How to use your vacuum cleaner safely!

You may think that vacuuming sucks but it's still an essential part of your flat cleaning schedule. Here are a few of the basics to help you get through the chore quickly and efficiently.

• Ideally, you should aim to vacuum at least once or twice a week to prevent a build up of dust and dirt.
• As with any electrical appliance, it's good practice to carry out a quick visual inspection of your vacuum before you use it. If you notice any obvious damage to the vacuum, the cable or the plug then report to your site team.
  

• The vacuum will work less efficiently and lose suction power when it's full so check the cylinder/bag before use and empty on a regular basis. 

• Only use the vacuum to pick up dry debris. Vacuuming wet liquid spillages and wet patches could damage the machine.

• Before you begin, remove any large bits of debris from the area you are about to vacuum. Items like discarded socks or chunks of food could cause a blockage if vacuumed and may lead to the motor burning out.

Operating you vacuum cleaner

Each of our residences will have different makes and styles of vacuum cleaners so check with your site team if you would like more info on the features and operating instructions of the appliance in your flat. The most important things to remember when vacuuming however are:

🔌 Plug the vaccum into a socket that allows you to operate comfortably without stretching the cable over a long distance, creating trip hazards or coming into contact with any heating devices. If you are vacuuming a large area (eg. your flat corridor) then change the socket you’re using rather than stretching the cable.

🧐 You may think it is fairly self explanatory but there is in fact a technique for vacuuming. According to cleaning expert Laura Mountford, you should "vacuum in straight lines, forward and back." This helps to loosen dirt and lets the cleaner collect as much as possible. It's also a good idea to "overlap each back and forward push" just to make sure that you get everything! 

✨ Once you're finished and the floor is spotless, store the cable and unit safely, avoiding leaving it in the middle of an area where it becomes a trip hazard.

More tips on vacuuming skills

If you'd like to take your vacuuming skills to the next level then check out more from Laura Mountford on How to vacuum properly: top tips from a cleaning pro on Saga.co.uk or see Which's How to vacuum your home effectively.

Happy Vacuuming😀