The Best Type Of Vacuum For Cleaning Shag Carpet

Although it was primarily popular several decades ago, shag carpeting may be coming back in style. Consequently, you may need to figure out the easiest ways to clean a shag rug or carpet, including how to vacuum it. Because of the deep pile in this type of floor covering, it can collect more dust and particles than material with a low pile. The starting point for finding the best type of vacuum cleaner for shag carpet is selecting one with a dedicated high pile setting that does not have a beater bar.

Even though it's difficult to clean, shag is a popular choice for flooring because of its attention-grabbing design. Many different colors are available, allowing you to select one that perfectly matches the room's décor. The tall fibers look so soft and luxurious that this design is difficult to resist. And it is far more comfortable than a low pile style when you and the kids sit on the floor to play or watch a movie. As a result, people are considering installing shag carpeting more often now.

However, because of the cleaning challenges and the increased maintenance requirements versus shorter pile carpets, you need to have the right tools on hand — primarily the vacuum cleaner — to give you the best chance of keeping the shag rug or carpeting looking as good as new.

Because of the tall pile of shag carpeting, the vacuum cleaner you choose must be able to clean the fibers without causing them to tangle or catch on the machine's moving parts. This is a bit of a challenge with shag, but a dedicated high pile setting lessens this concern. Additionally, do not select a model with a beater bar, which is the spinning roller; many vacuums use it, as this almost certainly will catch on the tall fibers.

Most vacuums will allow you to change their height above the floor. Some models may only have a few settings, while others may offer several customizations, but these more versatile models will carry a higher price tag. With this in mind, when shopping for a vacuum you want to use with your shag carpeting, pay close attention to its highest setting. Make sure it has a high pile mode tall enough to handle your carpet's design. Nearly any vacuum's tallest height setting should be adequate for a couple of inches in height. However, if the pile is closer to 5 inches in height, you may need a machine with a specific shag pile height setting. The Shark AZ2002 Vertex can handle tall piles, but it does have a beater bar, so use it carefully.

Some assume the best way to vacuum a shag rug involves using the lowest pile setting. They may believe this is the most suitable method to remove the dirt embedded deep in the pile because the suction is as close to the ground — where the dirt is — as possible. However, using this setting usually ends up causing tangles that could damage the carpeting.

If you believe your high pile setting isn't giving you the desired results, consider using the upholstery attachment to pull the dirt out of the tall fibers. You'll need to run this attachment by hand, which can be a hassle for an entire room, but it may be your best option. If you have a smaller shag rug, the hand attachment is a great choice. The Bissell Zing 2154A Canister and the Eureka WhirlWind Bagless are good choices for this purpose.

To make the process easier for vacuuming a shag rug, take it outside and shake it to remove as much dirt as possible before you begin vacuuming. You don't need to vacuum it as often, maybe twice a month. With a full-room shag carpet installation, though, this isn't an option. You'll have to use the vacuum cleaner more often, perhaps as frequently as once a week, to keep it as dirt-free as possible.