How to vacuum properly: top tips from a cleaning pro

Vacuuming is an essential element in keeping your home clean and free from dust and dirt. It might seem like a simple task, but there are right and wrong ways to vacuum properly.

We quizzed cleaning expert Laura Mountford about how to vacuum for maximum results with minimal effort.

As the author of the book Live, Laugh, Laundry, she is a self-confessed “cleanaholic”, and says that while vacuuming isn’t difficult, there are steps you can take to make it easier and more effective.

Clear the floor

Before you even switch on the vacuum, make sure you clear the floors as much as possible, advises Mountford. While this doesn’t mean moving heavy furniture, it does involve picking up random clutter from the floor, such as shoes and bags. Not only will it make the job quicker, it will stop you from sucking up anything that shouldn’t be in the vacuum. No one wants their bag (or vacuum cleaner) ruined by sucking up a random bag strap.

Get dusting

"The most common method is to dust first and then vacuum to finish off," says Mountford. Use a microfibre cloth or duster to wipe down surfaces like shelves, tables, and windowsills.

However, if you want super clean surfaces, you may need to dust again, she advises.

“Did you know that when you vacuum it can cause dust particles to move around the room?” she says. “So you may need to do a final dust to ensure surfaces are completely clean after vacuuming.”

For that reason, it’s also a clever idea to shut the doors in every room as you vacuum, to prevent more annoying dust particles moving through the house.

Use the right settings

Most vacuums now come with different settings to ensure you’re getting the best clean for the floor type. If your vacuum doesn’t seem to be picking up much from a rug or carpet, make sure that it isn’t set to its hard floor setting.

When it comes to thicker rugs, such as shag pile or sheepskin, Mountford advises ditching the regular brush head and choosing a different vacuum attachment.

“Use the nozzle attachment, as using the brush will just get it clogged up,” she says.

“The best method is to give the rug a good shake outdoors to remove any debris and then use the attachment to suck up any remaining dust and dirt.”

The right technique

Yes, there is such a thing as a correct vacuuming technique, says Mountford, who advises vacuuming in straight lines, forward and back. The back and forth motion helps to loosen dirt and debris, to ensure your vacuum cleaner is picking up as much as it can.

Many people often put more energy into pulling their vacuums back than pushing them forward, but this can end up leaving dirt behind. Vacuum cleaners were designed to be pushed at a faster speed than pulled, so put your energy into pushing your vacuum forward to get the best results.

Start in the far corner

Not only is how you vacuum important, but where you start from is key.

“Start in the far corner of the room and work your way from back to front, top to bottom,” advises Mountford.

If you can, try and overlap each back and forward push to make sure you don’t miss anything. Don’t forget the edges and corners of each room. These areas are often overlooked, but they can be real dust and dirt traps.

If needs be, use a smaller attachment – such as a crevice or nozzle attachment, which are usually long and slim – for these smaller areas, to ensure you suck everything up.

Use your attachments

You may find your vacuum has just too many attachments, but it’s worth familiarising yourself with what they do as they can be useful for other areas of the home.

“I use my vacuum to clean my sofa, curtains, cupboards, mattresses, car interior, and any upholstery around the home,” says Mountford. “Many have a dusting attachment so you can vacuum any surface.”

Dyson has a pet grooming attachment so you can suck away the hair as you brush your furry friend, while Miele produces a radiator brush to help you get to those hard to reach dusty bits.

Tackle the stairs

The stairs are one thing many people hate to vacuum, but as a high-traffic area, they need a good vacuum on a regular basis. For Mountford, it’s all about having the right kind of vacuum.

“Use a handheld cordless vacuum that is lightweight and easy to carry,” she says. “Nobody wants to be faffing around juggling a heavy corded vacuum on the stairs.”

To get the best results, start at the top of the stairs. That way, any dust or debris that gets knocked off from the upper steps can be hoovered up as you work your way down. Pay particular attention to the edges and corners as this is where dust can accumulate. This is also an excellent job for a crevice attachment, which can get into those hard to reach areas.

Get rid of smells

It’s not just dust and dirt that you have to worry about when it comes to carpets. They can also harbour some nasty smells – however, Mountford says that a common kitchen ingredient can easily get rid of odours.

“Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda on your carpet and leave for a few minutes before vacuuming up,” she advises. “This is a great natural method for removing odours.”

Rugs and carpets can also harbour stains that vacuuming alone won’t remove, and to tackle these Mountford suggests using a special product.

She says: “For any stains, my must-have (particularly for pet parents) is the Dr Beckmann pet stain and odour remover. It has a brush on the end and is ideal for removing stains and freshening up carpets, rugs and upholstery.”

You can also use bicarbonate of soda on your mattress. Shake it all over and then leave for a couple of hours. Then using the upholstery attachment, if you have one, run the vacuum all over the mattress. This will remove any odours, as well as dust mites and dead skin. Aim to do this every couple of months.

Empty the cylinder

If you have a bagless vacuum cleaner, you need to empty it frequently. “You should ideally empty your vacuum cylinder after every use, so that it is clean and ready for the next time,” says Mountford.

“When the cylinder is full this can reduce the effectiveness of the vacuum power.” 

Don’t forget to also clean your vacuum cleaner, especially the filter and cylinder. Both can be rinsed with warm water to help remove any build-up and get rid of any musty smells. Doing this regularly will help improve the suction power of your vacuum as well.

Vacuum twice a week

The more often you vacuum, the less dirt and debris will build up, which makes your job much easier. Once you know how to vacuum properly, it will also become a much quicker job.

Experts recommend most houses can be vacuumed once or twice a week. However, if you have pets, you will need to do it more often. Pets shed a lot, and their fur can quickly build up on carpets and furniture.

If you have allergies, don’t assume that vacuuming daily will help.

Unless your vacuum has a HEPA filter, which traps the allergens inside the cylinder, vacuuming can worsen allergies as it moves dust and pollen around.