How to Vacuum a Carpet (The Safe and Correct Way)
Vacuuming is one of the most adult things I have to do – I call it an adult thing because I really don’t enjoy any part of it. I do it because I surely need a clean space to do my writing.
Well, over the years, I’ve been coming up with different hacks to make my vacuuming easier, more efficient, and fun. And in this article, I’ll be teaching you how to vacuum a carpet the right way.
Tips on Vacuuming a Carpet
I mean, how hard can vacuuming a carpet be. Right? Many people forget that as you vacuum, you not only want to vacuum but also want to protect your equipment and carpet. And do it as fast as possible (at least that’s one of my goals).
So, here are my steps/tips on how to vacuum a carpet:
1. Clear the Debris
Collecting all the dirt before vacuuming feels like double work, but they’re so many consequences of skipping this part. One, the debris can get stuck to your vacuum and clog it.
The debris could get stuck in the hose pipe or the vacuum bag. This can affect the suction power of your vacuum cleaner, meaning you’ll get bad results, and it will potentially take you more time to vacuum.
Therefore, always make a habit of collecting the large debris before you start vacuuming.
2. Choose the Right Vacuum Cleaner
There are different brands and types of vacuum cleaners in the market. They all vary in cost and features. But before we get to the best vacuum cleaners in the market, let’s talk about types of vacuum cleaners.
You can go for a handheld cleaner, upright vacuum, or canister, among other cleaners.
An upright model usually is heavier and has a very strong suction power, and a canister has wheels that can be used to move it during cleaning. While this sounds great, it depends on the structure of your home and the nature of the carpet. A canister’s wheels are likely to get stuck, especially on highly piled carpets.
To choose a suitable model, always choose the vacuum you need based on the manufacturer’s description. This allows you to choose the best vacuum cleaner that best suits your carpet needs.
3. Click the Right Settings
If I had a nickel for every time someone told me their vacuum was dead only to find out they forgot to use the right settings, I’d be done paying my student loans.
Anyway, you get the drift.
Use the right settings when vacuuming. Here is a small checklist to guide you.
Crevice and Mini-Motorized Brush
If you’re vacuuming a high-pile rug, a motorized brush will help you reach the hidden particles and debris in the carpet. On the other hand, a crevice will help you maneuver the hidden areas of your carpet. This is especially practical when you’re vacuuming a carpeted floor.
Simply stated, consider all the special vacuum features to make your work easier.
Beater Brush Bar
A beater brush bar comes in handy when vacuuming a medium or low pile carpet. Beater brushes help lift and loosen any debris stuck in your carpet.
However, be careful as the brushes are a little stiff, and they can damage high-pile carpets by tangling their fibers.
Adjustable Height
One of the features you don’t want your vacuum to miss is the adjustable height. Vacuums that allow you a little flexibility provide the best suction to clean a carpet.
The adjustable height is crucial because some beater brushes are incompatible with certain carpets. This feature lets you raise the brush high to ensure the carpet fibers remain intact.
It also helps to have an adjustable beater brush that you can switch off when you’re vacuuming delicate carpets.
4. Start Vacuuming
Now that you’ve prepared your space and have your cleaner in the correct settings, it’s time to get the job done. First, start by focusing on the high-traffic areas of your home, such as the living room and kitchen. Use a systematic approach, working from one end of the room to the other, ensuring that you give each area a thorough clean. Once the surfaces and furniture are taken care of, don’t forget about tidying up your floors. Whether it’s vacuuming, sweeping, or mopping, giving your floors a good clean will bring the whole room together and leave your space feeling fresh and renewed.
Vacuum slowly and clean in strokes to make your work easier; remember to overlap the strokes to get rid of all debris.
If you’re using an upright vacuum, cleaning under the couch or any furniture can be very stressful. Therefore, ensure you clean the space in two to four passes. Another tip to make your work easier is using a stick vacuum to clean the areas that are hard to reach once or thrice a week, depending on the traffic.
On the other hand, using a stick vacuum makes your work a little easier, especially in pulling the debris from under the furniture. Remember to use the right attachments to clean areas behind the tight spaces, fixtures, and wall edges.
If you’re a pet parent, you may need a pet hair attachment to remove any pet hair embedded in the furniture.
Like using an upright vacuum, clean the carpet in two or four passes while keeping in mind the overlaps.
Carpet Vacuuming Hacks
Now that you know the right way to vacuum a carpet, it’s time to learn a few hacks to help you further in vacuuming.
Here are some tips:
1. Always Remember the Places You Can See
I know how boring vacuuming those hidden areas can be, and sometimes (or most times), you want to pass them for “next time.” Unfortunately, these hidden places are the biggest debris carriers, including dust mites.
These areas include the sofa cushions, behind curtains, and under furniture. It’s imperative to clean these areas as it helps eliminate dust particles that cause allergies. Speaking of couches, cleaning vomit from microfiber couches has a pretty interesting process.
2. Vacuum Slowly
I know you’re in a rush to finish your vacuuming, but the best way to clean your carpet is to vacuum slowly, as it allows better airflow through the vacuum head. It also helps the brush bar to loosen debris between the carpet fibers. Slow vacuuming also ensures you capture all the dirt hidden in the carpet fibers.
3. Run Your Vacuum on the Spot a Couple of Times
When vacuuming your carpet, ensure you run through every row carefully to clean all the debris.
That said, ensure you regulate the number of times you run your vacuum on the same spot, depending on how delicate your carpet is.
4. Use Stain Removers
Sometimes, spilling some coffee or soup on your carpet seems inevitable, no matter how careful you are. And, while vacuuming helps clean your carpet, some stains can be very tough.
The best way to deal with stains is to use friendly stain removers. I normally pour and rub a stain remover on my carpet 20-60 minutes before vacuuming.
By doing so, I don’t have to run the vacuum cleaner so many times on the stain before it wears off. This saves me time and protects my carpet too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you use the brush when vacuuming carpet?
The brush helps to remove dirt and debris from the carpet. It is important to use the brush when vacuuming carpets because it will help to keep them clean and looking new.
How do you fix Ripples in Carpet?
If the carpet is only rippled at the ends, then cut off the loose fibers with scissors. If the problem is more widespread, then you will need to take up the entire section of carpet and reattach the edges with carpet tape. Make sure that the carpet is level before taping it down so that it does not bunch up. To make your carpet stay in it’s place, it’s critical that you choose the best double sided carpet tape from the store.
Why do I feel itchy after vacuuming?
One potential reason you might feel itchy after vacuuming is that the vacuum cleaner might have disturbed any dust mites or allergens that were present. Dust mites and allergens can cause a variety of symptoms, including itchy skin. If you are allergic to dust mites, it is important to take steps to reduce their numbers.
Wrapping Up
I love how warm my carpet keeps my feet, but I’m not always all smiles on the cleaning day. However, the only way to enjoy a warm carpet without coughing your lungs out from all the dust and debris is by vacuuming it correctly.
I hope you learned a few new tricks on vacuuming a carpet correctly from this post. Also, remember to place them where you can easily access them during cleaning sessions. Finally, storing a vacuum is as important as using it. If you have any doubt, why not take a look at how to store the vacuum cleaner section.
Now back to you. How often do you vacuum your carpet?
