Common Vacuum Cleaner Mistakes You Should Definitely Avoid

Vacuum cleaners are definitely one of the most used cleaning tools in all households. No matter what you are cleaning, from furniture to rugs to baseboards, they leave all surfaces clean without you having to put in much effort. All the dust and dirt disappear with just one click of the vacuum button.

Common vacuum cleaner mistakes

Like most people, you may also rely a lot on your vacuum cleaner when it comes to cleaning the house but make sure you are not making these common mistakes. They can easily damage surfaces as well as vacuum cleaner accessories, so let us find out what blunders you need to avoid.

Not clearing surfaces before vacuuming

In our haste, we often start vacuuming without taking things out of the way first. Out of all vacuum parts, the brush roller is very powerful and can even pull out human hair from the head. Always sbe cautious to avoid any injury to people or pets and damage to clothing.

It is essential to clear things up a bit before you start vacuuming surfaces. If any children in your house may walk or crawl near vacuum cleaner parts, make sure you teach them these safety measures or take extra caution. 

Choose the right extension cord

Every extension cord comes with a description of wattage and amp rating; it informs users about the kind of things they can connect with that cord. A lot of people do not get the right cords for their vacuum cleaners and use whatever is already available in the house, which can turn out to be a disaster.

Using the wrong extension cord can damage your electrical equipment, vacuum cleaner parts, the extension cord, and even the switch that's supplying the electricity. Sometimes, the risks are even higher as any of these parts can catch fire.

You should always make sure you buy a new and appropriate extension cord along with any other vacuum cleaner parts. Spending a little more money on the right vacuum cleaner accessories will save you a lot of trouble in the future.

Stop pulling the power cord from a distance

Pulling the power cord from a distance or carrying the vacuum cleaner around the house by the cord is very dangerous, yet many people do that. Almost every single person who has ever used a vacuum is guilty of pulling the power cord from a distance just out of laziness. If you are one of those people, stop immediately!

This may seem like a small act, but it highly increases the risk of electrocution. If the cord gets damaged, it can even catch fire. Make sure you inspect your vacuum parts such as hoses and cords from time to time to ensure safety. While plugging in or out, make sure all vacuum cleaner accessories are stationary.

Keep indoor vacuums inside

Many people think it is okay to use a vacuum anywhere they want — it is really not. There are different vacuums for different purposes, and if you mix them up, the results are not going to be pleasant.

Indoor vacuum cleaners should not be used in outdoor spaces; not only do you risk damaging the surfaces but also several vacuum parts. Some vacuum cleaner parts are very sensitive and can only work when they are used as intended. If you want to avoid any undue hassle, do not push the limit of vacuum cleaner accessories.

Likewise, do not use dry vacuums on wet surfaces. There are specific vacuum cleaner parts for each purpose, and using them for other things can ruin or shorten the life span of their vacuum parts.

Keep an eye on tricky items

If you think picking up that coin will waste your time before vacuuming, think again about all the money and time it will cost you in repairing the damage it causes to your vacuum cleaner accessories.

Sharp and hard objects can cause cracks in the vacuum cleaner part called the fan blade. So make sure you thoroughly scan your room before plugging in your vacuum cleaner. It's easier to just vacuum with all the mess lying around, hoping for nothing bad to happen. However, before you do that, think twice – do you want to buy a new vacuum cleaner or pay to replace some of the vacuum parts. Better be careful than sorry!  

A bad habit is to use your vacuum cleaner to suck up shards of broken glass — or any other sharp object, such as a needle, staple or pin. The sharp edges can tear the vacuum cleaner parts such as the bag or break the motor and even cause an accident in some cases.

Powders are not supposed to be vacuumed

This one is especially for all the young moms who are juggling with little ones and trying to remove traces of accidental spills of baby powders and powder milk. No matter how careful you are, powder spills are inevitable.

While your vacuum can resist some dust, it definitely is not made for powder spills; you might want to avoid cleaning them up with vacuums. Excessive amounts of powder can clog the filter and eventually jeopardise the suction power of your vacuum parts.

A blocked filter can then cause your vacuum to overheat, leading to more damage. If you have no other option, you might use an outdoor/dry vacuum to clean up powder spills, as they are capable of handling comparatively more dust.

Ignoring vacuum cleaner's maintenance can be costly

Vacuums are not very high maintenance, but they still need some basic maintenance. All you have to do is clean the vacuum cleaner parts every now and then. Basic vacuum cleaner accessories that need maintenance include brush roller, filters, and emptying the dirtbags.

Vacuum cleaners always come with instruction manuals, so you can always take a look at them for any special cleaning instructions because not taking care of your vacuum can ruin your vacuum cleaner accessories.

If you have lost your manual, you can easily find it on the internet. All you have to do is enter the name and model number and you will get all the information you will ever need for your vacuum cleaner.

It's not an electric scooter

With the popularity of robot vacuum cleaners, some viral videos on the internet began to show situations in which the owners put pets, objects and even babies to "walk" while the "mister vacuum" does the housework. These are fun scenes, but they are examples of the inappropriate use of these devices.

Expert electronic engineers highlight the harm these practices can cause. "The motor power of each vacuum cleaner model was designed for its weight and size. If someone puts something on top, the device will spend more power, will consume more battery and will force the motor power, which is not was designed for that weight", highlights the professor of the electronics course at IFPE (Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Pernambuco), Hilson Vilar. "Over time, this practice can shorten the product's useful life," he adds.

Take care of the battery

For wireless models, you still need to pay attention to the instruction manual on the battery charging process. The newest ones feature an electronic battery protection circuit, which disconnects it as soon as the device reaches 100% charging, but not everyone is like that.

Some people have the habit of leaving the vacuum cleaner charging all night. This can shorten the battery's lifespan if it doesn't have a charge sensor. All the professionals understand that the more you charge the battery, the greater the suction power, and vice versa.

Before buying, analyse your need

To avoid seeking technical assistance, it is ideal to follow the manufacturer's recommendation for use. For vacuums and vacuum cleaner accessories, the market offers a wide range of varieties.

Depending on the complexity and price of the product, it is also possible to find models with several extra vacuum parts, from the simplest nozzles to specific brushes for removing hair from upholstery and animals. And, yes, it is possible to brush pets with some types of vacuum cleaner parts.

However, always remember to use a vacuum cleaner that was made specifically for this purpose. If you are unsure about what you need, you can surf some options at Vacuum Spot to find the right match for your needs.