An excellent backpack vacuum can make all the difference in the world, and no one knows this better than Marge Weatherly, an employee of South Hardin Schools in Eldora, Iowa. Weatherly is a 79-year-old custodian with more than 30 years of industrial cleaning experience, and she absolutely loves the battery-powered ProTeam GoFree Flex Pro II backpack vacuum.

Weatherly has used every generation of ProTeam backpack vacuums over the course of her career and has enjoyed using every one of them. She said, “I like all the ProTeam backpack vacuums; they have all been so easy to use and are easy on my back because I don’t have to bend much.” Weatherly was recently introduced to the battery-powered GoFree Flex Pro II, and her fondness for ProTeam has since deepened.
Since making the switch, Weatherly has found a host of reasons to love the GoFree Flex Pro II — increased comfort, better efficiency, long battery life, and adaptability for different cleaning situations, to name a few.
30 Years of Custodial Experience Matters
Weatherly keeps Eldora-New Providence Elementary clean for the 300 or so students and staff that make the elementary school their educational home and she isn’t a big fan of change. So, when Mike May, Facilities Manager for South Hardin Schools, purchased a battery-powered vacuum for Weatherly to use, he thought he might meet some resistance. Mike said, “Marge isn’t really big on mixing things up or trying something new.”
At 79 years old, Weatherly isn’t shy about her dislike of change. She said, “I can be really stubborn with new things.”
However, she didn’t offer any resistance in shifting from her previous ProTeam backpack vacuum to the GoFree Flex Pro II. Mike said, “One of the first things out of her mouth after using it the first time was. ‘I want one of these at home!’”
Weatherly’s 30-plus years of experience means she knows how hard custodial work is, and at 79, every cleaning advantage makes a big difference in her life.
Easy on The Back
One concern about battery-powered backpacks is the increased weight from the battery, but this hasn’t been an issue for Weatherly. In fact, she feels that the new harness and lightweight body of the GoFree make it more comfortable than any cordless backpack vacuum to date.
“With the harness, it sits just right on my hips,” stated Weatherly. “I didn’t know a backpack vacuum could be this comfortable, and it fits so much closer to my body.”
More Done in Less Time
According to The Official ISSA Cleaning Times, you can clean faster using a backpack vacuum compared to an upright. However, when Weatherly started using the GoFree, she said, “I was done vacuuming the school 30 minutes earlier than when I used my other backpack vacuum. Not having to deal with a cord sure helps save time.”
With 30 minutes of time opened up for other cleaning tasks, Weatherly can do more and better work during her shift. As someone who takes pride in a job well done, this alone is worth the change.
Adaptable to Many Cleaning Situations
In addition to the excellent fit and efficiency of the GoFree Flex Pro II, Weatherly appreciates how adaptable the vacuum is for various cleaning scenarios. One of the significant advantages is the angled wand with the various attachments. Hard to reach and difficult to vacuum locations are no longer an issue. Weatherly said, “With the angled handle on the wand, vacuuming is comfortable. It’s easy to vacuum corners, baseboards, and vents without bending or twisting.”

What’s Not to Love
“I really do love this vacuum,” said Weatherly of the battery-powered GoFree Flex Pro II. When a 79-year-old custodian who is resistant to change shifts to something new so easily, ProTeam believes it’s a powerful testament. With a backpack vacuum that provides increased comfort, more efficient vacuuming, and is easily adaptable to different vacuuming scenarios, it’s easy to see why Weatherly is so happy with the change.
When looking at all the GoFree Flex Pro II offers, what’s not to love?
Learn why a school district in Connecticut relies on ProTeam backpack vacuums here!
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