How To Use Vacuum Attachments In 2022

If you want to learn how to use vacuum cleaner attachments to efficiently clean your home, keep reading.

In this guide, we'll walk you through exactly how to use your vacuum cleaner's attachments.

You'll learn how to use, disinfect and clean vacuum attachments.

So, keep reading if you're ready to become a vacuum attachments expert.

What are the attachments on a vacuum for?

Most modern vacuums come equipped with a series of attachments.

These attachments help users pick up dirt in areas that would be difficult or impossible without them, such as corners unreachable by hand, underneath furniture, and even on ceilings.

They also provide a more comprehensive clean, one that the cleaner's front end cannot do.

Due to vacuums having some weight, attachment also mitigates the physical aspect of vacuum cleaning, preventing people from picking up the entire unit to finish a cleaning job.

A large upright vacuum, for example, could weigh upwards of 10 pounds. But with the correct attachment, one cleans the floor of a large home without ever needing to lift the container.

How do you disinfect vacuum attachments?

Home appliances of all kinds must be cleaned eventually, vacuum cleaners being one of them. And since most vacuums have attachments, these should be cleaned as well.

Vacuum attachments can attract large quantities of pathogens, dust, and general debris. Some of it clings to the surfaces, especially pipe attachments.

As a general rule, Never use chemicals that are corrosive to plastic for cleaning your vacuum, such as large quantities of black.

Many vacuum attachments are made of BPA-free plastics, which could gradually weaken in direct contact with bleach for a long time. Instead, use a mild soap, such as dishwashing liquid, or a bit of vinegar.

Allow the attachment to soak for at least an hour scrubbing any areas where dirt sticks to the material's exterior. You'll probably need a bit of water or a bucket large enough to put everything in.

Drying time varies but can take anywhere from 12 to 24 hours. For brush attachments, use a cutting tool to remove any long strands of hair or pieces of thread.

How To Use Dyson Vacuum Attachments

Dyson vacuums include attachments meant to make vacuuming easier and quicker to do.

They should be handled and maintained well, placed in a safe bag or container before use when you're ready to clean, and fit only those that you intend on using at the moment.

When working the crevices of furniture, the crevice tool might come in handy.

What are Dyson attachments used for?

Similar to other vacuums that the brand competes with, Dyson's attachments are built to handle distinct jobs, such as claiming inclined, stairs, and surfaces made of fabric.

Dyson has tools that are great for picking up pet hair from carpets or hard surfaces, the kind that requires more than powerful suction to get up.

They can last or as long as the vacuum itself does, making the chances high that you'll have them around for more than one Dyson vacuum. You may even get the attachments to fit on a different vacuum machine brand.

Which Dyson attachment is for hardwood floors?

For hardwood floors, Dyson's soft roller head is good to have around. It has a nylon brush that can pick up lots of dust, thanks to its carbon fiber bristles.

For people with pets, this can scoop up their hair regardless of how fine it is. But even with debris that's small such as ash, lint, and pollen, it'll come right up without you needing multiple passes to get your floor looking clean.

How do you store vacuum cleaner attachments?

Although not everyone thinks about storage when buying a new vacuum, it often ends up being the primary thing that allows them to last a short or long duration.

Not all of course, but some people place their vacuum and cleaning attachments in bad places, such as on a rack that's exposed to other hazards nearby. The best storage to use is a bag of some sort.

The bag should ideally have a place to hook it up when left unattended. Place your attachments in the bag, then hang it over a door that's close to where you store the vacuum's main body.

This way, you can simply pick up the entire bag when you need something, instead of making a trip back and forth to grab additional attachments when you're cleaning, just carry it over your shoulder as if it were a piece of luggage.

How To Use Rainbow Vacuum Attachments

Since Rainbow vacuums usually come with more than one attachment, you'll have to know which hose should be used for what purpose.

Above all else, always assume that you cannot use any hose to suck up liquid substances unless you know for a fact that you can do so. But for other tasks, most hoses should work well.

For cleaning wet debris, you can use a hose that has no electricity. These are sometimes called non-electric hoses.

For dry cleanup, dry hoses are provided. After you've got the right hose for the spill that needs cleaning, you can attach it to your unit.

On the Rainbow SE AND D3 model, you can slide the hose attachment on by turning it inward from the tip. This also applies to the D4.

Some Rainbow models like the SE have buttons that latch onto the hose, keeping it held firmly without turning.

Every Rainbow hose has either a lock or sliding attachment mechanism, giving you a friction-free vacuuming experience.

For the floor tool, begin by hooking up the upright piece that contains no bends.

Secondly, connect the other wand with a slight turn in its shape. Ensure that the outward part of their edges is on the opposite side of where they both lock.

For some, a Rainbow vacuum might be purchased with attachments that aren't built by the same company.

Such tools will generally attach the same way as those that aren't aftermarket. However, the floor tool might have a different way to get on onto your machine. If a swivel is present, just put it on the vacuum's tip and proceed with cleaning.

How To Use Shark Vacuum Attachments

Shark vacuums have great accessories included with them. Each is built with a high standard and can help you get your home clean without you breaking a sweat when the work's done.

Nevertheless, understand that Shark may have attachments that fit only with a certain model, where those attachments won't fit on a different model.

In the situation where you own a Shark and need compatible accessories, be sure to know if what you want can attach to your vacuum without issue.

Take a look at the top area of your Shark vacuum.

Do you see a part that helps you to adjust the height?

Most do. It's the same part that lets you control the vacuum's suction power.

Primarily used for getting the vacuum adapted to the carpets that it's moved over, you can complete two tasks in one instance this way.

Shark also has crevice tool attachments for the Navigator models that it sells. Their sizes range from a 24-inch tool at the highest and an 11-inch one at the smallest.

You can find out which belongs to your Shark vacuum by checking the serial number. Some models have them included with the machine when it's sold, the NV352 being one example.  

Some Shark owners may encounter a situation where their machine won't start up after the attachments are placed on as directed in the manual.

When you're vacuuming and you notice that the brush won't activate the vacuum, don't panic.

It could be that the nozzle that's connected to the roller hasn't been set to move.

Alternatively, your brush roll may have something jamming it from the inside that you can't see.

When the nozzle is due to this, simply turn off the machine by unplugging it to clear away anything that you see blocking that area from moving.

How To Use Hoover Vacuum Attachments

Hoover's accessories are suited for different purposes, one being the cleaning of areas that are higher than the floor. They're great for getting stairways clean.

Hook up the straight portion of your hose attachment into the rear part of your Hoover vacuum, opening the flexible cover latch to do this. the fit should be tight enough to where it doesn't turn if you attempt to do it with your hands.

Hold down the latch button to get the circular part of the attachment inside, moving the handle up simultaneously. Most other attachments are connected the same way.

When cleaning anything above the floor, you can try out the crevice tool that has a detachable handle. It can fit an extension piece to help you reach locations impossible to do otherwise.  

How To Use Bissell Vacuum Attachments

Bissell vacuums have attachments that are very easy to connect. Begin by taking out the flexible hose from the rear part of your vacuum.

Racks are placed here for this purpose. When you know which attachment you want, take it out from the included accessories box. Firmly push the accessory into the tip of the flexible hose until you can move it anymore.

Next, take other attachments from the box that you see as they become needed. They'll all fit with the flexible hose, save for the tools dial.

You can place this front-facing side. As you slide it on, the setting should be placed on Hose Attachments. Once complete, you can freely use a combination of spaying and vacuuming to clean nearby surfaces.

Do you see the knob that says Custom Clean on your Bissell? You can set it to a normal, light, or heavy clean setting. What you use depends on the surface you clean and how dirty it is.

A rinse setting is optional as well, good for thick fabrics commonly featured on furniture. At this stage, you can turn on your Bissell and commence with vacuuming.

How To Use Kirby Vacuum Attachments

Kirby's tools consist of the wall, cleaning, piece, the hardwood floor attachment, a crevice tool, and duel extension pieces.

There's also a tool for cleaning upholstery and a duster with bristles. It's removable, so you can use that extension on its own without the brush if you want.

Observe the release of the corner extension tool. Try it out in places that have woven surfaces that must be cleaned but are too fragile to use with other attachments.

Kirby even has a shampoo tool, great for bedroom upholstery such as mattresses and sofa pillows.

The concept for using a Kirby attachment is pretty simple. Just hook them on with the main unit with a gentle twist and push.

If you experience difficulty with getting them to stay on as you clean, likely, you're not pushing them on deep enough. The attachment shouldn't move at all when you're having them hooked into place.

Read more: Best Kirby Vacuum Cleaners

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you use a vacuum hose?

Vacuum hoses are the simplest of all vacuum attachments. On most models, you can attach them with a latch or sliding maneuver.

Some hoses are built to connect with a secondary attachment, one that's sometimes smaller or longer than the primary hose itself.

Hoses on their own are good for general purpose cleaning, but might not hold up well for detailed vacuuming in tight spaces are areas that you can't see, at least without an attachment.

How do you fit a vacuum attachment?

Vacuum attachments are placed either on the vacuum's body or the previously attached hose piece.

They differ in size and intention, so one attachment could be radically opposite from another. Recent vacuum models require they be attached by sliding or looking, sometimes to the rear of the machine.

To know how your attachment hooks up without you doing it incorrectly, you can refer to the manual of the vacuum model or attachments that you own. Since most attachments are built with simplicity in mind, you'll probably encounter little to no difficulty in getting things set up.

How do you use a pool vacuum attachment?

Not all vacuums are made for indoor cleaning. Pool vacuums are relied upon by people with indoor and outdoor pools, helping them to keep the water clean and the pool's walls from getting dirty over time.

Even while most pools contain chlorine, it won't stop debris from getting inside the pool and settling at the bottom or floating at the top. To prevent this, pool attachments are required with their primary unit.

Pool attachments are different from standard floor attachments. Pool vacuums are made specifically for cleaning the lower portion of pools only. You'll first need to hook on the pool cleaning head to the pole of your machine.

When needing to clean deep pools over six feet in depth, a telescoping rod is recommended.

If you want to avoid having to turn your pool's pumping system on and off during the clean, get a vacuum plate attachment to go with your skimmer basket.

How do you connect a hose to a vacuum?

Hose connections work by linking it with the vacuum's body. The connecting end of the vacuum is sometimes hidden by a flap on the front or backside.

It's recommended that you attach it before turning the vacuum on. If your hose is aftermarket and being attached to a machine not made by the same company, the fit might be tighter than expected.

But if you acquired it in a size that's flush with your machine, they should attach well.

If you encounter problems with getting your hose to connect, it could be due to one of three reasons. The first is a poor fit from the attachment.

What size hose does your vacuum take, and are you certain that the piece is compatible with the vacuum model? Another could be that the house needs cleaning or has some construction from its tip or the vacuum that you cannot see.

Be sure that all attaching ends of the vacuum, hose, and other accessories have nothing inside of them. And finally, the hose's tip might have broken.

This would require that you get a replacement since broken hoses could lower the function power of it or the attachment you hook it up with on the front end.

What is the vacuum attachment with bristles for?

You've probably seen and even used brush attachments. They're usually called dust brushes, or dusting brushes. Depending on the kind of vacuum you have, dust brushes can help you remove stubborn debris from fabrics, upholstery, cushions, and more.

Many hook up to hose attachments and are made in different sizes. If your machine is capable of vacuuming wet debris, your brush might serve as a shampoo cleaning tool or even have a spray nozzle on the front.

Summary

Overall, what vacuum attachment is your favorite? Vacuum models have begun making their attachment better than those housed on machines produced in the past.

They're durable and very easy to keep clean. But using them can sometimes be a bit confusing since cleaners might have several features with one vacuum unit.

Knowing ahead of time before you buy is best, helping you to become familiar with the accessory and how it fits your machine before purchase.

But understand that the more attachments have their own, the better you'll manage to clean your home without missing spots in the process.