Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Selecting the Right Vacuum

  • By Dave Chen
  • 09/01/19

When carpets aren’t properly maintained, the appearance degrades and they wear out quickly. The most common, and likely most important, daily cleaning activity is vacuuming. Effective dirt removal from your carpets requires a commercial grade, high-quality vacuum.

With all of the options on the market, it’s easy to end up with a low-cost but also low-quality vacuum. Follow these simple steps to make sure you don’t get stuck making the wrong choice for long-term carpet care.

1. CRI approval. The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) scientifically tests and evaluates vacuum cleaners. A vacuum with CRI approval will deliver excellent cleaning results without damaging your carpets.

2. Powerful dirt removal. It’s amazing how many vacuums fall short of the power and performance you need to effectively remove dirt and debris from your carpets.

3. HEPA filtration. If you’re doing the work, don’t stop at dust and dirt. HEPA filters will help remove the viruses, bacteria, and allergens that are lurking in your carpets. More importantly, after they’re removed, the HEPA filter will prevent them from exiting the vacuum through exhaust air.

4. Edge cleaning. Some vacuums are effective for edge cleaning, but many aren’t. Ineffective vacuums will leave a gray, dusty edge along your walls.

5. The right style for your job. Vacuums come in a lot of shapes and sizes. Do you buy an upright? A backpack? A canister? A wide-area vac? Each is designed for a specific task, and each has its own specific strengths and weaknesses. Consult an expert to help you decide which is best for your job. With the right cleaning equipment, you can create a clean, comfortable learning environment.

This article originally appeared in the College Planning & Management September 2019 issue of Spaces4Learning.

About the Author

Dave Chen is a field marketing manager for Nilfisk (www.nilfisk.com). He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • 144-Year-Old High-School Campus Debuts New Academic Facility

    San Diego High School (SDHS) in San Diego, Calif., recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new student services and classroom building; the project is part of a larger SDHS Whole Site Modernization project that began in 2022.

  • Tennessee Middle School Completes Health, Life Safety Renovations

    The Giles County Board of Education in Pulaski, Tenn., recently announced that a series of renovation projects has been completed at Bridgeforth Middle School, according to a news release. The district partnered with Wold Architects & Engineers and Brindley Construction to modernize building systems at one of the district’s oldest schools.

  • College of the Desert Hits Construction Milestone on New Campus

    College of the Desert recently announced that the construction of its new Palm Springs Campus in Palm Springs, Calif., recently reached a major construction milestone, according to a news release. The college is partnering with general contractor C.W. Driver Companies, which recently “topped out” the facility by placing the final beam in its structure.

  • USC Launches Major AI Initiative After $200M Gift

    The University of Southern California in Los Angeles, Calif., recently announced that it has launched a “transformational” new AI initiative thanks to a $200M gift, according to a news release. The project will leverage AI toward breakthroughs and innovations in subjects like the health sciences, business, security, and the arts.