Is it Safe to Use Vacuum Cleaners on Hardwood Floors?
We all know how aesthetically pleasing hardwood floorings can be. Along with being a material that is optimal for flooring on an overall basis, hardwood floors also come in different varieties and species, which adds different flavors to the place where they have been installed.
Maintaining hardwood floors is a thing that homeowners have to worry about a little. Although not at all a difficult task to attain, sometimes a wrong decision might be the cause of a significant blunder, resulting in the whole flooring getting replaced.
In this blog, we will discuss whether vacuum cleaners can be used to maintain hardwood floors or not.
Why Can’t Ordinary Vacuum Cleaners Be Used?
This is a blunder that many homeowners have done and have regretted their decisions later on. And that is, they used ordinary vacuum cleaners to clean their newly installed white oak hardwood floors.
It is never recommended to clean hardwood floors using ordinary vacuum cleaners.
Following Are Some Of The Reasons Why-
● The first and foremost reason is that ordinary vacuum cleaners are manufactured for cleaning carpets. And for that reason, the wheels integrated into the cleaner are made of plastic. This makes the hardwood floors highly vulnerable to scratches and dents.
● The second reason why ordinary vacuum cleaners must not be used to clean hardwood floors is that the bristles of the roller are very much thick. This also makes the floors vulnerable to scratches and dents. Also, the beater brush integrated into the vacuum cleaner tends to scatter dust and debris, thereby making the cleaning process even more difficult.
What Kind Of Vacuum Cleaner Model Works Best?
When it comes to vacuum cleaners, two main types of models are available in the market. They are-
● Upright vacuum cleaners and
● Canister vacuum cleaners
What are the differences that separate these two models?
Let’s Know In Detail.
Both these models of vacuum cleaners get their title from the way they look, or are designed. When it comes to upright vacuums, they usually are a sort of all-in-one cleaning device.
It tends to stand upright and keeps its balance on the power head, that is, the nozzle that sucks up the dirt and dust. The entire features of the cleaner, that is, the power head, the handle, and the dust container, are all parts of the same unit and are attached, leaving no room for portability.
When it comes to canister vacuum cleaners, these are the models in which the entire duster container and the motor can be detached from the handle and the power head. Canister vacuum cleaners usually tend to be a bit more expensive than the upright models, and are quieter in their approach along with better suction power. Therefore, canister vacuum cleaners can be put to best use while hardwood floor dusting.
Factors To Consider While Choosing Vacuum Cleaners
There are some factors that you need to consider while picking vacuum cleaners. Because that will determine how much your hardwood flooring would be maintained optimally.
● Great suction quality
Great suction power, as well as quality, are both necessary features to consider when choosing a vacuum cleaner. Because that determines one of the primary qualities of a vacuum cleaner- how well can it clean.
It all depends on the suction power of a vacuum cleaner that how well can it draw dust and debris from the floor. A great suction power also ensures that no dust or debris is left behind after cleaning.
● Rubber wheels and extra padding
One massive thing to check before buying a vacuum cleaner is whether the wheels are made of rubber or plastic. Because we already know that plastic wheels can cause scratches on hardwood floors, let alone laminate flooring.
The presence of rubber wheels and extra rubber padding ensures that no scratches are formed after the cleanup.
● Portability and compactness
The more compact and lightweight a vacuum cleaner will be, the more it will be portable. Also, being lightweight would prove to be beneficial because you will have the option to carry around and/ or glide across the floor very easily.
This is an important factor, as the less pressure you apply on hardwood floors while cleaning with vacuum cleaners, the more will be the chances of the floor remaining optimal and not receiving any dents or scratches.
● Look out for rolling brushes and bristles
Another very important factor to consider is the rolling brushes. If you have hardwood flooring installed at your place, always choose the variants that do not have any rolling brushes.
The main reason behind this is the fact that rolling brushes are made to draw out hair and debris from carpets. So quite naturally, they run deep into the carpets. This, if used over hardwood floors, will be leaving major scratches which may result in you opting for wood floor refinishing work later on.
Hence, these are some of the things that you need to take care of while picking a vacuum cleaner for hardwood floors. So, if you are thinking of buying a vacuum cleaner to maintain your hardwood floors, be very choosy and remember the mentioned factors.
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