How Often Should You Vacuum the Carpet? Here's Martha's Recommendation

A beautiful home doesn’t require perfection, but it does benefit from a thoughtful routine. And when it comes to carpets and rugs, vacuuming is one of the simplest yet most essential ways to freshen, reduce allergens, and extend the life of your flooring. Take Martha’s core guidance to heart: "Regular vacuuming will help to extend the life of floor coverings," she shared in her book decorvow's Organizing.

But what, exactly, does regular mean in this case? Fortunately, Martha also provided clarity on how often you should vacuum your carpets. Once a week? Every day? As frequently as hardwood floors? Here's what Martha recommends. 

Small Habits That Can Reduce Vacuuming Frequency

Firstly, a few Martha-approved lifestyle habits mean less dirt—and less work—down the line.  “Avoid treading on rugs and carpets with shoes by leaving them at the door,” Martha says. “Also, tackle spills right away.”

Small habits, like those below, can reduce how often you’ll need a more intensive clean or vacuum session.

• Keep shoes at the door
• Place doormats at every entrance and shake them out frequently
• Brush pets regularly
• Address spills immediately
• Change HVAC filters regularly to reduce airborne dust

How Often to Vacuum Your Carpet

For most households, vacuuming carpets once a week is the sweet spot, Martha says in Organizing. Homes with pets or kids and high-traffic areas (think entryways and family rooms) may benefit from twice-weekly passes—but the weekly routine is the foundation Martha prioritizes. “Regular vacuuming will help to extend the life of floor coverings, using the appropriate setting for the pile’s height,” she says.

Even with regular vacuuming, carpets can benefit from a deeper reset, too. Annually, Martha advises giving rugs and carpets a full refresh: “Treat the rug or carpet to a thorough deep-cleaning. Synthetic carpets can be steam-cleaned at home using a rented machine, but leave natural fibers to a pro.”

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How to Vacuum Like Martha 

The key is not just frequency—but technique. Here are Martha's step-by-step tips for vacuuming as effectively (and effortlessly) as a professional.

• "Dust furniture and move it out of the way before you vacuum." This way, you’ll be able to vacuum up those fallen dust particles sans extra effort.
• "Start at the farthest point of any room and work your way out." This ensures you don't backtrack over freshly cleaned carpet.
• "When vacuuming, use long, slow, overlapping strokes, and use the attachments to reach into corners and under furniture." Slow passes pull up far more dirt than quick ones.
• "Change the vacuum bag when it's half to three-quarters full." A too-full bag reduces suction.

These simple steps create professional-level, Martha-approved results.