How To Store a Vacuum Cleaner (7 Simple Ways)

Storing a vacuum cleaner can be a hassle due to its size and shape. If you only put it wherever you feel like it, it makes your home seem untidy, especially if you don’t have much space. On the other hand, properly storing your vacuum cleaner can help prevent accidents and extend the appliance’s life, but how do you go about it?

Here are 7 simple ways you can store a vacuum cleaner:

1. Hang it on a wall.
2. Place it in a broom closet.
3. Tuck it under the bed or couch.
4. Put it under the stairs.
5. Create space in the laundry room.
6. Place it in the kitchen.
7. Store it in the garage.

No matter the size of your home, you can always find a place to squeeze in your vacuum cleaner. Although it should remain out of the way, your vacuum cleaner should also be easily accessible, especially if you use it often. In this article, I’ll discuss the above ideas to help you store your vacuum cleaner.

1. Hang It on a Wall

Mounting your vacuum on a wall is the best way to create space. It’s ideal if you live in an apartment with limited space. However, you can’t do this for all vacuums, especially the heavier ones. Otherwise, whatever you’re hanging them on will collapse along with part of your wall.

If you use a stick or handheld vacuum, the best way to store them is by hanging, as these vacuums are lightweight and slim. Also, they’re cordless and aren’t as bulky as some other types. So, you can safely mount them using a wall holder (source).

The best thing about stick vacuums is that most come with a wall holder that doubles as a charger. Therefore, you don’t forget to charge your vacuum until the next cleaning session. But if it doesn’t have a wall holder, don’t worry: You can hang your vacuum cleaner on a coat rack instead.

Since stick vacuums don’t require much space, you can hang them behind the laundry room door, near a less used socket, or behind the trash can. You can also use regular wall hangers for cleaning equipment such as brooms (source).

2. Place It in a Broom Closet

If you live in a large house, you likely have a broom closet. If not, you might have a shoe closet. Both of these provide an ideal space for storing your vacuum. They’re big enough to accommodate the upright vacuums, which are otherwise a hassle to store due to their enormous size, long cords, and weight.

Since you have to store these vacuums in an upright position, a closet is perfect. If you’re using a shoe closet, ensure you coil the cord around the hose to minimize the space it occupies. If you store the vacuum with other cleaning equipment, store it such that you can easily pull it out when you need it (source).

3. Tuck It Under the Bed or Couch

The space under your bed or closet makes an excellent hiding place for a vacuum cleaner. These spaces work best for lightweight and smaller vacuums such as handheld and stick vacuum cleaners. If you live in a condo or studio apartment, you might not have enough space to hang these vacuums. So, you can neatly tuck them under the bed or the couch instead.

That said, make sure your vacuum cleaner’s hiding place is free from spills because liquids can damage it (source).

4. Put It Under the Stairs

If your home has stairs, you can also use the space behind it as a vacuum cleaner storage area. It’s especially ideal for a robotic vacuum cleaner that requires a designated charging point. This vacuum usually comes with a docking station where it must be returned after cleaning (source). So, it’s impossible to place it in a closet, under the bed, or even hang it. 

The space behind the stairs is ideal since it’s away from areas with high foot traffic, and is therefore unlikely to cause accidents. Also, that area is well-concealed, ensuring your house remains neat and your vacuum cleaner stays accessible.

5. Create Space in the Laundry Room

The laundry room is also a suitable space for a vacuum cleaner. It doesn’t experience much foot traffic, especially from children and pets. So, you can safely keep your vacuum cleaner there and avoid accidents. Also, it’s ideal for the bulkier upright and canister vacuums that require ample space. You can designate one corner of the room as a vacuum storage area (source).

Additionally, you can utilize shelves or cabinets in the laundry room if you have a smaller vacuum cleaner. Aside from being safer, these spaces make it easier to retrieve the vacuum during cleaning. 

With the canister vacuum cleaner, you can disconnect the hose from the canister and store them separately. However, this can be inconvenient if you vacuum often.

6. Place It in the Kitchen

The kitchen has many places where you can tuck a variety of vacuum cleaners. For example, you can keep an upright or canister vacuum cleaner in one of the corners. You can also use the kitchen cabinets for smaller, lightweight vacuums like the handheld versions. 

Alternatively, you can keep your vacuum cleaner under the sink. However, ensure your sink doesn’t have leakage issues to avoid damaging your appliance.

7. Store in the Garage

You can neatly keep your vacuum cleaner in your garage, especially if it’s adjacent to the house. For example, you can hang handheld or stick vacuums in there. Bulkier vacuums can have a specific corner or space where they’re easier to access during cleaning (source).

Conclusion

How you store your vacuum cleaner largely depends on your space and type of vacuum cleaner. Hanging is ideal for smaller spaces and lightweight vacuum cleaners. You can also place these in drawers or cabinets in the kitchen or linen closet. The area under the stairs is also perfect for these vacuums.

On the other hand, heavier and bulkier vacuums require bigger spaces such as the garage, laundry room, and shoe or broom closet. Wherever you keep it, ensure the space is dry and well-ventilated to avoid liquid damage.