Here at Kill Devil Hills Chem-Dry, we know a lot about caring for your carpet. One of the best ways to maintain healthy carpets between professional cleanings is to vacuum regularly. If your home has carpet, chances are good that you have used a vacuum before, but did you know that you might be using it wrong? Check out these tips to make sure that you are getting the most out of your vacuum!
Before you even touch your vacuum, clear the room that you plan to clean. This includes moving furniture (where possible), picking up larger items, and scanning for smaller objects that might hide out in the carpet. This third step is particularly crucial, because paper clips, jewelry, and other small items are easy to miss, but they can wreak havoc on your vacuum cleaner.
The next step is to dust the shelves, furniture, and ledges in the room that you plan to vacuum. No matter how good your duster is, it can’t trap everything, and you will inevitably stir some of those particles up into the air. Those dust particles will get trapped in your carpet, and so dusting before you vacuum makes sure that dust and dust mites won’t have anywhere to hide.
When you do start vacuuming, it is important to vacuum against the nap, so that the carpet stands straight up. Go over each area more than once, and then run the vacuum in the opposite direction for the same amount of time. Vacuuming in every direction means that dirt can’t hide.
It is tempting to run a vacuum over your carpet as quickly as possible and move on with your day, but your vacuum needs time to do its job. Go slowly as you vacuum, and go over spots more than once. That will ensure that you get the most out of each use of your vacuum. Another element of quality vacuuming is paying special attention to the edges of the room. That probably means breaking out the hose attachment and spending an extra couple of minutes, but the benefits to your carpet will be well worth it, trust us.
To make sure that your vacuum works as effectively as possible, make sure that it doesn’t fill up. If your vacuum uses bags, make sure that they are replaced regularly. If not, empty the canister as often as possible, to maximize the amount of suction that your vacuum has.
Because vacuuming isn’t always enough, industry experts recommend that homeowners clean their carpets every 3-6 months. Let Kill Devil Hills Chem-Dry keep your home as healthy as possible, so you can focus on what matters!
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