Vacuuming is the simplest way to keep carpets fresh, but most homeowners don’t know how to do it properly. So, they opt for professional carpet cleaning, which typically costs between £100 and £200 in the UK. Moreover, additional stain removal will cost you £10 to £20 per spot, putting a further burden on your pocket.
We’re not asking you to never take help from a professional carpet cleaner. However, if you learn how to vacuum carpets properly at home, you can delay these visits for many years.
In this article, we’ll discuss different techniques for cleaning carpet with vacuum. We’ll show you all the steps and how to troubleshoot common carpet cleaning issues.
Why Proper Vacuuming Matters to Keep Carpets Clean?
UK homeowners can enjoy these benefits upon opting for regular vacuum carpet cleaning.
- Maintain Appearance: Vacuuming carpets keeps fibers upright and prevents crushing. As a result, clean carpets look newer for a longer time.
- Health and Air Quality: Carpets trap dust, pollen, and pet dander, which deteriorate air quality. So, regular vacuuming, especially with HEPA filters, removes around 90 to 95% of this soil.
- Extend Carpet Life: Dirt acts like sandpaper on fibers. Therefore, try to remove such particles early to prevent abrasion and damage. Applying this method, house owners will get to save money, as clean carpets are easier to maintain.
- Prevent Odors and Infestations: Stains and debris left in carpets can attract pests. However, cleaning carpet with vacuum stops spills from settling, helping prevent mold and odor buildup.
A Detailed Guide on How to Vacuum Carpets Properly
Now, you must be thinking about how to clean your carpets with a vacuum cleaner in the best way possible. We have gathered some tried and tested tips for you to follow.
Step 1. Clean and Prepare the Carpet
Before vacuuming carpets, pick up toys, cables, and loose debris from the carpet. You should also move light furniture, such as chairs, out of the way so you can vacuum underneath and around items.
For very heavy furniture like beds, tackle one section of the floor at a time, moving furniture after vacuuming each area. Also, gently pretreat any visible stains with a carpet cleaner, so the vacuum can pull up loose dirt first.
Step 2. Use the Proper Vacuum Technique
When learning how to vacuum carpets properly, follow these best practices.
- Start at Edges
Begin at the furthest corner of the room and work backwards toward the door so you’re never walking over freshly vacuumed areas.
- Overlapping Passes
Push the vacuum forward slowly, then pull it back over the same strip before moving to the next strip. Overlap each pass by about 50% to cover every inch of carpet.
- Use Cross-Hatch Pattern
Vacuum in multiple directions to suck out every little particle of dirt. Start vacuuming carpet along the pile to lift embedded dirt, then go the opposite way to catch missed debris.
- Adjust Height
Adjust the vacuum’s height or brush setting for your carpet type. For example, go for a higher setting for thick carpets and a lower setting for low-profile carpets.
- Focus More on High-Traffic Areas
When talking about areas with the most dirt, doorways and lounges are top of the list. So, always look to go over these zones 2 to 3 times from multiple angles.
Step 3. Use Vacuum Attachments and Edging Tools
Many vacuums include tools to reach tight spots and protect delicate surfaces. Prefer to use a narrow nozzle along corners for better dirt collection. These edges collect a lot of dust that the main head can’t reach.
If you have a motorized pet-hair attachment, use it on sofas and pet areas to pick up embedded fur. For example, many eufy cord-free vacuums come with multiple attachments to easily clean edges.
How to Choose the Right Vacuum for Your Home?
UK house owners need to consider their carpet types and home size when picking the best vacuum. Also, keep an eye on features like strong suction power and appropriate brush types for cleaning carpet with vacuum.
Factors such as filtration and ease of maintenance also play their part in the choice. In short, pick a vacuum that suits your flooring and cleaning needs. Having the selection criteria in mind, review these common vacuum types to pick the best one.
1. Upright Vacuums
Such models prove to be ideal for large carpeted areas thanks to their wide cleaning heads. In addition to powerful suction, they usually include a rotating brush for easier cleaning. Such vacuums can be bulky but are effective on wall-to-wall carpet.
2. Canister Vacuums
Having a separate canister and flexible hose, these vacuums are very maneuverable. They handle corners and furniture folds more easily than uprights. Canisters often come with a variety of attachments, producing less noise than normal.
3. Cordless Stick Vacuums
For those looking for convenience, cordless stick vacuums come with swappable modes for quick clean-ups. Such vacuums prove to be perfect for medium-sized homes and spots.
An example is the eufy E20 3-in-1, which can convert from a handheld to a stick mode. You can even use this equipment as a robo-vac to handle multiple tasks.
4. Robot Vacuums
Automated robots are perfect for vacuuming carpets on a schedule with minimal effort. The eufy RoboVac E25 Omni appears to be a perfect example with strong 20,000 suction for proper carpet cleaning.
Moreover, it features a smart navigation system to find its way through while cleaning carpets. However, you need to prepare the carpet first by removing cables and small objects.
Troubleshooting Common Carpet Vacuuming Issues
Even with the right technique, problems can arise after learning how to vacuum carpets properly. Here are some frequent vacuum issues and fixes:
Problem 1. Suction Loss
In case your vacuum is picking up the debris from the carpet, there may be an issue with its suction power. Avoiding this issue is simple, as you can empty the dust container or replace the bag to maintain maximum suction. Furthermore, try to keep the HEPA filters clean for better cleaning.
Problem 2. Excess Lint or Fluff
When vacuuming carpets, the machine may pull out fuzz or leave lint. This happens when the batter bar may be too aggressive. To tackle this issue, raise the vacuum head setting slightly to reduce friction on delicate loops. Also, house owners need to check that the brush height is appropriate for the pile level.
Problem 3. Pet Hair Not Picking Up
You may face problems while sucking pet hair through ordinary vacuums. So, make use of eufy X10 Pro Omni, which is specially made for this purpose.
Moreover, try to vacuum in multiple directions to loosen fur trapped in the pile. House owners can also consider using specialized attachments designed to lift hair.
Problem 4. Vacuum Smells
After cleaning carpet with vacuum, odors may build up due to debris. After emptying the bin, wash out the removable parts with soapy water or replace filters. You can also freshen the airflow by placing a cotton ball with a drop of essential oil in the empty bin.
Maintenance for Optimal Performance
For better overall working, always perform simple maintenance steps after every session. For this, empty bags and clean out canisters regularly. After every use, inspect the brush roll and cut away tangled hair or fibers by hand. A quick monthly inspection and regular cleaning of vacuum parts will sustain strong suction over time.
Integrating Vacuuming into Your Cleaning Routine
UK house owners need to integrate carpet vacuuming into their cleaning habits to stay away from messy houses. With the following practices, you can optimize carpet cleaning.
- Regular Frequency: Always vacuum high-traffic areas like hallways and entryways about 2 to 3 times per week. In contrast, you can afford to clean guest rooms and formal dining weekly.
- Pet Owners: In case you have cats or dogs, vacuum daily in their favorite spots. For this, use HEPA or multiple-stage filter vacuums and specific attachments. With this, you can keep fur and dander at bay between deeper cleans.
- Deep Cleaning: We recommend arranging a professional steam cleaning every 12 months for thorough cleaning tasks. Through this expert help, you can get rid of stubborn dirt easily.
- Post-Vacuum Care: After the full vacuum session, allow carpets to dry completely. Avoid walking on the wet carpets or use fans to speed up the drying process.
Conclusion
As discussed throughout, you need much more than machines to learn how to vacuum carpets properly. Start by preparing your carpets for easy cleaning before applying the proper techniques for a better outcome.
For this cleaning task, you can benefit from multiple types of vacuums available. House owners can even go for periodic deep cleans or professional services to tackle stubborn dirt.
To optimize DIY efforts, we recommend using eufy products like cordless and robot vacuums. So, buy any of the eufy E20 vacuum or the RoboVac E25 Omni to extend your carpet’s life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I vacuum my carpet every day?
Yes, frequent vacuuming is fine, especially in high-traffic areas. Daily vacuuming removes loose dirt before it embeds. Moreover, it won’t damage a carpet unless your vacuum’s settings are too aggressive.
Are there any disadvantages to vacuuming a carpet?
Generally, vacuuming carpets is safe, unless you use improper settings. For example, there is a risk of destroying carpet fibres with too strong suction power. To avoid issues, always adjust the vacuum for the carpet type.
How can I thoroughly clean a carpet on my own?
For a deep clean at home, first vacuum thoroughly to remove dry soil. Moving forward, we recommend using carpet cleaning shampoo or solution to remove mild stains. After cleaning, let the air speed up the drying process through proper ventilation.
