Mistakes Everyone Makes When Vacuuming

Vacuuming around the house probably doesn't top most people's list of favorite household chores. That being said, by avoiding common mistakes that nearly everyone makes while vacuuming, you can make this chore as effective and hassle-free as possible. 

The first mistake people make when vacuuming is using a vacuum cleaner that hasn't been cleaned in ages. According to Real Simple, regularly cleaning your vacuum cleaner's brushes will ensure that they are as effective as possible when it comes to sweeping up crumbs and loosening dirt that's tightly packed in the crevices of your carpet. Some homeowners rarely, if ever, clean their vacuums, so imagine what a difference a thorough cleaning can make if done every couple of weeks.

Cleaning out your vacuum doesn't end with your vacuum cleaner's brushes and bristles. Those who make do with cheaper vacuums with small dust canisters likely know how frequently emptying their vacuum's dust canister can improve their vacuum's performance. However, this isn't quite as obvious for those with high-suction vacuums with larger canisters. Taking a moment to empty a vacuum's contents can really speed up your job, even if it's a minor inconvenience.

Since many homeowners don't enjoy vacuuming their floors, they might rush through a fast and poorly thought out vacuuming routine, leaving a ton of dirt in their carpet. According to Merry Maids, vacuuming at a slow, steady pace allows for the vibrations of your vacuum to loosen up the most dirt in a single pass. That being said, you'll still want to vacuum each area of your floor with the vacuum moving forwards and backward and even approach completed areas from a different angle to achieve immaculate results. Just like when you're mowing your lawn, partially overlapping areas that you just passed over is another great way to ensure your vacuum is trapping as much dust and dirt as possible (per Real Simple).

Another mistake that people make when vacuuming is not following a coordinated routine that optimizes their task. Your vacuum cleaner probably came with several nifty attachments, but many people let these sit in storage instead of using them to attack hard-to-reach corners and under furniture. According to Housewife How-To's, vacuuming hard-to-reach areas with your vacuum's attachments is a great way to begin your vacuuming session. Dust tends to collect in the corners of your floor, so giving these areas a thorough cleaning before you get down to business with the rest of the floor ensures these problem areas don't go neglected as they do in so many households.

Many homeowners regularly vacuum their carpet or hard floor with a vacuum cleaner that's designed to clean a completely different type of surface. For instance, vacuum cleaners with beater bars or roller bars might work wonders on dense carpets, but they're inefficient (and often damaging) when used on hard floors (per Housewife How-To's). If you hate vacuuming your hard floor because it takes forever, consider investing in a vacuum cleaner with a fabric roller or a flat floor head. According to Merry Maids, you'll also want to avoid using vacuums with beater bars on carpets or area rugs that use natural fibers.

If you're thinking about upgrading your vacuum cleaner, be prepared to do your research in order to find the best product for your home. For instance, if you have a variety of fluffy pets running around your home, you'll want to invest in a vacuum that's adept at removing allergens and pet dander (per Homeworks). Many newer vacuums will limit the amount of pet dander and dust in your home compared to older models, improving the quality of the air you breathe and helping limit the strain on your HVAC system. Also, be sure to pick a vacuum that features lots of handy attachments so that your vacuuming routine can be as streamlined and effective as possible.