How Frequently Should I Vacuum?

Vacuum Time: The majority of us attempt to avoid or postpone vacuuming, a basic home task until dust bunnies start to tumble out from beneath the couch and bed. There are straightforward recommendations for how frequently you should vacuum, and cleaning and health professionals concur that doing so is excellent for the body and the mind.

Why vacuum?

Every day, dust, pollen, and other asthma-triggering allergens move in the air we breathe and settle in carpets, floorboard gaps, and tile grout. Humans may add up to 1 million skin cells in a day, while they shed between 30,000 and 40,000 skin cells every hour. What happens to all the skin that sheds? It gathers in the dust that builds up all around your house.

Keeping a clean, appealing home is essential for entertaining, hosting uninvited guests, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The buildup of germs, hair, dirt and dead skin cells affects not just the scent of your house but also the clothes you wear outside.

Our hair, which the American Academy of Dermatologists estimates between 50 and 100 strands every day, adds to this dust accumulation. This common hair loss is more obvious and entangles in carpet fibers if you have long hair.

Almost all pets, including birds and reptiles, shed hair on a regular basis, including cats, dogs, and other animals. These hairs, known as dander, can cause allergic reactions in people with sensitive skin and sinuses. Also, keep in mind that both indoor and outdoor pets might carry germs that can lead to digestive disorders.

Unbeknownst to you, many vacuums can reintroduce allergens and dust into the air. Look for a newer model with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter, such as one of the Dyson vacuums, as older models are typically the culprits. Another choice is to add an air purifier, which should help remove most allergens from your air and is especially beneficial in an allergy sufferer’s bedroom.

In essence, vacuuming is necessary for preserving excellent health. According to a new Indiana University research, keeping the house clean enhances physical activity for stay-at-home parents and boosts mental well-being by allowing them to see the results of their labors.

How frequently should each type of floor be vacuumed?

Carpets: every other week

In addition to serving as interior design, carpets and area rugs also keep airborne contaminants out of the air we breathe. However, vacuuming them twice a week is the only method to get rid of the trapped allergies, dust, and tracked-in debris aside from professional steam cleaning.

However, the general rule of thumb is that hard surface floors like tile, hardwood, laminate, and vinyl should be cleaned at least once per week, while carpeted floors and rugs should be vacuumed at least twice weekly.

We’ve tried hundreds of vacuums, and the best one for thick carpets is a strong upright vacuum, like the Shark Apex, with a lift-away canister that is portable. You can finally get rid of the dust bunnies under your bed with the aid of the lift-away container.

Rug cleaning: twice per week

Area rugs should also clean twice weekly, but you’ll need a multipurpose canister vacuum, like the Kenmore – Elite, that can clean different kinds of flooring. A vacuum made especially for handling hardwood floors would work best for vacuuming the flooring below the area rug if they have hardwood floors.

If the area rug covers more than three-fourths of your floor, it is generally recommended that you clean the floor beneath the rug every other week.

once per week for non-carpeted flooring

Kitchen tile and hardwood floors don’t cling to dust and bacteria as tenaciously as carpets do. Their flat design and glaze or sealant prevent dirt from accumulating. However, dirt may still gather in tile grout, behind kitchen cabinets, between floorboards, and under appliances.

These surfaces only need to vacuum once a week, but you’ll need a vacuum that can handle both carpets and hardwood floors, like the Shark – Rocket, a stick vacuum that’s been made especially for both surfaces. A portable vacuum, such as the reasonably cost Dirt Devil – Scorpion, will work well for occasional spills, spot-vacuuming on non-carpeted floors, and hard-to-reach places.

Areas with heavy traffic: every two days

As opposed to low-traffic spaces like guest rooms or formal dining rooms used largely for special events, high-traffic areas like hallways, kitchens, mudrooms, and kids’ play areas require more frequent vacuuming.

Every two days, high-traffic areas should sweep. If the thought of all this cleaning leaves you exhausted, there are excellent lightweight vacuums that will reduce arm strain and make the task much simpler.

Daily if you have pets

While all dogs and cats sweat, some shed more than others. Vacuuming daily is preferable to avoid the buildup of hair and dander, especially if you or a member of your family suffers from allergies. Although it may seem like a laborious process, it can complete quickly with a pet hair vacuum, such as the convenient Black+Decker that knows when you are cleaning carpet, upholstery, or bare floors.

Focus on the places where your pet spends the most time, such as a pet bed, chair, or sofa, and the area surrounding the litter box if you only have time to vacuum occasionally.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is daily vacuuming healthy?

A: Both interior designers and hygienists concur that floors should sweep at least once every week. No matter if you notice a dingy appearance or not, flooring of all kinds acquires dust and debris that can diminish their beauty. More significantly, skipping vacuuming sessions for more than a week may result in health problems.

How frequently does a typical individual vacuum?

“Vacuuming habits truly are a matter of personal taste, but our statistics show that the majority of individuals will complete a full household vacuum once a week, usually taking 25 minutes in a house of average size,” says Lupe (opens in new tab) Former Dyson research and development engineer Pablo Montero.

Should I vacuum first or after I dust?

The solution is to always dust first and vacuum last. It’s easy to understand why. When you dust, some of the dust will end up on your cloth or duster, but you’ll never get all of it.

How frequently should I vacuum my bedroom?

Vacuuming should do in bedrooms, especially carpeted ones, at least once per week and twice per week during allergy season. Less frequently or right before you expect the company, vacuum in less-commonly utilized areas like guest rooms, sunrooms, or formal dining rooms.