by Nicole Merkt
It’s surprising to hear how often you should vacuum! The Carpet and Rug Institute recommends vacuuming at least once a week. (https://carpet-rug.org/carpet-for-homes/cleaning-and-maintenance/). Can you believe that! We all know that with a busy schedule that can be difficult. Between picking up the kids from school or stopping to get groceries, it’s hard to find time to maintain the carpet the way the manufacturer and cleaning industry recommends. The good news is we have tips to make vacuuming easier and more effective.
Don’t Cut Corners
It is very important to clean the edges along your carpeting. Often times this can be neglected leading to soil filtration lines. This is often what appears as the black or dark lining around the edges of the room.
Particles move in the air and with the force of gravity will fall along flat surfaces such as a wall or door. With years of buildup, this can become a permanent stain. With periodic vacuuming of the corners and edges, we can avoid this problem all together! The link below offers some great tips to help alleviate this problem. Check it out!
The Cleaner the Better!
Whether you have a canister or bag vacuum, it is critical to keep it clean. A clean vacuum is an effective vacuum! Surprisingly, you should not wait until your vacuum bag or canister is full to empty it. When there is too much debris or dust in your vacuum it can affect the performance and effectiveness.
For canister vacuums the best is to empty it after each use, and wet clean the canister and filter at least twice a month (depending on how often you vacuum). If you have a vacuum with a bag, it is recommended to replace the bag when it is one-third to half full. Keeping your vacuum clean can not only increase the cleanliness in your home, but also help the longevity of your investment in the vacuum.
The More the Merrier
With so much going on vacuuming is often the last thing on our mind. We just quickly run over the carpet to make sure it looks good, right? Unfortunately, that really won’t be enough. If possible, when you do your routine vacuuming it is best to change directions and also pass over the carpet not once, but several times. This can be a time-consuming chore; however, it can be a great benefit to you and your family! Not only does this provide a healthy home, but it can save you money as well. Consistent vacuum cleanings can help the longevity of the carpet and protect your investment. With vacuuming often and a regular professional cleaning your carpets can last longer than you would think! Take it from Jessica Fisher, from life as a mom says “it’s a cheap renter’s carpet in beige, so there’s only so much you can do, but daily vacuuming had helped”. (https://lifeasmom.com/how-often-should-you-vacuum/). The simple step of vacuuming regularly will help to keep your carpets vibrant and healthy!
Simple steps such as these can help not only provide a healthy home, but maintain the life of your carpet. The little things make a big difference and can make your life easier. If your vacuum isn’t functioning effectively, why bother breaking your back to have minimal results, right? Let us know what vacuum you prefer, bag or canister and what works best for your home.
Staff writer: Nicole Merkt, IICRC Carpet, Upholstery & Fabric, and Odor Control Technician