Even the vacuum cleaner, which does a fair share of cleaning, needs to be cleaned sometimes. Here are a few basic guidelines.
The cleaning appliances used in many homes often are brought out once a week for an hour or so and then parked in the cupboard until the next use. But even cleaning utensils need to be cleaned to keep them working well so they last a long time.
If you've never cleaned your vacuum cleaner, sometimes called a sweeper, it's time you learned the basics. You can always take it in for a professional tune-up and cleaning, but here are the things you can do on your own before taking that step:
1. Check over the sweeper every month or two. First, make sure it is unplugged. Then visually inspect it from top to bottom to look for cracks, tears, chips, or other evidence of breakage or damage. Minor problems like a worn bag can be addressed when you have it replaced. But a frayed cord will need prompt attention to reduce the risk of personal shock or electric fire. If you note several problem areas, make a written list to help you remember everything and not leave something out when you take it to a professional for service.
2. Then gently turn it over so that bottom of the sweeper where the brushes are located are face up. Use a comb, preferably with wire teeth, to gently pull away some of the hair or debris
that may be sticking to the sweeper's rotating brushes. Gently turn the brush as you look for pet or human hair, carpet strands, or price tag strings, Christmas decorating icicles, etc. Remove these to keep the brushes moving swiftly and without impediment.3. Open the bag or canister, depending on the type of sweeper you have, and remove the container that holds the dirt. If this is a paper bag, discard it intact, wrapping it in a piece of newspaper or small garbage bag. Be careful not to spill any of the overflow, if the container has it, or to scatter debris as you discard the accumulated dust. If you have allergies, you may want to wear a dust mask.
4. If the canister that collects dust is not disposable, but made of plastic instead, wash it thoroughly, using hot water and mild detergent to get rid of buildup and to kill bacteria. If you have an indoor cat or dog that goes outdoors sometimes, you may have fleas or flea eggs in your carpet that the sweeper has picked up, and you want to get rid of these before they spread to other parts of the house when you use the same vacuum in those areas.
5. Wipe off the other sweeper parts. Return the dust canister after wiping out the inside of the sweeper bag or plastic midsection. Then use a damp cloth with a drop or two of detergent that has formed a light lather to wipe off the plug, cord, handle, switches, and mouth of the sweeper, along with any attachments you have been using.
Rinse your cleaning cloth with clear water and re-wipe all parts to remove soap residue. Let all the cleaned parts air dry before reassembling the unit and storing it in the closet.Keeping your sweeper clean will reduce the amount of dust pollution, insects, and germs that can be spread from one carpeted area to another. It will also help the unit to last longer and work more effectively. Just don't use a lot of water or leave it damp, which can cause mold or mildew.
Source: essortment.com
