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Whether you know it or not, every surface in your home is a potential collecting ground for dust. Left unaddressed, dust accumulations can propagate mold and microbial growth, leading to lower indoor air quality and an increased risk of respiratory illness. With that in mind, let’s look at how often you should vacuum for optimal indoor air quality.
Why should you vacuum?
Dust and debris that accumulate inside stay inside. “There’s little airflow transfer between indoor and outdoor environments, thanks to modern building practices promoting net-zero energy efficiency,” explains Michael Rubino, a mold and air quality expert, environmental wellness advocate, and founder of HomeCleanse. “This means that most microscopic particles, like allergens, mold spores, dust mites, etc., that make their way inside our homes will remain there until they’re actively removed.”
The problem doesn’t end there, either. “Over time, these will build up, lowering the indoor air quality, causing unwanted exposure, increasing the risk of microbial growth and leading to odors,” he says. “Vacuuming is a big piece of the puzzle in eliminating these particles and creating an indoor space with healthy air quality.”
How often should you vacuum wood floors?
When dust inevitably settles, it accumulates mostly on the floor, which is the lowest point in a space, with the largest surface area. Rubino recommends vacuuming wood floors “at least once a week, but the more, the better. If they’re in highly trafficked areas, aim for every other day or so.”
How often should you vacuum fabrics, carpet and rugs?
Rugs and other surfaces that are particularly attractive to dust should be cleaned more often, Rubino explains: “At least twice a week for porous surfaces is ideal, but the more often, the better, so particles don’t build up on the surface.”
How often should you vacuum hard surfaces like tile or vinyl?
Rubino’s recommendations for vacuuming tile and vinyl align with his guidelines for wood floors: once a week, minimum, up to every other day if in a high-traffic area.
Related article: How to clean vinyl plank flooring like a true professional
How often should you vacuum with pets?
If you have pets, Rubino recommends drastically increasing your cleaning frequency. “Pets introduce not only pet dander and fur but also all sorts of other particles from outdoors,” he warns. “Vacuuming two to three times a week at least is ideal to keep these levels as low as possible.”
Other areas of your home or office that need vacuuming
Besides flooring, many other oft-overlooked indoor surfaces also require regular vacuuming to maintain healthy indoor air quality. Below, Rubino shares his recommendations for vacuuming other common areas. If you’re familiar with how to clean a couch or how to wash pillows, consider tackling those activities alongside your less-frequently vacuumed areas to keep yourself on track.
● Mattresses: Monthly.
● Ceilings and walls: Every three months or more frequently if they’re dirty.
● Furniture: Once a week.
● Blinds: Once a week.
● Underneath the bed: Once a week.
● Closet floors: Once a week.
● Stairs: Once a week.
● Inside cabinets: Every few months.
● Underneath appliances: Every few months.
Tips for more efficient vacuuming
Rubino also offers a few tips to make your vacuuming routine more thorough and efficient.
Use a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) vacuum cleaner
Unlike regular vacuum cleaners, HEPA vacuums filter the air as they clean, preventing them from launching dust back into the air. “A regular vacuum will pick up large dust particles, but it does not have the technology to filter ultra-fine particles like mold spores,” he cautions. “That means they’ll just blow back into the air, lowering the indoor air quality as they build up over time. Remember, just because you can’t see those contaminants doesn’t mean they’re not there. To reach the EPA standard and be qualified as a HEPA vacuum, it must filter out 99.7% of particles that pass through that are 0.3 microns in size. Make sure to go with a vacuum that has a sealed system so that particles cannot escape before they’re filtered out.”
Related article: Best vacuum cleaners: Our expert housekeeper weighs your options
Turn on an air purifier while vacuuming and dusting
Rubino also recommends taking extra measures to trap anything that gets kicked up during the cleaning process: “When moving around cleaning, dust particles will inevitably be disturbed and become airborne. Turning on the air purifier will help eliminate these particles so they don’t just resettle on surfaces throughout the room.”
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What happens if you don't vacuum often?
To put it simply, dust won’t go anywhere without human intervention. “Particles will continue to build up within the dust present in the home, creating more toxic dust,” cautions Rubino. “This lowers the indoor air quality and causes unwanted exposure. Not to mention, no one wants a home with a thick layer of hazardous dust everywhere.”
Should you dust before or after vacuuming?
This really depends on the configuration of your home decor. “The rule of thumb is to work top to bottom throughout the room,” says Rubino. “So, use either a HEPA vacuum or a slightly damp microfiber towel based on the surface you’re working on as you move from the ceiling down. You’ll always finish with vacuuming the floors.”
AP Buyline’s content is created independently of The Associated Press newsroom. Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content. Learn more about our policies and terms here.