The Cleaning Step You Can't Skip Just Because You Vacuum

Floors are usually the last part of the house to be cleaned by residents since all dirt, dust, and other miscellaneous debris tends to fall and scatter when wiping down tables and countertops. While vacuuming is typically the cleaning method of choice for homeowners when tackling various types of carpets, many advocate for using vacuums on hardwood floors as well, so long as they come equipped with soft rollers to prevent scratches and other imperfections. Though some families generally swap their manual brooms for electric-powered vacuums altogether, using the two in tandem appears to show the best results inside the home. Similar to dusting, homeowners should conduct a quick sweep of their floors with a broom before using a vacuum in order to pick up any larger debris and squeeze into tight spaces that bigger vacuum models may not be able to cover.

Not only this, sweeping before vacuuming also helps prolong the life of your vacuum since picking up large clumps of dirt, hair, or small pieces of metal, styrofoam, or glass can wear out the vacuum's motor over time. Here's more on the benefits of sweeping before vacuuming and what could happen to your vacuum if you don't.

Sweeping makes for a useful precursor to vacuuming because it removes larger bits of unwanted litter, like wads of hair or pet fur and sticky food crumbs spread by eating or cooking. These particles, if left on your floor to be picked up by your vacuum, can cause the machine to clog or, in even worse cases, break. Other harmful common household items that may land on your floors throughout the week include paper clips, coins, nails, and small pieces of plastic. Picking up these items before vacuuming helps keep your machine clog-free and in ideal working condition.

Sweeping also allows you to reach tight corners around your home that might not be accessible to large, bulkier vacuums. While some vacuum manufacturers design smaller models that make cleaning and storage much easier, these vacuums are also vulnerable to clogging and breaking down if used singlehandedly to clean any and all messes. Some vacuum models also come with additional tools called attachments that help achieve a better clean in these tight spaces, but you may find sweeping to be a quicker and easier alternative to breaking out these accessories. You can also use a broom to sweep any dust or dirt off the baseboards lining your walls, which tend to accumulate every few weeks.