10 Vacuuming Mistakes You Might Be Making

Back and forth, back and forth. Sure, you develop a natural pattern when it comes to cleaning carpets in your home for the 7,000th time. Vacuuming a rug in the same route every time, or routinely just moving the vacuum to and fro in a single direction, isn’t likely to pick up all dirt. Instead, pass over areas from multiple angles. Rushing can leave dirt behind; slow, thoughtful passes are more effective.

When’s the last time you disassembled your vacuum and washed or replaced the filters? "The most important maintenance of your vacuum is to care for its filters," shared Liz Hawk, marketing brand specialist, stick vacuums at BISSELL. "Many machines have more than one filter that needs to be cleaned or that requires regular replacement to keep things running smooth." Dirty filters will reduce the suction power of the vacuum. They also can recirculate dust back into the air. If it smells dusty when you’re vacuuming, take it as a sign to replace the filter or wash it thoroughly according to the manufacturer’s directions.

We love an upright vacuum for the carpets, but as soon as stairs are involved, it’s more effective (and safer!) to switch to a vacuum with an extendable wand and attachment. Dragging a heavy vacuum up the stairs not only puts it at risk of taking a tumble, but worse: It can take the user down the stairs with it.

Neglecting the dust under beds, sofas and other furniture can lead to a quick buildup, amplifying indoor allergies. This is actually why I love using a robot vacuum; it’s the first time in my life that I can be sure that there are no dust bunnies underneath the couch. For those of you with an upright vacuum, make sure you slide the furniture around more often to clean beneath furniture and target corners and edges of the room you might otherwise ignore.

If your vacuum has an adjustable suction setting or the ability to change based on the type of flooring surface, make sure you learn how to use those features to your advantage. For example, you wouldn’t want to use a high-powered suction setting if you’re cleaning your vintage rug. Similarly, you may accidentally blow dust about if you use roller brushes while vacuuming the hardwood floors. Every machine we own is a little different, so be sure to review your own owner’s manual for best practices.

Lower your expectations. We love our robot vacuum, but it doesn’t do a great job on the thickest carpets in our household. Not only does it only go back and forth over the carpet in one direction, but thicker carpets require more time and suction than the robot is able to deliver. However, I’ll share one positive note: If you use the robot vacuum on the carpet often enough (3x a week or more), the surface cleaning does seem to help dust from settling into the fibers.

There’s a reason that wet/dry vacuums are in another category. Vacuuming wet areas with a regular vacuum not only risks damage to the appliance but usually leaves a smeared mess on the floor and dampens the roller brush. Worst case scenario, the water sucked into the canister or dust bag can lead to mold and odor issues.

Pet fur, human hair and other debris can wrap around the brush roll (aka brush head), creating a whole tangle of issues that render the machine less effective. Just as it’s important to clean the vacuum canister or bag, it’s also important to check on the brush roll. Better yet, consider a vacuum that’s designed to handle fur and hair. "For pet owners, choosing the right vacuums is essential for effective cleaning,” shared Todd Manegold, general manager at Tineco North America. “[For example,] the Tineco Go Pet has ZeroTangle technology, eliminating 99% of hair wrap from the brush head.” Hawk at BISSELL adds, "Another important part of tank maintenance is to clean your separator (located inside the dirt tank) every few cleans, which will help your vacuum continue to perform at optimal levels."

Attachments are designed for specific tasks; using them correctly can improve cleaning results. Make sure you understand the purpose of the attachments that came with your vacuum cleaner. You likely have a crevice wand, upholstery head, a hard floor brush tool and other assorted accessories that will make cleaning easier and more thorough.