There is no such mistress who refuses a vacuum cleaner with the function of wet cleaning. This is a very convenient technique that provides really high-quality and quick cleaning of different surfaces.
For those who own such a device, it will be useful to learn how to use a washing vacuum cleaner in order to achieve maximum efficiency and to extend the life of a home assistant. The information presented in the article is useful to those who are just thinking about buying a multifunctional unit.
The principle of the washing “cleaner”
The standard cleaning algorithm is known. First, the hostess collects dust and garbage with an ordinary vacuum cleaner, then she is armed with a bucket of water and a rag to clean the floor. If the house has a washing vacuum cleaner, these two steps can be performed simultaneously.
The unit draws in dust and fine debris. After that, he delivers a stream of clean water to the floor surface, which is immediately sucked up and disposed of in a separate container. As a result, the cleaning time is reduced, and its quality, according to reviews, is significantly improved.
A good washing vacuum cleaner is accompanied by detailed instructions that need to be studied, as well as a set of documents that confirm the quality of the appliance
Some models of washing vacuum cleaners make it possible to spray water in separate streams. This is useful where you need to deal with complex pollution.
A great addition is the steaming function. Such a unit is more expensive, but it helps to cope even with the most difficult pollution.
Nozzles designed for treating various surfaces improve the quality of cleaning with a washing vacuum cleaner. Often, a storage compartment is provided for storage
Inside the washing vacuum cleaner there are two tanks: with clean and dirty water. Before cleaning, the first must be filled, and the second at this point should be clean and dry. Maintenance of the device is carried out immediately after each cleaning cycle.
The cleaning fluid flows through the spray capillary and is sucked in almost immediately by the main pipe, and then it moves into the dirty water compartment.
When buying a vacuum cleaner, you should pay attention to the volume and position of the tanks. The optimal size of the container should allow to completely process the entire floor area without the need to add clean water to the device.
The location of the containers depends on the model and may be different:
- next to each other;
- one above the other;
- a tank inside another tank.
It is important to understand which container, “clean” or “dirty”, is removed first when servicing the unit. It is more convenient to start cleaning it after cleaning, if you can first remove the tank with dirty water.
If, due to the large area or modest size of the model, you need to top up clean water, it is better to take a model with access to a “clean” tank. Most often, manufacturers use the latter option, the tank in the tank, because it is considered the most convenient.
The chemistry necessary for wet cleaning is usually supplied with a vacuum cleaner: concentrated shampoo and antifoam, although there are low-foam formulations on sale. When using them, a foam extinguisher is not needed
The cleaning process also involves a detergent that must be dissolved in clean water. Mixing is usually carried out in a separate container and then poured into an appropriate container. The solution is supplied through a special capillary tube. It is usually located along the hose and suction pipe, inside or outside.
TOMAS vacuum cleaners are equipped with a special aquabox, which is used as a water filter during dry cleaning, and when wet, it is used to collect dirty water
Most often, the spray hose is located outside and is fixed on the surface of the telescopic tube with special clips. This design is typical for models that are designed for both dry and wet cleaning. When spray elements are not needed, they can simply be removed.
During cleaning, the detergent composition is sprayed onto the floor in front of the cleaning nozzle, then rinsed off with water, which is sucked into the main pipe. Good suction power is the most important characteristic of a washing vacuum cleaner. There are models with and without filters, the principle of care for such devices varies markedly.
If there are several filter elements in the washing vacuum cleaner, they must be removed, washed and dried after each cleaning, and periodically replaced with new ones.
Modern HEPA filters hold even fine dust well inside, but they need constant cleaning and periodic replacement.
If the worn filter is not replaced on time, the suction performance of the vacuum cleaner will deteriorate and the overall quality of the cleaning will decrease. For models that do not have filters, there is no such problem.
Preparing the device for work
Before starting the cleaning, the washing vacuum cleaner must be prepared. The use of a particular model is usually detailed in the instructions.
In general, you need to perform a number of simple steps:
- Fill a “clean” tank with water or cleaning solution.
- Connect the capillary tube to the spray nozzle and to the connector on the housing.
- Connect the capillary to the suction pipe with special clips.
- Connect the suction pipe to the hose.
- Insert the hose into the connector intended for it.
- Pull out the cable and connect the vacuum cleaner to the power supply.
If the model is equipped with filter elements, then a defoamer for the vacuum cleaner should be added to the tank designed to collect dirty water. Of course, before starting work, all filters must be pre-cleaned, dried and installed in designated areas.
A washing vacuum cleaner consists of many components that must be properly connected. Before each cleaning, check the integrity of the power cable and the tightness of the telescopic tube
Although it is called a vacuum cleaner, it can also be used for dry cleaning. In this case, there is no need to pour water and detergent into the tank. This mode will be appropriate for cleaning upholstered furniture, carpets and other surfaces that absorb water.
A particularly high degree of cleaning is provided by washing vacuums equipped with a steaming function, but it should be remembered that not all coatings tolerate contact with hot steam well
Do not rely on your own intuitive understanding, before the first use of a washing vacuum cleaner, you must definitely study the instructions drawn up by the manufacturer. If the appliance has not been used for a long time, it is also recommended to refresh knowledge regarding its proper use.
Actions after cleaning
The floor is cleaned and washed, it's time to put in order the washing vacuum cleaner.
Procedure:
- Disconnect the device from the power supply.
- Lay the cord in the socket provided for it.
- Take out the container with dirty water.
- Pour out water, wash the tank.
- Flush nozzles and hoses.
- Dry all washed items.
- Clean and dry filters and partitions.
- Remove residual water from the “clean” tank and dry it.
Only after all parts have dried can a vacuum cleaner be assembled and stored. Separately, it is worth mentioning the care of the filters. All filter elements must be removed, washed and thoroughly dried. Only then can the filters be replaced.
The HEPA filter needs regular and proper cleaning. It provides air filtration, retaining even contamination of very small fractions.
If you assemble the vacuum cleaner while the elements are even slightly moist, mold and fungus will appear on them, and this is dangerous for the health of the residents of the house. In addition, you need to regularly replace the filters with new ones, because even with regular and thorough cleaning, they gradually clog and become ineffective.
The life of a conventional HEPA filter is usually designed for thirty hours of active use. This time is usually produced six months or earlier, depending on the intensity of use of the washing vacuum cleaner. In terms of dust protection, separator-type models without filters are considered more efficient.
You should not use a wet or damaged filter, as harmful substances, such as mold, fungus, etc. can get into the air.
They are especially recommended where people with serious allergic reactions live. The special device of such devices allows you to hold even the smallest particles of dust.
The built-in turbine creates a high pressure area inside the casing, which facilitates the movement of all contaminants, including allergens, directly into the dirty water tank.
You do not need to add antifoam agents to such a vacuum cleaner, and its maintenance is a little simplified, since there is no need to clean and replace filters. It should be remembered that a high-quality filterless vacuum cleaner must have, among other documents, a certificate of air purification.
An example of using Karcher Puzzi
Karcher is one of the most famous manufacturers of cleaning equipment. How to use an industrial Karcher Puzzi vacuum cleaner will help you get a better idea of how to use these complex units.
Before starting work, the manufacturer recommends checking the condition of the supply cable and suction hose each time.
After that, the following elements are connected in series:
- nozzle - fixed with a union nut;
- suction pipe;
- elbow - fixed with a union nut;
- suction hose;
- spray hose.
The assembled elements are attached to a washing vacuum cleaner. In this case, the suction hose is first inserted into the socket on the housing, and then this element and the spray hose are connected to the elbow. Particular attention should be paid to the place where the spray hose is connected to the elbow; for this, a special coupling is intended.
In a separate container, you need to mix the detergent composition and clean water in the proportions recommended for this particular product. It is better to use warm water (not more than 50 ° C) to increase the cleaning efficiency. In this case, you need to make sure that the coating can transfer contact with a warm liquid without compromising its condition.
If you intend to clean delicate surfaces (colored carpet, upholstery), you first need to test the detergent composition and temperature of the working fluid in an inconspicuous area
The finished solution is poured into a “clean” container to the MAX mark. Now you can connect the vacuum cleaner to power. Then press the SUCTION and SPRAY knobs to start the cleaning procedure.
First, it is recommended to check the resistance of the coating to moisture and a cleaner in some inconspicuous place. If the color and texture of the carpet remains unchanged, cleaning can continue. To supply the cleaning solution to the surface, a special lever is provided on the elbow of the washing vacuum cleaner.
The nozzle is moved along the floor so that “paths” are formed with a slight overlap. The nozzle must not be moved in any direction; only reverse gear is used. For periods when direct cleaning must be stopped, the nozzle can be hidden in the socket provided for this on the handle.
After the coating is treated with a solution, you can once again walk on it already without spraying, as with dry cleaning. This will speed up the drying of the surface. When working with areas where there is severe pollution, it is recommended to spray the composition and pause for about a quarter of an hour.
Before starting cleaning, pour clean water with shampoo dissolved in it into the appropriate container. The concentration and method of dilution depends on the type of product and is indicated in the instructions for it
A short break provides contact of the composition with contaminants and increases the cleaning efficiency. After that, you need to again treat the surface as during normal cleaning, and then again, but using only clean water.
When working with chemical-sensitive surfaces (multi-color carpets, upholstery), you can reduce the concentration of special products.
Particular care should be taken when working with jute surfaces that are prone to loss of color and deformation when in contact with moisture. For carpets with high pile after cleaning, additional processing with a brush or broom in the direction of the pile is recommended. This must be done before the surface dries.
When the cleaning process is completed, first the SUCTION and SPRAY handles are moved to the starting position, after which the vacuum cleaner can be disconnected from the mains. Now it is important to properly carry out the maintenance procedure of the device. First empty the “dirty” tank.
To do this, open the lid of the housing, take out the container and pour waste water from it. In the same way, if during cleaning this tank is full. First, of course, you need to disconnect the vacuum cleaner from the network and turn the switches.
Then you need to remove and empty the container, put it in place and do the reverse operations: turn on the device and put the SUCTION and SPRAY knobs into the working position. At the end of the cleaning, the compartment is washed with running water.
Now you should clear the “clean” container from the liquid residues.
Do it like this:
- disconnect the vacuum cleaner from a network;
- releasing pressure inside, for this a lever is provided, which is located on the knee;
- disconnect the spray hose;
- lower the main hose into a container of water;
- turn on the vacuum cleaner and move the handle SUCTION;
- wait for the device to pump fluid from the tank.
The next stage is the washing of the working elements of the device. The elbow is connected to the main hose and capillary. Now about two liters of ordinary pure water are poured into a “clean” container. The cleaning composition is not necessary to apply here.
Now you need to turn on the spray SPRAY. The flushing process is carried out for one or two minutes. Then turn off the vacuum cleaner. When both tanks are cleaned, they must be dried. The outside of the body is wiped with a damp cloth, and its cover is left in the open position for the duration of drying.
If servicing the washing vacuum cleaner seems too complicated, you can choose a different type of unit. A good quality of cleaning is demonstrated by models with an aquafilter.
Intuitive video tutorial on using the TOMAS washing vacuum cleaner:
Overview of the industrial model Karcher Puzzi 10/1:
The assembly process of the ZELMER 7920.5 vacuum cleaner with filters:
The advertisement says that using a washing vacuum cleaner is easy and simple. But in fact, the maintenance of this expensive unit will require some time and effort. However, all costs will pay off, since the quality of cleaning will increase significantly.
Have something to supplement, or have questions about the operation and maintenance of washing vacuums? You can leave comments on the publication, participate in discussions and share your own experience in using such aggregates. The contact form is located in the lower block.