Vacuum

The Vacuum is one of your most critical tools. It is also the most expensive. Proper use and care will ensure that it works efficiently for you, making YOUR job easier!

Getting to Know Your Vacuum

Before you can effectively use your vacuum, you need to know how to use it, as well as the components that make up this machine. The section below will familiarize you with the model we use so you can vacuum with confidence!

Shark Rotator Pet Pro Lift-Away Duo Clean

• This is an upright vacuum with stretch hoses, telescopic wand and onboard tools.
• DuoClean® PowerFins™—a PowerFins roller and a soft roller combine on all floors for continuous cleaning contact.
• Self-cleaning brush roll for powerful pet hair pickup with no hair wrap
• Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology® and a HEPA filter trap 99.99% of dust and allergens inside the vacuum cleaner (based on ASTM F1977 of particles .3 microns or larger)
• The vacuum is designed for various levels of carpet including hard floors

Attachments

Your vacuum includes the follow attachments that can be used with the telescoping wand.

• Pet Power Brush to pick up pet hair and loose debris from upholstery and other surfaces
• Crevice Tool for tight spaces
• Upholstery Tool to deep-clean furniture

Using Your Vacuum

Vacuuming is easy right? Just turn it on and do it! There is actually a method to vacuuming to make this job effective while also making it easier for you!

Getting Started

• Pick up and shake out small rugs. Vacuum them as needed. Fold and set to the side.  Do not place on counters!
• Tuck low to the ground drapes, bed-skirts or other vacuum hazards out of the way.
• Find a central outlet that will allow you to vacuum the entire room without plugging/unplugging.
• From your dusting starting point, vacuum to the right.
• Use a systematic method to avoid missing or overlapping areas.
  • Break the room up into sections
  • Use furniture as landmarks
  • Always vacuum your way out of carpeted rooms

Helpful Hints:

• Keep your vacuum cord behind you
• Pay attention to the edge of your vacuum to avoid running into molding and furniture
• Go quickly over unused areas

Keep your vacuum in good working order!

Vacuuming Around the House

Carpeted Floors

1. Go forward one long step, and backward one and a half steps
2. In well used areas:
   • Go slower or Repeat the push/pull

Your vacuum is equipped to handle high pile carpet. For the high pile, open your flow meter to Max

Hard Surface Floors

Before you mop, you will need to vacuum hard floors to remove top surface dust and debris.

Stairs

1. Bring all of your supplies except your vacuum and vacuum attachment down the stairs
2. Make sure vacuum is in a secure place at the top of the stairs-we don't want vacuums falling down stairs!
3. Always plug in cord at bottom of stairs
4. Can either detach lift away portion of vacuum and bring only that part with, or bring entire vacuum with you.
5. Place your vacuum down two or three stairs (depending on comfort level) and use your wand and either pet power brush or upholstery tool, hitting both horizontal and vertical plane.
6. *Pro tip-Pet Power Brush is very effective in homes with pet hair
7. Continue down entire stairs

Pro tip- Use your knees/legs to secure your vacuum so neither you or it  fall down the stairs.

Furniture

1. Using your upholstery tool start on the left, vacuum the top, side, cushions and bottom.

Note: If the fabric has loops, loose strings or tassels don't use pet power brush-use upholstery tool

Throw Rugs

1. Stand on one end of the rug to keep it in place
2. Vacuum away from where you are standing
3. Lift up the floor nozzle after every stroke and start again to the right

Stand on the opposite end of the rug and repeat steps 1-3

Vacuum Maintenance

Taking care of your vacuum is critical to it's performance and life span. A working vacuum will make your work easier and give better results (happy clients!)

There are five areas of your vacuum that need to be regularly checked and maintained.

• Dust Cup-wash with mild dish soap and warm water only
• Foam hepa Filter-rinse with warm water only-cannot go in washing machine
• Fabric hepa Filter-rinse with warm water only-cannot go in washing machine
• Brushroll-open up floor nozzle and gently cut away excess hair (can use coins to open-do not use keys)
• Hose-never run water through this part-routinely check for clogs or debris

Clean your dust cup and BOTH filters WEEKLY.  After filters get wet, they need to dry for at least 48 hours.  Your brush roll should be checked after every clean.

Pro Tip: Set a recurring reminder on your phone to perform routine maintenance.  It should be completed weekly.

Routine Care

It's important that in addition to scheduled maintenance that you treat your vacuum with care during day to day use:

When carrying your vacuum, always set it down. Don't drop it.

ALWAYS carry your vacuum by the carrying handle on the dust cup. The tall handle extension wand is for pushing & if used to carry can become loose and result in repair costs

ALWAYS carry your vacuum when outside. The wheels are made of rubber and plastic, which is great on hardwood floors, but can pick up small rocks and debris. Rolling the vacuum outside can pick up small rocks that will damage client's floors!

When loading and unloading your vacuum always pick up and return carefully.

Towel Care

Clean microfiber, glass towels, and mop heads after each use.

When drying towels, do not use fabric softener or dryer sheets-it deteriorates the antimicrobial properties and silver infusion to make the towels less effective.

Even with proper care, each towel has a life span.  Once it has served it's time, please ask for replacement.  Proper tools mean proper cleaning!

Signs your microfiber towels are too old:

• brittle to the touch
• heavy or noticeable staining
• holes
• noticeable debris left behind after wiping
• faint smell

Test Your Knowledge

Click the button below to test your knowledge of the PMC system, cleaning tools and cleaners. If you score at least 80% move onto Dusting. If you score less than 80%, go back and review the content again, working with your trainer to answer any questions you may have. Good luck!

Test Your Knowledge



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