Effective, routine vacuuming is a must for good commercial carpet performance, so a proper vacuuming program is essential to a well-designed maintenance program.

According to the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI), vacuuming is the most important and most cost-effective element of an efficient maintenance program. Removing loose soil while it remains on the surface is important so that it is not worked into the carpet pile by foot traffic. Removing embedded soil is more difficult and time consuming than removing surface soil.

Vacuuming on a daily basis can remove more than 80 percent of dry soil. Vacuuming should be scheduled according to the amount of potential soil buildup of a particular area, and the CRI recommends that Seal of Approval/ Green Label Plus certified vacuums be specified for use.

The CRI says the most important features of your vacuuming maintenance program include identifying high, medium and low traffic areas by continually monitoring carpet performance and making any necessary adjustments to the schedule.

Rather than selecting equipment based solely on cost, look for durability in a vacuum cleaner to reduce long-term cost of maintaining or replacing the equipment. Poor quality vacuum cleaners may continue to operate, but cleaning efficiency can deteriorate quickly, and equipment maintenance or replacement costs are high.

Consider efficient filtration. A vacuum cleaner that has an extremely high air flow (suction) has very little value if dust and other contaminants pass through the vacuum bag and become airborne. Efficient vacuum cleaners offer high airflow, high efficiency filtration, and an adjustable rotating brush agitation for more effective soil removal.

Always use the manufacturer’s recommended bags and accessories. Due to wear on the brush rollers and belts, these should be changed on a regular basis.

Because equipment choice is so important, CRI identifies vacuum cleaners that meet strict standards for soil removal, dust containment within the vacuum filter, and carpet appearance retention with an IAQ “green label.”

Once the equipment has been selected, set a schedule for frequency of vacuuming. Using a facility diagram, classify carpet areas into high traffic, moderate traffic, and light traffic areas.

Vacuum high traffic areas daily, or more frequently as the need arises.

Vacuum moderate traffic areas as needed, but at least two or three days each week.

Vacuum light traffic areas as needed, but at least once or twice a week.

Some vacuum styles are more appropriate to perform a specific function. For example, use a back pack vacuum to remove soil from a textured or grated entrance mat instead of a beater brush vacuum.

• High traffic areas include: entrances, hallways, break rooms, cafeterias, corridors, elevator lobbies, stairways, main aisles and waiting areas.

• Moderate traffic areas include: secondary aisles, research areas, conference rooms, classrooms and atriums.

• Light traffic areas include: offices, cubicles*, storage rooms and executive areas. [*Cubicles are sometimes considered a low traffic area; however, chair mats should be used to protect against chair rollers and food spills which can decrease the performance of the carpet.]

How to Use and Select a Vacuum

To remove surface soil, push the vacuum forward several feet with the pile direction of the carpet in a slow, deliberate motion and then reverse direction. Embedded soil is best removed by this slow, deliberate motion. Repeat strokes as necessary based on the traffic pattern and soil level of the carpet.

For maximum effectiveness, use a vacuum cleaner that has adjustable and rotating brushes that are able to loosen ground-in soil, and a strong enough airflow to penetrate to the backing, extracting all particles. The vacuum cleaner should have an enclosed, high filtration bag that limits particles from recirculating into the air.

Could Your Vacuum Run Better? For the best cleaning results, no matter which type vacuum cleaner you purchase, inspect it periodically to be sure it is functioning properly.

• Keep brushes clean and replace them when worn.

• Keep vacuum hoses and attachments free of obstructions that restrict airflow.

• Inspect the vacuum head for rough edges or bent metal that may damage your carpet.

• Inspect belts frequently to make certain they are working properly.

• Always keep a spare belt for replacement as needed.

• Follow the vacuum cleaner manufacturer’s instructions, and change the vacuum bag when it becomes more than half full. As the bag becomes full, efficiency is reduced.

Hard Surfaces Adjoining Carpet Surfaces

Transition areas where carpet and hard floors meet can be a challenge. The CRI says it is very important to keep hard surface flooring clean in order to prevent the tracking of hard surface residues onto carpet. Daily maintenance of hard surface floor coverings, such as vinyl composition tile (VCT), ceramic tile, wood and terrazzo floors, may present a greater challenge to the average maintenance staff than carpeted surfaces.

Hard surface flooring must receive constant care because of its inability to hide soil and possible damage to the finish by dry soil. Hard surfaces that have become wet due to spills, leaks or even tracked in moisture must be a constant concern to the maintenance staff, as well as the risk management staff.

Daily maintenance of hard surface floors includes dry mopping, wet mopping and spot mopping. Wet mops should be stored in cool dry areas to prevent molding. Wet spills should be removed immediately to minimize falls and injuries. High quality finishes need to be used. Some softer finishes may track onto carpet.

To avoid problems, observe a few common sense rules.

• During treatment of hard surface floors, whether stripping, finishing or maintaining, keep chemicals off the carpet. Many of the cleaning agents used to maintain hard floors can cause damage to carpet.

• After wet-mopping hard surfaces, dry completely before allowing traffic onto carpet to help prevent tracking of any residues of hard surface cleaning agents.

• When using rotary equipment on hard surfaces next to carpet, be careful not to allow pads or brushes to come in contact with the carpet and, thus, abrade the carpet pile.

• Do not set buckets or equipment used for the maintenance of hard floors on the carpet as residues on the bucket may cause soiling or staining.