Is Your Vacuum Improving or Hurting Your Home’s Air Quality?
Why do you vacuum? Most people consider cleaning to be an essential chore to keep your house looking spick and span. However, it goes much further than that. Getting rid of built-up dust improves the air quality of your home. Polluted city air isn't pleasant, and the same applies to your home environment. Vacuuming up pet hair, allergens and other minuscule debris goes a long way to increase the quality of the air you breathe. As part of a healthy lifestyle, reducing particles is essential to avoid antagonising asthma symptoms or other related allergies.
Is your vacuum and cleaning routine actually accomplishing this goal? Unfortunately, many older and cheaper vacuums may be causing more harm than good. If not filtered sufficiently, your cleaner could be a culprit as it stirs up excess dust as it cleans and emits countless airborne particles from its exhaust, back into the environment. So what causes this, and what can you do about it? Let's find out.
Why Your Vacuum Might Be Contributing To Your Dust Problem
The best vacuum cleaners will feature a HEPA filter, at a minimum. HEPA stands for 'high-efficiency particulate air,' and is the current gold-standard of air filtration. Genuine HEPA filters have a strict requirement of dust screening efficiency. Take a look at your vacuum, does it have a HEPA filter? Some manufacturers will use terms like 'HEPA-type' to describe their capabilities - this is NOT the same thing. If your vacuum lacks HEPA, it will miss filtering a portion of polluting particles, ejecting them back into your home.
“Allergens and debris can escape the vacuum BEFORE reaching the filter”
There's another issue. Allergens and debris can escape the vacuum BEFORE reaching the filter. If the cleaner is cheap or of inferior quality, the internal systems won't be sealed completely, allowing leaks to occur. As a general guide, only purchase vacuums that can back up their claims of genuine HEPA filtration as well as high-quality parts and craftsmanship.
How to Make Sure Your Vacuum is Helping, Not Harming
Here are three key elements to look for when reviewing your current system or when considering a new vacuum cleaner:
As with most things in life, you get what you pay for. Paying up for high-quality appliances can be a fantastic investment. Consider your family's health and time - how much is that worth? For a vacuum that will last many years, a few hundred dollars is insignificant in comparison with the potential benefits. Purchasing the latest vacuums from the best manufacturers ensures you're getting the best technology, in terms of air purification technology and engineering quality.
Only consider purchasing cleaning appliances that claim, with evidence, they feature a sealed system with a genuine HEPA filter (or more). Specifically, HEPA filters will block almost all particles larger than 0.3 microns. With dust and pollen typically averaging around 3 and 10 microns respectively, you can rest assured that your vacuum cleaner is backing up its price tag.
If you've been vacuuming for a while, you've probably experienced this somewhat unpleasant, but distinctive 'vacuum smell.' It's not a good sign! It's a powerful pointer that your vacuum is emitting unwanted dust and other particles into the air. Maybe it's time to go shopping.
Use the Right Type of Vacuum Cleaner for Your Home
Stick, cordless, handheld, robot vacuums... There are many modern variations of the old Hoover. Consider utilising multiple appliances in your cleaning arsenal.
"What could be better than a device that vacuums and mops?"
Robot vacuum cleaners are excellent for automated, daily cleans. By doing this, you'll increase the time needed between major deep cleans and ensure dust never has an opportunity to build up. Better yet, you can control your robovac with the simple press of a button.
The best robot vacuums now even come with mopping functionalities as well. Mopping is one of the best ways to trap and clear dust for good from hard floors. What could be better than a device that does both?
Consider using a stick vacuum for less regular deep-cleans and certain hard-to-reach places, such as nooks and crannies or under shallow furniture.
Why Does Any of This Matter?
Indoor air quality is not a massive problem for most people. It's important to remember that the effects accumulate over time and can aggravate asthma symptoms, respiratory disorders or flare-up allergies you didn't even know you had.
Keeping your home clean and healthy is easier than ever. Investing in an advanced vacuum will go a long way to achieving this. Consider implementing a robot vacuum into your routine, with extra points given if it can also mop.
If you have any questions or need advice, contact us today. Roborock is a global leader in the robot vacuum space, and we're soon to launch a world-first cordless stick vacuum. You can check out our full range here.