How to Get the Most Out of Your Vacuum Cleaner

When you invest in a vacuum, it’s important not to take it for granted. Here, we share helpful tips to ensure you get the most out of your vacuum cleaner for years of dependable use and efficiency.

Read Your Users’ Manual

It’s a vacuum; how hard can it be to figure out proper use, right? Yes and no. Although vacuums are designed for easy use, you can lose out if you don’t understand a vacuum’s full potential and limitations. Many vacuums have hidden talents and attachments that make cleaning your floors and other areas of your home easier.

You want to understand every aspect of your vacuum’s function AND ensure you use the right tools and settings to avoid overworking your vacuum. Reading the user’s manual is essential as, with proper use, you prolong the life of your vacuum while optimizing performance to make cleaning easier.

Get Organized When Vacuuming

Using an organized approach to vacuuming is far more effective than attacking your cleaning willy-nilly. When you go at it without a plan in mind, you can easily miss areas of the carpet that can lead to uneven wear, not to mention create dirtier areas in your living space. This defeats the purpose of vacuuming. The best way to tackle vacuuming is to start in one corner of the room and vacuum across each area from wall to wall, working your way back out of the room. You’ll vacuum faster and hit every spot, so your floors/carpets are cleaned thoroughly and evenly.

Use the Right Attachment for the Job

As mentioned above, using your vacuum and all its attachments correctly makes a big difference in the life and effectiveness of your vacuum. Your attachments tend to tackle three fundamental jobs:

1. Dusting
2. Crevices
3. Upholstery

Using the right tool for the job not only ensures you work smarter and faster but also reduces wear and tear on the attachment and the materials in your home. Again, refer to your manual to ensure you become familiar with all the wondrous jobs your vacuum can tackle so you use them correctly and spend less time cleaning.

Replace the Bag/Empty the Canister

Regardless of your vacuum type, it has a container to capture dust and debris. Whether it’s a bag or canister, this container must be emptied to ensure your vacuum operates properly. The fuller the container, the less effective your vacuum becomes AND the more energy it wastes. As a result, both you and your vacuum work harder to clean your floors. Keeping an eye on your debris container and emptying it when it is half to three-quarters full keeps your vacuum operating at peak performance and energy efficiency.

Watch for Large Items

It just takes one rogue bottle cap to plug up your vacuum and wreak havoc on the entire system. As you vacuum, watch for items that can cause issues, from bottle caps to hair ties and pieces of paper to cotton swabs. Pick up anything large in your path, and your vacuum will thank you with improved performance.

Don’t Force It

Vacuums are designed to last, but abuse can lead to serious damage. Don’t yank the parts, force the vacuum to do things it isn’t designed to do, or generally mistreat your vacuum. Handle the parts and operation carefully, lifting it when it gets stuck. Avoid yanking on the hose or wire, and ensure you aren’t pulling the hose and wire too taut. Move the vacuum where you need it and plug it into the closest outlet (including central vac outlets) while you work to avoid damage.

Maintain Your Vacuum

Have your vacuum checked every year or two to look for signs of wear and tear. Most good quality vacuums include a warranty and free parts. The sooner you start a maintenance regime, the less you’ll spend on parts and repairs, and the better the performance and longer the life.

For more information about Vacuum Specialist’s vacuum services and maintenance, click here. We offer free estimates in our Calgary stores, with 48-hour fast turn-around inspections.