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Step 1
Take a look at your vacuum cleaner. Most upright vacuum cleaners have adjustable heights for the floor brushes that spin as the vacuum cleaner is pushed and pulled. These varying heights are set to accommodate various carpet piles, and they can also be turned off when the control is set to the hard floor setting. Spend a few minutes familiarizing yourself with the brush settings on your vacuum before you use it for cleaning hardwood floors, so you know how to turn the brushes off.
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Step 2
Check the vacuum to be sure that the filter and screens are cleared of any obstructions that might prevent the vacuum from operating at maximum suction.
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Step 3
Survey the room. If there are pieces or piles of large debris, such as dry foods (like cereal or cracker crumbs) or environmental accumulation (such as dried mud or sand), it is best to use the hose attachment on the vacuum cleaner to remove these piles first. Pushing the vacuum through the pile may scatter the debris across the floor.
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Step 4
Use the hose attachment to vacuum the perimeter of the room, following the baseboards to remove dust and buildup that may have been pushed aside by the broom.
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Step 5
Slide the hose attachment underneath furniture to clean the hardwood floors hidden by larger items. (If you plan to move the furniture out of the way and vacuum the floor, this step will not be necessary.)
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Step 6
Return the hose to its holster, and vacuum the main areas of the hardwood floor in the same fashion you vacuum the carpeted areas of your home. Work in small sections at a time, and go over the areas in both horizontal and vertical paths to help ensure that you are removing all of the dust and debris.
