If you are a vacuum cleaner owner, you’ve probably used your warranty on your vacuum. So you’ll be glad to know that there are several ways to extend the life of your vacuum cleaner.
Vacuum cleaners are the first line of defense when cleaning the house and keeping your floors clean. They are also great tools for cleaning those hard-to-reach places – like your stairs, behind the sofa, under the beds, and more.
But like any tool, there are some things that you need to watch out for so that your vacuum cleaner will last longer and work better for you. This guide will help you learn how to clean your vacuum cleaner properly.
Why Is Maintaining a Vacuum Regularly Important?
There are several reasons why it is essential to maintain your vacuum cleaner regularly. The first is that vacuums can use up quite a bit of energy. For example, if you’re using a corded vacuum, turning it on and off could burn up one or two watts of electricity each time you turn it on and off.
Over time, this can add up and impact the amount of money you spend. It’s not the most expensive thing in the world, but if you run out of battery power and have no way to recharge it, you can lose a lot of money quickly.
Your second reason for cleaning your vacuum regularly is that it can help your vacuum work better. Some vacuums simply need to be cleaned once in a while. It might even just depend on the type of dirt you try to get rid of. But if you haven’t cleaned your vacuum in a while, it might not work as well as it could.
A clogged filter, for example, can cause your vacuum not to pick up as much dirt or hair. So, over time, it will lose its effectiveness.
7 Ways to Maintain Your Vacuum Cleaner
1. Change the Bags Frequently
Routinely changing the bag is one of the simplest and least time-consuming ways to keep your vacuum in good working order. Unfortunately, it’s a common misconception that bags only have to be changed when they’re full.
If you want optimal performance from your machine, you should change the bag out before it’s full of dirt. If there’s already a lot of junk in the bag, more won’t fit, and the vacuum won’t be able to do its job correctly. With these telltale indicators, you can tell whether a bag is filled or about to burst.
When you clean space and discover debris that wasn’t there before, it’s the most telltale indicator. It’s likely that the bag was already full, so some of the dirt and dust within leaked out onto the floor. Another warning indicator is that the vacuum’s suction is weaker than usual.
Possessing a bagless hoover allows you to see how much dust and grime has been collected. Having a clear view of the inner canister’s fill level is a must if you want to prevent the issues mentioned earlier and prolong the life of your vacuum.
2. Check That the Bag Is Firmly Attached
Although it may seem simple, some individuals may have trouble connecting the bag due to the wide variety of vacuum cleaner makes, models, and styles available. Valid particularly for first-timers. Although the specifics of bag attachment vary by type, one constant is that the bag’s opening must be positioned appropriately above the nozzle.
You should also securely fasten any clips, holders, or hooks. Debris won’t go into the bag and will instead fill your vacuum if the bag isn’t connected correctly. Because of this, the cleaner’s moving components may not function as well as they otherwise would, which might cause harm.
Once this occurs, cleaning the device thoroughly is next to impossible. Therefore, buying suitable bags for your kit is just as important as properly attaching them. Since several models are available from each manufacturer, it’s easy to believe you’ve found the perfect vacuum cleaner when you haven’t. If this occurs, you could realize the bag wasn’t as safe as you assumed it was.
If you want to be sure you’re not getting a non-working machine, check the registration number of your device to the number just on the bag. In addition, after you’ve located the perfect bag, you should buy many of them. There is always the risk that the manufacturer may cease producing bags for your vacuum cleaner model because they will switch to making just their newest models.
3. Empty Bagless Models
Most bagless machines will feature a timer on the device that will go off when it’s time to empty the trash. As helpful as this is, it is still recommended to empty the trash can regardless of whether the debris has reached this point. Please remember to drain it after each usage.
Don’t let dust and grime accumulate within the machine. Depending on the bagless unit’s design, it’s also possible to give the trash can a quick rinsing with water to make sure every last bit of grime is gone. You should also clean the filter that is connected to it whenever you empty it.
Any lingering dirt or microscopic particles may be dislodged by giving the filter a little tap on the trash bin. Then, you may clean the filter by inserting a finger, or another non-sharp item, between the slats. Even if you don’t get rid of everything, giving the filter a quick once-over might improve its efficiency. In fact, you can clean certain filters.
4. Take Care of the Brush Roll Cleaning
You should sometimes inspect the brush roller of your vacuum. Things may become twisted around the roll and eventually make it so it doesn’t spin as freely as it should. Floss, hair, and thread all fall under this category.
These items may be removed either before or after the roll is removed. If you are confident in your abilities, only then should you take the roller out of the vacuum. You can clean it more thoroughly if you remove it, but if you can’t put it back on, it defeats the purpose. Vacuum cleaner roller attachments are typically a plate. However, this varies by model.
So, first, you’ll need to raise or remove the plate, then slip the roll out of the slots on each side. Objects twisted around the roll may be pried off with your hands or scissors after you’ve determined what they are.
After that, remove these items from the roll by gently pulling on them. In fact, you may want to use soap and water to give it the cleanest possible finish. With the brush roll removed, you can access the bearings, caps, and inside of your vacuum for cleaning or replacement. Even if it doesn’t seem filthy or damaged, a simple wipe with a moist towel may remove any dust or grime that has gotten stuck.
5. Inspect the Belt
The belt that holds the brush roll in place should be inspected after the roll has been checked. The belt has to be replaced if it is loose on the roll. Examine it to determine whether it has become narrowed, torn, or too strained.
Check whether the belt has slipped out of position or been worn through somewhere. The belt must be changed at least once a year, preferably twice. However, this is not an absolute figure since it relies on factors such as how often you use your hoover and which model and brand you have.
If you just use the vacuum once every couple of weeks, you probably won’t need to change the belt more than once a year. On the other hand, if you use it daily, the belt may need to be changed every few months.
When the belt has to be changed, it’s done by unrolling the machine, slipping off the old belt, and rolling on the new one. You don’t need to bring it to a specialized expert since it’s simple. Changing the belt is usually described in detail in the vacuum’s user manual.
6. Check the Hoses and Filters
Modern and even some older versions of vacuum cleaners are equipped with filters specifically designed to trap particles that may otherwise pollute your home’s air. To keep your vacuum running well, you should regularly check, clean, or replace the filter. Then, depending on how easily it comes out, you can wash a plastic filter or shake a paper or cloth one.
You must always have a clean filter. A HEPA filter-equipped vacuum cleaner is helpful here since it removes 99.97% of airborne particles from the air you’re sucking up. By keeping the filter clean, you can do your part to ensure that the air you breathe is as healthy as possible.
Finally, huge things may stuck in your vacuum hose. A stuck item might be the cause of your hose attachment not functioning properly. Checking the hose visually or using a hook to check if it strikes anything may help locate the item. Socks, undergarments, and tiny toys are major culprits regarding hose blockages.
7. Get Your Vacuum Serviced
If your vacuum stops working and you can’t figure out why you can always bring it to a vacuum repair business. Depending on the nature of the issue, the clerk at these stores may often repair your vacuum for a low price and have it back to you the next day.
Depending on the issue and the shop’s labor charge, you can have your vacuum fixed for under ten pounds if you’ve observed that it’s not picking up as much as it used to. Depending on your machine’s age, professional service for your vacuum may be the best option for you and your household.
However, it is sometimes simpler to just get a new vacuum. And this is especially true now that there are several options, including cutting-edge robot vacuums.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Vacuums Need Maintenance?
Vacuums must be maintained to function effectively, so it’s important to know what they need. In general, vacuums can get dirty very fast if they aren’t cleaned regularly.
Vacuum cleaners have two crucial components that wear out and need maintenance: the motor, which powers the vacuum cleaner, and the filter, which traps dirt and debris before it gets sucked into the machine.
Is It Hard to Maintain a Vacuum?
Vacuum cleaners are very easy to maintain. Simply wash it with water and soap, dry it thoroughly, and make sure that all the dirt is removed. Then you can use a few drops of oil to get rid of any extra dirt particles. Make sure to use the best quality oil so that it does not get into the parts of the machine that could affect its performance.
How Do You Maintain a Vacuum Filter?
One of the most important things to do is change your vacuum filter. It can be found in the bottom of the canister and is usually easy to remove, but it may be harder to remove if it has gotten stuck.
To remove the filter, gently slide it out. It should pop right out. If it doesn’t, try pulling it out. If that doesn’t work, use the corner of your hand to pry the filter up and out carefully.
Once you have removed the filter, pour some warm water into the canister, making sure to put it directly into the part where you can see the vacuum motor. The filter should float on top of the water. If not, remove it and try again. Once it flows, let it sit for about 30 minutes. If you use a battery-operated vacuum cleaner, place it in the dishwasher when you finish cleaning.
Take Away
Maintenance on your vacuum cleaner doesn’t require much time or effort. With little effort, you may extend its useful life by several years. Of course, it’s not cheap to buy a new vacuum cleaner, but if you follow the steps above, you can keep your current one in good working order for a long time and save yourself a lot of money.
