Home Cleaning 4 Brilliant Vacuuming Hacks Everyone Should Know Including a trick for refreshing rugs and carpets. By Katie Holdefehr Katie Holdefehr Instagram Website Katie Holdefehr is the associate editorial director at Real Simple. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on August 5, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Vacuuming is a pretty straightforward chore, right? Well, not so fast. According to our home director Stephanie Sisco, there actually is a right way to vacuum. Her editor-approved method lifts as much dirt and dust from rugs and carpets as possible. To take our vacuuming lessons one step further, we rounded up a few vacuum cleaner hacks that make household cleaning and deodorizing more effective. Here's how to freshen the air, remove dents in a carpet, and even find lost jewelry—all using a vacuum. The Right Way to Vacuum (Yes, There Is a Right Way!) 01 of 04 Deodorize the Carpet Rugs and carpets tend to hold onto bad odors. To freshen them up, sprinkle baking soda onto the carpet and let it sit for a few hours to absorb the odors (you'll want to keep kids and pets away during this time). Then, vacuum up the baking soda. 02 of 04 Find Dropped Jewelry If you've ever dropped an earring back (or cufflink post) while getting ready in the morning, you know how difficult it can be to find it on the floor or in a fluffy carpet. Bookmark this trick for the next time that happens.Grab an old pair of stockings or a nylon sock and place the foot of it over the vacuum's nozzle attachment, securing it with a rubber band. Turn on the vacuum and run the nozzle over the floor. The suction will help you find the dropped jewelry, while the stocking prevents it from getting sucked into the machine. 03 of 04 Freshen the Air Place a few drops of essential oil, like soothing lavender or refreshing lemon, onto a cotton ball. Place the cotton ball in the canister of the vacuum, and it will release a subtle scent as you clean. The Best Air Fresheners for Every Part of Your Home 04 of 04 Fix Furniture Dents in Carpets If you've had your sofa or side chair in the same spot forever, the next time you move this furniture you'll likely notice indents in the rug or carpet. Try this trick: Place an ice cube or two in the dent, then let it melt completely. (Have patience, this could take a while.) As the ice melts, the water will slowly revive the fibers. Pat the area dry, then vacuum the spot, and the dent will have disappeared. The 8 Best Cordless Vacuums of 2023, Tested and Reviewed Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit