5 House Keeping Essentials Everybody should be Aware Of
Keeping your home looking its best can be a challenge, and it requires more than just the occasional vacuum. To help you maintain a dust-free and inviting home, here are six essential housekeeping tips that everyone should know:
- Vacuum Types: What Works Best?
In general terms, the type of vacuum you choose is going to have as much to do with your situation and preferences than anything else.Canister vacuums are more versatile, moving from carpet to bare floors, stairs, and getting into corners with ease. Upright vacuums, however, work very well on carpeted surfaces and can be somewhat less expensive in many cases – some coming with an attachment hose and tools, some without. Similarly, the Good Housekeeping Institute has shown that vacuums using bags are often more effective. - Vacuum Attachments and How to Use Them
Most homeowners are aware that when they are vacuuming carpet they should use a motorized power nozzle because the motor helps to separate the carpet fibres and lift out the dirt and hair. For many people this is where their understanding of the various nozzles and attachments ends.Each of these attachments has a specific purpose, and you will find that your cleaning habits are somewhat improved if you take the time to use each piece for its intended purpose.For bare floors or walls, it’s best to use the floor/wall brush, which is usually the largest non-motorized attachment with soft bristles. For getting the dirt and dust out of smaller areas such as drawers, corners, vents, and from under appliances, it’s best to use the crevice tool which is small and typically tapered to allow it to reach into small corners.Many vacuums will also include an upholstery brush for fabrics, curtains, and car interiors as well as a dusting brush to use on blinds, lampshades, door trims and moldings.
- Bags and Filters: How often should they be changed?
Many vacuums these days come with a “check bag” indicator that lets you know when it is time to change the bag, but these are merely rough guidelines. As the pores of the bag get clogged with dirt, the check bag indicator slides over or illuminates to let you know that it’s time to change the bag.Pet owners in particular will want to be proactive in checking and replacing their vacuum bag when it reaches about ¾ full in order to ensure sufficient suction to remove pet hair and dander from carpets and furnishings.Filters do not need to be changed as often as the bags but should be replaced whenever they begin to show signs of excessive wear, dirt, or tearing. HEPA filters should be replaced every 6 months or 6th bag change for best results. Changing bags and filters regularly ensures that dust and allergens are eliminated and the exhausted air is clean. - High traffic areas and frequency of vacuuming
In an ideal world, high traffic areas should be vacuumed daily in order to keep them clean and free of built up dirt and dust. This is not always practical, however, most people find time to do a good vacuum only once per week. In between the weekly vacuum, it is common to have a lightweight stick vacuum so the higher traffic areas like the kitchen and mudroom can be cleaned on a daily basis. - How to troubleshoot your vacuum
If you feel that your vacuum is not picking up dust and dirt, there are a few things you can check at home before bringing it in to be repaired. First, unplug the vacuum. Next, check the brush roll – if it turns too easily, the belt is likely stretched or broken and needs to be replaced. Alternatively, if the brush roll is hard to turn, likely the brush roll needs to be replaced. Check bags and filters and change if necessary. If all of the mechanical aspects appear to be working properly but it still doesn’t seem to have good suction, or is picking up properly, bring the vacuum into the store for a tune-up and repair.