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How to Vacuum

Posted on July 5th, 2009 by Carmelia
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Vacuuming is one of the most basic household chores, but different methods are used for the different things you vacuum. Here are some tips and advice for cleaning every part of your house with a vacuum…thoroughly.

How to Vacuum a Carpet

  1. Once you’ve turned the vacuum on, make the backstroke (the movement making the vacuum come closer to you) slower and make it go forward faster. The backstroke cleans better than the forward motion, so you don’t need to go slow both ways.
  2. Move the vacuum straight about five feet from you and go straight back where you originated.
  3. On the second stroke, angle the vacuum a few inches to the right.
  4. Once you’ve gone through the whole rug, turn around and cover the area opposite until you go back to the originating point.
  5. Use the crevice nozzle to clean the edges of your carpet.

How to Vacuum Furniture

    vacuuming

  1. Use the upholstery nozzle for your vacuum cleaner when dealing with upholstered furniture. Use the crevice nozzle for corners and edges. The dust brush nozzle is best for leather upholstered furniture.
  2. Use a low vacuum setting for delicate fabrics.
  3. Run the nozzle an inch or less off the furniture. You can press the nozzle straight on if the fabric can withstand it.
  4. Again, make a fast forward movement and a slower backstroke when vacuuming. Finish all the flat surfaces first before focusing on vacuuming the furniture crevices.

How to Vacuum Floors

  1. Pick up or sweep your floor first to get rid of bigger particles that may cause your vacuum to clog.
  2. Unlike rugs and upholstery, you can focus more on vacuuming forward than on the backstroke.
  3. Make first stroke straight, the second stroke slightly angled. Overlapping strokes make for a more thorough cleaning.
  4. Use a damp rag to clean the corners of your floor.

How to Vacuum Stairs

  1. Carpeted stairs can be quite tricky, but not impossible to vacuum. Start by sweeping or picking up bigger particles that can clog your vacuum cleaner.
  2. Use the wide attachment vacuum nozzle. Having a rotor can help maneuvering with each step.
  3. Start from the top step, moving up and down and right to left. Progress downwards
  4. Once you’re done with all the steps, attach a crevice nozzle to vacuum the corners and edges of the steps. Again, do this from top to bottom.

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    Comments

    1. Grant Alan said,

      on July 27th, 2009 at 1:16 pm

      There is another way to vacuum that’s just as good, maybe better than a HEPA Vac system. You can use a shop vac WITH one modification.

      In no case is a “shop vac” a HEPA VAC. If you use a shop vac it in the house to clean and vacuum your matress, pillows and bedroom carpeting, all you’ll do is spread the mites and their waste all over the house.

      BUT you can do this . . . either put the shop vac outside (all house windows and doors closed except the bedroom window) and shoot the hose back into the house thru the window OR, do like I do, and keep the Shop Vac in the house and send the exhaust through another hose to the outside through the window. Be sure to put either the vac or hose down wind or the floaters will come back into the house via your bedroom window.

      Now I realize that not all shop vacs have an exhaust air connector. But those of you who do can use the vac inside and get another hose, sending the exhaust outside.

      Yes, it does work.