McHardy Vacuum Blog

For most people having a clean home is a top priority, however the threat of damages or scratches can prevent some from properly cleaning their barefloors. While it is possible to cause damage to a non-carpeted surface while vacuuming – it is still the best way to thoroughly clean and remove debris from the surface.

The good news is that damage can be prevented with the proper education and knowledge. Below you will find the three most important things you can do to prevent damage while vacuuming your hardwood and barefloors:

Use an attachment:

• Always use a tool on the end of your vacuum hose or wand to protect against wear. If you are cleaning baseboards or the edge where the floor meets the wall, ensure a dusting brush is attached. The soft bristles help to loosen dust and create a protective barrier between the two surfaces. See our ‘why you should always use a tool’ blog article for more information.

Replace the attachments:

• Over time the repetitive motion and use of barefloor and dusting brushes will cause the bristles to wear down. If the bristles are worn and the plastic housing is rubbing on the floor there is a higher chance the tool will cause damage. Check the condition of the brushes periodically and replace them when needed.

Use the appropriate setting:

• It is possible to use a powerhead to clean bare floors; but you would need to turn the agitator (brush bar) off to do so. You can do this with many upright and canister vacuums, however depending on the model this may not be possible.

While it is common belief that the brush bar can cause wear and damage to the floor surface, that’s not the only reason why we suggest not using a vacuum with an agitator on the bare floors. What happens is the agitator is spinning so fast it actually shoots the debris away from the vacuum preventing the machine from actually picking up the dirt.

• Many canister vacuum packages come with a combination tool, which allows you to clean both bare floors and low pile carpets/area rugs. These tools have a rocker switch that extends or retracts a set of bristles. If you are using a combination tool on barefloors, and are on the carpet setting (where the bristles are retracted into the cleaner tool) it can cause scratching and damage to bare floor surfaces, especially hardwood.

Keep these tips in mind when cleaning barefloor and hardwood floors with your vacuum! They will help you get the best clean without causing damage.

Need help? Contact us with any questions you may have, or for help finding the best vacuum attachment for the job. We’d love to hear from you!