Vacuum Cleaning 101: How to Deal With Dust the Right Way
Vacuuming – you either love it or you hate it. Regardless of which side of the fence you sit on, one thing that we can all agree on is that vacuuming plays an essential part in any cleaning routine. What most people don’t know, however, is that there is so much more to vacuuming than just turning the power on and sucking away. Using the right technique when vacuuming will help you clean your home more effectively and can even save you precious time when done right. In today’s article, we look at 7 tips that will have you vacuuming like a pro in no time, so read on to find out more!
1. Use The Right Vacuum Cleaner
Whilst it may be tempting to purchase a run of the mill $20 vacuum cleaner from your local shopping centre, we highly recommend setting aside a few hundred dollars and investing in a quality vacuum cleaner that will last you for years. Cheaper vacuum cleaners often don’t provide as much suction or power than quality ones, and all too often they end up getting clogged or simply just stop working after a few months of heavy use. Using a quality machine is also a great way to ensure that you are maximising your cleaning time, instead of having to go over every single spot 3-4 times to pick up debris, dirt and dust.
2. Have A Strategy In Place
I know what you’re probably thinking…a strategy for vacuuming? Well, it’s simpler than it sounds. A general rule of thumb when it comes to vacuuming like a pro is to work top to bottom—start with curtains, followed by furniture and upholstery and then finally attack the floors. Don’t be afraid of using those extra tools that come with your vacuum cleaner too – they’re there to serve a purpose after all! A great tip is to use the upholstery brush for sofas, chairs and cushions, especially if you have pets that love leaving a trail of fur behind. When it comes to the floors, leave them to the last minute as this tends to be where dirt accumulates when you are busy vacuuming your furniture and curtains. You’ll thank me later!
3. Always Empty The Bag or Canister
This one seems a little too obvious to be on this list, but you’d be surprised at how many people neglect the replacing of vacuum bags or emptying of the canister. Failing to do so may cause your vacuum cleaner to overheat and can greatly reduce the suction power, resulting in you not only being frustrated but also having to spend extra time going over the same spot twice (or thrice!).
4. Ensure You Clear Your Space
Vacuum cleaners are great at sucking up dirt and debris but they are not designed to pick up your kids’ or pet’s toys. Before you even start vacuuming, we highly recommend doing a quick sweep of the room and picking up items such as toys, loose change, paper clips, bobby pins or anything else that might jam the vacuum. It is also important that your floors and carpets are completely dry – the last thing you want is for moisture to enter your vacuum cleaner and run the risk of electrocution and serious damage to the machine.
5. Don’t Rush It
Did you know that vacuum cleaners work best when you go slow? So, instead of frantically running around the house with your hoover, we highly recommend taking your time and running your vacuum across the floor/carpet slowly. The reason behind this? Well, vacuuming slowly allows the machine to suck up more debris, resulting in a cleaner home. Going over areas such as rugs slowly also allows the machine to agitate fibres, sucking up the unclean bits that emerge!
6. Spot Treating Is Key
Vacuum cleaners can do a lot of things, but one thing they are incapable of doing (unless you have a Bissell carpet shampooer), is remove tough spots and stains. If you spill something on your rug or carpet, we highly recommend treating it with stain remover immediately. This helps to minimise the likelihood of a permanent stain and will help keep your carpet in good condition for longer.
7. Choose The Right Setting
Last but not least, you need to choose the right setting when vacuuming various rooms and surfaces in your home. Most of us are guilty of just using one setting on a vacuum cleaner which is a shame, considering most quality vacuum cleaners come with a variety of specialised settings to make your life that much easier. The settings on your vacuum cleaner should be adjusted in accordance with the type of surface you are vacuuming in order for the best suction. You may have to switch settings depending on which area of the home you are cleaning, but trust us when we say – it’s worth it!
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And there you have it – how to vacuum like a pro! Vacuuming doesn’t have to be a chore that you abhor – in fact, when done right, it can be an incredibly rewarding experience AND you get to enjoy a fresh, clean and bright home on top of it! A win-win situation if you ask us!
