Should You Dust Or Vacuum First? When you’re in the middle of cleaning and trying to be efficient, it’s essential to avoid unnecessary repetition. Cleaning things twice is counterproductive and can waste your time.
Instead, it’s best to establish a proper cleaning sequence and routine to give you the most gratifying outcomes.
Following a sequence also helps resolve the common dilemma of whether to dust or vacuum first. The simple answer is to dust first and then vacuum. Let me explain why this order is recommended.
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Dust or Vacuum First?
Even when you use the best duster, a few specks of dust may escape into the air while you clean. Eventually, this dust will settle down, typically on the floor.
This allows you to remove it from the room when you vacuum. It is essential to dust first if it has been a while since you last dusted. The duster will collect particles, and large clumps of dust will fall to the floor.
In the past, cleaning experts recommended vacuuming first. Older vacuum cleaners used to kick up a lot of dust, so dusting was saved for the end.
However, modern vacuum cleaners are designed to be airtight and come with multiple filters, including HEPA filters that efficiently trap at least 99.97 percent of particles measuring 0.3 microns.
As a result, it is now more effective to vacuum as the final step in the cleaning process.
The Ideal Cleaning Order for Any Room
1. Remove the Clutter
If your room is cluttered with stacks of paper, toys, piles of laundry, or lots of small decorative items, it cannot be easy to clean it properly and quickly.
It’s hard to dust or vacuum effectively when constantly navigating these things. To make the cleaning process more accessible, start from one side of the room and gradually move around, gathering up all the items that are out of place.
Have a trash bag nearby for items that need to be thrown away, and keep a basket or box for things that belong in other rooms. This way, you’ll be able to clean more efficiently and create a tidier living space.
2. Start at the Top
To keep your room clean and dust-free, follow these simple steps. Start by working from the Top of the room and gradually bring down the dust and cobwebs. Begin by dusting hard-to-reach areas like ceiling fans, light fixtures, corners, and the tops of tall furniture.
Then, move on to mantles, tabletops, windowsills, baseboards, and furniture legs. Sometimes, dusting won’t be enough; certain surfaces may require more thorough cleaning with a suitable cleaner.
Keep working your way down the room, wiping and dusting every surface until you reach the floor.
Use your vacuum cleaner’s soft upholstery brush attachment and hose to capture the most dust effectively. Start by vacuuming the ceiling and then move on to the walls. After that, use the upholstery brush attachment on your upholstered furniture.
You can use an electrostatic duster or a slightly dampened microfiber cloth for cleaning surfaces.
Here’s a helpful tip: if possible, wait at least 15 minutes after dusting before vacuuming the room. This allows the dust particles in the air to settle on the floor.
As an extra step, take this opportunity to remove dust from your curtains. If the curtains are lightweight, give them a good shake after cleaning the ceilings and walls to dislodge most dust. Alternatively, you can wait 15 minutes after dusting and vacuuming the curtains.
Following these steps, you can maintain a clean and dust-free room, ensuring a fresh and pleasant environment.
3. Vacuum the Floor:
Now that everything has settled and the floor is clear, it’s time to give it a good vacuuming. To ensure the best results, ensure no clutter on the floor. Move the furniture away from the walls as much as possible to reach the corners and the floor underneath.
Adjust the vacuum settings depending on the type of flooring you have. If you’re vacuuming a carpet, ensure the beater bar or roller brush touches the surface of the carpet fibers.
Start on one side of the room. If you have wall-to-wall carpeting, use the crevice tool to clean the area between the carpet and the baseboards.
Work in a grid pattern, using long, smooth strokes along the wall. Slightly overlap each pass and continue until you reach the opposite wall.
Then, make a 90-degree turn and repeat the process. Going over the area twice will pick up the most dirt and debris.
Tip: If you don’t have a vacuum cleaner, flooring manufacturers recommend using a dust mop only on hard floors. Follow the same cleaning order and do the dust mopping last.
A dust mop may be easier to use than a vacuum in small spaces with hard surface flooring, like bathrooms, closets, or under furniture.
Tips to Reduce Dust in Your Home:
– Keep windows and doors closed.
– Change HVAC air filters frequently.
– Change and wash bedding at least weekly.
– Remove clutter and dust-capturing items like faux plants, fuzzy throws, and shag carpets.
– Consider using an air purifier like the Clorox True HEPA Air Purifier.
– Bathe pets frequently.
Following these cleaning tips and maintaining a regular cleaning routine can keep your home clean and dust-free.
FAQs – Should You Dust Or Vacuum First?
Should you clean floors or dust first?
It’s generally recommended to dust first before cleaning the floors. Removing dust from surfaces like furniture and shelves prevents it from settling on freshly cleaned floors.
How long does it take dust to settle after vacuuming?
After vacuuming, it can take a few minutes to a few hours for the dust to settle. Factors like the size of the space, airflow, and the amount of dust present can influence the settling time.
Should I vacuum or Swiffer first?
For an effective cleaning routine, it’s best to vacuum first and then use a Swiffer or similar dry mop. Vacuuming helps remove loose dirt and debris from the floor, while Swiffering or dry mopping can pick up finer particles and dust.
Does vacuuming remove dust?
Yes, vacuuming is an effective way to remove dust from floors and carpets. A good vacuum cleaner can suck up dust, dirt, pet hair, and other particles that accumulate on surfaces.
In what order should I clean my floors?
A typical order to clean floors is to start with dry cleaning methods like dusting or sweeping, then move on to wet cleaning methods like mopping. This way, you remove loose dirt and debris before using water or cleaning solutions.
What is the sequence for cleaning floors?
The typical sequence for cleaning floors is as follows:
Remove any loose dirt and debris by dusting, sweeping, or using a dry mop.
Spot clean any stains or spills.
Mop the floor using a suitable cleaning solution or water, depending on the floor type.
Allow the floor to dry completely before walking on it or placing the furniture back in its place.
Remember, specific cleaning methods and sequences may vary depending on the type of flooring you have, so it’s always helpful to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations or seek advice from professionals.