Vacuuming seems like a straightforward task, right? Get out the vacuum, plug it in, run it over your carpets and call it a day. But if you finish vacuuming and feel like your floors are still dirty, it’s possible that this uncomplicated task is a bit more complex than you may have imagined.
It’s not uncommon to put in the effort and still find dust and debris lingering around. The truth is, many of us make simple mistakes that undermine the effectiveness of our vacuuming routines without even realizing it. And while missing spots while vacuuming might seem like no big deal, the reality is that a clean carpet can offer you health benefits. Carpets and rugs can trap pollutants and allergens that worsen air quality, and keeping them clean ensures that you’re breathing clean air.
So what are you getting wrong when you’re running the vacuum? We asked experts what common mistakes people make while vacuuming and how to correct them.
Common mistakes when vacuuming
Picking the wrong vacuum
Let’s start right from the beginning of your vacuuming journey: picking the vacuum itself. While there are plenty of great vacuums on the market, the best one for you is going to depend on your living situation.
“Picking the right vacuum for your home makes all the difference,” Diana Ciechorska, general manager at Park Slope Cleaning, says. “Consider your floors — carpets need strong suction and motorized brushes, while hard floors benefit from soft bristles to avoid scratches.”
Upright vacuums are great for carpets, as their rotating brushes lift dirt from deep within the fibers, but they can scatter debris on hard floors. Canister vacuums are versatile and work well on both carpets and hard floors thanks to their range of attachments. Stick vacuums are lightweight and convenient, making them ideal for quick clean-ups on hard floors or low-pile carpets, though they may lack the power needed for deep-cleaning thicker rugs and require more frequent recharging and dustbin emptying.
Vacuuming only when the floors are super dirty
Clean floors are the result of good habits. That means vacuuming regularly, even if you don’t feel like you need to. Jade Piper, operations manager at BetterCleans, says that only cleaning when the floor is particularly dirty can make it harder to return to that baseline level of cleanliness that you might like to achieve.
“When you wait until your floors are really grimy, vacuuming becomes a bigger chore than it needs to be,” Piper says. “Because there’s more dirt, that makes it harder to grab everything in one go, plus it can eventually cause your vacuum to lose suction.” She recommends vacuuming once every two days, even if it’s a very quick once-over.
Vacuuming without taking breaks
You might want to knock out all your vacuuming at once, but if you have a large house or lots of carpet, you might be better off breaking the task up a bit. This can be helpful for you, as vacuuming can sometimes take a toll on the back. But it’s better for the vacuum, too.
“If you vacuum the entire house without stopping, the motor can actually overheat,” Piper says. She recommends taking a short break every 15 to 20 minutes. This gives the vacuum a chance to cool down and a chance for you to grab a snack or two.
Vacuuming over wet spills
You might assume if it’s on the floor, the vacuum can handle it. “It might be a drink knocked over or your pet’s pee, but the bottom line is, instead of cleaning up the mess, the vacuum just spreads it around or drags it further, making everything worse,” Piper says.
Most standard vacuums are not designed for liquids, and trying to suck up a spill can damage the motor, create electrical hazards or lead to mold and bacteria growth inside the vacuum. Wet spills are best cleaned with a mop, towels or a wet/dry vacuum (shop vac) specifically designed for liquid cleanup.
Not dusting before vacuuming
You might choose to dust after vacuuming because sometimes it feels like vacuuming stirs up dust that will just settle back onto surfaces. “Always dust before vacuuming so debris doesn’t fall onto freshly cleaned floors,” Ciechorska says.
Dusting first is more effective because it ensures any dislodged particles fall to the floor and are picked up during vacuuming. Dusting after vacuuming can leave your floors dirty again, undoing your cleaning efforts.
Not doing regular maintenance
Vacuums seem like the workhorses of the house — they just keep going. But that doesn’t mean they don’t require a little TLC every now and then. “Regular maintenance is key: empty the dustbin when it’s three-quarters full, clean or replace filters and untangle brushes to keep your vacuum running smoothly,” Ciechorska says.
Neglecting maintenance can reduce performance, leave dirt behind, and shorten the vacuum’s lifespan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should you vacuum?
How often you should vacuum depends on your household. For high-traffic areas or homes with pets or allergies, daily or every-other-day vacuuming is ideal to keep dirt, hair, and allergens under control. For less-frequented areas, once or twice a week should be sufficient. Adjust your schedule based on how quickly your floors accumulate debris and how clean you want your living space to feel.
Are stick vacuums powerful enough for carpets?
Stick vacuums can be effective on low-pile carpets, but they generally lack the suction power and brush-roll intensity needed for deep cleaning thick or high-pile carpets. Even stronger stick vacuums willl typically fall short compared to upright or canister vacuums, which are specifically designed for deeper cleaning. Stick vacuums are ideal for hard floors and great for quick touch-ups but may not offer the deep clean that carpets require.
More vacuum tips to help keep your floors clean:
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