Top Vacuuming Tips
The Art of Vacuuming
Your rugs and carpets, although durable, are made of soft fibers. The dirt from everyday things like walking across your carpet can cause scrapes on the delicate fibers. Over time, your carpet will begin to wear away, causing the carpet to become thin and hard. Additionally, your carpet will begin to lose its once lush feel and appearance. Properly vacuuming requires more than a quick once-over to remove visible dirt. For carpets and rugs to have a long life, you must remove all the damaging dirt particles that you possibly can.
Always Check the Filter or Bag
Regardless of the vacuum you are using; it is only as good as the filter or bag. However, most people do not consider the filter or bag until it is full. A vacuum will remove dirt less effectively after a filter or bag is three-fourths of the way full. The recommended approach is to always check the filter or bag before vacuuming.
Dust Before Vacuuming
Although dusting before vacuuming sounds like one of the more logical vacuuming tips, not everyone follows this tip. Many people vacuum before dusting because they think the vacuum puts dust into the air, which settles on furniture. However, the reverse is true. When you dust, particles of dirt are scattered into the air, settling into the fibers of your carpets and rugs.
Take Advantage of Your Crevice Tool
One vacuum attachment that most people overlook is the crevice tool. You can use this attachment to clean the edges around your walls, furniture, and other large items sitting on the floor. While using this attachment may take more time, it is worth the effort. If you are skipping this step, you are overlooking an essential aspect of cleaning your flooring. Dirt collects in the edges along the floor and furniture and becomes a dust mite and allergy haven.
Adjust Your Vacuum Height
Almost all vacuum cleaners have an option to adjust the vacuum height. Make sure you adjust your vacuum for your specific carpet. If your vacuum is set too low, your carpet may begin to wear much quicker or become damaged. On the other hand, if you set it too high, you will leave a lot of dirt and dust in your carpet and rugs.
Don’t Speed Vacuum
Vacuuming is best done in a slow and methodical way. There will be times when you need to do a quick clean if you have guests coming. However, your routine cleaning should be done with the intention to get the best clean possible. Allow enough time for the vacuum cleaner to complete its job. Two leisurely passes over a carpeted area are more effective than multiple fast passes.
Crisscross Your Vacuuming Pattern
Carpet strands are pliable. If you only vacuum in one direction, you will end up leaving dirt and grime in the carpet fibers. One direction vacuuming only cleans dirt from two sides of the fibers, leaving the carpet only partially clean. Vacuuming in a crisscross allows you to clean the entire carpet fiber. To crisscross vacuum, go over the carpet or rug vertically and then horizontally. Crisscross vacuuming is also one of the best methods to effectively remove pet dander and hair.
Vacuum Yourself Out of the Room
To keep your carpets clean, end your vacuuming at the entrance of a room. To accomplish this, use one of your directional passes as you enter the room. Then, beginning on the other side of the room, vacuum back to the entrance in the opposite direction from when you began.
Vacuum Regularly
Vacuuming can be backbreaking work and is not usually a favorite chore for many people. Because of this, it can be tempting to wait until there is visible dirt to vacuum. However, what you see is simply a tiny portion of the dirt destroying your carpet fibers. The harm to your carpet has already begun by the time you can see the dirt.
Freshen up Your Carpet
To freshen up your carpet, deodorize your carpet at least once per quarter. Again, if you have pets, you may want to deodorize more often. A simple way to freshen up your carpet and remove the odor is to sprinkle baking soda on your carpets. Let the baking soda sit on the carpet to give it time to absorb any bad smells. Depending on the pile of your carpet, you may need to massage the baking soda into the fibers and let it sit for a longer period of time before vacuuming it up. Click here for more baking soda cleaning hacks, and remember, using your crevice attachment is vital to get into the corners and edges of your carpeting and around furniture. If your carpet or rugs still smell unpleasant, repeat the process above.
Take Good Care of Your Vacuum
As with any tool or appliance, it is wise to take proper care of your vacuum cleaner. After all, it is much easier and more effective to clean your carpets and rugs with a vacuum in good condition. Avoid sucking up hard or pointy objects that might harm the internal components of your vacuum cleaner, and remove any obstructions as soon as possible. For example, if strings, hair, or other objects become entangled in the vacuum head or attachments, you can quickly clean them using a seam ripper or letter opener.
Final Thoughts on Property Vacuuming Your Home
Clean Heart Maids hopes the above tips for vacuuming your home are a game-changer when it comes to cleaning your carpets and rugs. Following our vacuuming tips will ensure that both your vacuum, carpets, and rugs enjoy a long and clean life.
A clean home is a happy home, and if you’re not able to find the time to appropriately dust, vacuum, and clean, call in the professional cleaners at Clean Heart Maids! We are not only here to give expert cleaning tips, but we provide custom cleaning programs and an abundance of other cleaning services.