Proper vacuuming is the easiest and most effective way tokeep your carpet clean. Removing loose soil while it remains on the carpet surface prevents dirt from being ground into the carpet pile. Removing embedded soil is more difficult and time consuming than removing surface soil.
Before vacuuming your carpet, check the beater bar height.
Most upright vacuums are equipped with a beater bar brush attached to the underside of the unit. The beater setting can make, or break, your new carpet. If it’s set too low, it will be hard to push, and can cause damage. For looped pile carpets, it is recommended that you use a suction-only or canister vacuum. If this type of vacuum is not available, be sure to set the beater bar on its highest setting. This setting should lift the beater bar into the unit, pulling it away from the carpet pile.
Tips for selecting the right vacuum
A good vacuum typically has features that allow you to adjust the height, beater bar rotation and fan speed. Vacuums with large wheels, self-propelled vacuums and/or specialty tools can also help ensure easy and effective carpet maintenance.
How to vacuum
Use slow, repetitive front-to-back motions in an overlapping sequence. A quick once over doesn’t do much. On the other hand, don’t press down or make too many passes over the same spot. Instead, move slightly to the left or right about every four strokes.
Setting the right vacuuming frequency
You should vacuum at least once a week with a CRI (Carpet and Rug Institute) Seal of Approval/Green Label vacuum cleaner. However, the more foot traffic over your carpet, the more you need to vacuum.
Vacuum Care Tips
- Periodically inspect your vacuum to keep it functioning properly.
- Keep the instructions that came with your vacuum and refer to them periodically.
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Keep brushes clean (for example, remove tangled hair) and replace them when worn. Typically, worn brushes are stiff, which cause surface texture change on carpet.
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Empty containers or replace bags when half full.
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Look for rough edges or bent metal on your machine that can snag carpet.