The History Of Carpet Cleaning And Vacuum Cleaners
The vacuum cleaner is an invention that we sometimes take for granted. Still, when you consider how important it is to keep a clean, well-maintained carpet, it soon becomes apparent that we could not live without hoovers or vacuum cleaners.
At first, hoovers and vacuum cleaners were easier to clean up dirt and dust to maintain a clean eye appearance. As our understanding of microbes, allergens and sanitation developed, we saw the introduction of focused carpet cleaning, which was employed to thoroughly clean and condition a carpet rather than just on the surface. Wrennalls has provided high-quality carpet cleaning services in the north for over 30 years if you are looking for the best carpet cleaner in Burnley.
We understand that a carpet is an integral component of your decor and needs to be upheld and kept in good standing. Technology and efficiency have come a long way since the first vacuum cleaners were invented. Still, as Burnley’s most popular carpet cleaner, we always look back with interest on the history of carpet cleaning and how it has evolved.
Production and dirt in the industrial revolution
Although the concept of a sweeping brush has existed for hundreds of years, the beginnings of vacuums and carpet cleaning started in the 1800s during the industrial revolution. At this time, factories were mass-producing goods on an enormous scale unseen until that point. Such intense production and industrial activity produced vast dirt, dust and pollution.
With the mass production and exportation of consumer goods at the time, lots of wealth was being created; factory owners, business people and other well-to-do members of society could afford high-end decorations like carpets. At the same time, advances in medical knowledge heightened public awareness of germs, the immune system and the importance of sanitation: this awareness and newly created wealth led to the start of commercial carpet cleaning companies.
The Whirlwind
There are many accounts of individuals who contributed to what we know today as the vacuum cleaner, but there is one significant invention. In 1868, Ives W. McGaffey invented the first manual vacuum cleaner known as the “whirlwind”, a portable device which relied on a hand-crank mechanism to generate a suction force. Although a great leap forward, the machine was short-lived due to the difficulty of pushing the machine while turning the crank handle and later considered too bulky.
These humble beginnings are pretty breathtaking when you compare them to the advanced technology we use at Wrennalls, and you’ll be glad to know that McGaffey’s Whirlwind is not on our inventory list! As a trusted carpet cleaner in Burnley, we employ the latest technology made possible through the initial steps taken by pioneers like Ives W. McGaffey.
Motorised Vacuum cleaner
There were a few developments here and there throughout the remainder of the 19th century that contributed varying refinements to the manual vacuum concept pioneered by McGaffey. In 1901 however, this all changed when London-based Hubert Cecil Booth invented the first motorised Vacuum cleaner.
Booth had witnessed a demonstration by an American inventor who had manufactured a blowing device designed to blow dust out of train seats and into a bag. Booth adapted this idea by using a mechanical piston engine to create a suction force rather than a blowing one. His invention, known as the “Puffing Billy”, was the first suction Hoover. The Puffing Billy was by no means portable, and it would be taken around the streets of London on a horse-drawn carriage with a team of five engineers to operate it.
When a homeowner opted to procure Booth’s services, Puffing Billy stayed on the street while multiple suction hoses fed through the windows.
Unfortunately, this was still a long way off the standards of a modern vacuum cleaner, as it only removed surface dirt. Although it was a good start, it wasn’t quite as powerful as what a vacuum cleaner would become. Booth’s machine was only available to the wealthy in London and was too impractical to be transported to other locations like the north of England. Luckily, if you are searching for a carpet cleaner in Burnley, Wrennalls will provide a fast estimate for your job and a service that will clean, condition and dry your carpets, leaving them in fantastic condition.
The handheld Vacuum
Only a few years after, when Booth had patented the Puffing Billy, an American janitor named James Spangler invented what would be seen as the first electric vacuum cleaner. After discovering he was allergic to dust, Spangler began experimenting with using an electric fan to create suction, drawing dust into a pillowcase. He fitted his invention into a soapbox which was then pushed around by a broom handle.
Spangler eventually sold the rights to his invention to dust sweeper manufacturer William Hoover, and the two worked on improving the design of Spangler’s cleaner. By the 1920s, the ‘Hoover Vacuum’ was a hit in domestic houses across the US, with many being imported and copied across Europe. Little by little, ingenuity and ambition kept improving the Vacuum making it more and more efficient.
Even with the massive breakthroughs in cleanliness and dust uptake, the Vacuum cancan only clean dirt and dust. To get rid of stubborn stains and maintain a carpet’s health, you need professional carpet cleaning instead of vacuuming. Wrennalls is known as the go-to carpet cleaner in Wigan and has an expert team ready to provide tailor-made cleaning packages personalised to your space, commercial or domestic.
The 1960s Onwards
There was little progress made from the late 20s o the end of the second world war regarding vacuum innovations. Still, in 1963, David Oreck designed a lightweight electrical cleaner considerably more potent than before. This then gave way to the engineering brilliance of James Dyson, who, in the mid-1970s, invented the concept of bagless technology, which propelled his company, “Dyson”, to the lofty reputation it enjoys today. Dyson’s Dual Cyclone became the most significant selling vacuum cleaner ever made in the UK, and his company still own a considerable market share of the vacuum market.
Do You Need A Carpet Cleaner In Burnley?
Wrennalls carpet, fabric and floor care specialists have been offering a nationwide service for over 30 years. Our commitment to pioneering new cleaning technology and always striving for perfection has earned us a reputation as the best carpet cleaner.
Our specialist estimators will survey your area to gauge important information like the size, type and condition of your carpets. From this assessment, we will then create a bespoke cleaning package tailored to your requirements.
We are SafeContractor & Safe Trader scheme approved with ISO9001, ISO14001 and OHSAS 18001 accreditation. You can enjoy peace of mind when procuring carpet cleaning services from Wrennalls.
If you are searching for a carpet cleaner in Burnley, call Wrennalls at 01204 895 998 or get a free quote from our website today!