Yes, your vacuum cleaner can do more – much more than get rid of dirt and dust from your carpets / furnishings and floors. And because you’ve invested a tidy sum in yours, wouldn’t it be nice if you could stretch it to the maximum? (without overworking it, of course).
It is important to mention from the get-go that for most of these tasks, you will require an upright model that supports a host of attachments such as the Dyson stick vacuum. In other words, you’re better off with a unit that allows you to fiddle with various functions to suit your specific needs.
You may consider a smaller, handheld vacuum for some jobs, though.
Pro Tip – Consider adding a few drops of essential oil on a clean cotton ball and place it in your vac’s cup or bag. The idea is to ensure the scent spreads through the air as you clean. Or, you can add some oil in the canister if it is accessible.
…Moving on, here’s a look at other ways to use your vacuum cleaner.
Capture Excess Pet Hair
One of the easiest tasks you can accomplish with your vac is to gather pet hair sticking on your rugs or lying on your hardwood floor. On top of that, you can use it to vacuum your furry friend’s / pet’s bedding. And, if you allow your pet to sit on your bed, you should consider vacuuming your bedspreads and quilts as well before tossing them into the washing machine.
Remember, excess hair in your washer is the primary cause of clogs and water pump failures.
You can also purchase some attachment to enable you to groom your pooch and suction away excess fur. Still, make sure that your pet is comfortable throughout the entire process.
Exert Insect Control
The findings of a study carried out by Ohio State University suggest that frequent vacuuming can help drive down the fleas population in your living space by up to 96%. Besides, a vacuum is an excellent way to remove dead human skin cells, and dust mites from your mattress.
Be sure to attach a crevice tool or hose to your vacuum to increase reach. This, by extension, allows you to capture mosquitoes and spiders in ceiling corners. Wipe the area with a clean cloth (attached to the tool) after removing the insects to get rid of cobwebs.
Freshen Up your Pillows, Upholstery, and Carpets
Apart from removing dirt, crumbs, and dust, your vacuum can come in handy when you want to brighten your fabrics or get rid of odors. Sprinkle baking soda sparingly on your carpet, pillow or upholstery. You can use a mop or sponge to spread the soda.
Allow the baking soda to sit on your surfaces for about one hour and vacuum away. You will be surprised how brighter your fabrics appear thanks to the abrasive properties of baking soda. More specifically, the compound helps loosen soil allowing your vacuum to whisk it away.
Trap Dust Before It Spreads
You can use your vacuum’s dusting brush accessory to remove dust on books, blinds, light fixtures, lampshades or indoor plant leaves before you start to clean the rest of your home. The idea is to prevent smears and streaks when you move to other parts of your house.
Reduce Indoor Allergens
Use your vacuum cleaner to ensure the gaps and sills between window panes and outdoor screens remain dust-free. Again, you will have to invest in a dust brush attachment to get the job done. One more thing – don’t forget to go over the drapes while vacuuming.
Prevent House Fires
Wait. What? Yes! You can use your vacuum cleaner to reduce your house risk of fire. How? Well, by using it to remove lint deposit from your dryer vent system and the dryer itself. Remember to switch off your dryer and the gas line before you start to vacuum. Use the crevice tool to help you reach below your appliance and the vent area.
If you’re a DIY enthusiast, you can open the outside of your dyer’s housing and vacuum excess lint. And in case you didn’t know, lint is a primary cause of house fires.