Jamie Wilcox, brand director at BISSELL, told Apartment Therapy. She said: “Vacuuming in rows ensures you cover the whole area. Plus, a lot of people experience ‘cleaning nirvana’ with the nice, organized rows as they clean.”
But, vacuuming can also be good for the body. Cleaning tasks such as vacuuming, ironing, and gardening can burn up to 150 to 300 calories an hour, Franchell Hamilton, M.D told Psychology Today.
What’s more, cleaning can reduce stress. The doctor said: “A study by the Princeton Neuroscience Institute discovered that in disorganized spaces, people are more stressed, distracted, and less productive.
“Clutter can be visually distracting, and serve as a nagging reminder of tasks and chores undone, whereas cleaning gives people a sense of mastery and control over their environment.”
How to vacuum
It might sound silly, but there is a correct way to vacuum, that will make you cleaning more efficient. Follow these steps to do it.
Pick up any large debris or items from the floor that could obstruct the vacuum cleaner or get caught in the vacuum’s roller brush.
Begin vacuuming in the farthest corner of the room and work your way toward the entrance. This ensures that you don’t retrace your steps or walk over areas you’ve already cleaned.
Overlap each stroke slightly to ensure thorough cleaning. This prevents missing spots and ensures all debris is picked up.
Move the vacuum cleaner slowly and steadily over the carpet or floor. This allows the vacuum to effectively lift dirt and debris from the surface.
Occasionally change the direction in which you vacuum (e.g., switch from north-south passes to east-west passes). This helps to lift the carpet pile and ensure that all dirt is removed.
Pay extra attention to areas that receive a lot of foot traffic, as they tend to accumulate more dirt and debris.