Vacuum cleaners are the most used household appliances among other maintenance tools in your cleaning closet. There are various types of vacuums, including corded, cordless, and even robot vacuum cleaners. Today, technological innovations have made it possible for brands to manufacture smart cleaners that can be controlled with your smartphone. But no matter how fancy the gadget, you must still avoid the following common mistakes while using a vacuum cleaner:

Do not vacuum wet surfaces
Liquids coming in contact with electrical appliances is just a disaster in the making. Because water conducts electricity, you can damage the motors instantaneously or even experience minor electrocution. Regular vacuum cleaners are not designed to suction up liquids or other oddly shaped objects. There are, however, special wet-dry vacuum cleaners that are specifically designed to pick up water and other liquids. Commonly referred to as shop vacs, you can safely use these smaller-sized cleaners to clear up puddles and spills from most surfaces in and around the house.

Not using the proper attachments
Vacuum cleaners these days come with a ton of fancy attachments and accessories designed for specific tasks. For example, beater bars and roller bar accessories are ideal for cleaning heavy-duty carpets. The mechanism is designed to scrub off and suction the debris lodged between the carpet fabrics. Here, simply running a handheld cordless vacuum over carpets will not work, no matter how powerful the motor is. Similarly, special crevice tools can be used to suction out debris from tight corners behind furniture. Small cleaner heads can also pick up micro dust from upholstery and other furnishings around the house. You should always use the correct attachment to clean a particular area or surface.

Loss of power does not mean the appliance is broken
Motors heat up with prolonged use, and most modern vacuums have sensors that automatically shut down when the cleaner overheats. So, don’t chuck away the appliance when it stops working in the middle of a cleaning session. There are plenty of other reasons why the vacuum could have stalled. Try emptying a full dust bag, check the hose for clogs that prevent suction, check the connectors between various accessories, and manually remove anything that gets lodged in between to get the motor back up and running. If the appliance shuts down due to overheating, take a break before you attempt to start it up again.

Running over the cord
This is not a problem with cordless vacuum cleaners. However, if you are operating a slightly heavier vacuum appliance that needs a corded power connection, ensure you never run over the wire. Many attachments may come with a spinning brush designed to scrub and suction off dirt or debris from carpets. This suction tool is powerful enough to suck in the cord and cause it to break or expose the copper wiring, increasing the risk of electrocution. Also, it is impossible to replace damaged wires with most appliances as they are made from a certain quality and grade of materials that are not readily available.

Not emptying the dust bag
The smaller the appliance, the more frequently you’ll need to empty dust bags. It is never safe to run vacuum cleaners when the bag is full. The motors will be forced to work overtime to create more suction, as there isn’t enough room to collect dust properly. Optimal performance is affected, and you run the risk of seriously overheating the appliances. A full dust bag could also catch fire if the motors spark or overheat to compensate for the extra load. So, always take a few minutes to empty the dust bag and clear the collection bin of all dirt and debris before using the vacuum. Regular maintenance will improve the durability and use of electrical appliances.

Using the vacuum cleaner improperly
Vacuuming quickly is not helpful at all since you must apply some force and run the appliance repeatedly over a surface. The brush and motor assembly cannot suction all dirt and debris with a single sweep. You must be patient and run the cleaner a few times in the same spot before moving forward to get the best results. Also, most modern vacuum cleaners come with dedicated power control buttons and a fully functional digital display. You can adjust the speed of the cleaning brush, change the angle, and even customize cleaning functions for distinct types of surfaces. Premium high-end brands also offer additional smart control features that can be used to sync with smartphones. So read the manual to understand the features to make the most of these appliances.

Forgetting to charge cordless vacuum cleaners properly
Wireless battery-powered appliances can run for only a finite cycle before they require charging. It is never a good idea to run cordless vacuum cleaners on a low battery. There is no telling when the appliance will stop working, and that could be a really frustrating situation. So, don’t forget to plug in the cordless devices overnight to ensure they’re ready for the next cleaning round. Smart cleaners also come with a reminder feature on the digital console that shows battery use and discharge. You can plan the charging accordingly.