How to Use Central Vacuum Accessories

Accessory styles may vary by system or package. For complete instructions for your specific tools, contact us or refer to your owner’s manual. 

Which Central Vacuum Attachment Should You Use?

• Carpet and large rugs: Use a powerhead.
• Hard floors: Use a bare floor brush or dust mop.
• Area rugs and mats: Use a rug tool.
• Furniture and fabric surfaces: Use an upholstery tool.
• Baseboards, blinds, shelves, and electronics: Use a dusting brush.
• Edges, corners, stairs, and tight spaces: Use a crevice tool.

Powerheads

Best for: Wall-to-wall carpet, large rugs, and deep carpet cleaning.

Powerheads are designed for large carpeted areas and provide strong cleaning performance where dirt, dust, and debris can settle deep into carpet fibers. Their low-profile design makes it easier to clean under furniture, and their maneuverability helps cover large rooms efficiently.

Central Vacuum Systems may use electric, battery-powered, or air-driven turbine powerheads depending on the system and accessory package. To use a powerhead, insert the wand into the powerhead neck. When finished, press the wand release pedal on the powerhead neck and lift the wand to remove it.  

Bare Floor Brushes

Best for: Hardwood, tile, vinyl, slate, laminate, and other hard-surface floors.

Bare floor brushes provide gentle cleaning for hard floors while still capturing dust, dirt, and debris. Soft bristles help protect surfaces, while the swivel neck makes it easier to clean around furniture and into everyday traffic areas.

To use a bare floor brush, insert the wand into the friction-fit neck and begin vacuuming.

Rug Tool

Best for: Area rugs, mats, and smaller soft-surface floor coverings.

The rug tool uses large air channels to help clean rugs and mats without needing a full-size powerhead. It is a simple option for quick cleaning in entryways, kitchens, laundry rooms, and other areas with small rugs.

To use the rug tool, insert the wand into the friction-fit neck and vacuum as needed.

Dust Mops

Best for: Hard floors that need dusting, vacuuming, and polishing.

A dust mop lets you vacuum and dust hard-surface flooring at the same time. It is useful for wood, tile, vinyl, and other hard floors where fine dust, crumbs, and everyday debris collect.

The mophead is removable and machine washable. To use, insert the wand end into the friction-fit neck.

Dusting Brushes

Best for: Woodwork, baseboards, moldings, shelves, blinds, lamps, light fixtures, vents, televisions, monitors, and keyboards.

Dusting brushes use soft bristles and central vacuum suction to clean delicate or detailed surfaces. They are ideal for areas where you want to remove dust without scratching or damaging the surface.

To use a dusting brush, slide it onto the hose handle. For higher or harder-to-reach areas, attach it to the end of a wand.

Upholstery Tools

Best for: Sofas, chairs, cushions, mattresses, curtains, fabric panels, and vehicle interiors.

Upholstery tools provide gentle but thorough cleaning for both delicate and durable fabrics. They are a good choice for removing dust, crumbs, pet hair, and debris from furniture and other soft surfaces.

To use an upholstery tool, slide it onto the hose handle. For extra reach, attach it to the end of a wand. Some upholstery tools include removable bristles that can be added or removed depending on the surface.

Crevice Tools

Best for: Corners, floor edges, stairs, baseboard gaps, sofa cushions, tight spaces, and hard-to-reach areas.

Crevice tools are designed for narrow spaces where larger attachments cannot reach. They are especially helpful along room edges, between furniture cushions, around stairs, and in tight corners.

To use a crevice tool, attach it to the hose handle. For longer reach, attach it to the end of a wand. Flexible crevice tools are also available for deep or awkward spaces, such as under appliances or between car seats.

Quick-Clean Central Vacuum Accessories

For everyday messes, quick-clean accessories make central vacuum power even more convenient. Products like Vroom®, Vroom Retract Vac®, and Spot® place cleaning power where messes happen most, such as kitchens, mudrooms, bathrooms, laundry rooms, garages, and pantries.

These accessories are ideal for crumbs, pet hair, tracked-in dirt, and daily cleanups without having to pull out a portable vacuum.

Central Vacuum Accessory FAQs

What central vacuum attachment should I use for carpet?

Use a powerhead for wall-to-wall carpet and large rugs. Powerheads provide deeper cleaning performance for carpeted areas where dirt and debris can settle into fibers.

What attachment should I use for hardwood floors?

Use a bare floor brush or dust mop for hardwood floors. These tools are designed to clean hard surfaces gently while picking up dust, dirt, and debris.

What central vacuum tool is best for stairs?

Use a crevice tool for stair edges and corners, and an upholstery tool or small floor tool for the stair surface. These attachments are easier to control than a large floor tool on stairs.

What is the best central vacuum attachment for pet hair?

Use a powerhead for pet hair on carpet and an upholstery tool for pet hair on furniture, cushions, stairs, and vehicle interiors.

Can I use a central vacuum on hard floors?

Yes. Use a bare floor brush or dust mop on hard floors such as wood, tile, vinyl, slate, and laminate. You can also use a powerhead with a bare floor compatible brush roller.

Can I vacuum liquids with a central vacuum system?

No. Central vacuum systems are designed for dry pickup only. Do not vacuum standing water, wet debris, or large amounts of moisture. A wet vac separator is available for the system if you want to use it for wet pickup. 

How do I clean blinds with a central vacuum?

Use a dusting brush attached to the hose handle or wand. The soft bristles help remove dust while protecting delicate surfaces.

What tool should I use between couch cushions?

Use a crevice tool to clean between couch cushions, along seams, and in narrow gaps where crumbs, pet hair, and debris collect.

Do central vacuum accessories fit all systems?

Many central vacuum accessories are designed to fit standard hose handles and wands, but compatibility can vary by system, hose type, and accessory package. Check your owner’s manual or contact your local dealer for exact fit information.

What is the easiest way to clean everyday messes?

Quick-clean accessories like Vroom®, Vroom Retract Vac®, and Spot® make it easy to clean crumbs, pet hair, dirt, and small messes in high-use areas without pulling out a portable vacuum.