Vacuuming Secrets To Success

Vacuuming secrets to success. Gimme an "L"! There really is more to vacuuming than just plugging in the vacuum cleaner and giving your carpet the once over.

To suck up all the dirt and dust hidden among the fibers requires a full 20 seconds or so of going back and forth over each area of the carpet or rug with the vacuum cleaner.

Issue those instructions to your kid, and you'll receive a resounding, "Boooooring!" Instead, ask your son or daughter to vacuum until Mom or Dad can see the letter of his or her first name in the carpet in a neat little pattern. 

Here are the vacuuming secrets to success so that you can get the dirty jobs done right  - and teach the kids to do the same.

Vacuuming Secrets to Success - Use The Right Vacuum For The Job

Regular vacuuming is hands down the best way to clean carpet fibers and to increase the time between deep carpet cleanings in high traffic areas.

The best way to clean carpet is to use a vacuum cleaner with a rotating brush or beater bar at least twice a week, more frequently in high traffic areas. (Sorry!)  

Pull the vacuum cleaner back and forth to get embedded dirt out of your carpet. Change the vacuum cleaner bag often and keep brushes clean.

Vacuuming Secrets to Success - Make Those Carpet Patterns Show

Here's how to teach the kids to leave those carpet or rug patterns - like the letter of his or her first name - that announces to the world: "I've just been cleaned!"

Pretend you're mowing the lawn. (This is an excellent job for the kids by the way. They love this stuff.) Divide the area into 3- or 4-foot visual strips, and tackle each piece with a back-and-forth motion.

Use the same technique for floors. (Although you won't, of course, get those pretty stripes that scream "I've just been cleaned!") This last step is purely for appearance's sake, however. 

Vacuuming Secrets to Success - Keeping Carpet Looking Good

Here's how to care for your carpet to keep it looking good between cleanings and vacuumings and help it last longer:

  • Keep curtains closed when you're not in the room to keep the carpet from fading.
  • Use coasters under furniture.
  • Don't roll or pull things directly across the carpet.
  • Be careful using strong chemicals near carpets.
  • Deep carpet cleaning is essential at least twice a year, more often if you have kids and pets or an allergy sufferer in residence.

If your carpet has stains, however, the machine won't do much. These tips for removing common carpet stains, however, can help.

Finally, if you're in the market for a new vacuum, be sure to read this guide on choosing a vacuum.


You Might Like These:

  • Surface disinfecting after illness. The importance of surface disinfecting increases when someone in your home has the telltale signs of a cold or other viruses or complains of an upset tummy.

    Surface Disinfecting After Illness

    Surface disinfecting after illness. The importance of surface disinfecting increases when someone in your home has the telltale signs of a cold or other viruses or complains of an upset tummy.

  •  Cleaning tile floors is easy - by design. There are many advantages to tile: It doesn't stain, scratch, or burn easily and it's  easy to clean.

    Cleaning Tile Floors

    Cleaning tile floors is easy - by design. There are many advantages to tile: It doesn't stain, scratch, or burn easily and it's easy to clean.

  • Cleaning brass is easy to do at home, thanks to the built-in germicidal and antimicrobial components. These bright ideas for cleaning brass can bring back the sassy shine you love.

    Bright Ideas for Cleaning Brass

    Cleaning brass is easy to do at home, thanks to the built-in germicidal and antimicrobial components. These bright ideas for cleaning brass can bring back the sassy shine you love.

  • Tips for cleaning purses. This s a task we often overlook. Yet we put our purses down in some rather unsavory places from time to time. It's time come clean.

    Tips For Cleaning Purses

    Tips for cleaning purses. This s a task we often overlook. Yet we put our purses down in some rather unsavory places from time to time. It's time come clean.

  • Cleaning lighting fixtures. Lighting fixtures need cleaning about once a month. These cleaning tips can help you clean them properly - and get all that wattage you're paying for.

    Cleaning Lighting Fixtures

    Cleaning lighting fixtures. Lighting fixtures need cleaning about once a month. These cleaning tips can help you clean them properly - and get all that wattage you're paying for.

  • When cleaning stainless steel pans, rinse your pieces under warm running water and mild soap. Resist the urge to submerge: Less is more here.

    Cleaning Stainless Steel Pans

    When cleaning stainless steel pans, rinse your pieces under warm running water and mild soap. Resist the urge to submerge: Less is more here.

  • A cleaner, tidier home ineedn't consume your life. Even if you abhor a vacuum you can do it right - and fast with these 7 resolutions for a cleaner new year.

    Resolutions for A Cleaner New Year

    A cleaner, tidier home ineedn't consume your life. Even if you abhor a vacuum you can do it right - and fast with these 7 resolutions for a cleaner new year.

  • Tips for choosing a vacuum. How times change. These tips can help you make a smart choice for your home's flooring.

    Tips For Choosing a Vacuum

    Tips for choosing a vacuum. How times change. These tips can help you make a smart choice for your home's flooring.