With numerous options available on the market, selecting a vacuum cleaner can be challenging, especially if you're seeking an environmentally friendly model. Here, we have prepared a list to help you identify what to look for when making your next purchase of a vacuum cleaner.

The purpose of a high-performance vacuum cleaner is to remove as much dirt and soil from carpets as possible, ensuring your home is clean and fresh. During this process, we should take note of the toll this may be having on the broader environment, our home environment, and our lives, particularly if you are an allergy or asthma sufferer or have family members who are.

Environmental Rating

These sucking machines consume energy in the form of electricity to operate efficiently. It's important to note that corded vacuum cleaners are generally considered more energy-efficient than cordless/battery-powered vacuum cleaners. This is due to batteries that require recharging, which, in the long run, increases your energy consumption. The batteries also increase the presence of toxic particles in the environment. Opt for a corded vacuum cleaner instead.

Check Dust Containment

Let's face it, vacuum cleaners are designed to collect dirt and dust. Essentially, that's their purpose; however, many vacuum cleaners leak dust because they lack strong quality seals. If you or someone in your home suffers from allergies or asthma, it can also increase the likelihood of health concerns if dirt and dust are not correctly removed, but instead are circulated throughout your home. It's also essential to choose a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter, which is the most effective at reducing particulate matter in the air.

Bag or No Bag?

Bagless vacuum cleaners create less waste and are more cost-effective because you don't have to replace the bags. They are also easier to clean; however, it's essential to consider how and where you dispose of the waste that collects in the canister. We recommend wearing a mask when emptying the canister due to the dust released, particularly if you are an allergy or asthma sufferer. However, there are pros and cons for both bag and bagless cleaners. You can read more about these at: https://www.choice.com.au/home-and-living/laundry-and-cleaning/vacuum-cleaners/articles/bag-versus-bagless

How to Keep the Odours Out of Your Vacuum Cleaner?

If you are using vacuum cleaners that have cloth bags, you may have noticed odours coming from the vacuum. This is due to improper maintenance, such as neglecting to service the vacuum cleaners or conduct regular house cleaning. Bacteria or mould grow inside the bag and cause unpleasant odours. To keep the vacuum running efficiently, you must empty the bags regularly. Additionally, you need to keep them empty to prevent the growth of bacteria and mould, which can lead to foul odours. It is also equally important to clean or replace the filters regularly. If you vacuum any food items, be sure to empty or change the bag daily. You may also consider investing in vacuum cleaners that have a sealed HEPA filtration system. This will keep odour-causing bacteria from escaping the bag.

We hope this guide helps you when it's time to make your next vacuum cleaner purchase. Look for environmentally friendly factors that deliver the best results while also caring for our future and health.

Microfiber: More Than Just a Cleaning Cloth

Microfiber is no longer a "buzz word" that is taking the cleaning world by storm.  Most cleaning companies should be using them on a daily basis as a basic cleaning tool.

How to choose the right microfiber cloth for your all cleaning needs.  There are different grades of Microfiber for different types of tasks and most manufactures will carry at least 3 different types of  Microfiber cloths.  The most common types are:

1. Heavy Duty Microfiber Cloth - which is mainly used for heavy duty cleaning to remove deep soil and oils.
2. Medium Grade Microfiber Cloth - used for dusting and medium duty tasks such as wiping bench tops and sinks.
3. Microfiber cloths that have a suede like texture are used for glass, mirrors and for polished surfaces.  These cloths are usually much thinner than heavy or medium grade cloths, are more tightly woven and may come in blue colour.

When purchasing for your Microfiber cloths, visit your local cleaning suppliers, as they more likely to supply high quality Microfiber cloths.  You can usually tell a good quality Microfiber cloth by doing couple of tests.  First, run the cloth across your hand.  Does it seem to catch?  This is caused by the dense fibers and indicates quality Microfiber.  Next, put a small amount of hand lotion on mirror and then wipe your mirror cloth to see how many passes it takes to remove the lotion.  A good quality Microfiber cloth will remove the lotion in only one or two passes.

Microfiber cloths come in variety of colours and the reason for that to prevent cross contamination.  You certainly would not want to use to clean a toilet and then use the same cloth to clean your kitchen bench tops.

How to Care for Microfiber Cloths

when washing microfiber cloths, it is best to wash and dry them separately from other laundry items such as cotton cloths, towels or clothing.  If you don't wash them separately, they will pull the lint off these items and become so loaded it may make them useless.  Avoid using bleach and fabric softener.  Bleach will damage the fibers and fabric softener will reduce the static charge, which is an important part of what makes Microfiber cloth works so well.

when cleaning Microfiber, use about half the amount of laundry detergent you would normally use for a load of laundry.  Microfibers release soil very easily when washed, so more is not better in this case.  It is recommended that your water temperature not to exceed 95 Celsius.  Microfibers can air dry (Microfiber cloths dry very quickly) or you can use a machine to dry them as long as you use a low heat setting and do not add a fabric softener sheet.