Three simple tips to vacuum more efficiently around the home

Two things I am just not good at: Vacuuming and mowing the lawn. Fortunately Lodi excels (and even seems to enjoy) both things! I don’t mind vacuuming honestly I’m just not as good at staying on top of our floors as he is. We have different forms of OCD honestly lol I can’t stand dust and clutter and Lodi can’t stand dirty floors so it really works out! We have two vacuum cleaners now a little hand help battery operated one that’s great for the couches and smaller jobs and Lodi got a big one to do all of the floors about once a week.

(This is a contributed post, for more information about my compensation please read my disclosure policy)

Regular and effective vacuuming is of paramount importance when it comes to maintaining a healthy living environment for you and your family. Vacuuming floors and other areas where dust and dirt can accumulate not only keeps your home looking clean and tidy, it also mitigates the health risks posed by dust mites and bacteria lurking around the home.

No one wants to have to do chores longer than they have to. So, consider our three tips to ensure you’re getting the most out of your vacuuming regime whilst creating more free time for yourself in the process.

Devise a schedule

Whilst experts will recommend you vacuum through the house at least once a week, some rooms or furniture will require far less attention than others. As a result, to work through your vacuuming tasks more efficiently, you could create a schedule, devoting different days to different areas of the house. This allows you to break up the long to-do list into more manageable parts, meaning you won’t face the tiresome prospect of having to do it all in one go.

Each schedule will vary from household to household, with factors like occupancy, pets and health conditions all affecting the frequency of your vacuuming. However, a common feature of any schedule should be to pay particular attention to high-traffic areas in the home.

These are areas where household members will spend most of their time, such as in the living room or bedrooms. By paying closer attention to these generally dirtier areas, you will avoid a buildup of dust and grime, which can be more difficult to clean if left unattended, creating more work for you further down the line.

Look after your vacuum

Have you noticed your vacuuming regime has been taking slightly longer than it used to, or the clean isn’t as thorough? Chances are you’re not getting slower, but the vacuum might be. Fortunately, modern machines are very adept at maintaining themselves, and don’t require too much care on your part. However, by keeping your vacuum clean and in working order you can prevent bigger and potentially more expensive problems occurring further down the line.

There are several simple things you can do to keep your vacuum working at optimum levels. Firstly, you should look to clean the filter typically at least once a month. Not all filters are the same, and some will require a different kind of cleaning, so check the manufacturer’s instructions beforehand.

Another simple way to keep your vacuum in top condition is to empty the dust bag or container, preferably after each use. Studies by Which? have shown that suction can drop by as much as 30% when a dust container is full, which emphasizes how important it is to keep your vacuum dust-free.

Do your research

The vacuum market is saturated with technologically advanced machines, designed to suit different needs around the household. Investing in the vacuum cleaner that’s right for you and your household can go a long way to helping you clean more efficiently and effectively.

When starting your search, consider the most important features you want from your vacuum cleaner. For example, this could concern its maneuverability, with a lightweight model being your top priority if you have a lot of stairs or awkward spaces.

Alternatively, your priorities could relate to the vacuum’s functions. Some modern vacuum cleaners have been designed specifically to capture different kinds of dirt, and will be primarily aimed at specific audiences. For instance, households with an asthma sufferer might look for vacuums that have been certified asthma and allergy friendly, meaning they’re designed to collect and trap allergens and irritants.

(This is a contributed post, for more information about my compensation please read my disclosure policy)