How to Use Vacuum Cleaner Attachments – to Clean Just about Everything

 

A vacuum cleaner that works well is one life’s luxuries. You might not feel this way if you don’t love your vacuum cleaner, but I’m here to show you how to get the most out of your vacuum cleaner so it works for you, not against you!

Over the last couple years I’ve been doing quite a bit of market research on vacuum cleaners and air quality. Through my research I’ve found that the very best vacuum cleaner you can buy is one with a HEPA filter and a bagged system. So when my Dyson started to go, I switched to Miele. The difference is incredible – there are so many features that I love on the Miele, the most noticeable one is not having to empty the dust bin. I found that there was dust everywhere in this process which pretty much defeated the purpose of vacuuming.

These vacuuming tools are the ones I use the most and the ones included with most standard vacuum cleaners. Knowing what each tool can be used for will help you use your vacuum to its full potential. If you’re in the market for a new vacuum cleaner, make sure it has some on-board attachments so you can simply grab and use them as you’re vacuuming.

Vacuum Cleaner Attachments

Crevice Tool
Oh the crevice tool, my favorite attachment – I use the crevice tool every single time I vacuum. It features a narrow nozzle that fits in tight spots and corners. It also works well along the edge of baseboards and in hard-to-reach spots like corners and vents.

Flex Crevice Tool
This is a Miele tool that’s flexible and perfect for going under appliances and getting at those spots that most vacuum cleaners can’t get to.

Upholstery Attachment
This small tool has a felted fabric surface that makes it perfect for delicate fabric surfaces like drapes, mattresses, couches, and chairs.

Turbobrush or Small Vacuum Cleaner Head
This stool has powerful suction and looks like a mini vacuum cleaner head. This attachment works well on stairs and

Dust Brush
A dust brush attachment typically has a circular brush head and is especially effective at picking up dust and particles without scratching surfaces. It works particularly well on window blinds, shelves and wooden surfaces.

Now that you have a better idea of what those common attachments are for, let’s look at just how to use your vacuum and attachments effectively on most of your household surfaces.

How to use your vacuum more efficiently

Hard floors
I vacuum all the floors in our house at least once a week (on Wednesdays) and sweep in between. I love using my Miele Canister for hard floors – it’s amazing! This is my personal preference, but I find it easier to keep all the floors cleaner that way.

Carpeting
Most carpeted surfaces will do well with just the vacuum. Areas that receive a lot of traffic such as entrances and main living spaces may need a more frequent vacuuming, but most carpeted areas can be vacuumed once a week.

Stairs
It can be difficult to maneuver a large vacuum along a stairway. I recommend using a canister vacuum or more portable vacuum. You can also your vacuum hose with a smaller handheld attachment. Use the crevice tool along the edges and corner and use the upholstery tool for the tread if you needed.

Walls and Ceilings
Use the circular dust brush attachment and start at the ceiling. You may need to add an extension to your attachment or use a step stool or small ladder in order to reach higher surfaces. Work your way down from ceiling to floor in a vertical motion as you vacuum.

Blinds
Use the dust brush attachment – close the blind slats so they lie flat and vacuum. Reverse the blinds so that the slats are lying the other way and repeat. Repeat monthly or as needed.

Upholstered Surfaces
Use the upholstery attachment on mattresses and fabric surfaces. Work in a horizontal or vertical motion from top to bottom. Use the crevice tool in the tight corners and seams. Use the dust brush on leather furniture to reduce any risk of scratching.

Mattresses
The vacuum cleaner is the best way to remove dust and dust mites from the surface of the mattress when you rotate your mattress. Make sure that the nozzle of your vacuum cleaner is clean and slowly vacuum all of the crevices. Follow up with the upholstery tool to vacuum the surface of your mattress.

Vents
The dust brush tool works fabulously in those tricky vent slats for furnace and air conditioners. Dust seems to collect here especially during seasons when the furnace or air conditioner is run more frequently.

Baseboards
Start with the crevice tool and get in the space between the baseboard and floor or carpet. Use the dust brush attachment to run along the baseboards in a horizontal motion. A thorough monthly vacuuming of your baseboards is ideal.

When you utilize your vacuum and its attachments as designed, you will find your cleaning tasks to be more efficient.

Both of my Miele vacuum cleaners are from Vacuum Cleaner Market. Not every one needs 2 vacuum cleaners – but as a cleaning expert, I find it essential 😉 . I keep the tank vacuum downstairs where we have hardwood floors and short, berber carpet and the upright lives upstairs for the plush carpet. I love that Vacuum Cleaner Market makes it so simple to see what attachments you might need and once a customer buys a Miele from VCM, they are emailed a super helpful user guide for their model. If you’re interested in a Miele vacuum cleaner, but think it’s out of your price range, you might be surprised to learn that they have vacuums in all price ranges for any home. You can also purchase filters and bags from Vacuum Cleaner Market – they offer FREE shipping on orders over $25 and free gifts for orders over $100!