Vacuuming is one of the most polarizing chores on our household to-do lists—you either love it or love to hate it. While we like to grab a pair of earbuds and crank up the tunes or play our latest audiobook obsession to make this important household task more fun, most of us are likely not vacuuming enough—especially if we have little ones or hard floors. We tapped Lori Williamson, cleaning expert for @nowitsclean, OP Almaraz, CEO of Allied Restoration, and Maid for You founder Adriana Aziz to guide us in determining how often we really need to be vacuuming our homes to keep our families healthy and our floors looking fresh.
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Factors To Consider
Lori Williamson says that there are several main factors to consider when determining how often you should really be vacuuming, and that can even depend on the room. “Every household is different, so there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer,” she says. “You really have to assess what each household requires.”
First, if you have hard floors like wood or tile, she suggests vacuuming daily or at least several times a week to pick up lingering dust, hair, dirt, and debris before they get visible and unmanageable. However, if your home is carpeted or a specific room is mainly covered with an area rug, you may only need to vacuum weekly.
“Additionally, if your household is a busy one with crawling little ones, several kids, and/or pets, vacuuming on a frequent basis might be best,” says Williamson.
Having a designated place for the whole family to take their shoes off when coming indoors can help prevent constant vacuuming, and there’s no need to be afraid to ask guests to remove theirs as well. OP Almaraz previously told SL.com that outdoor shoes can actually leave traces of unwanted dirt, including dust, bacteria, and viruses, so this simple step can do wonders for the health of your floors, household, and company.
If you have shedding pets, you’ll likely have to vacuum daily to control the hair, dander, and dirt, even for pets who are considered indoor animals.
The Right Tools
Bustling households may want to consider investing in a robotic vacuum cleaner (or two!) to further extend the time between manual cleaning, and Williamson also loves having a wet-dry vacuum mop to do double duty in the kitchen or other heavily trafficked areas with hard floors to clean up major messes in a hurry.
Additionally, it’s important to consider the fact that you’re really only as good as your vacuum, and it may be time for an upgrade or at least a vacuum deep clean. You can check out Williamson’s Amazon storefront for all her floor cleaning favorites, including vacuum options for pet owners, those with hardwood floors, and more. If you’re in the market for something more budget-friendly, check out our favorite under $100 picks, and if you’re short on space, you’ll love our editor-tested cordless picks. Plus, you may also want to consider investing in a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter, as Adriana Aziz previously told SL.com that these types of cleaners prevent pollen, dust, and other exhaust from spitting out of your vessel during the cleaning process. And who wants an inefficient clean?
Other Areas To Vacuum
While floors need cleaning frequently, don’t forget about other areas of your home that could use a good cleaning. Vacuuming your furniture, blinds, and other forgotten areas goes far in keeping your home clean and dust-free.
Upholstered furniture needs to be vacuumed regularly too. It gathers dust, and if it’s been a while, we know you may not want to see what’s fallen between the cushions. Add furniture to your weekly vacuum routine. Mattresses also need regular vacuuming to get rid of dust mites and other allergens. You may not be able to see the dust on these items, but neglecting this step can cause fabric odors over time.
Other areas many people forget to vacuum include curtains, ceilings, walls, and baseboards. Use your vacuum’s attachments to clean these areas every few months. Blinds should be cleaned every few weeks.
Tips For Vacuuming
Before you begin, here are a few tips to make your vacuum routine more efficient:
- Remove clutter and pick up smaller items off the floor to prevent damage to the vacuum.
- If you’re using a cordless vacuum, make sure it’s sufficiently charged.
- Empty the contents of the bag or compartment.
- Use attachments for hard-to-reach areas like corners, stairs, and upholstery.
- Vacuum in two directions, up and down and from side to side, and go slowly.
Now crank up the tunes and give your floors a refresh.
