Proper vacuuming seems like child’s play…yet most of the people I see need some helpful tips on how to properly vacuum to save time, clean their rooms better, get less tired, and last longer their vacuum cleaner.
Our tips for vacuuming well with your vacuum cleaner
There are several cleaning options to keep your home free of dust, germs, and microscopic mites. While it’s helpful to sanitize countertops and get rid of clutter, today we’re going to focus on how to keep your floors clean using a vacuum cleaner.
The vacuum cleaner is one of the most valuable tools a person can have to keep their floors clean. There are many types of vacuum cleaners on the market, each with its advantages and disadvantages. If you need a vacuum cleaner, it would be a good idea for you to do the necessary research and start cleaning.
However, for this article, we are going to assume that you already own a quality vacuum and we’re going to give you tips on how to use it like a pro.
Don’t complicate your task
The first tip for vacuuming is probably the most obvious: don’t make things harder than they should be. You’d be surprised how many people inadvertently create extra damage that makes vacuuming harder than it should be. For example, if you allow shoes into your home, you risk leaving traces of dirt, leaves, and other outdoor elements in your home. It will then be more difficult to vacuum. The obvious solution is to ask everyone to take off their shoes when they enter your home. This way, potential debris will stay in one place, instead of being carried around the house. If you don’t want to impose a no-shoes policy, Place doormats around the entry point to your home. So your friends and family will have a place to wipe their shoes.
Once is not enough
Our second tip for vacuuming properly: do it several times! To suck up the dust and hair on your floor, it’s usually best to vacuum the same spot a few times. Additionally, it would also be a good idea to vacuum in more than one direction, as this helps to suck up dirt and debris more efficiently. This is especially important for problematic pet hair. Ask any pet owner and they’ll tell you how difficult it can be to get all the hair off carpet and furniture. In extreme situations, you may have to go over the affected area up to 10 times. Especially if you do not have a vacuum cleaner suitable for animal hair. But even if you don’t have a pet, it’s wise to go over the carpet several times in different directions. I create a crisscross pattern when I vacuum the carpets in my house.
Create a program
Another important tip for vacuuming your home is to create a schedule. Whether you pick a specific day of the week or month, following a regular schedule and sticking to it will ensure your floors are clean at all times. In most homes, vacuuming once a week or every two weeks is sufficient. However, the busiest areas of the house may need a little more attention. If you have pets that shed, you should probably vacuum more often than once a week. Or maybe you’re like me, with two kids who blindly drop crumbs around the house. I try to vacuum the floors every weekend, especially the areas where they play.
Change the bag/empty the tank Here
Here is another obvious tip for vacuum cleaner maintenance: change the bag and/or empty the tank regularly. You will struggle to vacuum your floors effectively when the bag or tank is already full. Whether you have a bagged or bagless vacuum, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on how full it is. If you have a bagless vacuum, you should be able to see how full the tank is. Although it is not necessary to empty it before vacuuming, we recommend that you do so unless it is full.
If you start with an empty tank, your cleaning efforts will be more successful and efficient. For most vacuums, you should change or empty the bag when it’s about three-quarters full. If you wait too long, the hose may clog or other parts of the device may not work as efficiently as they should. When this happens, your vacuum doesn’t have the suction it needs to clean the way you want it to. No matter what type of vacuum cleaner you have, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on how full the bag or reservoir is. If it’s too full, you won’t be able to clean your floors, and in some cases, you risk creating an even bigger mess because the dirt won’t be able to enter the vacuum as it should.
Prepare the stains in advance
5th tip for vacuuming properly: prepare the stains. Vacuum cleaners are not stain killers. If you spill something on your carpet, you need to deal with it immediately to minimize the likelihood of a long-term stain. If you notice stains on the carpet while vacuuming, it’s a good idea to treat them with a stain remover before you finish vacuuming. Your carpet will be in better condition and the result of your vacuuming efforts will be better. Also, if you notice stains, whether new or old, you should consider using a steam cleaner to help remove some of these stains. The best solution is to treat the stains, but using a steam cleaner is not enough.
Removing small objects from the floor
I’m not sure if this is a vacuum cleaner tip or just common sense… But, despite how obvious this tip is, I feel compelled to add it to the list, in case anyone has any doubts. Before you start vacuuming your floors, be sure to pick up all the clutter and remove small objects from the floor. Not only will this make it easier for you to clean floors, but it will also prevent those small items from getting stuck in the vacuum. If they get stuck, you could damage your vacuum or break an internal part. Not only will this cause bigger problems, but it will also prevent you from actually removing all the dirt and dust.
Move furniture occasionally
Large items, such as furniture, can usually be left in place while you vacuum. After all, it wouldn’t make sense to move everything in and around your home every week for sufficient cleaning. While this would help keep your home cleaner, it’s not a feasible solution for most people. However, occasionally you may consider moving the sofa or coffee table so you can spend the vacuum under those hard-to-reach places in high-traffic areas of your home. If you can’t move those large pieces of furniture, try using one of the attachments that came with your vacuum to pick up any dust or debris that has built up. The best robot vacuums can detect and avoid your furniture on their own.
Choose the right setting
One tip that will help many people vacuum their floors more efficiently is to make sure you choose the right setting on your machine. Many vacuum cleaners have different settings that allow you to adjust them depending on the surface you are cleaning. If you have shag carpeting, you will need to use a different setting than you use to clean hardwood floors. Your vacuum settings should be adjusted based on the height of the surface you are cleaning.
Adjusting this height will ensure you get the best possible suction and ultimately clean your floors more efficiently. Keep in mind that the height of your floors will likely vary throughout your home. If you have different types of floors in your home, you will need to consider adjusting the settings when vacuuming. Whether it’s a carpet or a tiled floor, make sure you have the best possible suction.
Deep cleanings are useful
Even homes that are vacuumed regularly can benefit from occasional deep cleaning. It’s deep cleaning with steam or shampoo…or maybe even both. Giving your carpet a deep clean will help loosen and remove dirt that has built up in the fibers of your carpet. After deep cleaning your carpet, you’ll probably notice that it’s easier to vacuum. Indeed, the floor is cleaner and the dirt sucked up has not yet become embedded in the fibers of your carpet.
Also, after deep cleaning your carpet, you should consider vacuuming it regularly. Another tip: before shampooing your carpets, whether you do it yourself or hire a company, be sure to vacuum up as much dirt as possible. The more dirt and dust you vacuum up before steaming or shampooing, the cleaner your carpets will be in the end.
Focus on hard-to-clean areas
Certain areas of your home are more difficult to vacuum. This is particularly the case for cupboards or stairs. Although it can be tempting to clean these areas quickly, it is often better to spend more time on them, especially if these hard-to-clean areas are heavily trafficked. When vacuuming stairs, we recommend that you use your vacuum attachments. This will not only help you clean the many crevices and edges of the carpet, but will also save you from trying to carry your heavy device and rolling it down each step. These attachments can even allow for a deeper cleaning, as many of them are designed to tackle furniture, stairs, and other hard-to-clean surfaces.
3 bonus tips for your vacuum cleaner
Leave it on when you leave the room
This cleaning trick is only effective if you have a vacuum cleaner with HEPA filters. HEPA filters are particularly effective in eliminating allergens and dust in the air, as well as on floors. A little-known trick to help cool down a room in your home is to leave your HEPA vacuum running for a few extra minutes. Make sure the pipe is removed and don’t forget to do so. When you return, the room will look and smell cleaner. Note: This tip is helpful, but if you want to remove airborne particles and improve your indoor air quality, you should consider getting an air purifier for your home. This will be much more efficient than leaving your vacuum cleaner running. Not to mention that it is much quieter.
Dust other areas of the house first
When cleaning, it is a good idea to dust blinds, baseboards, and high objects before you start vacuuming the floors. Indeed, when you dust your house, you stir up the dust that has settled on the many surfaces. Dust that you were not able to capture with a cloth or feather duster will eventually settle again, much of it on the floor. This is when you need to vacuum. Not only will you capture the dust that has settled, but you will help remove the dirt that is already in the carpet. If you vacuum before you dust, you may have to vacuum again after the dust settles.
Carpets require special attention
When vacuuming the carpets on your floor, be sure to pay close attention to how the vacuum cleaner interacts with the carpet itself. Sometimes the vacuum can get caught on the outer edges of the carpet and fray it. It varies from model to model, but we have heard of cases like this. When vacuuming a rug, it is best to concentrate on the center and go lightly on the outer parts. Also, make sure you’re using the correct setting for the carpet you are vacuuming.
Conclusion:
These tips for proper vacuuming make the difference
With these 10 vacuuming tips, cleaning your floors should be easy and enjoyable. If you follow a regular schedule and make vacuuming a priority, your home will be rid of problematic dust and debris. Also, remember that vacuuming is a great way to not only keep your home clean but also to increase the life of your floors and maintain healthier indoor air.