Proper Vacuuming

Vacuuming your carpet is perhaps the most important thing you can do to maintain a clean air environment in your home. However, it is also good for your carpeting.

Bellingham Carpet & Floor Cleaners will always vacuum your carpet thoroughly before beginning cleaning. During this process, we are often asked about our vacuum equipment, how often to vacuum, and other questions of this nature. So I thought this would be a good topic to post here.

Vacuuming tips:
How often should you vacuum? There really isn't one answer for all. If you have someone with severe allergies in your home vacuuming once a week or even more can significantly help. If you have cats and/or dogs in your home and want to keep a handle on the amount of hair and dander you may also want to vacuum frequently. I recommend in any case vacuuming at least every two weeks in order to keep down dust and to remove the larger particles such as sand out of your carpet. Sand is an abrasive material that grinds and damages your carpet as it is walked on. Frequent vacuuming helps extend the life of your carpet.

What kind of vacuum do I need?
It seems like there are hundreds of vacuums to choose from, and these days some of them look like they came from outer space. The first and perhaps most important factor to use is to choose a vacuum that you will actually USE! If you like your vacuum or think it is fun to vacuum, you will use it more often. I can't tell you how often I see a certain expensive $1000+ vacuum in customers closets who tell me that they don't vacuum very often because their vacuum is too heavy. So in some cases having a much less expensive but light-weight vacuum may be a better choice for these folks.

I break down the purchase decision into two different (yet both valid) ways of thinking.

First, you can get a $100'ish "cheapie" vacuum almost anywhere. These vacuums will often perform quite well for a period of time. If you teach yourself how to change the belt and do so every few months you may have a high-performing vacuum that can last you for several years.
Pros: Inexpensive, these vacuums (such as Bissell, Hoover, Dirt Devil) usually perform well if the belts are changed regularly. If you live in a small apartment or don't have pets, etc. it may be all you need.
Cons: All the space-age tubes and hoses often leave a lot of small gaps where some dust escapes the vacuum. So while most will advertise "hepa" filtration, all of the air may not be channelled through the filter. Many of these vacuums are quite loud, and performance may be unreliable. You may get somewhat of a lemon, or you may get a "good one" and have years of reliable service.

Second, you can spend a little bit more money and get a vacuum that will last you many years. Vacuums that should last you many years go under brands such as Sebo, Lindhaus, ProTeam, Kirby, Riccar and others. With most of these vacuums after the initial purchase you will likely just need to purchase bags, the occasional filter, and take them in for service every year or two. By taking them in for service your vacuum will continue running "like new" for many years.

In our experience the more expensive vacuums don't necessarily work better in the short run, that is the less expensive vacuums if in good condition, will pick up just as much soil. However, you can expect them to run at a high performance level for years to come, whereas with the less expensive vacuums you may be lucky to get a couple years of solid service out of one.

Recommendations / Tips:
1) If you use a bagless vacuum, I recommend changing the bin outdoors. That way when emptying the bin you will not be breathing the fine dust or releasing it back into your home.
2) If using a bagged vacuum, change your bag at least every few months even if it isn't full. This will keep the growth of bacteria in the vacuum bag to a minimum.
3) If your vacuum has a hepa or other additional filters, remember to change these. Change these once a year under light use, more often under heavier use or with pets in your home.
4) Unless you vacuum is fitted with a "lifetime belt", I recommend changing the belt on your vacuum 3-4 times a year. With most vacuums, belts are very inexpensive, and surprisingly easy to change. This simple step will keep your vacuum's brush-roll performing at its highest level.

Where to go locally?
If you are looking for a high quality vacuum or service, we recommend Rectors Vacuum shop, located on Meridian Avenue across from Haggens.