency exhaust filters.

Vacuum cleaners are designed so that air flows through the nozzle and up into the dustbag, and then through any additional filters before leaving the machine at the exhaust. Filters capable of achieving sub-micrometer filtration are important but equally important is how much of the air flow containing these allergens, etc. actually passes through the filters to be cleaned by them. With the Miele completely sealed system you can rest assured that all the air flow passes through and is filtered by its Certified S-Class HEPA or optional Active Air Clean or Super Air Clean exhaust filters.

High Performance IntensiveClean Plus™ Dustbag

Miele's revolutionary new IntensiveClean Plus™ dustbag offers unbeatable advantages which really enhance the performance of the Miele S168 Universal Upright. First and foremost, the unique new material which composes IntensiveClean Plus dustbags has made significant progress in the quality of filtration: Thanks to its intricate web of three-ply random-spun polymer fibers, far more tiny particles and allergens are retained than with conventional dustbags. This alone accounts for a reduction in dust emissions from the dustbag of up to 50%, based on levels which were already extremely low. Therefore, this vacuum's secondary filter and high efficiency exhaust filter will be kept cleaner, providing outstanding cleaning performance with reduced resistance to the air flow.

The enhanced composition of IntensiveClean Plus virtually eliminates clogging, improving cleaning performance even further. This material captures millions of tiny dust particles and holds them tight within its fibers, keeping the pores of the dustbag open longer. As a result, this Miele vacuum cleaner retains its excellent cleaning performance, even when the dustbag is full. This special polymer material also makes the dustbag practically tear-proof. The risk of damage caused by sharp, pointed objects in the bag is now a thing of the past.

Optional High Efficiency Filters

Miele even has a special filter designed for the pet lovers in our world. Their Active Air Clean Filter features a thick layer of Activated Charcoal sandwiched between two Super Air Clean filters for outstanding odor trapping abilities. It's great for cat & dog owners. When purchasing your new Miele Universal Upright from Ristenbatt Vacuum Cleaner Service, turn it into an allergy vacuum with very low dust and odor emissions by adding the Active Air Clean filter for only $45.99.

Having the Miele S168 Universal Upright equipped with their Certified HEPA exhaust filter is a great feature for those with dust related allergies or asthma. If you feel that you don't need to continue with the super high level of filtration that the Certified HEPA filter provides, you can switch to the Super Air Clean filter when it's time to replace it. One Super Air Clean filter comes in every box of five Genuine Miele dustbags you purchase.

The optional Active Air Clean Filter or Super Air Clean Filter can be used instead of the Certified HEPA exhaust filter which comes standard in this vacuum, however only one type can be used at a time.

Versatile Multiple Configurations

The steel telescopic handle on the Miele S168 Universal Upright can be adjusted to match your individual stature for more comfortable cleaning. This handle tube is also a telescopic steel wand which can be used as an extension wand for reaching under low furniture like beds and sofas. Simply release it from the main housing and handle grip by depressing large release pads and insert it into the bottom between the vacuum and nozzle.

This Miele Universal Upright can be configured with various attachments as well. The deluxe Rug/Bare Floor Nozzle is designed for use on low to medium height carpets as well as non-carpeted floors. An upholstery nozzle and crevice tool also are included for those special tasks. The two small attachments are carried conveniently on a caddy which clips to the handle.

Add even more versatility to your Miele Universal Upright with their optional attachments like the Universal Upright Hose & Wand Kit, Miele STB 101 Hand Turbobrush, Miele Universal Dusting Brush and Round Dusting Brush with Swivel. For deep cleaning low to medium height carpets the optional motorized SEB 217-3 Powerbrush is great with its revolving brush roll.

All attachments are well sealed at all joints to maintain Miele's outstanding performance. This is a good example of how Miele goes to great lengths, even with small details, to ensure the quality, performance and beauty of their products.

Outstanding Warranties

Miele provides a year of peace of mind, knowing that you will not have the expense of a repair which is covered by their standard One Year Limited Warranty. In addition to this, the Miele Two Year Limited Motor Warranty provides an additional year of peace of mind, knowing that you will not have the expense of a suction motor repair which is covered by this warranty.

Product Availability

The Miele S168 Universal Uprights are assembled in the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) with Miele components from Germany and China. They are sold in the U.S.A. primarily through their network of independently owned vacuum cleaner specialty stores like Ristenbatt Vacuum Cleaner Service. We also promote and sell additional models of Miele Upright Vacuum Cleaners, various Miele Accessories & Attachments and Genuine Miele Dustbags, Filters & Supplies.

Please feel free to call toll free at 800-413-2778 or 717-665-5126 for more details and information on this and additional models. All of our salespeople are also skilled technicians who are very knowledgeable about vacuum cleaners, both inside and out. They will be happy to talk with you regarding your various vacuum cleaner needs, preferences and desires. We are a vacuum cleaner specialty store providing outstanding customer service to all who purchase from us.