Like most other people, you also have your set days when you do house cleaning, and like many others too, you also have those times when your vacuum cleaner isn’t working as great as it should be. This is probably because of a blockage in the pipes, or even that your cleaner needs some sort of repairs to get it functioning properly again.
This, of course, wastes a lot of time for you and results in some of your house cleaning being put on hold till another day.
Although most vacuum cleaners are made to last as long as possible, they will stop working properly or even break down if they are not used correctly. There are basically six things you should never remove from your carpets and floors with your vacuum cleaner, such as the following:
1. Liquids – unless you have a wet & dry model, under no circumstances should you use your regular vacuum cleaner to suck up any type of liquids! If the inside of your cleaner gets wet, any dirt and dust you vacuum in the future, will not only cause a blockage but will also become mouldy and begin to smell. It will be a health risk to the household as well. Instead, use some paper towels, a mop, or a cloth to wipe up the spills before you start vacuuming.
2. Plant debris and soil – assuming that your cleaner will get rid of plant debris and soil that has been walked in, is incorrect! What will happen, is that the weight of your vacuum brush will push the soil deeper into the carpet and possibly stain it too. Plant debris and soil can also cause a blockage in your cleaner. It is best to use a brush and dustpan to first pick up the soil and plant debris before using your vacuum cleaner.
3. Sawdust and ash – ashes from your fireplace are awkward to clean up, as is sawdust from wood that falls on your floors if you’re busy refurbishing your home. Don’t be tempted to use your cleaner to get rid of sawdust and ash, because these fine particles will cause your cleaner to become completely blocked up, and suction almost non-existent! The proper way to do it is to first moisten the particles and then use a hand broom and dustpan to brush them up before you get on with your vacuuming.
4. Anything sticky – as the name implies, these things do just that – they stick to things! This means that anything sticky you suck up with your vacuum, will stick to the insides of the machine, and probably melt in the process as well. It’s almost a certainty that this will make your cleaner unusable and unsafe, by breaking the cleaner’s motor. A cloth soaked in warm, soapy water is your best bet and will do a better job of getting rid of the sticky stuff than your cleaner can, and your cleaner won’t be damaged either!
5. Small things – steer clear of things like pins, paperclips, small coins, and so forth, because they will either get stuck in the brush or, if they have sharp edges, cause the internal pipes of the motor to become cracked or get pierced. It’s worth the few minutes it will take you to pick these items up physically before you vacuum than to have to spend a lot more of your hard-earned money for a new cleaner!
6. Sharp items – when a glass shatters after being dropped on the floor, thousands of little sharp pieces shoot everywhere, that can cut your children’s hands and/or feet, or your pet’s paws. The obvious way to make sure that you’ve picked all these little sharp bits up is to run your cleaner over the area.
However, as small as the little pieces of glass are, they can cause huge damage to your vacuum! Those tiny shards can rip holes into the cleaner bag and get stuck in the pipes and motor. Sweeping up the glass bits and using some moistened paper towels to swab up the tiny shards that are hard to see is a way better option.
In conclusion
The bit of time and patience it takes to use the above options before using your vacuum cleaner will help tremendously, to keep your cleaner in tip-top condition for many years to come!
