Vacuuming 101

by Sherry Holetzky | More from this Blogger

28 Nov 2007 05:33 AM

What do you think about vacuuming? Love it, hate it, indifferent? I'm picky about it, so I usually end up doing it myself. It seems like I end up re-doing it anyway if I ask someone else to do it.

While I've been working hard over the past few years to give up some of my "nitpickier" ways, vacuuming is one thing I still have an issue with. When it's done, I want it to look like somebody just vacuumed. Know what I mean?

While for some people, vacuuming is no biggie, others may find these tips helpful:

1) Make sure the collection canister or vacuum bag is empty before beginning.

Not emptying the debris first will lead to lessened suction. It can also lead to exploding vacuum cleaner bags and other messes. It's just better to start fresh.

2) Give the vacuum cleaner time to cool down between workouts.

If you do all your vacuuming throughout the house at once, your vacuum can overheat. Since many people won't be able to reach the entire house without stopping, unplugging, and finding a new outlet, these moments are good opportunities to let the vacuum rest (and to check the bag or collection receptacle).

3) Remove the attachment and clean corners, baseboards, and around furnishings first.

Look over the room to make sure you won't suck up anything that will damage your vacuum cleaner then run the open hose along the baseboards and edges of large pieces of furniture. Make sure to get the corners. Simply running the attachment along edges rarely does a thorough job.

4) Work in slow, straight lines.

Many people just start vacuuming wherever and keep moving around the room quickly. My problem with this method is that I find it too easy to miss spots this way. By starting on one side of the room and working in straight, slow, overlapping lines, I can be sure to hit every inch. Moving slowly gives the vacuum time to suck up deeper dirt instead of only surface cleaning.

Shop Vac: For the Home as Well as the Shop

Learn more about Sherry Holetzky

Sherry Holetzky is a work at home mom and freelance writer. Married to her best friend, Sherry and her husband are raising their family in a quiet rural setting in the beautiful Ozark Mountains.

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