Basic operating rules
Unlike a standard dry vacuum cleaner, a wet vacuum cleaner requires preparation.
In general terms, the entire cleaning process using a washing unit consists of several stages:
- Studying the instructions - manufacturers approach the design of vacuum cleaners in different ways. A device of one brand may operate according to principles that are unacceptable for a device of another brand. Studying the instructions before starting work is a mandatory step.
- Filling built-in containers with water and detergents in the required proportions.
- Turning on the vacuum cleaner . When using for the first time, it is not recommended to turn on the unit at full power immediately. You should get used to different operating modes and choose the most convenient one. This choice will happen gradually during use.
- Testing a vacuum cleaner . If the owner of the device is not sure that the surface will tolerate the effects of household chemicals calmly, he conducts a test. The brush of a washing vacuum cleaner passes only along the edge of the coating, and then the reaction of the material is assessed.
- Treatment of the premises. The room being cleaned is evenly coated with detergent. Experts advise starting cleaning from the far corners of the area. With this method, finishing cleaning will be more convenient.
- Cleaning surfaces from residual cleaning fluid. After cleaning using household chemicals, its layer must be removed. This is done using clean water heated to a warm (not hot!) state. For this purpose, the previous portion of liquid with household chemicals is poured out and the container is filled with new contents.
- Drying . If you leave the floor wet after cleaning, it will become deformed - regardless of the quality of the coating. To prevent this consequence, the floor is dried using a suction nozzle. It comes with the vacuum cleaner upon purchase.
- At the end of cleaning, the vacuum cleaner is disassembled and then washed. If the appliance retains residual liquid, it will deteriorate over time or emit unpleasant odors.
Expert opinion
Galina Valerievna Borodina
If the owner of the device wants to clean problematic and stubborn stains, they are treated separately with a washing mixture. To increase the efficiency of cleaning, the brush lines are overlapped.
Assembly
Particular attention must be paid to the first assembly of the vacuum cleaner before use. People who bought this unit have problems at this stage.
Preparing the device for use consists of six stages:
- Filling the reservoir with liquid.
- Connecting the capillary pipe to the spray nozzle and to the connector located on the body.
- Connecting the capillary to the suction pipe using clips.
- Connecting the suction pipe to the hose.
- Inserting the hose into the connector that is intended for it.
- Unwind the cable and connect the device to the outlet.
Some units are equipped with filters. To ensure proper operation of the filters, a vacuum cleaner defoamer is added to the reservoir in which dirty water is collected.
Before starting work, the owner of a washing vacuum cleaner checks three points:
- The filters are clean.
- Filters are dry.
- The filters are in their places.
The task of a defoamer for a vacuum cleaner is easy to understand from its name. This substance prevents the formation of foam in the aquafilter during operation. Foam must be removed to protect the engine and prevent mold from forming in the device. Defoamers are available in liquid or powder form.
Disassembly
When all cleaning procedures are completed, the time comes to disassemble the vacuum cleaner.
This stage is as important as assembly. The duration of its operation depends on the quality of care of the device after cleaning the floors.
After disconnecting the device, you must do the following:
- Laying the cord in a socket that is built into the body.
- Removing a container overflowing with dirty liquid.
- Pouring out liquid and rinsing the container.
- Clean nozzles and hoses under running warm water.
- Drying all parts of the vacuum cleaner.
- Removing drips from a clean tank and final drying.
A big mistake that owners of washing vacuum cleaners make is ignoring filters. These parts are responsible for the quality of cleaning and the condition of the air after cleaning. After each use of the vacuum cleaner, they are cleaned and dried. Clogged, wet filters render the device unusable. Regardless of the type of filter (disposable or reusable), this part is changed at fixed intervals.
Expert opinion
Borodina Galina Valerievna
If the elements are constantly not dried, the inside of the vacuum cleaner becomes covered with fungus. During subsequent cleanings, fungal spores spread throughout the apartment and lead to even greater pollution. This effect is especially dangerous for allergy sufferers.
Carpets
When the device is fully prepared for use, you can begin cleaning carpets.
. To wet the surface, move the nozzle away from you, and to absorb water, move it towards you. To make the job easier and to wash all difficult areas, before removing the main carpet, you need to make one strip along the perimeter of the room. This will capture dirt that accumulates near the baseboard.
If the carpet is very wet, then it should be dried!
After the perimeter has been processed, the main cleaning begins. To do this, move the nozzle away from you, allowing the carpet to get wet, after which it is returned to its original position. The next processed strip is positioned so that it overlaps the previous one by 5-7 cm. This is necessary to prevent a gap between the cleaned areas.
When the entire carpet is cleaned, you should drain the waste liquid and rinse both containers of the vacuum cleaner. To eliminate the possibility of cleaning agents remaining on the carpet, it should be rinsed with water. To do this, pour clean liquid into the vacuum cleaner and repeat the procedure. This is especially important when there are pets or small children in the house. This should also be done if the carpet is used for more than just walking.
Sometimes carpets absorb more moisture than a vacuum cleaner can suck up. Therefore, if the rug feels wet, you should dry it. To do this, the detergent container is left empty and only the suction capacity of the device is used. This may also be necessary to lift the pile of thick coatings.
Linoleum, tile and laminate are easier to clean. To clean them, you will first need to treat the perimeter of the room. After which the floor is washed in strips slightly overlapping each other. This does not require repeated cleaning with water or drying. The vacuum cleaner has enough power to completely remove moisture.
Equipment
Washing vacuum cleaners have different configurations, depending on the manufacturer. But they are all supplied with a certain number of attachments. It is the nozzles that provide the multifunctionality of the unit and interact with different coatings.
The standard set of attachments that come with the washing device includes the following:
- Nozzle for washing floors and cleaning carpets.
- Nozzle for cleaning upholstered furniture.
- Nozzle for collecting debris from places inaccessible (for a regular brush).
- Nozzle for polished wooden surfaces.
- Nozzle for washing glass and mirrors.
Some manufacturers sell specific attachments separately. This function is convenient for those users who require a vacuum cleaner (cleaning lampshades, wool, smooth floors, etc.).
Thomas TWIN TT Aquafilter
The most popular modern model of a washing vacuum cleaner is the Thomas TWIN TT Aquafilter. Its advantage is an acceptable price category (approximately 16,000 rubles) and effective cleaning of premises. The main problem that consumers face is how to wash the Thomas washing vacuum cleaner. Indeed, there are some problems when cleaning it after cleaning the apartment. This is due to the large dimensions of the vacuum cleaner, since this model is quite bulky and heavy, taking up a lot of space. To wash the vacuum cleaner, you need to disassemble the structure, clean the tanks and filters from accumulated dirt and dust, then dry the parts thoroughly.
Areas of application
Have you ever used a washing vacuum cleaner?
There was a case. I'll be there soon!
The washing vacuum cleaner compares favorably with standard models due to its versatility.
It suggests the following application options:
- Remove bulky waste.
- Remove wet debris and spilled liquids.
- Humidify and scent the air during the cleaning process.
- Clear clogs in sinks (special attachments are needed for this purpose).
- Remove dirt from various surfaces - tiles, stone, linoleum, soft textures (upholstery, carpet, curtains).
- Clean vertical surfaces – windows, mirrors, curtains.
- Get rid of animal hair in the house.
Each function has its own method of operation. Next, we will look at specific ways to use a washing vacuum cleaner.
Laminate
Laminate is divided into groups depending on its water-repellent properties. There are models with increased strength - they are not afraid of moisture. But there are also fragile varieties, contact with moisture which leads to the unusability of the material. The coating becomes blistered, bristles, or cracks.
You may be interested in: How to choose a vacuum cleaner for laminate flooring? Review of popular models
To ensure that cleaning laminate flooring using washing models is safe, you need to follow a few simple prohibitions, which include:
- The use of alkali and all detergents that contain this component.
- Using liquids that include wax or silicone.
- Moisture seeping into the joints of adjacent socks.
- Using brushes with coarse bristles (the bristles leave marks on the laminate).
- Steam treatment of laminate (high temperatures deform the material).
Tips to help keep the coating in its original form include:
- Observe the frequency of cleaning the laminate - detergents are applied to the surface no more than once or twice a week.
- Grouting the joints with mastic for sealing (this paste forms a protective layer on the laminate and prevents moisture from passing through the joints).
- Wiping the coating with mops, the rags of which are made of microfiber (this material quickly absorbs moisture and does not leave scratches).
Expert opinion
Borodina Galina Valerievna
When purchasing a washing vacuum cleaner for working with laminate, preference is given to models with medium or high power. Devices with insufficient power do not provide complete drying.
Parquet
Parquet made from natural wood is fragile and subject to deformation no less than laminate. Even with ordinary wet cleaning with a rag, experts advise squeezing it out properly.
Washing vacuum cleaners are allowed for use under the following conditions:
- The parquet flooring is treated with water-repellent impregnation and protected with a layer of varnish.
- The vacuum cleaner quickly absorbs liquid without leaving any traces.
- When washing parquet, do not use aggressive detergents (there is a high probability of leaving stains).
Carpet
Cleaning the carpet from dirt requires the use of several devices.
The procedure consists of several stages:
- The carpet is cleaned using a standard vacuum cleaner in dry cleaning mode. To increase efficiency, a vibrating brush is placed on the hose. If you skip this step, the filters of the washing vacuum cleaner will become clogged with large dirt particles.
- A test check is being carried out. If the carpet is being cleaned for the first time, the cleaning device is tested on a small area of the material. This rule is mandatory in cases where detergents contain chlorine (the substance affects the color of the carpet). If the experiment does not negatively affect the pile, cleaning will continue.
- Water and shampoo are poured into the reservoir. It is important to control the amount of shampoo. For units with a wet cleaning function, more is not better.
- Select a nozzle for working with carpets. Long hair requires attachments with long bristles – and vice versa. The effectiveness of cleaning depends on the compliance of these parameters.
- Cleaning is carried out, during which the nozzle is moved up and down until the material is cleaned. Processing is carried out sequentially in small segments so that cleaning is uniform.
- The carpet is thoroughly dried. The period of drying a carpet directly depends on the length of its pile. Short pile dries in one to two hours. Long copies take twice as long.
In total, to clean the carpet you will need a set of several accessories:
- Shampoo.
- Brush-shaped attachment.
- Pure water.
- Vacuum cleaner with wet cleaning function.
Window
Not all vacuum cleaners are suitable for cleaning windows. Those models that have the “Window Cleaning” option will cope with this task. Information about it can be found in the attached instructions or on the manufacturer’s official website. Such devices usually come with brushes designed for glass surfaces.
Cleaning occurs according to the following rules:
- The length of the tube is adjusted so that it reaches all areas of the window (taking into account the attached nozzle).
- The water supply level is adjusted to a minimum state. Maximum values lead to the appearance of streaks on the glass.
- Washing windows using the bottom-up technique. First, the upper areas of the glass are covered, then the nozzle moves to the lower ones.
A washing vacuum cleaner copes with cleaning all windows, with the exception of models with a rubber seal. The seal melts under the influence of hot water.
Disadvantages of a washing vacuum cleaner
So, instead of a dust bag, we have a reservoir. Another reservoir is needed for clean water with detergent; a pump is needed to supply water to the brush - in general, the design of a vacuum cleaner becomes two or three times more complicated
Hence the first disadvantages - the vacuum cleaner becomes larger in size and heavier. You can’t put this one in a corner in the closet and it will be harder to carry it around the apartment when cleaning.
The next disadvantage is the complexity of the design. And the more complex the design, the lower its reliability. An ax on a wooden ax is less convenient than its counterpart on a carbon fiber one. But, if a wooden one breaks, it is easy to replace it with a suitable tree branch and finish the job. With carbon fiber, this number most likely will not work. It’s the same with vacuum cleaners - more complex design - more complex operation - more expensive repairs.
The third disadvantage is that since the design is more complex, there are more parts, production takes longer, which means the price is higher. And significantly higher.
Let's summarize the disadvantages:
- dimensions and weight;
- complexity and questionable reliability;
- price.
