Finding the ‘right’ vacuum for facility needs can help departments deliver more than just clean floors

— By Alan S. Bigger and Linda B. Bigger

Facilities are under constant attack from dirt tracked in by visitors. The challenge is to remove the dirt before it can spread through the building on people’s feet and eventually be picked up by the air handling system and distributed throughout the building.

One of the workhorses that housekeeping crews use to clean dust, debris and dirt is the vacuum cleaner, so selecting the right vacuum can reap big dividends for managers, cleaning crews and organizations.

Vacuum cleaners have become increasingly sophisticated over the last 20 years. Housekeeping managers now have numerous equipment options to increase productivity, cut costs and minimize injuries caused by ergonomic strains.

Though vacuums perform a simple task, the task varies, and this makes it imperative that managers specify the right vacuum for the tasks to be performed because anything they can do to make workers more efficient will save operational dollars.

Must-have features and functions
The range of vacuum cleaners available today presents housekeeping managers with some difficult decisions. Characteristics to consider include these:

Power sources. Vacuum cleaners generally are 110-120 volts, and substantial strides have been made in developing battery-operated sweepers. Such vacuums free operators from having to use electrical cords and gives them greater mobility, because the machine is not tethered to a power outlet during operation.

Power. Vacuum cleaners today give operators increased power options. Some units have one motor, while others have two. Twin-motor models dedicate one motor to vacuuming and the other to driving the beater bar to loosen dirt from the surface. This type of vacuum cleans better, and it can cut cleaning time because it removes most, if not all, debris in one pass and minimizes vacuuming time.

Cleaning width. Sizes of vacuum heads vary, from smaller than 9 inches to larger than 30 inches. While a vacuum with a 30-inch head does not necessarily clean three times the area of one with a 9-inch head, a skilled operator using the right vacuum is all but guaranteed to greatly increase productivity and decrease cost using the larger machine.

Sound levels. Vacuum manufacturers have expended considerable effort to cut the sound levels of vacuums, which have become more powerful. High sound levels can be a major customer concern, especially when workers clean occupied spaces. So the quieter the machine, the greater the customer and operator satisfaction.

Vacuum bag capacity. All vacuum cleaners must have a “catchment” container, which might be made out of paper or cloth. Or it might be a solid receptacle, such as a dirt cup. The size of the dust-collection container has an direct impact on productivity and cost, because the less often an operator must stop to empty a dirt storage container during a work shift, the better. Also, a vacuum cleaner’s effectiveness decreases markedly after its debris collection unit is more than half full.

Adjustable cleaning height. The operator should be able to adjust the distance between the brush and the floor surface on upright vacuums or power head attachments, based on different types of floor covering, such as commercial loop carpet, carpet tile, carpet runners, mats and vinyl floors. The ability to adjust the brush height also can compensate for brush wear and tear because as bristles shorten, the operator can move the vacuum head closer to the floor.

Maneuverability. Managers need to ensure that vacuums can clean around, under and between furnishings. In other words, while wide-area vacuums with large cleaning paths might be great for cleaning halls, using the same piece of equipment in a small or confined space would be a disaster.

A new generation of choices
Many vacuum cleaners developed during the last 10 years give housekeeping managers a variety of benefits not available with older-style vacuum cleaners. Such advantages not only save dollars; they also contribute other benefits to facilities:

Cleaner indoor air. Years ago, one knew when vacuuming was going on because the vacuum spewed dust into the air. Today, many vacuums are designed to meet or exceed indoor air quality standards. Filtration systems range from simple to complex; some are single-filter models, while others have two or three filtration systems. Remember, the less dust a vacuum spreads during cleaning, the less dust that can enter the air-handling system.

Fewer stress-related injuries. A major concern of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is injuries caused by repetitive motions, including those that workers must use when mopping and vacuuming. The lighter and better designed a vacuum is, the smaller the chance of occupational injury. Many of today’s vacuums are lighter, easier to push — some are partially self-propelled — and have ergonomic features, such as improved handles and grips.

Greater efficiency. Many styles of vacuums now allow multi-tasking. For instance, many upright vacuum cleaners with two motors also have on-board tools such as an extension hose, extension wands and attachments, so operators can clean in difficult places without having to run back to the storage area for another piece of equipment. Also, some twin-motor vacuums feature a removable motor and tank so the tank can be used as a small portable vacuum.

On the horizon
Some vacuum cleaner developments around the corner will enable housekeeping managers to select equipment that enhances productivity and effectiveness.

For example, backpack vacuums continue to become lighter and more powerful. Robot-controlled vacuums also are becoming more affordable and will clean not only wide areas but also smaller, confined areas.

Some wide-area vacuums now being developed not only will perform standard sweeping and vacuuming but also will offer the option of cleaning the carpet by using special chemicals sprayed on by the vacuum cleaner, which would double as a vacuum and a carpet cleaner.

Housekeeping managers who are aware of the economics, characteristics and advantages of today’s vacuum cleaners and who apply basic management strategies will be able to make their operations increasingly efficient and effective, and they will be able to deliver sweeping results to their facilities.

• Select a vacuum cleaner that allows the most flexibility. Vacuums that can perform more than one function minimize the need for a cleaner to carry two or more pieces of equipment.
  
• Minimize downtime by using vacuum cleaners that have a large enough debris-collecting capacity to minimize emptying during a normal shift. Every emptying of a vacuum cleaner costs time in labor and supplies, and that loss represents dollars.
  
• Maximize productivity by selecting the right size of vacuum for the task. For wide-open areas, use a wide-area vacuum, and for narrow areas, use a smaller vacuum with attachments.
  
• Match the equipment to the person. A heavy or large vacuum might be hard to operate for a person who is slightly built. In that case, a lighter-weight vacuum actually might increase productivity and minimize repetitive-motion injuries.
  
• Involve equipment users in the selection process. An operator who has no choice and gets stuck with a vacuum that does not help do the work might not use it properly and might even abuse it. But if an operator is satisfied with the piece of equipment, it is more likely that he or she will use the piece of equipment properly.
  
• Plan for maintenance. Vacuum cleaners should last several years if maintained properly. Operators should empty dirt-collection units as often as needed, and they should wind up electrical cords properly after use so that wires inside insulation do not twist. Finally, they should adjust brushes properly and install replacement bags and belts according to manufacturer’s directions.