How to Use a Vacuum Cleaner | Helpful Vacuum Cleaner Instructions & Directions

Use A Vacuum Cleaner

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Using a vacuum cleaner involves the following steps – examine the room, check that the bag isn’t full, choose an attachment (if required), plug the vacuum in, turn it on, and start vacuuming.

If you would like to learn more about how to work a vacuum cleaner, refer to our in-depth vacuum cleaner usage guide below – it contains everything you need to know.

1. Examine The Room

Before firing up your vacuum, take a moment to check for large objects like pens, bags, toys, etc. Although skipped by most people, this is one of the most important steps in using a vacuum cleaner, and can save you lots of trouble in the long run.

If you pass over a large object while vacuuming, it can become lodged in the vacuum rollers, causing it to jam. While the object can often be removed without causing any harm, this isn’t always the case.

For example, far too many people have ruined their vacuum by passing over bags, string, or rags. When this happens, the bag or string becomes wound tightly around the rollers and removing them can be extremely time-consuming.

2. Check The Bag

Most modern vacuums use a bag in which all collected dust and debris is stored. These bags make it easy to empty the vacuum and is the most common design. However, if the bag becomes full, the vacuum won’t be able to generate sufficient pressure and its ability to vacuum dirt and debris will become impaired.

Because of this, it’s a good idea to check the bag every couple of uses, replacing it whenever it becomes over three quarters full.

That said, not all modern vacuums use bags, and instead, have a collection cavity where all dust and debris is stored. If this is the system employed by your vacuum, it’s still a good idea to check it before every use and empty it when it becomes over three quarters full.

3. Choose Appropriate Attachment

Most vacuums come with an attachment compatible hose. These attachments allow you to vacuum in places the traditional vacuum head can’t reach – like stairs and corners.

While there is no shortage of different attachments available, there are 4 that come with nearly every modern vacuum cleaner:

  • Extension Wand: The average extension wand comes as a sturdy tube of plastic measuring roughly 18 inches in length. This extension is great for reaching up high, under couches, or around corners and crevices without bending over.

The way is often used to suck up larger items like dropped coins. When sucked through the house, these larger objects don’t become lodged in the vacuum machinery.

  • Upholstery Tool: For vacuuming couches, cushions, and chairs, the standard vacuum head isn’t very practical. This is where the upholstery tool comes into play. Measuring four to six inches side, this tool comes equipped with small bristles around the edge, allowing you to safely pass it over furniture and upholstery.
  • Crevice Cleaner: As you may be aware, getting up tight against a wall or into a corner with a vacuum cleaner can be difficult. To solve this issue, in steps the crevice cleaner.

Like the extension wand, the crevice cleaner is a solid plastic tube that attaches on to the end of the vacuum hose. However, unlike the extension wand, the crevice cleaner comes with a tapered edge that allows it to reach into corners, against baseboards, and any other crevices.

  • Dusting Brush: For vacuuming air vents, chair legs, cabinets, and doors, most vacuums come equipped with a dust brush. The dusting brush is a small circular attachment with inch long bristles around its edges. 

These bristles allow you to vacuum delicate surfaces without having to worry about scratches or other damages.

Of course, if you’re just doing a standard vacuum, you won’t have to choose any attachments as the standard vacuuming head will be enough.

4. Plug The Vacuum In

The next step involves plugging your vacuum cleaner into an appropriate electrical outlet. Luckily, nearly all house-hold vacuum cleaners can be used with any standard wall out. That said, if your vacuum cleaner comes with a three prong plug, it’s highly recommended that you only use an electrical outlet that comes with a grounding hole.

5. Start Vacuuming

At this stage, the only thing left to do is turn the vacuum on and start vacuuming. If you’re planning on vacuuming a living room that’s populated with sofas, chairs, and tables, you may have to take a moment to move these items out of the way.

tips to use a vacuum cleaner

What Should I Know Before Using A Vacuum Cleaner

What is a vacuum cleaner? A Vacuum cleaner is a mid-sized household appliance that’s used to remove dirt and other debri from carpets, rugs, hardwood flooring, and other surfaces. 

To accomplish this, vacuum cleaners use electricity to produce suction, which sucks dirt and other debri up into the bag or collection chamber. 

The average vacuum cleaner stands 45 inches tall and is made out of a collection of plastic and aluminum parts. Most modern vacuum cleaners are outfitted with HEPA filters.

When used properly, these types of filters trap over 99% of all dust and other allergens, making them very efficient for cleaning carpets and upholstery. 

What Are The Stages Of Using A Vacuum Cleaner?

Using a vacuum cleaner can be broken down into the following steps:

  1. Picking up all large objects like pens and coins from the cleaning surface
  2. Plugging in the vacuum cleaner and choosing any required attachments
  3. Turning the vacuum cleaner on and running it over the areas you wish to clean

Does The Vacuum Cleaner Type Affect The Usage Stages?

No, the vacuum cleaner type doesn’t affect the usage stages. However, some of the best vacuum cleaners do come with a wider variety of attachments and settings that improve their versatility.

Additionally, some home vacuum cleaners come with an attachment that allows them to plug into a wall vacuum port. 

Is A Vacuum Cleaner For Dust Better Than A Mop?

Yes, a vacuum cleaner is better than a mop for cleaning up dust. For one thing, a vacuum cleaner will actually suck dirt and debri up into the collection bag. By contrast, mops simply move dust around on the floor.
Moreover, using a mop requires considerable more work because you have to rinse it out every few minutes. If you plan on mopping your floor, it’s a good idea to give it a quick vacuum first.

Is A Vacuum Cleaner For Crumbs Better Than Using A Broom

Yes, a vacuum cleaner is better than a broom for cleaning up crumbs. Once again, because the vacuum cleaner uses suction to collect the crumbs, it’s much more efficient than the broom.

However, if it’s only a small amount of crumbs, it may be quicker to use the broom and dustpan as taking out the vacuum and plugging it in can be very time consuming.

Is A Robot Vacuum Cleaner Better Than A Cordless Vacuum Cleaner For Cleaning Pet Hair?

Yes, a robot vacuum cleaner is better than a cordless vacuum cleaner for cleaning pet hair. If you have pets, then you know how much hair some animals can produce. The advantage of a robot vacuum cleaner is it operates on its own and can help keep pet hair under control.

There is, however, one major issue to be aware of. Because robot vacuums can only move around on the floor, they won’t be able to do anything about pet hair on sofas, love seats, chairs, and other furniture.

For this, you’ll have to get a standard vacuum and use the upholstery tool. That being said, of all types of vacuum cleaners, robot vacuums are the best for keeping pet hair under control.

How To Use A Vacuum Cleaner For Other Uses Besides Cleaning Messes

Although the uses of a vacuum cleaner are limited to cleaning floors, rugs, and furniture, some people have come up with other novel ways to use them.

To learn more about the uses of a vacuum cleaner, refer to the sections below.

How To Use A Vacuum Cleaner As An Air Pump

To make an air pump out of a vacuum cleaner is possible, but there’s no one size fits all solution to the issue. 

To this, you’ll need to follow these general steps:

  1. Take the vacuum cleaner apart and detach the pressure compressor from the bag
  2. Connect an appropriate plastic tube to the end of the compressor and fit the end with a pump nosel
  3. Once fitted, plug the vacuum in, turn it on, and enjoy your makeshift pump

How To Use A Vacuum Cleaner As A Pony Tail Maker

You can’t use a vacuum cleaner as a pony tail maker. Attempting to do this can be very dangerous.

How To Use A Vacuum Cleaner As A Pet Cleaner

To use a vacuum cleaner as a pet cleaner, follow these steps:

  1. Purchase a pet grooming attachment
  2. Connect it to the end of the hose
  3. Choose a low setting on the vacuum cleaner (if possible)
  4. Turn vacuum cleaner on and gently brush your pets with the attachment

It should be noted that the above approach is only suitable for short-haired pets. Attempting to do this with long hair pets could hurt them. Moreover, there are several vacuum cleaners specially designed for pet grooming which are the preferable option. 

guide on using a vacuum cleaner

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