Vacuuming may seem like a simple chore, but cleaning experts say there are actually some common vacuuming mistakes you could be making. While it may not seem like a big deal, using your vacuum incorrectly can actually lead to a host of problems. For one, your floors won’t get as clean as they should, and you risk permanent damage and a shorter lifespan for your vacuum.
We tend to procrastinate or rush through chores we don’t enjoy, but experts say both of these are big vacuuming mistakes. The longer you neglect your floors, the more dust, dirt, and pet hair are likely to build up, affecting the air quality in your home.
And the more you try to get the task done quickly, the less clean your vacuum will get. It’s not just about your vacuuming skills; experts say many people make the mistake of neglecting to regularly maintain their vacuums, which can lead to less efficient vacuuming and a more vulnerable unit.
If you want to clean your home like a pro, here are the top five vacuuming mistakes experts say you should avoid.
1. Rushing the process
The most common vacuuming mistake people make is rushing through it. “Most people vacuum too fast, especially on carpets, and the machine doesn’t even have a chance to pick up the dust,” says Forrest Webber, owner of Bear Brothers Cleaning. He recommends slowing down and letting your vacuum do its job to pick up as much dust, dirt and hair as possible.
2. Neglecting vacuum maintenance
Effective vacuuming isn’t just about using the right technique; the vacuum cleaner itself needs to be properly maintained. Cleaning experts say neglecting vacuum cleaner maintenance is a common mistake people make. “The filter gets dirty, the bag is full, or something is clogged,” says Webber. These are bound to happen after heavy use, but we often wait too long to empty the vacuum’s canister or clean the brush.
Delah Gomasi, managing director and CEO of MaidForYou, says, “All of these things will reduce the performance of the vacuum cleaner, including suction power. In fact, you’re doing twice as much work because you’re not getting the most out of the vacuum cleaner if you don’t maintain it regularly.”
3. Vacuuming in only one direction
As for mistakes related to vacuuming technique, cleaning experts say the biggest mistake is vacuuming in only one direction. “Moving back and forth in one direction isn’t enough to remove debris from a surface, you need to move the area several times, each time in a different direction, to achieve the best cleaning,” Gomasi says.
He explains that vacuum cleaner heads are designed to be flexible so they can vacuum more effectively. Instead of moving the vacuum cleaner back and forth in the same direction, clean from multiple directions. “Sweeping over the same area from two directions is effective—it helps pick up more debris and get it clean,” Weber says.
4. Using the Wrong Vacuum Attachment
Vacuum cleaners often come with a variety of different attachments, each with a specific purpose. Gomasi says using the wrong attachment is a common vacuuming mistake that can actually cause irreparable damage to certain fibers. Understand what each attachment is designed to do, how to use it, and what surfaces you should never use it on.
For example, Gomasi recommends using a soft-bristle brush for carpets and rugs, and advises caution when choosing vacuum attachments for hard floors. “For hard floors, especially wood floors, you want to make sure the beater bar is off because it can scratch the surface,” he says.
5. Inconsistent Vacuuming
Regular vacuuming is essential to keeping floors, especially carpeted floors, in good shape. People often make the mistake of waiting until dirt is visibly visible before vacuuming instead of vacuuming regularly. Neglecting to vacuum regularly can cause more damage to carpet fibers and hard floors than you think.
Dust, dirt, body oils, grease, grime, and pet hair build up over time and become increasingly difficult to remove. They can penetrate natural and synthetic materials, potentially causing permanent damage to fibers, causing stains to set in, and even affecting the air quality in your home.
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