Whether you have carpet, hardwood, tile, or laminate, vacuuming is essential to your floor maintenance routine. While this may seem like a simple household chore, many people don’t realize they aren’t using the right techniques to get optimal results. Following the tips below will help maximize your efforts so you can enjoy a cleaner home and a longer-lasting flooring investment. 

How to Vacuum the Most Effectively

1. Dust First 

Though older vacuums may have released dust into the air while they were in use, many of today’s models are designed with HEPA filters that prevent this from happening. As such, dusting should always precede your vacuuming so dust doesn’t fall from nearby surfaces onto your freshly cleaned floors. This will also allow you to capture dust particles before they have a chance to settle deep into the fibers of your carpet or area rugs. 

2. Prepare the Area 

There’s no way to effectively vacuum if the floor is cluttered with items. As such, it’s best practice to walk through each room before you get started and check that the floors are clear. 

This will make the process go more smoothly and quickly, as well as reduce the risk of accidentally sucking something up. Additionally, if you have carpet that could use a little freshening up, sprinkle baking soda over it and let it sit for a few hours to absorb odors.

3. Move in Rows

Instead of maneuvering your vacuum cleaner in short back-and-forth motions across the floor, it’s better to move slowly in rows from one end of the room to the other. Go vertically in one direction and then turn around and work horizontally in the opposite direction. This ensures every inch of your flooring gets covered for a deeper clean. For carpets, it also helps to loosen debris and fluff up the fibers.  

4. Give Extra Attention to Area Rugs

Area rugs also require regular vacuuming; however, if done incorrectly, it can cause irreparable damage. Make sure your vacuum cleaner is on the appropriate setting, and always move perpendicularly to the pile direction of a rug to remove the most dirt and avoid unnecessary wear. Start in the middle of the rug and work your way to the edges, being careful not to vacuum over the corners or any tassels as these can get stuck inside the cleaner.

For 35 years, residents of the Mat-Su, AK, area have turned to Carpet World of Alaska for their home flooring needs. The business's incredible flooring selection—including hardwood, vinyl, stone, and tile—means there's something for every homeowner's needs and tastes. Visit the flooring pro's website to browse some of their tile and stone options or call them directly at (907) 745-3737.