After emptying the trash and doing the dusting, it is time for vacuuming, that final step to keep your office buildings looking clean and your clients happy. Vacuuming properly does more than just get up the dust and soil particles that can cause permanent staining, discoloration and damage to a building's carpets. It also prolongs the life of carpets by removing gritty particles that can cut and scratch carpet fibers and hold microscopic soils that cause discoloration.

Vacuuming regularly will prolong the periods between carpet cleaning. Carpet cleaning can be expensive and it is also rough on carpet fibers. A properly vacuumed carpet removes not only soils and dust, but also pollens that can irritate allergies and breathing problems. By vacuuming regularly you can also quickly spot areas of the carpet that may need repairs. Repairs can then be made before more harm is done or before someone trips and falls over a frayed edge, bald spot or other damaged area of the carpet.

It is important to remember that the more traffic and use a rug or carpet receives, the more vacuuming it needs. Vacuum traffic lanes and high use areas daily when cleaning commercial offices that are serviced five times a week. Spot vacuum twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays). Look closely around the desks and chairs that need a quick swipe or two. Vacuum thoroughly every time you clean offices that are serviced just once or twice a week. Pay particular attention to traffic lanes and heavy traffic areas, as they may need several passes.

A thorough and complete vacuum job includes vacuuming under chairs, tables, desks, trash cans and other easily moved items. Also, vacuum along edges and behind doors. If you clean an office building daily, complete vacuuming should be done on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. If a building is only cleaned one, two or three times a week, complete vacuuming job should be done every time you clean the building.

Detail vacuum the building at least once a month. Detail vacuum using a back-pack vacuum or an upright vacuum that has a crevice tool. Detail vacuuming involves vacuuming all edges, under desks, between file cabinets and walls, and any other area that you cannot reach with a regular vacuum.

Be careful not to bump furniture, walls, corners, baseboards (especially wood trim) or equipment while vacuuming. Be careful not to rub the cord along corners. This can cause damage to both the clients property and to the vacuum.

For your safety, always check the vacuum cleaner cords before vacuuming. When plugging in the vacuum do not unplug computers, fax machines or any other electric equipment in the office. To vacuum efficiently, plug the vacuum in the area where you will be working, near the entrance or at a central location.

To avoid injuries and sprains, employees should stand in a comfortable position, and then lean slightly forward bending at the hips rather than putting their back into an uncomfortable position. Employees should move their arms forward and backward in a steady motion and shift their body weight as necessary. When vacuuming long hallways, simply walk with the vacuum rather than using excessive arm movements. When using back-pack vacuums, the upper torso should remain erect with little twisting or sudden sharp movements.

Vacuum more efficiently by starting in one area of the room and working around in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. If you move any chairs or light objects, be sure to put them back into place after vacuuming the area.

Put the final touch on your office cleaning by proper vacuuming. Vacuuming is not only important to keep your office buildings clean, but will also prolong carpet life, and help to keep employees and visitors to the building healthy. Following proper vacuum techniques will keep your buildings cleaner and your clients happy!

Steve Hanson is co-founding member of The Janitorial Store (TM), an online community for owners and managers of cleaning companies who want to build a more profitable and successful cleaning business. Sign up for Trash Talk: Tip of the Week at http://www.TheJanitorialStore.com and receive a Free Gift!