Martha Says This Is How Often to Vacuum Your Floors

Regularly cleaning your floors is a relatively small chore with a big impact. In fact, it’s one that Martha recommends for when you’re pressed for time and company is on their way. “Even if you don’t have the weekend to thoroughly scour your home, you can still tidy in a jiffy by being intentional,” she shares in decorvow’s Organizing, noting that clean floors are "a sure way to make a room instantly more presentable."

"Vacuuming is faster and more efficient than sweeping for removing dust and dirt from wood floors," she adds, "plus you can use it to hit any other dusty surfaces."

Of course, your vacuum shouldn’t just be used ahead of guests: Vacuuming is an important part of floor care that keeps debris from building up, helps protect floors from wear, and makes deeper (or pre-company) cleaning feel less daunting. Below, learn how often Martha recommends vacuuming to keep floors fresh and well-maintained.

How Often to Vacuum Floors and Rugs

If you’re looking for a clear rule to follow, start here: "Weekly, vacuum floors and area rugs," Martha says. This cadence is frequent enough to keep dust and dirt from settling in, but realistic enough to make a consistent habit.

"Regular vacuuming will help to extend the life of floor coverings, using the appropriate setting for the pile's height," Martha writes in The Martha Manual: How to Do Almost Everything. This advice applies to wood, vinyl, and tile flooring, too. Just be sure there isn’t a brush roller on your vacuum that could scratch hardwood flooring. 

If your house is particularly busy (e.g., there are kids or pets running around), you may find yourself doing quick touch-ups over high-traffic areas in between. "If you have 15 minutes," Martha says, "just vacuum." It’s a low-effort way to improve the look and feel of your space almost immediately—and set you and your flooring up for future success.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Weekly Vacuuming Routine

A weekly vacuum session is already a high-impact reset, but it becomes even more efficient when you pair it with other cleaning to-dos on your list. 

Once the vacuum is out, you might as well let it do a little extra work. Start with the soft surfaces. "Vacuum upholstery, using the crevice tool to reach tight spaces," Martha says. Build this into your weekly routine by making it part of the same lap you do around the room. After you finish the floors, run the crevice tool along sofa seams, under cushions, and on the arms of upholstered chairs.

Next, consider your monthly, annual, and seasonal tasks and how a quick pass with the vacuum can help tackle them when the time comes. Bookshelves are a perfect example. "Deep-clean your bookshelves at least twice a year; ideally, incorporate it into your weekly vacuuming routine once each season," Martha suggests. It’s a simple way to keep cleaning chores from piling up.