For many home and business owners vacuuming carpets and area rugs is a daily chore especially if you have children, pets or in the case of a business heavy foot traffic. Your carpet is essentially a huge air filter that traps dirt and debris and a regular once over with the vacuum will keep your carpets clean between professional cleanings. Even pushing your vacuum back and forth will pick up surface dirt but have you ever wondered if there is a better way to keep your flooring clean by making better use of your vacuum? Carpet Dry Tech explores this below.
Common Vacuum Attachments and the Ideal Settings
Using the right tool for the job will certainly make your life easier and the majority of vacuums can be purchased with a series of attachments which typically include a brush specially designed to vacuum vents, a long thin attachment called a crevice tool which will allow you to easily reach corners and other hard to reach areas, a tool specially designed to pick up dirt from your upholstery, drapes, furniture, mattresses and more, and a dusting brush to take care of areas which require a light hand. Using the correct tool will cut down the amount of time you spend cleaning but according to the knowledgeable experts at Carpet Dry Tech, you can gain a lot more by selecting the correct setting for the chore. The next time you pull your vacuum out to use it look for the knob which indicates the different settings. The setting on your vacuum ensures that the vacuum makes the correct contact with the surface while allowing for the optimal amount of airflow.
Vacuum Cleaner Settings
The setting found on most vacuum cleaners includes:
Low Pile Setting: is ideal for commercial carpeting that is flat by allowing for excellent airflow while making good contact with the flooring.
High Pile Setting: this setting is designed for a variety of carpeting including wool, wool blend, and high pile carpets. The setting works by allowing your vacuum to produce the right amount of airflow for effective suction to remove not only the surface dirt but also the dirt trapped deep within the fibers of your carpets.
Bare Floor Setting: Just as the name implies, this setting is for hardwood floors and other types of flooring other than carpets. If your vacuum does not come with a bare floor setting, don’t use it on your hardwoods, you run the risk of scratching and damaging your flooring with the brush because the pile height will not be set in the correct position.
How Often Should You Vacuum Your Carpets?
At the very least you should vacuum your entire home weekly, but keep in mind that high-traffic areas should be vacuumed once a day, and medium-traffic areas at least twice per week. To maximize your efforts, consider dusting surfaces such as furniture and blinds before vacuuming your flooring. The correct vacuum method involves pushing and pulling your vacuum backwards and forwards in a slow steady pattern overlapping each area as you go. Concentrate on the edges of the baseboards and corners which tend to build up dust and debris by utilizing your crevice tool.
Tips to Maximize Your Vacuuming Routine
• Clean brushes on a regular basis and replace them when necessary.
• Keep close checks on the bottom of your vacuum paying particular attention to any worn pieces that could potentially damage your carpets and flooring.
• Empty or replace your vacuum bag when it gets ½ full to maximize suction.
• Unclog your hose using a vacuum cleaner snake when needed.
With the proper care and correct vacuuming methods, you can preserve the appearance of your carpets between professional cleanings while shortening the exposure time to the potential health risks associated with airborne pathogens in the form of dirt and other debris.
Carpet Cleaning, Stain Removal & More in Marietta, Roswell, Alpharetta, Sandy Springs, Johns Creek, Atlanta & Greater Woodstock, GA
For more information regarding professional residential and commercial carpet cleaning services, contact the knowledgeable experts at Carpet Dry Tech today.