Congratulations to Carol K – the winner of the Hoover vacuum!

Have you ever slaved away over the stove to get a wholesome dinner on the table only to be rewarded with a big pftpftpftpftpftpft after your child takes her first bite, broccoli spewing in every direction…?

It happens to me regularly, which I’m sure is a big part of why we tend to go through vacuums at a rapid clip in this household. Between the mess my guys make and the dirt that seems to stick to them like glue, they just don’t stand a chance at longevity. Since the birth of my first son five years ago, I swear, I’ve gone through at least 3 vacuums – with most giving up the ghost after a mere 365 days.

So I was thrilled when Peter, our UPS guy, knocked on my door a few weeks ago with a big package from Hoover. I had literally just buried my Dyson the week before (I admit, I was a sucker for the British accent), and was starting to panic at the layer of grime that was rapidly accumulating – especially beneath the kitchen table. Brooms can only get so much.

Inside the box was a gorgeous blue Hoover MAX Multi-Cyclonic…(the angels sang)

Within the hour I had it assembled and working hard.

It’s a beast! The darn dirt doesn’t stand a chance anymore — and even though this machine packs a powerful punch, it is an absolute dream to use.

Here are a few of my favorite things about the marvelous Hoover MAX:

It’s got no fewer than seven floor settings – so it is perfect on everything from the plush carpet in the nursery to the hardwood floors in the kitchen and family room.

A brushroll on/off pedal that stops the brush from spinning when you’re over a hardwood floor. I cannot tell you how much I LOVE being able to vacuum the hardwood floors without worrying they’ll get scratched or scuffed.

Automatic cord rewind. Seriously, this might just be my favorite thing about it. No struggling with cords – just push the button and zzzzziiippp, the cord retracts beautifully. I also love the belly laugh it elicits from my 2YO.

The big 15″ footprint – so I get more vacuuming done in a lot less time.

The tools, especially the one designed to get in those tiny little crevices under the lower kitchen cabinets that attract stray grains of rice or bits of flour. The upholstery brush is also amazing. One swipe even I can’t tell my boys were just having a monster truck rally on the couch.

The amazing (and amazingly easy-to-clean) filter. Honestly, the first time I ran this new vacuum, I was slightly horrified to see all of the dirt that had clearly been ground into my carpets swirling around the filter. But it was very easy to clean up. And subsequent clean-ups have yielded much less dirt, which tells me this vacuum is doing its job well.

The only (extremely minor) downside is the fact that there is nothing quiet about this vacuum! If you must clean during a nap window, learn from my mistake and make sure your child is absolutely sound asleep before you turn it on.

Other than that – it’s perfect.

Would you like to win one? All you have to do is leave a comment telling us why you would love to own a Hoover MAX Multi-Cyclonic (or another Hoover!)

Also, make sure to visit Hoover on facebook to get more special offers and tips!

This contest is open until Wednesday, August 31, 2011, at 10:00 pm EST. ONE winner will be selected at random using Random.org and announced later that week. Please read our disclosure policy and contact us with any questions you might have. Sarah received a complimentary vacuum for review, which she put to the test — and the opinions here are all her own.

You can also purchase this vacuum at most Target stores, or on Amazon.com.