7 Surprising Things You Should Be Vacuuming

published Feb 9, 2022
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Credit: Joe Lingeman/Kitchn

Of all the cleaning tools in your home, your vacuum might be the most underrated. Sure, you probably haul it out every few days to freshen up your rugs and carpets. You may even use it on your furniture. But did you know there are tons of other places in your home that could benefit from that suction power? By being a little more strategic with how and when you vacuum, you can make cleaning so much easier (and save some time in the process). 

Here are seven places in your home you should be vacuuming on a regular basis, but probably aren’t.

1. The Base of Your Toilet 

You may not think your vacuum belongs in the bathroom, but what better way to clean up all the hair and dust bunnies lingering around the base of your toilet? Each time you clean your bathroom floors, grab a vacuum and clean up the base of the toilet (including the area of floor behind it). The toilet will be a whole lot easier to clean and sanitize without all that debris!

Credit: Liz Calka

2. The Other Side of Your Rugs 

You probably vacuum your rugs fairly often, but what about the other side of them? Over time, the undersides of your rug can collect dust, pet hair, and dirt, so make a habit of flipping it over to vacuum at least once a month. 

3. Your Stovetop 

Why wipe crumbs onto your kitchen floor when you’ll just have to sweep them up later? Take that extra work out of the equation by vacuuming your stovetop. A hand vac, wand vac, or even the hose on a standard vacuum is a great way to remove debris from your stove for everyday maintenance or before a deeper clean. While you do it, soak the stove grates in a soapy sink bath!

4. Your Oven 

Weird as it sounds, your vacuum is a great tool for sucking up crumbs and burnt bits before you deep-clean the oven. After taking out the racks, use the hose on your vacuum or a hand vac to remove all that food debris. (Obviously, just make sure the oven is turned off and cool beforehand). 

5. Your Blinds 

Sure, you can dust each individual blind — or, you can cut that chore in half by using a vacuum instead. Each time you vacuum your rugs or carpeting, use the hose attachment to carefully vacuum your blinds. While you’re at it, it’s also a good idea to vacuum the bottoms of your curtains, which easily collect dust and hair from the floor!

6. Your Broom 

What’s the point of sweeping your floors when your broom is full of hair and dust bunnies? If your broom’s bristles have accumulated debris, your vacuum’s hose attachment is a great (and super fast!) way to rehab them before they touch your floors. 

7. Your Mattress 

Washing your sheets on a regular basis is one way to ensure a clean bed, but you should also be habitually cleaning your mattress to clear it of dust and hair that can induce allergies (and compromise the quality of your bed in the long term). Each time you remove your sheets to wash them, use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum and give the mattress a once-over. When you put those fresh sheets back on, you’ll be so glad you did!

This post originally appeared on Apartment Therapy. See it there: 7 Things You Should Be Vacuuming But Probably Aren’t