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

  • Illinois State University Breaks Ground on College of Fine Arts Transformation

    Illinois State University in Normal, Ill., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts transformation project, according to university news. The series of new constructions and renovations will upgrade spaces in Centennial East, the Center for the Visual Arts, and the Center for the Performing Arts, as well as replace the existing Centennial West facility with a new Commons Building.

  • South Carolina District Starts Construction on $50M Middle School Renovation

    The Aiken County Public School District in North Augusta, S.C., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the $50-million renovation and expansion of North Augusta Middle School, according to a news release. The project’s funding comes from the 2024 renewal of a one-cent sales tax approved by local voters.

  • Utah Valley University Opens New Engineering Building

    Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, recently held a grand-opening ceremony for the new Scott M. Smith Engineering Building, according to a news release. The facility is one of the largest engineering buildings in the state at almost 200,000 square feet, and it plays home to the university’s Smith College of Engineering and Technology (SCET).

  • Minnesota Middle School Finishes $23.5M Addition and Modernization

    Highland Park Middle School in St. Paul, Minn., recently announced the completion of a $23.5-million addition and remodel project, according to a news release. Saint Paul Public Schools partnered with ATS&R Planners, Architects & Engineers for its design and Kraus-Anderson for its construction.