Home : home and garden : 5 Things To Never Vacuum

5 things to never vacuum

5 things to never vacuum

Most individuals rely on their vacuum cleaners to help clean floors, carpet, tiles, sofas, upholstery, and sometimes even hardwood. Though the vacuum cleaner is a versatile tool, you may be relying a little too much on it for cleaning, ending up vacuuming things you probably shouldn’t. After all, they are not indestructible and undoubtedly not always cheap. In order to keep them in good working condition, you should never vacuum the following things.

Used coffee grounds
Those who drink coffee are probably aware of how tough it is to clean coffee grounds from the machine. But don’t leave the cleaning duty for the vacuum. They can block the pipes, destroy the motor, and result in the growth of mildew inside the vacuum. For dry grounds, pick them with a dustpan and brush. If they are wet, clean them with a paper towel or washable microfiber cloth. You can even use coffee grounds to make compost.

Wet foods
Dry foods like salt or sugar spills can be cleaned with a vacuum. But fresh foods like salads or baked beans should not be vacuumed. Wet foods can clog the pipes and ruin the motor because of the moisture they contain. Sometimes, the food you vacuumed may even start to smell bad. Stay away from the mess by wiping away wet food spills with an absorbent cloth.

Coins and large pieces of glass
You may never vacuum a coin on purpose, but be careful to check the floors when vacuuming. Small and heavy objects like screws or large pieces of broken glass could cut the dust bag, and damage the internal parts. Use thick gloves to pick large pieces of glass, while for the smaller ones, press bread slices over the shards.

Clumps of hair
If you vacuum hair clumps, over time, the machine will clog, and you will need to clean it all out to get it started again. Save yourself from cleaning such a mess by sweeping the clumps up with a brush. If they’re stuck on your rug or carpet, just pick them up with bare hands. 

Electrical cords
Running a vacuum cleaner with a spinning brush over an electrical cord is not a good idea. The suction that forces the dirt up into your vacuum cleaner could damage the exterior of the cord. It will eventually make it obsolete and unsafe to use.

Featured Articles

Avoid these five mistakes while using vacuum cleaners
home and garden

Avoid these five mistakes while using vacuum cleaners

Today, most American households have a vacuum cleaner. But not everyone knows how to use the appliance properly. Many people misuse their vacuum cleaners, which interferes with the machine’s ability to clean properly and causes it to stop working prematurely. Fortunately, most of these mistakes are avoidable, regardless of the type of vacuum cleaner one owns. This article points out some common mistakes vacuum owners make and explains how to avoid them. Not emptying the dust bag on time If you operate a vacuum cleaner while its dust container is full, the appliance will not pick up dirt and dust as effectively as it used to. Plus, the airflow within the vacuum will get restricted, causing the motor to overheat, decreasing the appliance’s longevity. To avoid this, empty the dust bag well before it’s full or after every use. Incorrectly assuming the motor is broken If your vacuum cleaner suddenly stops working while you’re cleaning, that doesn’t necessarily mean its motor is gone for good. Oftentimes, vacuum cleaners shut off automatically as soon as the motor overheats to prevent a hazardous incident. The motor usually overheats when the dust bag is full, or hair or fiber gets entangled in the brush roll.
11 ways to keep the indoor air quality clean
home and garden

11 ways to keep the indoor air quality clean

The air in our homes is not perpetually clean. There are many chemicals, harmful gases, dust, and other airborne allergens that degrade the air quality in your home. These pollutants often stem from external factors and even the appliances you use at home. Furthermore, such pollutants can deteriorate health and trigger several health problems when inhaled. Therefore, here are 11 ways to keep the indoor air quality in your home clean. Open the windows Opening the window will let oxygen in and remove any harmful toxins in the air. It can even help keep the room breezy in the summers. Do not use aerosol sprays Aerosol sprays release harmful chemicals into the air. So you must use non-aerosol versions when it comes to hair sprays, furniture polish, and deodorants. Mop hard floor surfaces Mopping surfaces made from hardwood, vinyl floors, tile, or other toughened materials with a disinfectant will keep your home free of allergens. Inspect the air vents HVAC systems filter out harmful substances from the air to keep the atmosphere inside your room clean. Clean such air vents periodically to ensure they are working properly. Use exhausts Moisture in your home can lead to mildew, bugs, bacteria, and mold.
5 vacuuming mistakes to avoid
home and garden

5 vacuuming mistakes to avoid

Most households today have vacuum cleaner as they are one of the most important cleaning tools. But not everyone uses the appliance properly. Improper use and handling of vacuum cleaners can result in its malfunctioning and reduction in shelf life. This can lead to replacing it with a new one and the cycle repeats without realizing that all a vacuum cleaner need is some TLC. So, avoiding these 5 mistakes will ensure a vacuum cleaner’s longevity. Using the wrong attachment Vacuum cleaners come with variety of attachments including crevice tools, dusting brushes, and other extension tools to reach inaccessible corners and ceilings. Using these attachments on the wrong surfaces will not only make vacuuming tedious, but it may also damage the cleaning tools. Vacuuming with a filled dust bag or canister This is one of the common mistakes made while using a vacuum cleaner. Not emptying the vacuum cleaner’s dust collection bag or canister can reduce the suction power and even put load on the motor. This can decrease the longevity of the vacuum cleaner. Some vacuum cleaners come with ‘check/change bag’ indication. So, make sure to empty the bag as soon as it is full. Vacuuming hard objects Although vacuum cleaners have a powerful motor, they are made to suck in dust and debris.
5 cleaning mistakes that can lead to an unhygienic home
home and garden

5 cleaning mistakes that can lead to an unhygienic home

You may love a squeaky clean home. To get the job done, you may even have all the essential tools, including the mop, vacuum cleaner, and a broomstick. However, taking the initiative to clean the home thoroughly is no easy feat. The job is tedious and time-consuming. Sometimes, to keep the house clean, people end up making their living space dirtier. Here are five cleaning mistakes that make your home dirtier. Rubbing a stain before blotting Dropping food or beverages on the floor is a common accident in all households. For most people, the first instinct is to scrub such stains instantly. But doing so can cause the spill to spread and lodge its composition deeper into the floor material. Instead, you must blot the stain with a clean white cloth to extract the residue. You must then use an appropriate stain removal method based on the material of your floor. Disinfecting before cleaning Disinfectants are cleaning agents that can eliminate germs. However, the floor is generally masked with a layer of dust and germs. If you use a disinfectant when there is dust on the floor, it may prevent the chemical from working effectively. Therefore, you must sweep off any dust before disinfecting the floor.
10 exciting 2022 Black Friday deals on smart home devices

10 exciting 2022 Black Friday deals on smart home devices

Smart devices are indispensable gadgets in homes that make people’s lives as hassle-free as possible. However, these products can be expensive, so big shopping events make for the perfect opportunities to get these devices for your home. One such event, Black Friday, is just around the corner, wherein brands offer attractive discounts on smart home devices. So here are 10 Black Friday deals on smart home devices that you can check out this shopping season: Google Nest Cam Outdoor This device is weather resistant, making the camera suitable for outdoor installation with an internal battery that eradicates the hassles of running on wires while connected to Google Assistant. Additionally, a 1080p sensor with night vision makes it an excellent purchase to monitor your front and back yards. You can get a pack of two latest Nest Cam Outdoors by Google at a discount of over $100. Echo Show 10 Save up to $50 on this latest Echo Show Alexa Smart Display version, which comes with a 10.1-inch screen, the ability to follow the owner on video calls, and many more exciting features. Aqua Smart Water Controller by Eve Launched in early August, expect lucrative offers on this latest addition to the Eve family.
Read More

Top Articles

4 mistakes to avoid while bathing and showering
home and garden

4 mistakes to avoid while bathing and showering

Bathing and showering are one of the most common practices across the globe. We’ve been doing it ever since we were little children. It helps us stay clean and healthy while helping us relax and remain stress-free for some time. Another thing that makes bathing and showering fun is that there are no strict rules to it. That being said, there are definitely some things that we’ve been doing wrong and should avoid. Taking long showers It’s natural to want to take a long, hot shower after a day at work. Hot showers are not only soothing, but they also get rid of all the day’s dirt and grime. Unfortunately, if you stay in the shower for too long, you may also be getting rid of all the essential and natural oils that the body produces. These natural oils protect the skin and prevent it from peeling and cracking. The ideal amount of time to spend in the shower is roughly 10 minutes. Anything more, and you could be doing more bad than good. Excessive scrubbing Another showering and bathing mistake is scrubbing ourselves too hard. Using a loofah to scrub your hands and back, and digging your nails into the scalp can damage your skin.
5 easy home improvement hacks to try today
home and garden

5 easy home improvement hacks to try today

Home improvement projects are exhausting but can be extremely fun if they are thought through and well-researched. If you want to do some renovation or add a new touch to your home, we recommend starting with something small and seeing how far your DIY skills and ambition take you. Of course, the sky’s the limit but let’s start with your door for now. Here are some easy home improvement hacks that you can try. Statement doors This is the first thing anyone notices about your home, so wouldn’t it make sense to work your DIY magic here? Statement doors are a rage right now, and the beauty of it is that while it’s in style, you don’t have to follow any particular style or design. Just go with what resonates with your home decor style. Color it bright, add an expensive door knob, make it look vintage – endless choices to make a statement in your home. Lighting This is very important. Make sure you invest time, money, and energy into adding warmth and ambiance to your home with just the right lighting. The lamps are great; hanging lights are super, too – ensure you can create a comforting and homely vibe.
5 easy tips to create a spectacular garden
home and garden

5 easy tips to create a spectacular garden

Someone rightly said: “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” A garden is a gateway to your home in several unique ways — physically, mentally, and emotionally. Gardening is associated with better air quality, enhanced home aesthetics, and reduced stress and anxiety. However, it is a long-term activity that requires considerable planning and patience. So, if you have a spacious courtyard, here are some quick tips for facilitating a beautiful garden at your gateway: Enrich your soil The primary step to creating a beautiful garden is to replenish your soil with the essential nutrients. This means investing in good-quality compost, preferably vermicompost containing wigglers, redworms, and other soil products like coco peat and soil manure. Plan color themes It helps to plan the colors you would like in your garden and how these should be organized. For example, you could alternate between contrasting shades of light and dark or grow flowers of the same shades together. Planning the color themes in advance can help you set up a subtle yet vibrant garden. Weeding out is the way Weeds eat into your garden space and compete with other plants for food and nutrition. Moreover, they can ruin your garden’s aesthetics.
Sliding window blinds – Types and advantages
home and garden

Sliding window blinds – Types and advantages

Sliding window blinds are gaining popularity because of their versatility and style. They offer an ideal solution for spaces needing privacy, light control, and energy efficiency while enhancing the room’s overall aesthetic appeal. Going for sliding windows might be one of the best options for window replacement or home remodeling. Let’s delve into the benefits of sliding window blinds, the different types available, and how to choose and maintain them. Advantages of sliding window blinds Privacy Sliding window blinds provide excellent privacy, making them perfect for areas such as bedrooms, bathrooms, and other spaces that require privacy. Light control Sliding window blinds offer excellent light control, making them ideal for spaces needing varying lighting levels, such as media rooms or home offices. Energy efficiency Such window blinds help conserve energy by minimizing heat loss in the winter and reducing heat gain in the summer, making them a practical choice for energy-efficient spaces. Style and aesthetics These window treatments are available in various materials like vinyl and wood, colors, and styles, making them a perfect option for adding style and aesthetics to any room. They can elevate a space’s look and feel while serving a functional purpose. Types of sliding window blinds There are several types of sliding window blinds to choose from, each with its own features and benefits.
3 common cleaning mistakes and ways to avoid them
home and garden

3 common cleaning mistakes and ways to avoid them

During housecleaning, people mostly follow their normal cleaning routine. Although this routine may seem like second nature, some cleaning habits adapted over the years may do more harm than good. It may also include leaving behind bacteria, grime, and dust that may create more work later and lead to health conditions, worsening allergies, and other health problems. Keep reading to learn about some common cleaning mistakes to stay away from. Mistakes to avoid while cleaning In most cases, the goal of the cleaning routine is to finish the task as soon as possible and move on to more critical chores. However, this could lead to a few mistakes that make the house dirtier. Some such common mistakes are listed below. Usage of dirty cleaning tools A cleaning routine is only as good as the cleaning tools one uses. Hence, using the right tools and ensuring they are clean is important. It may help avoid spreading bacteria, dust, and dirt throughout the house. Therefore, to avoid such mistakes, one must regularly wash the cleaning cloth, scrub brushes, and mop heads after every use. Furthermore, one can also sanitize germy items such as toilet brushes and empty the vacuum for optimum cleaning.
7 DIY home repair ideas and solutions
home and garden

7 DIY home repair ideas and solutions

Home maintenance is often one of the most expensive elements when accounting for home budgeting. Raw materials are expensive, and you may have to contract a professional for the job. However, if you know the basics of electrical, plumbing, and woodwork, you could carry out certain repairs yourself, helping save significant maintenance costs. Here are seven DIY home repair tips that could save you from hiring a professional to get the job done. Drain pipes A leaky kitchen or bathroom drain pipe (not concealed inside a wall) is one issue that you can most likely fix by yourself. It may require something as simple as tightening a slip-nut near the P-Trap. A leak from a hole in the drain could be resolved with a flexible coupling with hose clamps. Handing wallpaper Wallpaper is easy to install or replace too. You will need someone to help get it on the wall and match the patterns correctly. If bubbling appears, you might have to remove the paper and install a new strip. But remember that removing wallpaper might require you to order more, possibly exceeding the budget, so avoid doing the job in haste. Clogged garbage disposal Disposal units might seem tough to fix.