Do vacuum cleaners spread dust? 5 reasons why this cleaning task is making your home dirtier, and what to do about it

We buy vacuum cleaners to rid our homes of dirt, dust and debris around our homes, but have you ever wondered if they’re actually doing the opposite? If you’re noticing lingering dust on surfaces of your home after cleaning, it’s very possible that your vacuum cleaner is spreading dust without you realising it.

Yes, if you're looking to purchase one of the best vacuum cleaners on the market, you expect it to clean your home from top to bottom – especially if you're spending a pretty penny on it. However, the truth is that certain vacuum cleaners can disrupt and dislodge invisible dust you didn’t know was there. You can prevent that, though.

I've asked experts to explain why your vacuum cleaner might be spreading dust, and how to ensure you're using yours in the most efficient way to prevent it from happening again.

Why vacuum cleaners spread dust

1. The vacuum is old

Ultimately, how long a vacuum cleaner lasts depends on various factors - one of which being the vacuum’s age. That’s because new vacuums are chock-full of impressive technology to vacuum effectively and prevent the spread of dust. The same can’t be said for older vacuums that were manufactured without this technology.

Not to mention the fact that vacuum parts and seals degrade over time, so it’s highly likely that your older vacuum will leak dust when you’re vacuuming, spreading dust and making your home dirtier.

2. The dust bin is full

Alternatively, James Longley, managing director at Utility Bidder says that your appliance may be spreading dust because the dustbin is full and simply needs to be emptied. When your vacuum has reached full capacity, there's nowhere else for the dirt, dust, and debris to go. 'Depending on the type of vacuum depends on how debris can be disposed of effectively, for example, bagged vacuum cleaners or bagged models,' adds James.

In fact, an overfilled dust bin is a surefire way to kill your vacuum cleaner, which is why it’s so important to empty your dust bin before it reaches the ‘MAX’ fill line. This will ensure you never run the risk of a dust explosion.

3. The filter needs cleaning

It’s essential to buy a vacuum cleaner with a proper HEPA filter - especially if you’re vacuuming to help with allergies. Otherwise, a vacuum won't do much to manage allergy or respiratory issues the same way that one of the best air purifiers can.

It’s this filter that captures the dust and dirt and prevents it from spreading back into your home - but it can only work to the best of its ability when you clean it regularly. This should be part of your vacuum cleaning routine anyway, but if you haven’t cleaned yours in a while, you should add this to your to-do list ASAP. And if it doesn’t clean up well, you’ll need to replace it entirely.

4. You’re cleaning in the wrong order

Yes, there is a right and wrong way to clean - and if you’re dusting after vacuuming, you’re cleaning in the wrong way. Doing so means that your vacuum will spread dust, as it will dislodge all of the dust lingering on your floor and other surfaces of your home. This will make it harder to clean in the long run.

So, you should dust before vacuuming, ideally choosing damp dusting over dry dusting to pick up every speck. ‘Additionally, choosing a vacuum with an LED light can help illuminate dust and dirt, enabling a more thorough cleaning,' explains AO.com's small appliance expert, Isabella Forgione.

5. You’re not emptying it correctly

Vacuums without bags are notoriously difficult to empty, and doing so often results in a cloud of dust that then makes its way back into the air. Of course, this is why vacuum cleaners with bags are better if you want to prevent the spread of dust, and this is echoed by Paul Bagwell, founder and CEO of Halo Vacuums.

He says, ‘Lab testing has shown that even the best bagless vacuums can release up to 10 times more dust back into the air while emptying, meaning all of your hard work can be undone at the end - so enclosed, compostable dust pouches will ensure that you can dispose of the dust and debris without spills or dust clouds.’ Alternatively, you could make the most of this hack that allows you to empty a vacuum cleaner without spreading dust everywhere.

Our recommended vacuums for trapping dust

If you're looking to upgrade your vacuum to a higher-quality model that specialises in trapping dust and dirt, here are some of our top picks to consider.

So, there you have it! Knowing the above, you should be able to keep dust to a minimum in your home.