Products are chosen independently by our editors. Purchases made through our links may earn us a commission.
One of the most frequently asked questions that we get here at Reviewed is: How often should I clean X? Whether it’s your shower, sheets, or phone, it generally comes down to your lifestyle. Vacuuming your home is the perfect example of this. How often you need to bust out the old vacuum depends on how many people live in your home, the number of pets you own, and whether you have a robot vacuum or air purifier.
Long story short: How often should my floors be vacuumed?
The general consensus is that you need to vacuum your floors about once a week in order to keep dust and other allergens at bay. Though, in South Korea, it’s common practice to vacuum multiple times a day, but only for a few minutes each time.
However, if you live in a home that has mostly carpeting, you should plan to vacuum at least twice a week. Carpets can hide more dust than bare floors. Crumbs can also stowaway in the rug fibers and as they decay can cause odor and a buildup of bacteria.
What are some ways I can efficiently vacuum?
Our best tip is to dust before you vacuum. You should start from the highest point in the room, like atop bookshelves, and work your way down so that dust doesn’t drift down onto areas you’ve already covered.
Using the right attachment will making vacuuming easier.
We’d also suggest making use of your vacuum’s attachments. If you’re not sure which one to use for upholstery or the best one for cleaning under the couch, check out our easy-to-ready guide on vacuum attachments.
What if I don’t want to vacuum so often?
Well, this is an article on the internet, and we can’t make you do anything.
However, we do have some tips for avoiding our once-a-week rule of thumb. The first and foremost is considering the purchase of a robot vacuum. Our lab tests show that, at the entry-level, these automated floor cleaners are great at maintaining the cleanliness of your floors in between manual cleanings with your traditional vac.
Robot vacuums like the iRobot Roomba i7+ place dust into a sealable bag.
If you want to up your game, we’d suggest getting something like the iRobot Roomba i7+, which tops our list of the best robot vacuums on the market right now. The Roomba i7+ has plenty of suction power, and it has the ability to empty itself for up to 30 days, placing everything it picks up into a sealed disposable bag. What sets the Roomba i7+ and other high-end robot vacuums apart from lesser ones is the ability to direct them to trouble spots like under the table.
In situations where you’re worried about mold, odors, and other irritants, consider getting an air purifier with a HEPA filter.
What about deep cleaning my carpets?
Deep cleaning a carpet requires water and detergent.
Deep cleaning is the process of using detergent and water to really take a stab at stains, dirt, and other muck in your carpets. Do this at least once a year, specifically right after winter in order to tackle accumulated salt and mud that your boots may have tracked in.
For this task you can hire a cleaning company or do it yourself by buying a carpet cleaner.
The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest deals, product reviews, and more.
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.