Tips on Buying a Vacuum Cleaner

Buying a vacuum cleaner that's right for your needs.
The life of your carpet depends on it.

There are three basic types of dirt to remove from a carpet:

• visible lint and surface litter
• dust not visible to the naked eye laying just below the surface
• heavy dirt and sand laying at the bottom of your carpet fiber

The purchase of a new vacuum cleaner is an important decision. The right vacuum and its proper use can double or triple your carpet's life expectancy, saving you thousands of dollars in carpet wear. Most people presume a vacuum is doing its job. You can't see the bottom of your carpet to know if your vacuum is removing the sand and grit responsible for carpet damage.

The overall appearance of your carpet depends on a good vacuum cleaner.

If the vacuum cleaner you purchase has enough air flow and suction to lift the carpet nap to the brushes, the vacuum will brush the nap and help it to stand up properly. The result will be newer looking and easier-to-clean carpeting

This is how carpet nap should look if your vacuum is helping it to stand up properly:

If your vacuum is performing poorly, the carpet nap will remain matted and packed down from foot traffic. Sand and grit cannot be pulled from flattened carpet fibers. Dark colored traffic trails begin to appear. As the sand and dirt build up, it acts like sandpaper, slowly wearing and cutting the carpet fibers as you walk across it.

Carpet nap after the pile has begun to mat down. Sand and heavy dirt cannot get through the flattened fibers:


So, how do you make a good decision on a new vacuum?

1. Study the various makes and models. Find out how they perform with the type of carpet you have, the type of pad and how it was installed (stretched or glued).

2. Talk to an expert. We are an independent vacuum dealer and available to share professional advice. We can answer your questions, analyze your cleaning needs and aid you in your buying decision.

Let us help you select the right vacuum cleaner

How often should you service your vacuum?

Your vacuum should be serviced every 12 to 18 months.

As dirt, dust and lint pass through your vacuum cleaner, a buildup in the bearing housings and bearings will slow down the brush roll causing excessive wear on your vacuum motor and belt. Over a period of time some brushes become soft, lose effectiveness and need to be replaced. A worn out brush may still look completely fine. If not replaced, it will simply turn, never touching the carpet. This cuts your cleaning efficiency by as much as 50 percent.

Accumulated dirt and dust in the motor bearings will slow down the motor along with a sluggish brush roll. The result is an overheated motor which can drastically shorten the life of a vacuum motor or even require total replacement of the entire vacuum.

Carbon brushes in the motor transmit electricity to the armature. As the motor turns, the brushes wear out. Should they wear out, the electric wire could touch the armature, cause a short circuit and ultimately burn out the motor. Dust and lint building up in the motor can become lodged between the armature and carbon brush causing motor failure and may even present a fire hazard.

The overall appearance of your carpet depends on a good vacuum cleaner.

If the vacuum cleaner you purchase has enough air flow and suction to lift the carpet nap to the brushes, the vacuum will brush the nap and help it to stand up properly. The result will be newer looking and easier to clean carpeting.

If your vacuum is performing poorly, the carpet nap will remain matted and packed down from foot traffic. Sand and grit cannot be pulled from flattened carpet fibers. Dark colored traffic trails begin to appear. As the sand and dirt build up, it acts like sandpaper, slowly wearing and cutting the carpet fibers as you walk across it.

Let your independent vacuum professional service your vacuum every 12 to 18 months and avoid these potential problems. Keep your vacuum working at its maximum cleaning efficiency—the beauty and longevity of your carpet and upholstery depend on it

Disposable Vacuum Cleaner Bags

There's a reason they're called DISPOSABLE.

Change disposable bags when 1/2 full and never try to empty and reuse them.

Vacuum bags are made of filter paper which trap dust particles and allow the air to pass through. As the pores of the bag become clogged, air will not pass through freely, reducing cleaning efficiency and making the vacuum motor work harder with the possibility of overheating. The now clogged bag has lost most of its filtering capability. Incoming air and dust can force the dust that is in the pores of the bag into the motor and back into the room.

Emptying and reusing a disposable bag cuts cleaning efficiency by 50 percent or more. The pores in the filter paper are full which blocks air flow, thus reducing cleaning efficiency. The quality of the filter paper combined with the quality of manufacturing determines not only the price of the bags, but the efficiency of your vacuum cleaner. In the long run, bargain-priced bags sold in discount stores or supermarkets cost the consumer more in vacuum repairs and devaluation of carpet and home furnishings. If your vacuum is not cleaning efficiently, it allows the sand and grit to build up at the back of your carpets and in furniture causing excessive wear. Your independent vacuum dealer sells only quality replacement parts and supplies. Their professional advice could save you hundreds of dollars!

Keep a supply of vacuum bags on hand and you’ll be
more likely to change the bag when it’s full.

Why change your vacuum cleaner belt every 3 months?

Your vacuum's cleaning efficiency depends on it.

What is the purpose of the vacuum belt?

The drive shaft or motor pulley turns the belt which causes the brushroll to turn and provides the necessary agitation to deep clean your carpet.

After about three months the belt has stretched, causing the belt to slip on the drive shaft. This means the brushroll turns slowly or not at all. The vacuum still picks up the easily seen surface litter, but the sand and grit at the base of your carpet starts to build up, causing excessive carpet wear.

The quality of belts varies widely. If your new belt is too loose, again the brushroll will turn slowly, if at all. If it is too strong or tight, it puts excessive wear and strain on your motor and bearings which can cause damage, needing repair.

It only takes a minute to change a vacuum belt but it can save hours of cleaning time and effort. Let your independent dealer help you select the right belt for your vacuum. Such advice could save you hundreds of dollars. Let the dealer install the belt, as well. The proper tension will make all the difference in your cleaning efficiency.