Vacuuming carpet is an important element of having a clean home. There are many times when friends and guests call to tell me that they will be stopping by and I look around the house and say “Sure, come over”, and to myself, I am saying “Oh no, the house looks like a mess!”
As soon as I get off the phone I run to the closet where I take out the vacuum and start vacuuming like a person who has just drank a pot of regular coffee. After vacuuming, I would look around the house and see such a difference in the appearance of my home. If you vacuum, the right way you can it can make such a difference.
Why Vacuuming is Essential
You are probably saying to yourself,” Vacuum the right way.” How many ways can there be? Well, there have been times when I have vacuumed, the vacuum was not picking up well, and it is a new vacuum. In addition, there have been times when my magic vacuuming did not help much. This is because there are some tricks of the trade to know.
Proper Vacuuming Techniques
To remove surface soil, push the vacuum forward several feet with the pile direction of the carpet in a slow, deliberate motion and then reverse direction. Repeat strokes as necessary based on the traffic pattern and soiled level of the carpet.
Vacuuming High Traffic Areas
A good way to vacuum is to vacuum the areas that receive the most traffic, such as hallways, stairs, exterior entryways, and paths in the home where there is constant wear. Vacuum the entire carpeted area a minimum of twice per week.
Removing Surface Soil
Removing loose soil while it remains on the surface is important so that it is not worked into the carpet pile by foot traffic. Removing embedded soil is more difficult and time-consuming than removing surface soil.
Dealing with Embedded Soil
Embedded soil is best removed by moving the vacuum cleaner in a slow, deliberate motion.
Choosing the Right Vacuum Cleaner
For maximum effectiveness, use a vacuum cleaner that has adjustable and rotating brushes that are able to loosen ground-in soil, and a strong enough airflow to penetrate to the backing, extracting all particles. The vacuum cleaner should have an enclosed, high-filtration bag that limits particles from recalculating into the air.
Maintenance of Your Vacuum Cleaner
For the best cleaning results, no matter which type of vacuum cleaner you purchase, inspect it periodically to be sure it is functioning properly.
- Keep brushes clean and replace them when worn.
- Keep vacuum hoses and attachments free of obstructions that restrict airflow.
- Inspect the vacuum head for rough edges or bent metal that may damage your carpet.
- Inspect belts frequently to make certain they are working properly. If you smell a burning smell it usually means the belt is off the spinner. This little episode happened to me last week. Unfortunately, I did not take notice until smoke started coming out of the vacuum!
- Always keep a spare belt for replacement as needed.
Follow the vacuum cleaner manufacturer’s instructions, and change the vacuum bag when it becomes more than half full. As the bag becomes full, efficiency is reduced.
Vacuum Cleaner Selection
With these helpful hints, carpet cleaning should be a little easier and your home will always be ready for those surprise guests.