The following information comes from the VDTA/SDTA website. It is the Association dedicated to supporting independent vacuum cleaner and sewing machine retailers around the world. Its membership includes independent vacuum and sewing retail stores. There are more than 20,000 independent vacuum cleaner and sewing machine retailers throughout North America
 

Shopping at your Local Floor Care Dealer

Benefits of Shopping at Your Local Independent Floor Care Retailer

Get Advice From the Experts

There are hundreds of brands and models of vacuum cleaners on the market today. Vacuum cleaners are available from a variety of outlets. Your local, independent floor care retailers are experts on vacuum cleaners and other home cleaning aids. That's their business. Your local dealer can give you advice and information not available from any other outlet -- the benefit of years of experience and product knowledge on a large variety of vacuum cleaner brands and models. This knowledge and advice can make all the difference when you're trying to find the vacuum cleaner that's right for your specific needs. Every homeowner has a different cleaning situation -- pets, allergies, carpet type, hard floor surfaces, etc. Your local dealer can show you how different vacuum cleaner models will handle them all.

Product Demonstrations

You can buy a vacuum cleaner almost anywhere. All you have to do is go into a store, pick up a box and pay for it. This severely limits your buying information -- to what you read on the outside of a box or what a stock clerk can tell you about the product (usually very little). Your local floor care dealer will take the time to walk you through the specific features and benefits available on a variety of vacuum cleaner models. They will SHOW YOU how these models perform and let you make direct comparisons between them. Because most independent floor care dealers carry a variety of vacuum cleaners from different manufacturers an in all price ranges, you can find the one vacuum cleaner that will best suit your needs.

Service After the Sale

The vast majority of local independent floor care dealers provide their customers with an on-site service and repair department staffed with knowledgeable service technicians. In fact many dealers are authorized service centers for the most popular vacuum cleaner brands. Members of the VDTA/SDTA attend service and repair seminars and certification programs offered to them by the Association. When you see this symbol in your local dealer's store, you can be assured of quality service and repair.

Other Floor Care and Home Cleaning Products and Services

Your local independent vacuum dealer has expertise in many related areas. From carpet cleaning, spotting and shampooing, upholstery and drapery care and hard floor maintenance to indoor air cleaners, steam cleaning equipment and janitorial strength cleaning chemicals. Independent vacuum dealers offer a wide range of products and services to help you maintain a beautiful home and they attend numerous trade shows, educational seminars and training sessions where they learn of the latest home care equipment, products and services. By passing on the knowledge and expertise, your local dealer can help you with all your home care needs.
 
Tips on Buying a Vacuum Cleaner

Buying a vacuum cleaner that's right for your needs. The life of your carpet depends on it.

There are three basic types of dirt to remove from a carpet:
  • visible lint and surface litter
  • dust not visible to the naked eye laying just below the surface
  • heavy dirt and sand laying at the bottom of your carpet fiber

The purchase of a new vacuum cleaner is an important decision. The right vacuum and its proper use can double or triple your carpet's life expectancy, saving you thousands of dollars in carpet wear. Most people presume a vacuum is doing its job. You can't see the bottom of your carpet to know if your vacuum is removing the sand and grit responsible for carpet damage.

The overall appearance of your carpet depends on a good vacuum cleaner.

If the vacuum cleaner you purchase has enough air flow and suction to lift the carpet nap to the brushes, the vacuum will brush the nap and help it to stand up properly. The result will be newer looking and easier-to-clean carpeting

This is how carpet nap should look if your vacuum is helping it to stand up properly.


 

If your vacuum is performing poorly, the carpet nap will remain matted and packed down from foot traffic. Sand and grit cannot be pulled from flattened carpet fibers. Dark colored traffic trails begin to appear. As the sand and dirt build up, it acts like sandpaper, slowly wearing and cutting the carpet fibers as you walk across it.

Carpet nap after the pile has begun to mat down. Sand and heavy dirt cannot get through the flattened fibers.




So, how do you make a good decision on a new vacuum?

1. Study the various makes and models. Find out how they perform with the type of carpet you have, the type of pad and how it was installed (stretched or glued).

2. Talk to an expert. Your independent vacuum dealer is available to share professional advice. He or she can answer your questions, analyze your cleaning needs and aid you in your buying decision.

Let your independent dealer help you select the right vacuum cleaner.
 
How often should you service your vacuum?

Your vacuum should be serviced every 12 to 18 months.

As dirt, dust and lint pass through your vacuum cleaner, a buildup in the bearing housings and bearings will slow down the brush roll causing excessive wear on your vacuum motor and belt. Over a period of time some brushes become soft, lose effectiveness and need to be replaced. A worn out brush may still look completely fine. If not replaced, it will simply turn, never touching the carpet. This cuts your cleaning efficiency by as much as 50 percent.

Accumulated dirt and dust in the motor bearings will slow down the motor along with a sluggish brush roll. The result is an overheated motor which can drastically shorten the life of a vacuum motor or even require total replacement of the entire vacuum.

Carbon brushes in the motor transmit electricity to the armature. As the motor turns, the brushes wear out. Should they wear out, the electric wire could touch the armature, cause a short circuit and ultimately burn out the motor. Dust and lint building up in the motor can become lodged between the armature and carbon brush causing motor failure and may even present a fire hazard.


The overall appearance of your carpet depends on a good vacuum cleaner.

If the vacuum cleaner you purchase has enough air flow and suction to lift the carpet nap to the brushes, the vacuum will brush the nap and help it to stand up properly. The result will be newer looking and easier to clean carpeting.

If your vacuum is performing poorly, the carpet nap will remain matted and packed down from foot traffic. Sand and grit cannot be pulled from flattened carpet fibers. Dark colored traffic trails begin to appear. As the sand and dirt build up, it acts like sandpaper, slowly wearing and cutting the carpet fibers as you walk across it.

Let your independent vacuum professional service your vacuum every 12 to 18 months and avoid these potential problems. Keep your vacuum working at its maximum cleaning efficiency—the beauty and longevity of your carpet and upholstery depend on it
 
Disposable Vacuum Cleaner Bags

There's a reason they're called DISPOSABLE.

Change disposable bags when 1/2 full and never try to empty and reuse them.

Vacuum bags are made of filter paper which trap dust particles and allow the air to pass through. As the pores of the bag become clogged, air will not pass through freely, reducing cleaning efficiency and making the vacuum motor work harder with the possibility of overheating. The now clogged bag has lost most of its filtering capability. Incoming air and dust can force the dust that is in the pores of the bag into the motor and back into the room.

Emptying and reusing a disposable bag cuts cleaning efficiency by 50 percent or more. The pores in the filter paper are full which blocks air flow, thus reducing cleaning efficiency. The quality of the filter paper combined with the quality of manufacturing determines not only the price of the bags, but the efficiency of your vacuum cleaner. In the long run, bargain-priced bags sold in discount stores or supermarkets cost the consumer more in vacuum repairs and devaluation of carpet and home furnishings. If your vacuum is not cleaning efficiently, it allows the sand and grit to build up at the back of your carpets and in furniture causing excessive wear. Your independent vacuum dealer sells only quality replacement parts and supplies. Their professional advice could save you hundreds of dollars!

Keep a supply of vacuum bags on hand and you’ll be more likely to change the bag when it’s full.
Why change your vacuum cleaner belt every 3 months?

Your vacuum's cleaning efficiency depends on it.

What is the purpose of the vacuum belt?

The drive shaft or motor pulley turns the belt which causes the brushroll to turn and provides the necessary agitation to deep clean your carpet.

After about three months the belt has stretched, causing the belt to slip on the drive shaft. This means the brushroll turns slowly or not at all. The vacuum still picks up the easily seen surface litter, but the sand and grit at the base of your carpet starts to build up, causing excessive carpet wear.

The quality of belts varies widely. If your new belt is too loose, again the brushroll will turn slowly, if at all. If it is too strong or tight, it puts excessive wear and strain on your motor and bearings which can cause damage, needing repair.

It only takes a minute to change a vacuum belt but it can save hours of cleaning time and effort. Let your independent dealer help you select the right belt for your vacuum. Such advice could save you hundreds of dollars. Let the dealer install the belt, as well. The proper tension will make all the difference in your cleaning efficiency.
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