DIY

How To Vacuum Properly Tips

Vacuuming is a must in any home, especially if you have carpet. Most people think there’s nothing to the process. You just plug the appliance in and go, right? Believe it or not, there is an art to learning how to vacuum properly.

That’s right; you may have been vacuuming the wrong way your entire life. Take a look at these vacuuming tips from the professionals to see how your skills stack up.

Tip 1: Keep a Vacuuming Routine

If you don’t ever vacuum until your carpet or rug looks dirty, you’re waiting too long. By the time your floor coverings start to look soiled, they’re probably so caked with dust and dirt that they need a deep clean, rather than a simple vacuuming. Avoid that hassle by making this chore a part of your regular cleaning schedule.

Tip 2: Take Your Time

Setting the correct speed is one of the proper vacuuming techniques that can help you get your floors as clean as possible. Take care not to work too quickly, as just running over the floor won’t get you the most bang for your vacuum buck. In addition, move the vacuum cleaner both forward and backward across the floor as you work. This allows the appliance’s vibrations to loosen any debris in the carpet fibers, so that dirt can be picked up when you make another pass.

Tip 3: Give High-Traffic Areas Extra TLC

Floors in hallways, foyers, mudrooms and living rooms typically see more action than other places in the home. Naturally, that means a larger amount of dirt and soil will accrue on carpets and hardwood in those. The frequency with which these spots need to be tended to will depend on how active your household is, so you may need to vacuum high-traffic areas as often as every other day or as little as twice a week.

Tip 4: Keep Your Vacuum Clean

It’s important to consider the inner workings of your appliance when thinking about how to vacuum. Your vacuum cleaner needs to have adequate airflow in order to function properly. If you tend to let the canister or vacuum bag fill to the brim before emptying it out, your machine will be less effective. Empty your vacuum after each use and change the bag regularly. In addition, learn how to clean your vacuum, from the canister to the base plate.

Tip 5: Use the Right Vacuum Cleaner

There are a variety of different vacuum cleaners on the market, some with beater bars and some without. Make sure you know which works best on your flooring. For example. carpets and area rugs that have looped fibers or are made from natural materials — like wool or silk — should not be vacuumed with beater bars. In addition, you need to use the proper accessories for the job. Use a crevice tool to get corners and edges, rather than ramming the vacuum into the baseboard, and break out the proper attachments when cleaning furniture or drapes.

Now you know how to vacuum like a pro. But if you don’t feel like hoovering around the house, you can leave it to us! Contact your local Merry Maids for some help with the housekeeping. Our cleaning professionals are happy to lend a hand, so you can spend less time running the vacuum and more time living your best life.