Selecting the Right Vacuum
When carpets aren’t properly maintained,
the appearance degrades and they wear out
quickly. The most common, and likely most
important, daily cleaning activity is vacuuming.
Effective dirt removal from your carpets requires
a commercial grade, high-quality vacuum.
With all of the options on the market,
it’s easy to end up with a low-cost but also
low-quality vacuum. Follow these simple steps
to make sure you don’t get stuck making the
wrong choice for long-term carpet care.
1. CRI approval. The Carpet and Rug Institute
(CRI) scientifically tests and evaluates
vacuum cleaners. A vacuum with CRI approval
will deliver excellent cleaning results
without damaging your carpets.
2. Powerful dirt removal. It’s amazing
how many vacuums fall short of the power
and performance you need to effectively
remove dirt and debris from your carpets.
3. HEPA filtration. If you’re doing the work,
don’t stop at dust and dirt. HEPA filters
will help remove the viruses, bacteria, and
allergens that are lurking in your carpets.
More importantly, after they’re removed,
the HEPA filter will prevent them from exiting
the vacuum through exhaust air.
4. Edge cleaning. Some vacuums are effective
for edge cleaning, but many aren’t.
Ineffective vacuums will leave a gray, dusty
edge along your walls.
5. The right style for your job. Vacuums
come in a lot of shapes and sizes. Do you buy
an upright? A backpack? A canister? A wide-area
vac? Each is designed for a specific task,
and each has its own specific strengths and
weaknesses. Consult an expert to help you
decide which is best for your job.
With the right cleaning equipment, you
can create a clean, comfortable learning
environment.
This article originally appeared in the College Planning & Management September 2019 issue of Spaces4Learning.
About the Author
Dave Chen is a field marketing manager for Nilfisk (www.nilfisk.com). He can be reached at Dave.Chen@nilfisk.com.