At The End of The Day

Vacuum cleaners and other floor machines that are well maintained and kept clean and serviced still need to be properly stored when not in use. Improper or careless storage of the best-kept cleaning tools can impact their effectiveness and useful life, and therefore your bottom line.

Be sure any equipment with a motor is shut down properly, per manufacturer’s specifications. This information is in the owner’s manual… which you should be sure to read and retain. Some machines may need idling time before being shut down completely. Whatever procedures are manufacturer-recommended for shutting down a piece of equipment should be followed.

Properly secure and store any cords, hoses, nozzles or other components for each machine as indicated by the manufacturer. Don’t toss these items on a shelf or in a box where they may be separated from the unit to which they belong. This is especially important if more than one person uses each unit, as the next person to use the unit may not be able to locate the pieces needed to properly operate the equipment.

Don’t shove your vacuums or floor machines into crowded closets or other cramped spaces. This can lead to other items being stacked against or on them, which can lead to damage — including dents and scratches, and worse — to the equipment. Tools that look neglected are more likely to be misused and neglected by the people who use them.

If you have outdoor storage units that are not heated, do not store power-operated machines in these spaces, especially in the winter. Machine components wear down more rapidly when started or operated in extreme cold conditions.

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • Compton High School

    Compton High School

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. Compton High School has been recognized with an EDS 2026 Project of Distinction award in the category of New Construction.

  • Rethinking K-12 Schools as a Continuous Learning Experience

    Most students move through three or more separate facilities during their K-12 journey, yet the built environments they encounter at each stage have traditionally been designed in isolation, with little continuity in spatial language, learning philosophy, or physical resources. Each new school is a reset with different layouts, learning models, expectations, and ways of moving through a building. The next generation of school design is making the case that the first day of kindergarten and the last day of high school can and should feel connected through common support systems and infrastructure in the physical environment.

  • UNH Marks Construction Milestone on Oceanic Exploration Facility

    The University of New Hampshire in Durham, N.H., recently celebrated a major construction milestone with a beam-signing ceremony for the new Center of Excellence for Operational Ocean and Great Lakes Mapping, according to a news release. The facility’s ultimate goal is to support research, training and technical assistance in ocean mapping.

  • Stanford Online Reveals New Immersive Learning Studio

    Stanford Online recently marked its 30th anniversary with the announcement of a new immersive learning studio, according to a university news release. The studio takes advantage of AI-powered and immersive learning technologies to continue delivering personalized and faculty-led education.