How to vacuum properly: slow passes, two directions
To vacuum properly, pick up clutter and dust first, set the vacuum to the right height for the floor, and go slowly, in straight rows that overlap. On carpet, go over the room a second time at a right angle. Do the edges with the crevice tool, and turn the brush roll off on hardwood. Empty the bin or bag before it's full.
Going too fast is where vacuuming goes wrong. A fast pass looks done; a slow one pulls up the grit.
What do you need?
- A vacuum with a height setting or a brush-roll switch
- A crevice tool, an upholstery tool and a dusting brush
- A soft floor-brush attachment for hardwood
- A handheld vacuum for stairs, if you have one
How do you get the room ready?
- Pick up toys, cords, socks and anything small enough to jam the brush.
- Dust first. Shelves, sills and furniture, top to bottom, so dust falls before you vacuum. Our dusting guide has the order.
- Check the vacuum. Empty the bin, cut hair off the brush roll and check the filter.
How do you vacuum carpet?
- Set the height. Low for flat carpet, higher for plush or shag. If it's hard to push, it's too low.
- Start in the far corner and work toward the door, so you don't walk over what you've done.
- Go slowly. Push forward and pull back at the same easy pace.
- Overlap. Each row overlaps the last by a few inches.
- Cross-hatch. Go over the room again at a right angle in the busy spots.
- Edges last. Run the crevice tool along the baseboards and into the corners, where the main head can't reach.
How do you vacuum hardwood floors?
Turn the brush roll off or switch to the hard-floor setting, or use the soft floor brush. A spinning brush roll scatters grit and can scratch the finish. Go with the direction of the boards, and get between the boards and along the edges with the crevice tool. Older hardwood with wider gaps holds a lot of dust in the seams. Our flooring guide covers mopping and care for each floor type.
How do you vacuum stairs?
On rowhome stairs, start at the top and work down. On each step, vacuum the flat part with a handheld or the hose and upholstery tool, then run the crevice tool into the back corner and along both sides. Keep the main vacuum on the floor at the bottom rather than balancing it on a step.
When do you use the attachments?
- Crevice tool: baseboards, corners, between couch cushions, radiator bases, stair corners.
- Upholstery tool: couches, chairs and mattresses, short strokes.
- Dusting brush: lampshades, vents, blinds and the tops of books.
How often should you vacuum?
| Area | How often |
|---|---|
| Entry, living room, stairs | Once or twice a week |
| Bedrooms and the rest of the house | Weekly |
| Under furniture and beds | Every two to four weeks |
| Upholstery | Every two weeks |
Homes with pets or allergies may need more. Empty the bin after each use and wash or change the filter on the schedule in the manual.
Want help keeping up?
Book Recurring House Cleaning online. If the stairs or a particular room is a priority, ask about it when you book and put it in your booking notes.
FAQ
What is the right way to vacuum a carpet? Go slowly, in straight overlapping rows, pulling the vacuum back as slowly as you push it forward. Then go over the room again at a right angle, so the brush lifts the pile from both sides.
Should you dust or vacuum first? Dust first, then vacuum. Dusting knocks dust onto the floor, and the vacuum picks it up.
How do you vacuum stairs? Start at the top and work down, one step at a time. Use a handheld vacuum or the hose with the upholstery tool on the flat of each step, and the crevice tool along the back corner and the sides.
Can you use a beater bar on hardwood floors? Turn it off. A spinning brush roll can scatter grit and scratch the finish. Use the hard-floor setting or a soft floor-brush attachment instead.
How often should you vacuum? Vacuum the busy areas, like the entry, the living room and the stairs, once or twice a week, and the rest of the house weekly. Homes with pets or allergies may need more.
Book a cleaning
Our service area: every Philadelphia neighborhood, plus the Pennsylvania suburbs within about 30 miles of Center City, in Montgomery, Delaware, Bucks and Chester counties. Book online at phillyscleanteam.com/book-now, or call or text (215) 798-7576, 9 AM to 9 PM, every day.
