Vacuuming might not be your favourite household chore, but it is essential for keeping your home clean. How often you need to use the vacuum cleaner depends on several factors, such as your living environment, the number of people in your household (including pets), and your personal preferences. In this article, we provide a handy guide on how often you should vacuum and answer some frequently asked questions about vacuum cleaners.
How Often Should You Vacuum for a Clean Home?
The general recommendation is to vacuum at least once a week. However, in some situations, more frequent vacuuming may be necessary:
- Do you have pets? If so, it’s best to vacuum daily, especially if your pet sheds a lot. Pet hair and dander can quickly accumulate.
- Do you suffer from allergies? People with dust or dust mite allergies should vacuum several times a week to help reduce symptoms.
- Do you live in a busy household? The more people in your home and the more foot traffic, the faster dust, crumbs, and dirt build up. Vacuuming two to three times a week will help maintain cleanliness.
- Do you have hard floors or carpets? Dust is more visible on hard floors, so you may feel the need to vacuum more often. Carpets, on the other hand, trap dust for longer, so you may not need to vacuum as frequently, but a deeper clean is recommended.
Ultimately, it depends on your own standards and how clean you want your home to be.
What Is the Best Vacuum Cleaner?
There isn’t one perfect vacuum cleaner for everyone. The best choice depends on your needs, your home, and your budget. Here are some key factors to consider:
- Do you have pets? Choose a vacuum cleaner with a special turbo brush that effectively picks up pet hair.
- Do you have carpets or hard floors? For carpets, a vacuum with a strong carpet brush is essential, while for hard floors, a model with a parquet brush is a better choice.
- Looking for convenience? A cordless stick vacuum is great for quick cleaning, while a traditional corded vacuum usually provides longer run time and stronger suction.
- Do you have allergies? A vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter is a must to help keep the air cleaner.
How Long Does a Vacuum Cleaner Last?
The lifespan of a vacuum cleaner depends on its quality, how often it is used, and how well it is maintained. On average, a vacuum cleaner lasts between 5 and 10 years, but with proper care, it can last even longer.
Here are some tips to extend the life of your vacuum cleaner:
- Empty or replace the dust bag or bin regularly to prevent blockages and maintain suction power.
- Clean or replace the filters periodically to ensure the motor functions efficiently.
- Remove hair and dirt from the brush to prevent motor overload.
- Repair rather than replace! Many vacuum cleaner issues are caused by minor faults, such as a broken switch, motor, or cable. In many cases, these parts can be easily replaced.
At Fiyo, you’ll find a wide range of vacuum cleaner spare parts to give your appliance a new lease of life.
What Should You Not Vacuum Up?
Not everything on the floor can or should be vacuumed. Some substances can damage the vacuum cleaner or even pose a safety risk. Here are a few things to avoid:
- Liquids: Standard vacuum cleaners are not designed for wet spills and can be damaged if used to vacuum up liquids. A wet and dry vacuum cleaner is required for such tasks.
- Fine construction dust, such as cement or plaster: This can clog the filters and damage the motor. A construction vacuum cleaner is better suited for this type of work.
- Large or sharp objects: Nails, screws, and glass shards can damage the hose or dust bag.
- Hot ashes or smouldering coals: These can cause a fire. Always use an ash vacuum cleaner for this purpose.
Can a Robot Vacuum Replace a Traditional Vacuum Cleaner?
A robot vacuum cleaner is an autonomous device that cleans floors on its own using sensors to navigate your home. While this sounds convenient, a robot vacuum cannot completely replace a traditional vacuum cleaner. It struggles to clean edges, skirting boards, and corners properly, and it may not perform well on deep-pile carpets. For a thorough clean, it’s still best to use a traditional vacuum cleaner.
