How to choose the right vacuum cleaner attachment for your cleaning needs

When it comes to keeping your home clean and dust-free, your trusty vacuum cleaner is an indispensable tool. However, to maximise its efficiency and versatility, it’s essential to choose the right vacuum attachment for your cleaning needs. With the right attachments, you can tackle a wide range of surfaces and tasks with ease.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll help you understand common vacuum cleaner attachments and share how to choose the right vacuum attachments for your cleaning needs.

Understand your cleaning needs

• Different types of flooring require different attachments. Are you cleaning hardwood, carpet, tile, or a combination of these?
• If you have pets, you’ll want attachments that can effectively tackle pet hair and dander.
• Allergy sufferers may require attachments that can capture and trap allergens effectively.
• Do you need attachments for upholstery, curtains, or hard-to-reach corners and crevices?
• Are you looking for attachments that can handle a wide range of cleaning tasks, providing versatility in your cleaning routine?

Let’s explore the various vacuum cleaner attachments and how to choose the right one to get your cleaning done easily and effectively.

Common vacuum cleaner attachments

Crevice tool

Designed for: The crevice tool, often a slender and elongated attachment, is designed to reach tight spaces that are difficult to access with a regular vacuum head.

Common uses: Use the crevice tool to clean corners, edges, gaps between furniture and along skirting boards. It’s excellent for removing dust and debris from narrow and hard-to-reach areas.

Dusting brush

Designed for: The dusting brush typically features soft bristles and is ideal for delicate surfaces.

Common uses: Use the dusting brush to clean delicate items such as lampshades, blinds and decorative objects. It’s also useful for dusting vents, shelves and electronics without scratching them.

Upholstery tool

Designed for: The upholstery tool has a wide, flat nozzle and is designed to clean fabric-covered furniture and mattresses.

Common uses: Use the upholstery tool to remove pet hair, crumbs and dirt from couches, chairs, and cushions. It’s also great for refreshing your mattress by removing dust mites and allergens.

Hard floor brush

Designed for: The hard floor brush typically has soft bristles and a wide, flat surface.

Common uses: Use the hard floor brush on hardwood, tile, laminate and other hard floor surfaces. It’s designed to pick up debris without scratching or damaging the floor’s finish.

Turbo brush

Designed for: The turbo brush contains a rotating brush roll and is designed for removing pet hair and embedded dirt from carpets and upholstery.

Common uses: Use the turbo brush on carpets, rugs and upholstered furniture to agitate and lift stubborn dirt and pet hair. Its rotating brush action provides a deep clean.

Pet grooming vacuum attachment

Designed for: The pet grooming attachment is designed for vacuuming loose pet hair directly from your furry friend.

Common uses: Use the pet grooming attachment to groom your pets and reduce shedding. It can be an excellent tool for pet owners who want to keep their homes cleaner and reduce allergens.

Mattress tool

Designed for: The mattress tool is designed specifically for cleaning mattresses and upholstery.

Common uses: Use the mattress tool to remove dust mites, allergens, and dirt from your mattress and other upholstered surfaces. It helps improve the overall hygiene of your bedding.

Bristle brush attachment

Designed for: The bristle brush attachment has stiff bristles and is ideal for scrubbing and agitating stubborn dirt and stains.

Common uses: Use the bristle brush attachment on high-traffic carpeted areas or heavily soiled spots. It helps break up dirt and grime for more effective cleaning.

Extension wand

Designed for: The extension wand is a telescoping tube that allows you to extend the reach of your vacuum.

Common uses: Use the extension wand to clean high ceilings, ceiling fans and other elevated surfaces. It’s also handy for vacuuming under furniture without bending or straining.

Vacuum cleaner attachment fittings

Handy hint! Check the size of the attachment fittings before purchasing. If the attachment doesn’t fit properly, it may not create a proper seal, and you may experience a loss of suction or difficulty in using the tool effectively. Vacuum cleaners typically use standardised attachment sizes, but there can still be variations depending on the brand and model of the vacuum.

Common vacuum attachment sizes

32mm

This is a common size for most household vacuum cleaners. Many upright and canister vacuums use attachments with this diameter.

35, 38 or 40mm

Some larger and more powerful vacuums, especially those used for commercial or industrial cleaning, may use attachments with a diameter ranging between 35-40mm.

54mm

This size is less common but can be found on some heavy-duty commercial or industrial vacuum cleaners.

Attachments for cordless stick vacuums

Attachments for cordless stick vacuums like LG CordZero, Samsung Jet, Miele , TRIFLEX HX1, Bosch, and Vax are designed specifically for each model and are not interchangeable. However, you can easily find many of these attachments as spare parts at Statewide Appliance Spares.

Tips for getting the most out of your vacuum attachments

Now that you have a better understanding of common vacuum cleaner attachments, let’s explore some tips to help you make the most of these tools and achieve perfect vacuuming results:

Inspect and clean attachments regularly

Before each use, inspect your attachments for damage or clogs. Clean them as needed to ensure optimal suction and performance.

Choose the right attachment for the task

Match the attachment to the cleaning task at hand. Using the wrong attachment can be less effective and potentially damage surfaces.

Adjust the height setting

Many vacuum cleaners allow you to adjust the height setting based on the type of flooring. For carpets, set the brush height to the appropriate level to maximize cleaning efficiency.

Empty the dustbin frequently

To maintain strong suction, empty the vacuum’s dustbin or replace the vacuum bag regularly. A full dustbin reduces a vacuum’s effectiveness.

Maintain filters

Clean or replace filters as recommended by the manufacturer to ensure good airflow and filtration. Dirty filters can lead to reduced suction and dust escaping into the air. Check out our handy and comprehensive guide on how to clean your vacuum cleaner filter.

Use a HEPA filter

If you have allergies or asthma, consider using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to capture even the smallest particles and allergens.

Vacuum in multiple directions

When vacuuming carpets, go over the area in multiple directions to dislodge embedded dirt and fluff carpet fibres for a more thorough clean.

Spot treat stains

For stubborn stains on carpets or upholstery, pre-treat the area with an appropriate stain remover before vacuuming.

Rotate attachments

Don’t forget to rotate and clean all attachments regularly. This prevents one attachment from wearing out faster than the others.

Keep pets groomed

If you have pets, groom them regularly to reduce shedding and the amount of pet hair that ends up on your floors and furniture.

All the latest on the Statewide blog

Visit our blog where you can find our guide to fixing common vacuum cleaning problems and vacuum cleaner tips to make life easier.

Where to buy vacuum cleaner spare parts and vacuum attachments

Now that you’re armed with knowledge about vacuum cleaner attachments and how to use them effectively, you can find all your vacuum cleaner spare parts and accessories at Statewide Appliance Spares.

Statewide Appliance Spares offer Australia’s biggest range of vacuum cleaner spare parts and accessories. You can find  a wide selection of bags, floor tools, filters, hoses and more, for various vacuum cleaner brands and models, including Bosch, Electrolux, LG, Miele and Vax. Whether you need a replacement attachment or want to expand your vacuum cleaner’s capabilities, Statewide Appliance Spares has you covered.