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.