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The Truth About Vacuum Cleaners

Here at the store, we always get the question, "What about the vacuum?" This is a very important question for extending the life of your carpet. Most of our manufacturers request carpet is vacuumed on a weekly basis to maintain the warranty. Below are some helpful hints for how to vacuum and what types of vacuums are best suited for your carpet. Keep in mind that just because it is on an infomercial, it might not be the best for your home.

The most important step in caring for your carpet is vacuuming it thoroughly and frequently, particularly in high-traffic areas. Walking on soiled carpet allows the dirt to work its way below the surface of the pile where it is more difficult to remove. Dirt can also damage the carpet fibers from below the pile depending on the size and type of soiling. For instance, gravel particles are particularly sharp and can cut fibers as you step on them repeatedly. Most people do not realize what they are bringing in from the driveway!

Frequent vacuuming removes the dirt from the surface before problems occur. For rooms with light traffic, vacuum the carpet traffic lanes twice weekly and the entire area once weekly. In areas with heavy traffic, vacuum the carpet traffic lanes daily and the entire area twice weekly. Up to three passes of the machine will suffice for light soiling, but five to seven passes are necessary for heavily soiled areas. Change the direction you are vacuuming occasionally to help stand the pile upright and reduce matting.

An inexpensive machine may remove surface dirt but will not always remove the hidden dirt and particles embedded in the carpet pile. Invest in a good vacuum cleaner to get the dirt you cannot see and prolong the beauty and life of your carpet. To ensure that your vacuum will conform to industry standards, make sure that your vacuum cleaner is certified through the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Seal of Approval/Green Label Vacuum Cleaner Program. (Visit www.carpet-rug.org for details and listings.)

We recommend using vacuums with a rotating brush or combination beater/brush bar that agitates the carpet pile and mechanically loosens soil for removal. We STRONGLY recommend the beater bar be adjustable for the varying heights of carpets and rugs you have in the home. Carpet with thick loop pile construction, particularly wool and wool-blend styles, may be sensitive to brushing or rubbing of the pile surface by the beater bar and may become fuzzy. In addition, shag (or cabled) styles with long pile yarns tend to wrap around the rotating brushes causing damage to the yarn. For these products, we recommend a suction-only vacuum. Be sure to test a vacuum with a beater/brush bar in an inconspicuous location before regular use, to make sure it doesn't produce excessive fuzzing.

Choosing a vacuum cleaner can be intimidating, but there are many reputable companies to help you with the selection. We are familiar with most of the major brands, and are happy to help with suggestions. Each type of carpet has a cleaning regime that will increase the life of the carpet and maintain the appearance. You have invested in your carpets and rugs and it is important they last as long as possible.

Don't forget to swing by the store to see all the amazing steals currently available!



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