When we converted our entire house to laminate flooring, I thought there was no way I would use a broom to sweep the entire house so I faithfully vacuumed every room at least once a week, putting up with noise, a little dust pollution and a lot of electricity.  Then, the attachment that works on smooth floors broke, so I found myself back to basics, using that old fashioned thing we all used to use – a broom.

As it turns out, sweeping with a broom is not only faster than vacuuming, but also a whole lot more enjoyable.  Sure, there will always be that one little dust line when you pick up a pile, but there is no blaring noise, no wasted electricity, and no clunky vacuum to tow behind everywhere you go.

Now, more than five years later, the vacuum only gets used in my office, the one room with carpeting.  I still have not replaced the broken floor attachment, but even with a new one I would reach for my trusty broom before going for that noisy, dusty, disgusting contraption I used to think was the best solution for laminate floors.

I don’t know how much electricity a vacuum uses, but I am certain I have more than paid for the single seven dollar broom I have used in all those years with the savings.  Sometimes progress and technology really aren’t the great solutions they’re chalked up to be.  As for me, I’ll take my trusty broom and dustpan any day.