As you may have guessed, here at Vacuum Wars we don’t mind vacuuming at all. We also realize that our affinity for vacuuming isn’t the norm though! One question that house cleaners and vacuum aficionados like us get often is how often should you vacuum? In this article we’ll provide some guidance and hopefully get you on a vacuuming schedule you can live with.
Factors Determining Vacuuming Frequency
Type of Floor Surface
The very first thing to consider is what type of flooring is in your home. Carpet fibers are notorious for trapping dust and allergens and thus require more frequent vacuuming. We recommend vacuuming carpets at least twice a week.
Hardwood floors are a different story. Generally speaking, hardwood floors don’t require as much attention when compared with carpet. Why? The surface of hardwood floors is smoother than coarse carpet fibers which means dust and dirt don’t tend to get stuck. And, since dirt, dust, and debris are easier to see, homeowners sweep periodically or quickly spot vacuum areas. We suggest vacuuming hardwood floors once a week.
Tile and other hard surface floors are similar to hardwood. Tile floors don’t trap dust and allergens like carpets do and sweeping can remove visible dust and dirt. Just like with hardwood floors, we recommend vacuuming tile and other hard surface floors once a week.
Everything we’ve suggested so far assumes an average household. There are factors that would have us recommending vacuuming more frequently as well as less often.
Homes with Pets
If you are a household with pets, you’ll need to increase how often you vacuum regardless of the flooring surface. Even pets that don’t shed track dirt into the home. If you do have pets that shed, you may have to vacuum even more frequently, possibly daily.
We have cats and we’re always surprised how much a good vacuum picks up, especially since we vacuum so frequently.
Homes with Allergy Sufferers and Health Considerations
Health is another significant factor. If someone in your household suffers from allergies, you’d want to vacuum more often. Dust and allergens can accumulate quickly, worsening allergy symptoms. Therefore, we would suggest vacuuming at least two times a week. More frequent vacuuming might be necessary if the allergic reactions are severe.
Tip: Well-sealed vacuums with HEPA filters prevent dust and fine particles from being exhausted back into the room you are cleaning.
Household Size and Activity Levels
More people usually mean more dirt and dust. If it seems there is a large amount of dirt and debris being picked up when you vacuum, increase how often you vacuum. It’s hard to pinpoint all the possible household nuances out there, but a good place to start would be to vacuum twice a week. If your household is very busy entertaining others regularly or if you have a very family with children, you may even need to vacuum daily.
Low vs High Foot Traffic Areas
It’s likely not necessary to vacuum the whole house on a single schedule. You can, of course, but there are likely areas that need both more or less attention.
Different areas of your home get different amounts of foot traffic. For instance, high-traffic areas such as entryways where people frequently go in and out of a home will need more frequent cleaning. Stairs are another high-traffic area in homes.
Anywhere where food is being prepared or eaten likely needs to be visited with a vacuum cleaner more often. Children’s playrooms are another area that should get more attention, even vacuumed daily.
On the other hand, closed-off rooms or ones which are seldomly don’t need to be vacuumed as often. Examples include home offices or guest rooms.
Tip: Dust before you vacuum. And, allow a bit of time between dusting and vacuuming so dust settles to the floor.
How to Vacuum Less Often
So far everything we have mentioned increases how often you should vacuum. As far as decreasing the amount of vacuuming, we do have one suggestion.
Consider a Robot Vacuum
One way to lighten the vacuuming load is to invest in a robot vacuum. There are models that vacuum and that both vacuum and mop. When purchasing a robot vacuum, consider the types of flooring in your home and use that to guide your purchase. If you don’t have hard flooring, find a robot that is known to vacuum carpet well as opposed to one which can also mop. If you do have hard floors, there are several robots that both vacuum and mop hard surfaces.
We have performed countless robot vacuum reviews and there is a robot vacuum at just about every price-point you can imagine, from not much than a hundred dollars to well over a thousand.
One thing to be aware of is that robot vacuums don’t eliminate vacuuming but they are great at providing periodic maintenance which allows you to vacuum less often.
General Guidelines for Vacuuming Frequency
Based on the factors mentioned, here are some general guidelines as a starting point for how often you should vacuum your home:
- Carpets and area rugs: vacuum at least twice a week.
- Homes with pets: vacuum daily or every other day.
- Allergy sufferers: vacuum at least twice a week, or more.
- Larger or more active households: vacuum daily or every other day.
The Impact of Not Vacuuming Regularly
Not vacuuming regularly can lead to a buildup of dust and allergens, potentially causing health issues. Carpets and rugs may also wear down faster due to the embedded dirt and grit. Furthermore, a dirty environment can attract pests, causing additional problems.
Tips for Effective Vacuuming
Choosing the right vacuum cleaner is essential. Each type has its benefits and drawbacks. For example, a cordless stick vacuum might be better for hardwood floors, while an upright vacuum is the best choice to deep clean carpets.
Proper vacuuming techniques also make a big difference. Make sure to cover each area thoroughly, and don’t rush the process. Vacuum slowly and methodically. It’s also important to maintain your vacuum cleaner. This includes emptying the dust bag or bin regularly and cleaning or replacing filters as needed.
Wrapping up
How often you should vacuum depends on several factors, including the type of floor, the presence of pets, health considerations, and the size and activity level of your household. Regular vacuuming helps maintain a clean and healthy environment. But it’s also important to strike a balance between cleanliness and practicality. We hope we’ve provided some guidelines to help you set a vacuuming schedule for your home.
We wanted to note that we did quite a bit of online research compiling these vacuuming guidelines. We’ve included our own experience, and as importantly advice from cleaning experts and actual homeowners, too. Everyone’s home, flooring types and occupants are different. So, please take our recommendations and adjust them to fit your home and lifestyle.