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  3. The Golden Rules of Vacuuming

The Golden Rules of Vacuuming

April 09, 2015
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Use these tips from "Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook" to perfect your vacuuming technique from start to finish. Leave no dust bunny behind!
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Yes, There's a Right Way to Vacuum!

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A really good vacuuming job can draw in up to 99 percent of the dirt and dust in an area -- a boon to neatness as well as healthy living.

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Clean Strategically

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When doing your thorough cleaning, dust the room before vacuuming so you can vacuum up the particles that float into the air as you work and settle on the floor.

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Clear the Way

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Move furniture out of the way before you begin vacuuming (both so you don’t bump into it and so you do a thorough job of cleaning under and around it). Never vacuum between the legs of a chair, for example.

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Watch Your Base Line

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Be especially careful around baseboards to avoid marring them.

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Get a Grip

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If you use a canister-style vacuum cleaner, you might find that it’s easier to control if you carry it rather than drag it behind you.

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Think Inside Out

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When vacuuming a floor, start inside a room and vacuum your way out of it.

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Narrow Your Path

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Push the vacuum forward and backward in long, slow, overlapping strokes.

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Sweat the Small Stuff

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Credit: Matthew Williams

Bend down to pick or sweep up any small objects that lie in your path, such as pine needles, leaves of houseplants, paint chips, or cat litter, as they might present a danger to the vacuum’s motor.

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Remember, What's Inside Counts

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Don’t let the vacuum bag get too full. For maximum efficiency, always change it when it’s half to three-quarters full.

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Know the Players

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Many vacuum cleaners come with standard attachments -- but all too often they're forgotten. Know which tool to use on which surface, and your vacuuming will be more effective.

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Set a Cycle

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Credit: WILLIAM ABRANOWICZ

What’s better than a flawless vacuuming job? A consistent vacuuming habit. Your ideal frequency will vary based on kids, pets, and lifestyle -- twice a week is ideal for high-traffic areas -- but set a reminder ahead of time to effortlessly incorporate vacuuming into your routine.

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    1 of 11 Yes, There's a Right Way to Vacuum!
    2 of 11 Clean Strategically
    3 of 11 Clear the Way
    4 of 11 Watch Your Base Line
    5 of 11 Get a Grip
    6 of 11 Think Inside Out
    7 of 11 Narrow Your Path
    8 of 11 Sweat the Small Stuff
    9 of 11 Remember, What's Inside Counts
    10 of 11 Know the Players
    11 of 11 Set a Cycle

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