Vacuuming can be a tough and monotonous cleaning task – but it’s one that has to be done every day if you want your floors in tip-top condition at all times.
Thankfully, there are several ways to make this most essential of household chores easier, faster and just a little more bearable. These vacuuming hacks will help you to keep your home looking its very best.
Vacuuming Hacks
1. USE A BOX CUTTER TO REMOVE HAIR FROM THE BRUSHROLL
If you suddenly notice that your vacuum cleaner isn’t picking up like it usually does, switch it off and take a quick look at the underside of the brushroll. The chances are it has become jammed with hair and string. To get your cleaner back up and running in seconds, simply cut through the blockages with a box cutter.
2. SEARCH FOR LOST JEWELLERY WITH A PAIR OF TIGHTS
Most people who wear jewellery know the horror of realising that a precious stone, ring or earring has gone missing. Rather than get on your hands and knees to start covering every inch of your flooring, stretch an old pair of tights over the end of a handheld vacuum cleaner accessory. Then simply retrace your steps while vacuuming the floors. The jewellery will be sucked up, but the tights will stop it from entering the bag or cylinder.
3. USE ICE CUBES AND A FORK TO REMOVE FURNITURE INDENTATIONS
If you have furniture placed on thick-pile carpet, you may be reluctant to relocate it because of the ugly indentations heavy furniture leaves behind. However, simply place ice cubes around the indentations, and allow them to melt. Vacuum the area thoroughly to restore your carpet to its former glory. If you can still see indentations, pull the fibres of the carpet up gently with a fork.
4. FRESHEN UP YOUR MATTRESS WITH BAKING SODA AND ESSENTIAL OIL
Every mattress can get a little whiffy from time to time. And it’s not surprising, given that the average mattress is a sponge for sweat. To freshen yours up in no time, simply sprinkle baking soda over it, along with a few drops of essential oil here and there, and vacuum the entire area.
5. USE TOILET ROLL TUBES TO ACCESS TIGHT AREAS
There are some areas of the average home that are beyond even the reach of a Shark vacuum cleaner. For instance, the runner tracks of patio doors and the coils of a fridge can be very tricky to keep clean. To make things easier on yourself, simply tape a toilet roll tube to the end of one of the handheld attachments of your vacuum cleaner. You can then squeeze the tube and get it to fit into the tightest of areas.
6. ADD SOME CINNAMON TO YOUR BAG OR CYLINDER
Add a teaspoon of cinnamon powder to the bag or cylinder of your vacuum cleaner to leave a stunning aroma wherever you clean. If you don’t like cinnamon, vanilla powder works just as well.
7. USE A TUMBLE DRYER SHEET AS AN AIR AND CARPET FRESHENER
A scented tumble dryer sheet makes a great household air freshener when it’s placed inside a vacuum cleaner’s bag or cylinder. Just go about your cleaning as normal, and let the cleaner do the hard work of freshening up your home.
8. PREVENT WALLS AND SKIRTING SCUFFS WITH MASKING TAPE
Vacuuming your carpets and hard floors with an upright vacuum cleaner can lead to some very ugly bumps, scrapes and scuffs on your walls and skirting. To avoid this, place masking tape along the walls – exactly where they would come into contact with your vacuum cleaner. Being able to clean without worrying about damaging walls and skirting will speed up the whole process considerably.
9. USE THE BRUSH ATTACHMENT AS A DUSTER
Shark vacuum cleaners come with a brush attachment that makes dusting a very quick and painless process. Simply dislodge the dust with the bristles and let cyclonic vacuum power catch it.
Vacuuming cleaning is never going to be fun. But by implementing these hacks in your home, this essential task might just become a little more bearable.
