How does a washing vacuum cleaner work?
Cleaning carpets from dust and dirt, as well as washing floors, takes a lot of time and effort from every housewife. A washing vacuum cleaner, which can be used both in the usual format (for dry dust collection) and for wet cleaning, helps to significantly simplify the task of putting things in order in the house.
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Equipment for washing vacuum cleaner
Based on consumer requirements, several types of washing vacuum cleaners are now available for purchase on the market:
- Professional — characterized by bulkiness and high power, often have the function of drying floors;
- For carpet;
- For fabrics — have a relatively small size, allowing the unit to be easily carried between pieces of furniture, to a car, etc.;
- Foam extractors — used only for carpets and fabrics: the cleaning solution from the tank easily foams with an air stream, allowing you to clean both fine and deep pile from heavy dirt.
Important! Long-pile carpets are best cleaned in a well-ventilated area to ensure complete drying.
Despite the difference in application, washing vacuum cleaners have a similar set of components:
- Two water tanks: for clean and dirty
As a rule, for the first option, preference is given to containers of a smaller volume, while a “dirty” tank should reach 3 liters for a small apartment and 8 liters for a large house.Otherwise, you will often have to drain the used liquid during cleaning.
The tanks are placed in three positions: side by side, on top of each other, and one in one. The clean water reservoir is located on top or inside, respectively: this allows you to easily add fresh liquid during cleaning.
- Filter
The most common type is mechanical. With its help, you can avoid clogging the vacuum cleaner when cleaning rooms with an abundance of small debris. However, its presence is undesirable for allergy sufferers. In this case, you should choose vacuum cleaners with a separate filter, which prevents dust from entering the vacuum cleaner back into the air.
- Telescopic pipe.
The materials for its manufacture are usually steel or plastic. The length of the tube can be adjusted to suit a person’s height, avoiding back strain. According to storage, they are divided into collapsible and non-collapsible. The former, unlike the latter, are easy to operate, but quickly become unusable due to loosening of the joints. Some models are equipped with radio control.
- Cord
When choosing a vacuum cleaner, you should pay attention to its length: 7 m is considered optimal, but in fact the value varies depending on the size of your apartment. It is better to give preference to automatic cord winding, as this will avoid accidental damage during transportation and storage.
- Nozzles
The cost of the vacuum cleaner depends on their quantity. In pursuit of customer attention, manufacturers are modernizing old attachments and developing more and more new ones. They differ in application, but the most common are:
- narrow nozzle for processing cracks;
- with pile length adjustment;
- brush for small spaces (between furniture, under the table, etc.);
- various brushes for carpets, furniture, floors and fabrics.
Important! You shouldn’t chase the number of attachments; some of them simply won’t be useful to you. Think about which ones will really bring benefits - this will save a lot of money on your budget. In addition, for some models, separate purchase of attachments is available.
- Garbage bags
They are equipped with vacuum cleaners that allow dry cleaning. Because they will need to be replaced frequently, expect to continually purchase additional bags.
Operating principle of a washing vacuum cleaner
Despite its bulkiness and functionality, the washing vacuum cleaner works on a simple principle. Water is sprayed onto the surface to be cleaned through a capillary tube on the nozzle (in some cases, immediately with detergent). Afterwards, the device switches to suction mode, and the water is collected through a special nozzle on the nozzle into the dirty water tank. The procedure should be carried out several times.
Important! When processing furniture and carpets, it is better to turn on the vacuum cleaner at full power to ensure maximum drying. Otherwise, a musty smell may appear.
Preparation for work and operation
Before working with any technical device, the first thing you need to do is read the operating instructions. In the case of a washing vacuum cleaner, it indicates not only the assembly diagram, but also the recommended dosage of detergent, as well as the correct use of the component attachments.
Cleaning begins by filling the tank with clean water. It is not necessary to use distilled water; tap water will do. For dry cleaning, you need to install a disposable bag for dust and debris.
If there are heavily soiled areas, you need to pre-treat them with detergent. In other cases, you can add it directly to clean water (the main thing is not to overdo it) or completely discard it (for example, during surface cleaning).
At the end of use, the dirty water is drained into the sewer, and both tanks, pipe and nozzles are washed with water and thoroughly dried. Ignoring the latter will lead to the appearance of a musty smell, which will transfer into the room during subsequent cleanings.
Functions of a washing vacuum cleaner
The washing vacuum cleaner quickly gained popularity among housewives despite its high cost. This provided it with wide functionality:
- collection of large and small garbage, regardless of its humidity;
- air humidification when using the device;
- eliminating blockages in the water supply system (for some models, nozzles in the form of a plunger and a brush are available);
- cleaning floors: open and carpeted;
- vertical cleaning (curtains, furniture, car).
Important! Do not use wet cleaning mode for untreated wood surfaces. Moisture will clog into the cracks of the wood and begin the process of rotting.
With the invention of additional attachments, the range of capabilities of a washing vacuum cleaner expands. That is why it continues to gain popularity, despite the leading disadvantages: heavy weight and high cost.