Cleaning Tips

Vacuuming is a necessary part of the everyday cleaning of your home. Knowing how to use your vacuum cleaner correctly will make the job of vacuuming simpler and more satisfying.

A standard size canister vacuum cleaner comes with at least one large head attachment and several other small attachments for cleaning specific areas in your home. The large head is for general cleaning of all the floors in your home and the small attachments serve as tools for accessing tight spaces, fabric-covered furniture, light fixtures and many other areas where dust accumulates over time.

One common mistake many of us make is not adjusting the roller brush for cleaning different types of flooring. The switch on the top of your vacuum cleaner head controls the roller brush inside the head. The roller brush can be extended or retracted depending on the type of surface you are cleaning. It may not seem that important, but it will make a difference in the cleanliness of your carpets and rugs and protect your hard surface flooring from scratches. Not using the correct setting can also damage your machine by causing it to overheat.

When cleaning hardwood, concrete or tile floors you should use the switch on your vacuum head to extend the roller brush. The brush will help to grab up dust and tiny particles. It will also prevent the hard plastic or metal frame of the vacuum head from causing scratches on your floor.

If the roller brush is not extended when cleaning hard floor surfaces, the head will suction tightly with the floor and put a harmful strain on the motor of the vacuum cleaner. After just 10-15 minutes the strain on the motor will cause the vacuum to overheat and your machine will automatically shut off. Over time, your vacuum cleaner will stop working.

When you are cleaning carpeted areas or rugs in your home, the roller brush should be retracted. This allows the vacuum to have direct suction with the fibers in your carpet and rugs to provide the best removal of dust and small particles of dirt. Though the suction is direct, it is not a sealed suction like on hard floor surfaces and does not cause undo strain on the motor.

Next time you get out your vacuum cleaner, be sure to check the position of the roller brush inside the head so that you get the most benefit from your hard work while avoiding any unnecessary damage to your floors or your vacuum cleaner.