Here’s How Often You Should Vacuum Under the Bed

If you, like me, are someone who doesn’t like vacuuming, not even a fancy, lightweight vacuum cleaner will make you suddenly want to start vacuuming all the time. I say this from experience, because, yes, a nice vacuum cleaner does make the chore easier and less stressful, but at the end of the day, it is still a chore.

And so, you, like me, may find yourself wondering: How often do I really need to vacuum? In particular, lately, I have been asking myself: How often do I really need to vacuum under the bed? My initial thinking: I should be vacuuming that area more. (Definitely true.) On the other hand, figuring out a way to clean every nook and cranny under the bed can be a little daunting. Plus, what you don’t see can’t really hurt you, right? (Definitely not true.)

To get an answer to my conundrum, I chatted with Michael Barnett, a global product manager at BLACK+DECKER. Here’s what he had to say.

While various factors like flooring, pets, foot traffic, and more come into play for your particular under-the-bed cleaning schedule, Barnett says it’s ideal to vacuum under the bed once a week. Not only will this save you from the hassle of needing to deep-clean more frequently, but it will also keep things like hair, dust, and dander from accumulating.

A little dust might not seem that intimidating, but it’s worth keeping in mind that constantly inhaling dust particles has been linked to illnesses like asthma. The less you vacuum, the more likely it is that you’re inhaling these particles as you sleep. And no one wants that. 

Will vacuuming under your bed ever be as fun as, say, scrolling through Netflix? No. But its benefits to your health make it worth prioritizing. And the ideal tool for the task is a cordless stick vacuum with a bright LED light and powerful suction, according to Barnett.

“LED lights allow you to see all dirt, debris, and dust beneath the bed without the need for a flashlight,” he says. A cordless stick vacuum means you can get into those hard-to-reach corners without the hassle of cords. And powerful suction prevents numerous passes and cuts down on overall cleaning time.