What is a Vacuum Cleaner Brush?

A vacuum cleaner brush is a type of accessory or attachment that often comes with an upright vacuum cleaner. It is used for cleaning things like drapery and upholstery that could be damaged by simply using a vacuum cleaner wand or the vacuum itself. A vacuum cleaner brush may or may not be powered separately from the vacuum cleaner, and feature a smaller rotating brushroll like the one found on the bottom of a regular upright vacuum.

A vacuum cleaner brush is typically a small attachment that simply affixes to the end of a vacuum cleaner hose or wand, making it easy to take on and off. It features fairly stiff bristles. The simplest kind of vacuum cleaner brushes simply use suction for cleaning; the user manually runs the brush back and forth over the furniture or draperies to lift dust or pet hair. The vacuum cleaner brush helps to gently lift dust or pet hair that may be stuck in the furniture without causing any damage to delicate fabrics.

The other common type of vacuum cleaner brush is a powered brush. This usually also attaches to the vacuum cleaner through a separate hose or wand, but it may also need to plug in to the back of the vacuum for extra power. This type of vacuum cleaner brush features a rotating brushroll that is just smaller than the one found on the bottom of a vacuum. A brush like this helps to lift dirt or pet hair that is especially ground in to fabrics, but it may be too harsh on delicate curtains or other fabrics. It is a good idea to test either type of vacuum cleaner brush on an inconspicuous area first to be sure it does not cause any damage.

A powered vacuum cleaner brush is often a great tool for use on carpeted stairs. It allows the user to thoroughly vacuum the carpet on the stairs without needing to use the upright vacuum on every step, which can be cumbersome and even dangerous if one trips on the cord. Nearly all vacuum cleaners will come with at least a simple upholstery brush, but it will generally be necessary to spend a little more to get one with a powered brush. Many people believe the extra cost is worth it, however, particularly when trying to remove pet hair from furniture, which can be difficult with a regular vacuum.