Selecting the right vacuum for Mohawk Carpet

After spending a lot of time picking out, moving out, and paying out for all your new carpeting now comes the time to maintain it. Proper maintenance requires regular vacuuming that extends your carpet’s life, the type of vacuum cleaner you use is important. A vacuum’s ability to clean is based on the carpet’s fiber type and construction. A good quality vacuum should have standard features that allow you to adjust the height of the roller/agitator, turn on and off beater bar or agitator rotation and the vacuums motor fan speed.

Features to consider that are necessary for proper vacuuming of your new carpet.  Adjustable height of the roller and beater bar is one of the most important features because this enables the vacuum cleaning machine to be used on a wide variety of carpet fibers and constructions. If your vacuum’s height adjustment is set too high on the carpet surface, the vacuum will not agitate the fibers enough separating them allowing the suction of the vacuum to lift up the debris and dust. If the vacuums roller is set too low, the vacuum’s beater bar or brushes can “fray” the carpet’s fibers on the surface, causing it to look worn and matted down.

• When vacuuming high pile, wool, wool-blend, and premium soft carpets, look for the following features that will allow you to easily maintain your carpet: Adjustable Height Use the highest setting where appropriate Efficient Airflow Avoid vacuums with very concentrated suction. Bear in mind that larger wheels on your vacuum allow it to glide easily across the carpet.
• When vacuuming thick loop, casual frieze or long pile carpet such as “shag,” you may need to completely disengage/ turn off the beater bar and vacuum with suction only.
• For all other carpet constructions not mentioned above, use a vacuum with a rotating brush or beater bar. Change the bags when the indicator notifies you to and check the beater bars for hair/string, burs or gouges to prevent damage to the surface of the carpet.

If you’re unsure about the proper height setting, use an inconspicuous place like a closet to test your vacuum. Its beater bar or brush should just lightly touch your carpet surface. Make sure it doesn’t dig into or gouge the carpet pile.

You can also set your vacuum to the proper height and vacuum multiple times against the nap, always keeping the vacuum in the same area each time. After about 100 back-and-forth passes, get down at eye level with the carpet and look first at the vacuumed area, then at the adjoining area that wasn’t vacuumed. After comparing, if you see any fraying or damage to the vacuumed area, you should change the setting or use a different vacuum on your carpet.