How to Clean and Maintain a Vacuum Cleaner?

In modern houses, vacuum cleaners are the most popular tool for cleaning floors, carpets, or furniture. And if you are the one who is using a vacuum cleaner to clean the house on a regular basis, then you should know basic vacuum cleaner cleaning and maintenance tips to avoid future repair expenses.

Keeping it in good working condition will provide you with better value for money and guarantees its long-lasting performance. After all, you invest a lot of money in your vacuum cleaner, and investing huge money in its repairs is not worth it.

Minor faults of the vacuum can be fixed just like that if you know basic care tips. And so, we are here with factual information on how to clean and maintain your vacuum cleaner. These smart tips will save you from huge repair expenses.

First of all, let’s begin with common vacuum cleaner problems that you can easily fix on your own. It includes suction performance, improper brush spinning, an exhausted motor, a broken belt, unusual vibration, and annoying noise.

The problems as mentioned earlier can be solved just by following these easy tips:

Keep the Filters Clean

After vacuuming sessions, the filter sheets may get clogged with dirt and dust. And mostly, the dirty filter may cause the loss of suction in your vacuum There are different types of vacuum filters (plastic, mesh, or foam filters), and HEPA filter with varying instructions of care. These might get blocked if not cleaned properly.

Some vacuums include washable filters that you can wash under a tap or with soapy water to make them dirt-free, but make sure to dry it completely before refixing it.

If your vacuum has plastic filters, you can wipe it off with a damp microfiber cloth or soft brush. However, it is suggested to check your user manual once, as every model may have special care instructions. Sometimes, the filters need replacement also.

Replace the Dirt Bag Regularly

If you are using the bagged vacuums, the bag needs to be changed when it becomes full. These come with a ” bag-full indicator light” to notify you about emptying it. Notably, a bag full of dirt and debris may lead to loss of suction power and efficiency of the vacuum. So, it is important to monitor its performance and vacant the vacuum bags before it’s full.

On the other hand, the bagless vacuums come with a dirt cup or container to collect all the dirt and debris in it. Once it gets full, it is important to empty the container to get the best efficiency from your vacuum.

Clean the Roller Brush

One of the most common causes of vacuum cleaner problems includes poor maintenance of brush rolls. Therefore, regular cleaning of brush roller is also very important to ensure the possible performance.

Most of the time, certain items like pet hair, string, or floss can get stuck around the roll, which leads to difficulty in spinning. In addition, the blockages in brush rolls cause more pressure on the belt. And so, it becomes difficult for the brush rolls to glide through the carpet fibers, rugs, mats, or other flat surfaces smoothly.

You can either remove the stuck objects with your fingers or simply cut them with scissors to beat this problem. You can also wash it with soapy water so that it becomes cleaner.

Consider Replacing Vacuum Cleaner Belts

The vacuum’s belt tends to stretch and wear out due to extreme pressure, and sometimes this leads to a sudden crack in the belt. Additionally, the overstretched belt reduces the speed of the roller brush or causes it to not spin properly.

It would be best if you replace the belt once in a while for enhanced performance. However, the vacuum belt may differ from model to model that you can change accordingly. If your vacuum cleaner includes flat drive belts, then you should consider replacing them twice a year. On the other hand, you should change the cogged belts only when they break completely.

Check Hose Blockages

In some cases, vacuum cleaners don’t work properly because of a blockage in the hose attachment. Sometimes, hose attachments get huge bits and pieces (like small toys, socks, rubber bands, etc.) trapped inside them. These blockages can cause additional pressure on the motor, leading to motor overheating and damaging effects on the appliance’s performance.

Thus, proper maintenance of vacuum hose is also very important. To clean it, first detach the hose from the vacuum and lay it on a flat surface to access its both the ends. You can use a metal wire or broom handle to get rid of the clumps of the dirt inside it.

For better cleaning, wash it with dish soap solution and warm water to get rid of the grease inside it.

Sometimes, you also experience a bad smell coming out of your vacuum’s hose. You can use the baking soda and distilled white vinegar solution to disinfect it.

Basic Vacuum Maintenance Guidelines

1.Ensure the entire parts are attached properly

Loose connections or fittings are never acceptable, especially with vacuum cleaners, as this may lead to loose suction or any mishaps. Hence, ensure that the tube, hoses, dust container, brush, etc., are appropriately attached.

2. Check Noise and Vibration

Sometimes, when the machine starts making noises, the main reason can also be a disturbance in the drive motor. This happens just because of blockages in the motor area due to excess dirt and debris. Therefore, it needs to be cleaned thoroughly with a soft brush or cloth. Although, another reason can also be a broken fan which needs to be replaced quite often.

If a vacuum cleaner brush causes noise and vibration, a broken brush roller could be a reason.

Most of the time, nothing can work with noise and vibration. However, if excess noise bothers you more and there is no other solution left, replacing the machine itself is a good option.

3. Always Store Vacuum Cleaners in a Dry Space

It is better to store the vacuum and its accessories in a dry space to make it work better.

For exp, if the belt of the vacuum cleaner gets wet, it becomes weak or break easily. Rather than making it completely damp or soak it in water, you can just wipe the belt with a soft dry microfiber cloth or paper towel or store it in a dry space. This will keep up the durability of the belt.

Storing a vacuum in a wet space will increase the risk of electrocution. It also causes serious damage to the machine. And, the belt could shrink, so the best way is to avoid getting the strap wet.

Another best alternative to store vacuum cleaners is to create wall hangers. This will let you hang various vacuum cleaning tools and supplies.

4. Take the help of an authorized service agent

It is always beneficial to take your vacuum to the authorized service center if there is any technical problem and you can’t fix it yourself. The service cost is reasonably priced, and the agent can fix the problem even the same day after finding the exact problem. Engineers also replace the parts if needed.

Some Precautionary Measures while Using a Vacuum

Home care and maintenance are necessary for any appliance, but also you can’t ignore some cautionary things. Such as:

Always unplug the cleaner when not in use. This will not only protect the cord of the vacuum cleaner but also prevent any mishaps.
Avoid using flammable or toxic solutions while cleaning the vacuum cleaner.
It’s better to avoid picking up pointed objects with a vacuum cleaner—for instance, screws, nails, bolts, or rivets.
Always store in a cool and dry place.
To clean wet surfaces, dry and wet vacuums are preferable as any other appliance will increase the risk of electric shocks and cause a motor disturbance.
Excluding this, empty the bag frequently and clean the vacuum filter to avoid damage to the parts.