Is Your Vacuuming Routine Just Moving Dirt Around? Try This Instead
But skipping it altogether isn't an option. Dust, pollen, pet hair and everyday dirt build up fast—and it's not just about appearances. All that debris affects the air quality in your home, which can make allergies worse or trigger breathing issues. The good news is that your vacuum routine doesn't have to feel endless. With a few small changes to how and when you clean, you can get better results in less time and effort. Here's how to make every vacuum session count.
We've tested a bunch of vacuums to ensure we're giving you the top recommendations for the best cordless, robot and budget vacuums on the market. That said, it doesn't matter how great the product is — if you're misusing it, you won't be able to take advantage of all its benefits. Thankfully, we're here to help.
The right way to vacuum clean your home
CNET
Those short, quick, back-and-forth motions that the majority of people do when vacuuming isn't sucking up all that dust, dirt and lint that is embedded into carpets and floors. The more efficient way to vacuum -- and the way professional cleaners do it -- is to go forward, in structured rows.
You'll first start by vacuuming a row of your carpeting in one direction, wall-to-wall. This first pass should be against the nap of the carpet to make it fluff up and to make the deeply embedded dirt come up easier. A way to tell if you're vacuuming against the nap correctly is if the carpet piles stick up or look a little darker.
Next, push the vacuum back over that strip you just vacuumed. This will lay the carpet back down flat and will suck up the rest of the dirt you missed on the first pass. Once you're back to your starting place, vacuum another strip right next to the first, overlapping slightly. Keep repeating this routine until the whole room has been vacuumed thoroughly.
Once you've completed that step, go perpendicular: If you were vacuuming north to south the first time, vacuum east to west on this second pass. If you think of your floor as a grid, you're going to want to pass over each square both ways for the best results.
Yes, it's extra work and maybe it even seems like overkill, but this method ensures you get every bit of dirt and debris, which will keep your carpet cleaner and looking newer for longer.
For more helpful vacuum info, explore the best Roomba alternatives to keep your floors clean and the best robot vacuum deals available now.
More vacuum tips
FAQs
How many times should I repeat this technique?
You should repeat this technique as many times as it takes to vacuum overlapping strips across the entire room. Then, you should start the same process vacuuming the floor in the direction perpendicular to when you started.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
29 minutes ago
- CBS News
Luigi Mangione's attorneys accuse prosecutors of illegally obtaining his medical records
Attorneys for Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing United HealthCare CEO Brian Thompson, say Manhattan prosecutors wrongfully obtained his medical records. Mangione's attorneys claim the Manhattan DA's office improperly compelled Aetna to turn over confidential information in violation of health privacy laws. "The District Attorney falsely made up a court date-May 23, 2025-and drafted a fraudulent subpoena that if Aetna did not provide documents on that date, it would be in contempt of Court," Mangione's attorney Karen Agnifilo wrote in a letter to the judge. "Because the District Attorney has taken possession of, and at least partially reviewed, Luigi Mangione's confidential doctor-patient privileged and HIPAA protected medical records, and further because the District Attorney misused the subpoena process to obtain these protected records, this Court should impose an appropriate sanction after conducting a full evidentiary hearing to uncover the extent and nature of the significant privilege and HIPAA violation intentionally caused by the prosecutors." Sources in the Manhattan DA's office say it requested limited information, but Aetna sent them additional materials in error, and that they deleted the materials as soon as they became aware of them. Agnifilo requested a hearing on the matter, and that, depending on the findings of the hearing, the judge consider "a range of appropriate sanctions, to include dismissal of the charges." It's not the first time Mangione's defense team has sought for charges to be dismissed. Back in May, Agnifilo alleged evidence in the case was illegally obtained, that the terror charges against Mangione didn't apply, and that concurrent state and federal charges violate the double jeopardy clause. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to murder and terror charges in Thompson's killing. He's due back in court in September.
Fox News
29 minutes ago
- Fox News
Bristol Palin says her facial paralysis struck 'completely out of the blue' with no warning signs
Bristol Palin is giving fans an update on her ongoing health struggle. During an Instagram Q&A, Palin was asked specific questions about how she is dealing with her battle with facial paralysis and what specific symptoms she felt prior to experiencing the weakness in her facial muscles. "I woke up and it was paralyzed completely out of the blue – no warning, wasn't sick didn't get the v@x, no recent Botox ... just paralyzed," she said in response to one question asking about what symptoms she felt. The answer was posted over a video of herself showing the difference between the left and right sides of her face, adding a timestamp of January 20, 2025. The former reality TV star was later asked how she is handling the diagnosis emotionally, to which she replied she thinks she is "handling it well," but admitted "I can't look at pictures of myself rn." Palin also shared her paralysis is "probably 70% back to normal." Other fans shared concern that the paralysis could be permanent, to which Palin replied there is a possibility, "but I don't think it will be." "It is slowly improving," she wrote in her response. "My doctor thinks it will be another 3 months before I'm *hopefully* back to normal." Palin first announced she was experiencing sudden facial paralysis on her Instagram stories in January. In the story, she recalled waking up one morning "with a little weird sensation in my face," and after only a few hours, "the entire left side of my face was numb and just paralyzed." After seeing a doctor and undergoing multiple tests, "nothing came back in all the results" and she was prescribed "steroids" and "other medications" at the time. One of the possible causes could be "a case of Bell's palsy," which doctors noted could have been brought on by stress or lack of sleep. Bell's palsy is a condition that causes "sudden weakness in the muscles on one side of the face," according to the Mayo Clinic. The weakness is typically short-term, and the exact cause is unknown. A few months after sharing her struggles with facial paralysis, Palin took to social media in April 2025 to share that she was one year sober. "365 days without alcohol.. *which sounds dramatic because I've never been a big 'drinker,'" she wrote on her Instagram story, per the Daily Mail. "But this year of having a completely sober mind has allowed me to reevaluate a lot," she continued. "I don't want to alter the state of my mind, and don't want to 'take the edge off' of anything. 10/10 would recommend." Fox News Digital's Lauryn Overhultz contributed to this post.
Yahoo
43 minutes ago
- Yahoo
The Health Benefits of Watermelon—and How to Enjoy Every Bite
Key Points Watermelon is a refreshing summer fruit that helps keep you hydrated, supports a healthy heart, and promotes healthy skin. Thanks to its high water content and low calories, watermelon is a smart and satisfying choice for weight control. You can enjoy watermelon in many fun ways—eat it plain, toss it in salads, or blend it into cool prepping delicious, nutritious dishes for picnics, backyard parties, and warm-weather meals, consider the health benefits of watermelon. Sliced into huge hunks, whirred into juice, or garnished with herbs, this sweet, refreshing fruit is always a crowdpleaser—so the fact that it's also plenty good for you is somewhat serendipitous. We spoke with nutrition experts to learn more about this marvelous melon, as well as the best ways to enjoy Our Expert Micah Siva, RD, recipe writer, and author of the cookbook Nosh: Plant-Forward Recipes Celebrating Modern Jewish Cuisine Susan Greeley, RDN, and instructor of plant-based culinary arts at the Institute of Culinary Education's New York City campusRelated: 9 of the Best Fruits to Eat, According to Nutritionists The Health Benefits of Watermelon Summertime is all about the messy joys of ripe peaches and nectarines, cherries and berries, and melons, including, of course, luscious watermelon, that quintessential treat we crave all season long. But watermelon is more than just a pretty pink snack. Packed with nutrients, it's a thirst-quencher that provides much-needed relief when the mercury climbs. The Water in Watermelon In hot weather, when dehydration is a key concern, watermelon works wonders. "Watermelons are roughly 92 percent water, making them a great source of hydration," says Micah Siva, RD, recipe writer, and author of the cookbook Nosh: Plant-Forward Recipes Celebrating Modern Jewish Cuisine. "Watermelon is one of my favorite 'high-water content food' recommendations," agrees Susan Greeley, RDN, and instructor of plant-based culinary arts at the Institute of Culinary Education's New York City campus. Mineral bonus: With that substantial dose of water, says Greeley, you're also consuming important minerals, like potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium. Feeling satiated: Watermelon's weighty water mass can be a weight-loss and weight-management secret weapon, too. "For those who are looking for more interesting, refreshing hydration options without adding many calories, watermelon and watermelon juice are great choices," Greeley says. According to the USDA Nutrition Database, one cup of diced watermelon has about 46 calories. "Compared to other fruits, watermelon is a lower calorie option that can keep you satisfied thanks to the high water content," says Siva. Skin and Immune Health Watermelon is loaded with vitamins A and C, antioxidants that play a role in skin and immune health, Siva says, noting that a hydrated state also promotes healthy skin and supports digestion. Heart Health and More While watermelon's fiber content is relatively small, about 0.4 grams in 2/3 cup, its other nutrients still make it a nutritional keeper. "Watermelon juice is a good source of compounds such as arginine, citrulline, and lycopene," Greeley says. "These compounds are known to be cardioprotective." L-citrulline: Primarily found in watermelon, this amino acid has been shown to enhance athletic performance. "It is most concentrated in the white rind," says Greeley. Arginine: In the body, citrulline is metabolized into the essential amino acid arginine. It's crucial for nitric oxide synthesis, a molecule that regulates vascular tone, Greeley notes. Lycopene: "Similar to tomatoes, watermelon contains lycopene, a powerful antioxidant," Siva says. Watermelon has about 40 percent more of this phytochemical than red tomatoes. (Other sources of this naturally occurring red pigment include pink and red grapefruit, and guavas.) "Lycopene may improve lipids and blood pressure and is protective against certain cancers," Greeley says. Whole Fruit vs. Juiced As noted, watermelon is low in fiber, so when it's juiced, you may lose some of what fiber there is; though Greeley says it retains enough amino acids and antioxidants to be beneficial. Low-fiber impact: "The largest thing to watch out for is the lack of fiber in juice, which can speed up digestion and impact your blood sugars faster than naturally occurring sugars with fiber in tow," Siva says. If you drink a lot of watermelon juice, she explains, it can become a high-sugar drink. Alternatives: Our experts counteract the sugar overload in a few ways. "I like to add half watermelon juice and half soda water to a glass with a spritz of lime juice for a refreshing mocktail," Siva says. And Greeley has her workaround: Instead of juicing, she says a better option is blending the pulp, which retains many of the solids. How to Eat Watermelon Bite for bite, slice after slice, watermelon is incredible all on its own and that's the way most of use enjoy it. It also makes a refreshing addition to culinary creations. "There's no limit to how it can be used—even the rind can be pickled and eaten," Greeley says. (The seeds are also edible; roast them as you would pumpkin seeds.) Here's how to make the most of watermelon's crisp, sweet flesh: Salted or spiced: Greeley takes chilled watermelon to unexpected places with a few simple tweaks. "Try fresh, ice-cold watermelon with a pinch of salt or Tajin for an added flavor punch," she suggests, referring to the Mexican seasoning made with mild chili peppers, lime, and salt. With herbs: She also cuts it into large chunks and serves it with fresh chopped mint or basil. Salads: "I love making a grilled watermelon salad with feta, mint, red onions, and lemon juice," Siva says. "I also add it to my Greek salads (yum)." Toss together our Watermelon Salad With Feta and Basil, or follow Siva's cue and add sweet chunks to our Greek Mezze Salad. Salsas: Watermelon perks up salsas, too. Try mixing diced melon with lime juice, sliced chiles, and cilantro, and serve it with our Broiled Shrimp Tacos. Gazpacho: Add watermelon chunks to our no-cook Gazpacho—it's a delightful way to double up on lycopene. Slushies: Siva freezes any leftover watermelon on hand and blends it with ice, water, and lime juice for sweet slushies. Or combine similar ingredients for our Watermelon-Lime Coolers. Related: How to Eat Watermelon 20 Delicious Ways—Rinds, Seeds, and All Read the original article on Martha Stewart
