5 Vacuuming Hacks That Make Fast Work of Floors and More

Vacuuming is no one's idea of a good time but there is a certain satisfaction when you banish those cobwebs in the corner or walk barefoot across a stretch that was previously littered with crumbs.

And once you haul your full-sized upright or canister vacuum out of the closet, you don't have to make it harder on yourself by going about the task willy-nilly.

There are a few easy strategies you can use to breeze through this onerous job in record time. Then sit on the couch with your beverage of choice and admire your work.

And of course, you can make your life easier by handling small cleanups as the need arises with a stick or handheld vacuum—and saving the deep cleaning for later. Robotic vacuums are a fun choice for everyday set-and-forget cleaning. They've come down in price (one of our top-rated robots sells for as little as $200), but keep in mind they're best if you don't have a lot of carpet or pets.

Click on or hover your cursor over the dots on the illustration below (or tap on a mobile device) for our expert advice on the no-hassle way to clean every nook and cranny in your house.

Click dots to learn more.

Illustration: Hitandrun/Début Art

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CR members can read on for ratings and reviews of top-rated vacuums across five categories: uprights, canisters, stick vacuums, handheld, and robotics.

Editor’s Note: This article also appeared in the October 2021 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.

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