We at J and R’s Carpet Cleaning care about more than just your floors. We care about your health as well. Let’s face it, when we come to clean your flooring, carpet, drapery or upholstery we are doing more than just making it look nice. We are removing allergens, dust and sometimes chemicals that can be a health hazard to you and your family. But what can you do between visits to help maintain that cleanliness? Well, for starters, you can clean the one appliance that can do the most harm and harbor the most bacteria, your vacuum!! We found this great article on onegoodthingbyjillee.com. While this may not work for every vacuum or every person, she does have many good points and we feel that it is absolutely relevant to most peoples lives. So, without further ado…
Vacuum cleaners are one of man’s greatest inventions, in my opinion. I really dislike sweeping, so I love being able to use my vacuum to clean both my carpets and my hard floors. But like any machine, vacuums need to be cleaned and maintained regularly for them to work properly. If you’re not maintaining your vacuum, you may actually be spreading dirt around rather than cleaning it up!
Fortunately, you don’t need to be an appliance repair specialist to keep your vacuum working well. Just by following a few simple steps, your vacuum cleaner should serve you well for years to come. (Oh, and I’m sure this is obvious, but you can never be too careful – always unplug your vacuum before cleaning or servicing!)
How To Clean And Maintain Your Vacuum
Step 1 – Empty and Clean the Dust Cup
The dust/dirt collection cup should be emptied regularly, before it gets full. If you operate the vacuum when the dust cup is full, you’re forcing the vacuum to work harder than it should, which could lead to damage. It only takes a second to empty, so it’s best to just get into the habit of emptying the cup before you put it back in the closet after each use.
In addition to regularly emptying the cup, you should also give it a thorough cleaning once a month or so. Just give it a good wash inside and out with warm, soapy water. Let it dry completely before replacing it.
Step 2 – Replace or Wash the Filters
Most vacuum cleaners have one or more filters that need to be cleaned or replaced on a regular basis. The filters are there to keep dust and dirt inside the vacuum. If the vacuum filters get clogged up, you may just be spreading dust and dirt around your home, rather than sucking it up. So don’t neglect those filters!
If your vacuum has a squishy foam filter, those can usually be washed by hand and reused again. This should be done once every couple of months. Let it air dry, but make sure it is COMPLETELY dry before replacing it. Forcing dusty air through a still-damp filter can encourage the growth of mold and mildew, and it will make your vacuum smell unpleasantly musty while you’re using it (unfortunately I’m speaking from personal experience here!)
Many modern vacuums also have a cartridge-style HEPA filter, usually made of special pleated paper or similar materials. These filters generally cannot be washed, and should be replaced about twice per year.
Check the owner’s manual for your vacuum for full details how and when to clean or replace your vacuum’s filters. If you don’t have the owner’s manual handy, most vacuum manufacturers make them available to download on their website. (A quick Google search of your vacuum’s make and model should point you in the right direction!)
For the rest of this article, go to onegoodthingbyjillee.com