The best practice is to dust before vacuuming. Here's why:
Containment of Dust: When you dust, some dust particles are likely to become airborne and settle on surfaces nearby. If you vacuum after dusting, the vacuum cleaner can pick up these newly settled particles, ensuring they are removed from the environment effectively.
Efficiency: Dusting first allows you to remove the loose dirt, debris, and dust from surfaces like shelves, countertops, and furniture. Vacuuming afterward can then take care of any remaining smaller particles and debris on the floor and carpets.
Preventing Recontamination: If you vacuum first and then dust, there's a chance that some of the dust you remove from higher surfaces might fall onto the freshly vacuumed floor, leading to recontamination.
Protecting Vacuum Cleaner: Dusting before vacuuming helps protect your vacuum cleaner's filters and prevent them from getting clogged too quickly. If your vacuum cleaner's filters are clogged, its performance might decrease, and you may need to clean or replace the filters more frequently.
To get the most efficient cleaning results, follow this order:
Dust surfaces, using a microfiber cloth or a duster, starting from the highest points and working your way down. This way, any dislodged dust will fall onto surfaces that haven't been dusted yet.
Vacuum the floors and carpets, making sure to cover all areas systematically.
By following this sequence, you can minimize dust in your living space and achieve a more thorough and effective cleaning process.