I have suspected ADHD, and a cordless vacuum actually helps me clean – as a professional vacuum tester, here’s why I won’t go corded again

I've been testing appliances for more than five years, and as Homes & Gardens' home tech editor, I've spent more than 200 hours alone just on vacuums. One thing I've learned as somebody with suspected ADHD is: not all of them are as enjoyable to use.

People with ADHD can have impaired executive function, and to complete any task, especially the conventionally unenjoyable ones like cleaning, there have to be as few obstacles in the way as possible.

That's why, after the best cordless vacuums have transformed my home cleaning, I'll never go corded again. I caught up with psychiatrists and neurodivergence specialists to get the full low-down on why that is, and how a simple cleaning choice can make a big difference.

How cordless vacuums can help when cleaning with ADHD

Starting is the issue

According to the CDC, more than 15.5 million American adults have ADHD, and half of them are diagnosed in adulthood. Like many, I'm in the process of getting an official ADHD diagnosis, though my therapist and doctor say I have a 'textbook' case, and the day-to-day challenges it brings.

ADHD can manifest in so many different ways, but for me, I need to be able to complete tasks as and when they come to mind. This is especially true for cleaning, as the urge to do some vacuuming or rapid-fire decluttering can be so fleeting, and if there any obstacles, it can easily never get done.

'With a vacuum that does not have a cord, the whole setup's friction is eliminated,' explains Dr. Michelle Dees, board-certified psychiatrist at Luxury Psychiatry Clinic.

'Encouragement of action is motivated by the ability to execute tasks, and with the impulse to clean dissipating, if action is taken fast enough, a lot can be achieved,' she adds.

I can confirm that seizing those moments where I'm urged to action is the best way to utilize a period of high energy. It's why genius workarounds like the one-hour cleaning method or the one-spot cleaning trick work wonders for my neurodivergent brain.

One of the major advantages of a cordless vacuum is how quickly you can use it. Pick it up, turn it on, and you're ready to clean. There are so few tasks between me thinking about cleaning and starting cleaning that nothing's really getting in the way.

Less decision-making, less overwhelm

The best upright vacuums, even though they're the more powerful and reliable options out there, come with a few too many tasks. Because of their size, storing the vacuum isn't as easy as leaning a cordless stick against a wall, so step one is to lug it out of the storage closet.

Then, after unwinding the cord, plugging it in, then subsequently having to move the plug to each room of the house, there are already too many things to be thinking about.

'Almost every person diagnosed with ADHD shares a common struggle that tends to surface as an impaired executive function,' explains Dr. Dees.

'The mental ability to plan, organize, and follow through a series of tasks is easily short-circuited. Small points, such as pesky cords, appear effortless, but they can hamper motivation, and the ADHD reward system relies too heavily on instant wins,' she adds.

It's not just the number of tasks either, as the sensory experience of a loud, heavy and demanding vacuum cleaner can completely put me off cleaning, forcing me to find ways to motivate myself to clean.

'The sensory experiences felt by every single thing in a neurodivergent person's life (whether it's ADHD or Autism) can really stress them out before they even get going,' shares Kirsten Tretbar, LMFT and psychotherapist of Tretbar Therapy, who works with neurodivergent children and their families.

She continues, 'The feeling of the heaviness, the smell that comes up in the room, the loud sound of the suction, the clanking into furniture, the vibration coming up through the handle, all the various steps to bring out the vacuum and get it plugged in, the random thoughts that lead one to stop one activity and do another – all of this leads to emotional, physical, and nervous system overwhelm!'

'This is why a lighter, cordless vacuum cleaner is a game changer for the neurodivergent person,' Kirsten emphasizes.

Polina Shkadron, neurodivergence therapist and founder of Play to Learn Consulting, specializes in executive functioning and explains that organization challenges start at a very young age for ADHD kids, and adds:

'When it comes to cleaning, it's less about the clutter and more about decision making, which quickly becomes decision fatigue for the ADHD brain.'

Dopamine

Those with ADHD typically have lower baseline levels of dopamine (more on this at the official ADDA website), which is why I will often avoid difficult or unenjoyable tasks. So, having a vacuum that's instantly available and incredibly intuitive to use makes the task of vacuuming my home so much easier.

Many cordless vacuums come with a wall mount, so they're fully charged whenever you need them. They also empty over the trash can at the push of a button, and are some of the best lightweight vacuums you can own, meaning the vacuum functions almost as an extension of your arm.

'Fast and easy tasks like being able to clean with a single sweep of a hand are centrally commanded,' explains Dr. Dees, highlighting the importance of the easy, satisfying feeling of bodily control while cleaning.

'Tackling easily visual tasks creates a feel-good dopamine boost,' she adds.

There's also a novelty element. In the 200+ hours I've spent testing the best vacuums for Homes & Gardens, it's always the cordless sticks I enjoy using the most. Their convenience aside, I love being able to do quick vacuuming bursts using a trigger, or hold it above my head to vacuum curtains, or even pop off the floorhead to vacuum the dust clumps under my desk. It's a satisfying way to clean!

Also, for me it's the best Dyson vacuums that make it more fun. At home I use the Dyson V15 Detect and Dyson V12 Detect Slim, and both of them have sensors that count how many particles you've captured during a cleaning session, up to the tens of millions. They also have a green laser that reveals invisible dust which, honestly, has been a gamechanger to know whether the floor is truly clean.

They also automatically adjust suction power as you move across different floor types and varying dust volumes. Not having to manually change suction mode at any point is another big win for my brain.

I never thought I'd see the day I'm excited about vacuuming, but here we are. If it sounds like it's time for you to switch to a cordless stick, here are three of our best that we've tested ourselves.

Meet the experts

Dr. Michelle Dees

Dr. Dees is a board-certified, Washington University-trained psychiatrist who specializes in treating anxiety, mood disorders, and depression with holistic therapy practices, such as the use of TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation), as well as traditional psychiatry.

Kirsten Tretbar

Kirsten Tretbar is a licensed psychotherapist and an expert in family/systemic therapy and neuroscience-based techniques for regulating the nervous system. Her area of expertise is gifted and neurodivergent kids and their families. 

Polina Shkadron

Polina is a NYC-based neurodivergent therapist specializing in helping Autistic and ADHD kids find their strengths. As a trauma-informed speech-language pathologist, family communication and feeding expert, she uses play to engage with each child’s unique perspective of the world.

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