Vacuum Cleaner Effectiveness
The effectiveness of your vacuum cleaner depends on multiple factors. The vacuum should be in proper working to maximize the cleaning effectiveness for which it was designed. To use all of your vacuum's potential, you should make sure the air flows freely through the vacuum, the leveling of the cleaning head is precise and the brush roll is spinning to dislodge the dirt. Does this Spark an idea?
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Airflow
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Vacuum cleaners are often talked about in terms of suction. Suction has nothing to do with a vacuum cleaner. Vacuums require airflow. Airflow is what occurs when there is a drawing of air from one side and a release of that air through the other side. The release is called exhaust. The greater the airflow, the more dust and other debris the vacuum can lift. Airflow for residential vacuums ranges from 20 to 120 CFM (cubic feet per minute).
Exhaust
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The air that is pulled into the vacuum can only be as powerful as the exhaust. What is pulled in must have a way out. If there is something impeding the exhaust, the air that is taken into the vacuum will decrease. Exhaust usually occurs through the bag or filters (for bagless units). A clean bag or filter will enable the vacuum to use the full potential of its airflow. As the bag or filter becomes clogged from use (therefore decreasing the exhaust), the cleaning effectiveness of the vacuum will suffer.
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Agitation
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The brush roll on the vacuum spins to agitate the floor surface. The agitation shakes the dust and debris loose so that it is able to be pulled into the vacuum by the airflow. Many vacuums (especially models from the 20th century) will have "beater bars" on their brush rolls as well as a row (or more) of brushes. The "beater bar" is designed to strike the carpet fibers to knock the dirt free.
Proper Level
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Many vacuum cleaners have a leveling apparatus that allows you to adjust the level of the cleaning head on the carpet or rug. Commonly, vacuum users will choose the lowest setting in hopes of capturing the deeper dirt from the floor. The proper level for your vacuum cleaner depends on the type of carpeting you have. Berber carpeting requires a lower setting than does shag carpeting. A proper level will allow the airflow to pull the fibers upward during the sweeping while maintaining a close enough proximity to capture the dirt shaken loose by the agitator (brush bar).
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