Do vacuum cleaners damage carpets and rugs?

Is My Vacuum Cleaner Causing Damage to My Carpet?

When carpet suddenly starts to fray, fuzz, pull apart or look shaggy, you might not realize that your choice in vacuum cleaners could be the culprit! The qualities that many leading vacuum brands are known for are sometimes precisely what makes them unsuitable for some types of carpet. High-end vacuum cleaners with strong suction power and robotic vacuum cleaners might damage specific types of carpet. These vacuums are not recommended since they are often not adaptable to fit varying carpet heights.

Don’t destroy your new Mohawk or Karastan carpet by using the incorrect vacuum! We suggest investing in a vacuum cleaner that has received the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Seal of Approval/Green Label Vacuum Cleaner Program certification. But if you already have a vacuum cleaner you love, here are three things to look at in order to determine if you can use it on your Mohawk or Karastan carpet.

1. Vacuum Height
   The most significant element to consider is adjustable height. As a result, the machine may be utilized on a broad range of carpet structures. If your vacuum is set too high above the carpet surface, the vacuum can’t attract the gritty soil below. If the setting is too low, the vacuum’s beater bar or brushes can “fuzz” the carpet’s surface, causing it to look worn or frayed.Depending on the pile height and fiber type, various carpet kinds will need different height settings. High pile and premium soft carpet generally require the highest height setting, while for thick loop, casual frieze, or long pile carpet, you may need to disengage the beater bar entirely and vacuum with suction only. If you’re not sure which height setting is best for your carpet, try a test run in an inconspicuous area of your home, such as a closet.
2. Suction Type
   While extreme suction power may offer peace of mind to homeowners who want to feel confident that their vacuums are effective at sucking up dirt and germs, it can be very damaging to your carpet and should be avoided! Avoid vacuums with focused or sealed suction for high pile and premium soft carpet. Not only could these types of suction damage your carpet—you also will find it difficult to move the vacuum across the carpet at all!Test the suction strength of a vacuum cleaner or search for phrases like “concentrated” or “sealed” suction. Also, look at the cubic feet per minute (CFM). CFM is a measurement of the airflow power of a vacuum cleaner. The higher the CFM value, the greater the suction power. The majority of vacuum cleaners are in the 50-100 CFM range, however some are as low as 45 CFM and as high as 200 CFM.
3. Beater Bar/Brushes
   Make use of a vacuum cleaner with a revolving brush or beater bar. The beater bar or brush should just gently contact the carpet surface; if it’s too high or too low, adjust the height as necessary. Before you begin, inspect the beater bars for burs and gouges to avoid harm to the carpet’s surface.

Recommended Vacuums

The SONICLEAN SFC-7000 SOFT CARPET UPRIGHT VACUUM is highly recommended for maintaining and cleaning premium soft carpet. This vacuum cleaner features a patented sonic bar that produces 200 sonic vibrations per second, and a jam protection system to prevent any brush roll problems.

The Carpet and Rug Institute website also has a comprehensive list of CRI-certified vacuum cleaners.

Related Questions

• Does vacuuming ruin carpets?

  Vacuuming is an important part of maintaining rug health if done appropriately. Yet, if used incorrectly, a vacuum cleaner might cause harm to your rug. Vacuuming against the nap or grain of a rug, for example, may damage carpet fibers and speed rug degradation.

• Does it hurt your carpet to vacuum everyday?

  Vacuuming every day, or even a few times a day, will not cause any long-term issues. ‘ Yet, you may be wondering, don’t the brushes moving over the carpet on a beater bar wear it out? Yes, but just a little bit.

• How can I vacuum my carpet without damaging it?

  A vacuum that is set too low might harm both the carpet fibers and the vacuum itself. Set the vacuum as high as possible and then reduce it till the suction only softly pulls on the carpet to ensure you have the proper height. While cleaning the floor, the speed and motion of the vacuum are quite important.

• Is vacuum cleaner good for carpet?

  Vacuums are excellent for cleaning up surface dirt on carpets and upholstery, as well as loose, dry material that floats between carpet fibers.