Is Your Vacuum Cleaner Bad for Your Health?

Your vacuum may be sucking up dust, pollen and fungus particles — and spewing them right back into the air

Running your vacuum cleaner regularly is one of the best ways to make your home look clean and tidy. Unfortunately, not all of the dust and particles (including pollen, fungus and bacteria) it sucks up stay in the machine. Especially if you have a cheap vacuum or a low-quality filter, your machine might spew them into the air — ultimately, into your lungs. That’s especially bad news for someone with asthma or allergies.

If vacuuming stirs up breathing troubles for you, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America suggests wearing a dust mask while you vacuum, then leaving the house for a few hours until the dust literally settles.

Even better, invest in a good vacuum cleaner with an effective filter, and make sure you maintain them properly.