subject: How To Properly Vacuum The Carpet In Your Home [print this page] These days it's somewhat hard to tell a clean carpet from a dirty carpet because of the way that modern carpet is made. Looks can be deceiving though and failing to keep your carpet cleaned could cause long term damage to it. Here is some information on how to properly vacuum the carpet in your home.
Why Is Not Vacuuming Bad For Your Carpet?
Not vacuuming is not a good thing because of the effects that dirt and debris can have on your carpet. When left settled into the fibers of the carpet, dirt and debris can rip and tear at it leaving and damaged and wore out. Dirt particles have sharp edges that can cut into the individual fibers of carpet and wreak havoc on them. Over time, your carpet will look worse and worse each day if you fail to clean it.
Everyday foot traffic can damage carpet also. Heavy footsteps can press down carpet strands and damage them. If this is allowed to go on without vacuuming, the rate at which carpet wears out will continually increase. Vacuuming carpet essentially fluffs carpet much like a pillow and gets the individual carpet fibers standing upright again, leaving your carpet looking looking more full and like-new.
Focus On High Traffic Areas First
High traffic areas are the most critical with regard to the health of your carpet. Pay close attention to these areas and take care of them first. If you only have a short time to complete your vacuuming task, consider hitting these areas and worry about areas that see little foot traffic second.
Proper Vacuum Cleaner Height Settings
Most vacuums come with a carpet height setting that dictates how much space comes between the rollers and the floor surface. For thick carpets, the highest setting should be used in order to be the most effective. For short carpets and hardwood floors, the lowest possible setting is preferable.
Choosing The Right Vacuum Cleaner
Proper cleaning of the carpet in your home also starts with choosing the right vacuum cleaner for the job. One of the most important factors that you must focus on when selecting a vacuum cleaner for your home is suction power. Thicker carpets will require a higher level of suction, while homes with short carpet will require less suction power.
If your home has a lot of small nooks and crannies that need to be vacuumed, or if you have a lot of stairs and elevated carpeted surfaces, then you might consider alternatives such as the backpack vacuum for an increased level of ease of use.
Ensuring That Your Vacuum Cleaner Runs Effectively
Finally, properly vacuuming carpet not only includes vacuuming techniques, but it also includes making sure that your equipment is running properly. Make sure that your vacuum cleaner is free of clogs and that the rollers are not constricted by strands of hair, string, or other debris items of substantial length. You can increase suction power by ensuring that all filters are cleaned, hoses are cleared, all storage tanks are emptied, and all bags (if equipped) are emptied as well.
