Are you struggling with carpets that don’t seem to ever get clean? No matter how much you vacuum, the carpets still seem dingy and dirty. What gives?

Have you considered that you may not be vacuuming in the most effective or efficient way? Anyone can hold a vacuum and walk around the house or apartment, but that doesn’t mean that they’re doing it right.

It’s time to learn how to vacuum the right way.

Did you know that keeping your carpets clean can extend their lifespan? This means that learning how to vacuum can save you money and keep your carpets feeling soft and plush for longer!

If you’re ready to start getting rid of dust that won’t leave those pesky carpet fibers, we’re here to help. Keep reading for a few of our favorite vacuuming tips so you can get your floors in tip-top condition. 

1. Increase Your Vacuuming Frequency

First, consider whether or not you’re vacuuming enough.

This will vary depending on the household. Someone who lives alone with no children or pets may not have to vacuum as often as someone with roommates, pets, or family members of all ages. 

Even if you don’t consider yourself a messy person, it might benefit you to run the vacuum briefly once per day. It doesn’t have to be a vigorous cleaning.

People with messier households should definitely consider running the vacuum every day. You can reduce that to twice per week if vacuuming daily is inconvenient. The goal is to get rid of dust and debris before it settles into the carpet fibers.

Vacuuming should be a part of all weekly cleaning sessions. 

2. Don’t Rush

It’s normal to do a quick once-over with your vacuum during your daily sessions or before having people over. When you have time, however, use it wisely. 

Remember that your vacuum needs time to suck up dirt and dust. Rushing it won’t give you the best possible clean. 

It’s also a good idea to go over each area twice if you haven’t vacuumed in a while. It may seem arduous, but it will make your home clean and dust-free. 

3. Clean the Vacuum

Speaking of cleaning, how often do you clean your vacuum?

Most modern vacuums are easy to empty and clean. They have plastic chambers that you can remove and empty into the trashcan. 

Beyond this, make sure that you clean any other parts of the vacuum that may be clogged. This can include hoses, the space above or below the dirt chamber, or even the brushes. Brushes often get coated in hair (both human and pet hair) which can reduce the efficiency of the vacuum or even break it altogether.

Open up your vacuum and you may be surprised at what you find!

4. Spend More Time In Certain Areas

While it’s important to vacuum the entire house, it’s more efficient if you spend more time vacuuming in high-traffic areas. These include bedrooms, playrooms, foyers, and living rooms. 

Even if no one in the home is “messy,” per se, these areas get more foot traffic. They may have more hair and people may drag dirt in without meaning to. 

5. Add Baking Soda

Have you ever tried the baking soda trick?

If your carpets always smell musty, you might be able to fix the problem by adding baking soda to your vacuuming routine. 

Run the vacuum once to get rid of any residual debris and dust. After this, sprinkle baking soda all over the carpet. You want to leave the baking soda there for several hours if possible (so it’s best to do it when everyone else is out of the house). 

Vacuum up the baking soda and you’ll discover that your carpets smell better!

6. Add an Occasional Deep-Clean

When was the last time you deep-cleaned your carpets?

If you’re like most people, you can’t remember. That’s normal, but it means that it’s time to bring out the steam cleaner. 

Some people opt to shampoo their carpets. For the average person, this isn’t a great choice. If you leave that much moisture on the carpets for too long, you could get moldy floors.

A steam cleaner, however, doesn’t use enough moisture to cause that problem. It gets deep into the carpet to remove dirt and stains that vacuums can’t reach. 

Make sure that you run the vacuum first to get rid of dirt and debris so you don’t end up with a larger problem. 

7. Manage Your Expectations 

What if your carpets aren’t actually as dirty as you think they are?

Some carpets (like the carpets in apartments) aren’t high-quality. They’re often dingy because they’re old or because their coloring hides dirt (because it always looks a bit dirty).

Also, consider that your carpet may be faded rather than dirty. If the home gets a lot of sun exposure, the coloring will look different over time. 

If your carpets look dingy no matter what you do, it may just be what your carpets look like rather than being the result of dirt and grime.

8. Hire a Professional

Does this all sound like a lot of work? If you have a busy schedule, adding extra vacuuming time, or finding the time for deep-cleaning sessions, might sound impossible.

Why not hire someone to help?

Professional cleaners can come in every so often to get rid of any serious carpet problems so keeping them clean is easier.  

That’s How to Vacuum the Right Way

Use this “vacuuming for beginners” guide to learn how to vacuum in the most efficient and effective way. Your carpets will be clean and fresh in no time as long as you put in the work!

Are you ready to hire a professional to come in and take some of the pressure off of you? At Dirt Busters, we’re here to make your home sparkle! 

Contact us to request a quote today!