Is There a Better Way to Vacuum

If you feel like your carpets and carpets aren’t really clean – or don’t stay clean for very long – after you vacuum, it’s probably because you’re not doing it right. Short back and forth motions in random directions may be easy, but they won’t pick up all the dirt, dustballs, pet hair, crumbs, and other debris stuck deep in the fibers. The next time you take out your vacuum cleaner, try a more efficient approach.

The right way to vacuum carpets and rugs

First things first – don’t rush. Slowly and steadily you are getting, so to speak, the cleanest carpets . Follow this pattern for Real Simple :

1. Start at one corner of your carpet or rug and push the cleaner forward in a straight line towards the pile or fibers. This (usually) makes the carpet darker and lifts up dirt trapped in the fibers.
2. Pull the vacuum back along the same line to actually pick up that dirt and debris and lay the fibers back (and turn the carpet back to its normal light color).
3. Repeat this pattern – back and forth – overlapping about 50% of each previous row.
4. Once you have covered the entire rug or carpet, turn 90 degrees and repeat the whole thing, moving perpendicular to the original direction.

This method will probably take longer, but it’s also more thorough and will likely save you from having to vacuum as often. Make sure you also clean your vacuum regularly (besides just emptying the trash can) to keep it running at its best.

What about wooden floors?

You do not have to follow the above method for wood floors, but you must take care not to scratch or damage the surface. Use your vacuum cleaner’s hard floor setting (if it has one) to disable the brush roller, or use a different attachment. The best hardwood vacuum cleaners have either rubber wheels or soft-bristled nozzles. A broom or dust mop may be the best choice for daily grooming.