Industrial vacuum cleaners are high-powered machines that can perform wet and dry vacuuming, stand up to consistent use and collect hazardous dust. Many types of commercial vacuums look similar to regular home vacuums but have twice the power and collection capabilities, so they're perfect for cleaning services and building maintenance teams.

Commercial vacuum cleaners are simple to use, but manufacturers and other organizations do provide training materials for operation and maintenance. Companies that need information on industrial vacuum cleaners can look for training materials from manufacturers. Manufacturers and organizations provide many types of industrial vacuum cleaners education and training, including:

1. User guides and operation manuals for industrial vacuum rentals and purchases.

2. Training materials that include videos and tutorials.

3. Courses and workshops that explain how to use industrial vacuums in different situations.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get user guides from suppliers of industrial vacuum cleaners

the same material online. Some of these online resources provide additional instructions for your vacuum cleaner. User guides are a good resource to use when planning in-house training programs for employees.

I recommend: Nilfisk Alto provides user guides for all models of its industrial vacuums. Oreck provides copies of user guides for its residential and commercial line of vacuum cleaners, plus Oreck's other cleaning products.

Explore online resources to learn more about vacuum cleaners for business

There are many types of industrial vacuum cleaners, but not all of them are right for every industrial environment. Some need special attachments or filters to properly clean an area of food waste or hazardous chemicals. Some vacuums also need to be used with additional safety gear, such as filtration masks.

I recommend: Morclean offers a host of videos that show how to use its line of industrial cleaning equipment, including industrial vacuum cleaners. Nilfisk CFM provides a guide on filtration systems for industrial vacuums, detailing which filter is right for different industrial environments.

Attend a class to learn how to operate an industrial vacuum cleaner

Some manufacturers offer comprehensive training sessions to teach users how to operate and maintain an industrial vacuum cleaner system. These courses are designed to teach basic operation, safety and simple maintenance techniques. Many manufacturers also offer these classes as part of an on-site training program for convenience.

I recommend: ProTeam offers classes that teach instruction on how to clean commercial areas with industrial vacuum tools. Latta Equipment Company provides on-site training for the industrial vacuums and material handling equipment it sells.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  To keep an industrial vacuum cleaner working properly, make sure to train all users on how to empty and clean the vacuum and its parts.

Shopping for an industrial or commercial vacuum cleaner can get confusing with so many makes and models. Whether you operate in an office, manufacturing plant, automotive shop or salon, you'll benefit from owning the right vacuum.

Vacuums come with so many options, so you've got to first identify exactly what you'll use it for. If you're vacuuming an office-grade carpet every night, then a simple commercial grade vacuum may suffice. However, if you're cleaning up large spills, sawdust, gravel or other types of messes, then you'll want to look for an industrial vacuum cleaner. Keep the following in mind as you shop for vacuum cleaners for business use:

1. Consider the type of flooring and other materials (like drapes or furniture fabric) your industrial or commercial vacuum cleaner will clean.

2. Ensure the commercial vacuum cord stretches a reasonable length from the outlet so you don't have to constantly plug and replug, or wrestle with an extension cord that trips your circuit breakers.

3. Know whether you need to buy a low-reach vacuum to reach underneath furniture or equipment.

4. Set a budget; the best vacuum doesn't always cost the most, but you'll still find that industrial vacuums cost a lot compared to a typical household vacuum cleaner.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Purchase commercial vacuum cleaners online

Even if your office or business floor space is small, consider buying a commercial vacuum built for durability instead of a simple household vacuum cleaner.

I recommend: Choose from the selection of upright and canister Sanitaire commercial vacuums by Electrolux at ThinkVacuums; warranties on their vacuums range from 1 to 10 years, and they sell commercial vacuums to handle light to heavy-duty jobs. Also view the commercial vacuum makes and models online at GoVacuum. Check out the Lux commercial upright vacuum’s easy bag change from Aerus (the original Electrolux in the US). The company provides personalized customer service and even delivers bags to your home or business.

Find suppliers of industrial vacuum cleaners online

You'll find industrial vacuums typically come with a higher price tag than commercial vacuums, but manufacturers build them to withstand more punishment and last longer.

I recommend: Contact American Vacuum Company to order your next industrial vacuum; they sell portable, HEPA filter, stationary, central (built-in) and air-operated vacuums. Also visit HafcoVac to see their compressed air industrial vacuums; HafcoVac offers a limited lifetime warranty for its systems, and they do provide volume discounts if you plan to buy more than one vacuum. If your budget dictates looking for used industrial vacuum cleaners, contact Industrial Vacuum Equipment Corporation for a quote.

Consider industrial vacuum rentals or leasing

Your budget may simply not allow you to purchase the industrial vacuum you need right now, but you can still find plenty of options for leasing or renting.

I recommend: Contact Air Dynamics to rent one of their vacuums before you actually purchase it. Also consider lease financing options offered by Latta Equipment Company for their Ruwac industrial vacuum systems ranging from 2 to 150 horsepower.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Before you buy your commercial or industrial vacuum cleaners online, make an effort to try several out in a store first. You might initially avoid a great vacuum because of its weight, thinking it would feel like pushing a block of cement. More important than the vacuum's weight, however, the balance design of the vacuum and/or a self-propelled feature will help a heavy vacuum move easily across your floors.
• •  You can't go wrong purchasing a commercial or industrial vacuum with a HEPA filter. HEPA stands for high efficiency particulate air, and these filters work to trap the extra-fine and tiny particles that your vacuum would otherwise release back into the air.