Among the different tools used in cleaning, vacuum cleaners are one of those that work hard to keep your home dust-free and smelling good. This is why, for many homeowners, vacuum cleaners are great investments for their homes. And just like any investment, making sure that your vacuum cleaner gets the proper care is one of the best ways to protect it.
Having a clean vacuum makes it more efficient. Therefore, people need to be informed about the ways of keeping them clean and maintained. Vacuum cleaners are usually used often around the house. They are being pushed forward and backward, and then shove back into their storage until the next use. But doing this all the time might cause bad things to your vacuum cleaner.
Vacuum cleaners usually malfunction due to poor handling. Sometimes they bump on the furniture around the house, while other times, owners forget to clean them properly. If you want to make sure that your vacuum works as it should for a long period, then there are several things you can do. To help you out, we are giving you some of the best ways to keep your vacuum clean, and why it is important.
Things That May Happen When the Vacuum is Not Cleaned Properly
Before we give you the different ways that you can do to keep your vacuum clean, we will first give you different scenarios on what can happen if your vacuum is not cleaned properly or regularly.
May develop bad odor:
One of the most common problems that a vacuum cleaner can have is a bad smell. Over time, vacuum cleaners can develop a bad odor, especially if you are vacuuming pet hair and dry food around your house.
Brush stops spinning:
Another issue that an unmaintained vacuum cleaner might encounter is that the brush no longer spins. This might be a problem on the belts, or maybe the brush roll is jammed. This may arise of the brush has not been pulled out and cleaned for a long time. It can be clogged with debris, which can also cause the belt to heat up and emit a smell of burning rubber.
May become noisy:
If you notice that your vacuum cleaner is becoming noisier, then it can also be due to a lot of dirt entering the motor area, causing blockages. In time, it can lead to a broken motor fan and noise as you use the vacuum cleaner.
Blocked vent:
If the vent of your vacuum cleaner is dirty or obstructed, it can also be a cause of the bad smell. It’s because the vacuum needs to eject the cleaner air from the inside of the machine to support suction.
May lose suction strength:
Also, if your vacuum cleaner is not properly or regularly cleaned, it may also lose its suction strength. You can check the intake port located in the same location as the brush roll. If it is filled with debris being kicked up by the rotating brush, then there might be a blockage. This is a common issue for vacuums used on rugs and carpets.
Ways on How to Keep Vacuums Clean
To avoid the problems or issues we’ve mentioned above, keeping your vacuum clean is the solution. If you are searching for ways on how, here are some of the tips we can share with you.
Replace the bag of your vacuum cleaner regularly.
One of the best and easiest ways that you can do to maintain your vacuum cleaner’s cleanliness is to replace the bag regularly. We recommend replacing the bag when it is about 2/3 full and not when it is completely packed with dirt. It’s because enough room is needed for debris to enter the bag. If it is already full, then there won’t be any room for more debris as your vacuum works.
This is the reason why owning a bagless vacuum cleaner is beneficial. It’s because it enables you to see exactly how much dirt and debris is trapped inside the machine. If you can see how full the canister is, you will be able to avoid issues, such as debris escaping from the vacuum and going back to the air. If you do not want to deal with replacing bags often, then you can opt for a bagless vacuum cleaner, or why not try central vacuum cleaners like the OVO central vacuum.
Empty bagless models often.
If you have a bagless vacuum cleaner, it is important that you empty it as often as possible. A lot of bagless machines have indicators or markers that will tell you when to empty the tank. Even central vacuums have this feature. For example, if you opt for the OVO central vacuum installation in your home, know that this vacuum cleaner has a LED status indicator that will inform you if it’s time to empty the container, change the bag, or do some maintenance.
But even if your vacuum cleaner has these indicators, it is still wise to empty the tank even if the debris hasn’t reached the marker. Emptying it every after use is greatso that the dirt and debris will not settle within the unit. You may also want to rinse the tank or canister with water to make sure that all the dirt has been removed. But this depends on the kind of bagless vacuum cleaner you have.
Always clean the brush roll.
It is also essential to always check the brush roll of your vacuum cleaner. It’s because, over time, dirt, debris, and certain items can get wrapped around the brush, preventing it from spinning properly. Some of these things can include hair, strings, and floss.
You can remove items wrapped around the brush while the roll is in place. But for a thorough cleaning, you can remove the brush roll. However, you should only remove it if you are comfortable and if you are confident that you won’t damage the vacuum cleaner. Also, brush rolls differ depending on the vacuum model that you have. But most of them are attached by a plate. Once you see the objects wrapped around the roll, you can remove them using your hands or with scissors. You can also consider washing the brush with soap and water to make surer it is cleaned.
Make sure the powerhead is clean.
The beater bar of the vacuum cleaner can also be filled with debris and hair. When this happens, it can be difficult for the bristles to pull things out of the floor or carpet. This can make the process of cleaning will be challenging as the roller would pop out. To solve this issue, you just need to cut all the debris and hair using a scissor. But you need to do this carefully, so you don’t damage the bristles of the powerhead. After cutting, pull out all the debris and brush away any little piece of debris that remained through the powerhead.
Clean the vacuum’s filter.
Another important part that you need to clean regularly in your vacuum cleaner is the filter. Most vacuum cleaners come with two filters that you need to check manually to see where the dirt is exactly located. It is essential to keep the filters cleaned because they are the first major line of defense against dust and allergens.
Some vacuum cleaners come with washable filters. But if yours is not washable, you just need to remove them from the machine and shake them well away from your face. If you wash your filter, make sure that it is dry because mold spores and other bacteria might grow on the filter if it is used wet.
Clean the foam filter of the vacuum.
Many modern vacuum cleaners have secondary filters. These filters are usually made from plastic. However, there are also some that are made of foam, which cannot be washed. To clean a foam filter, you can simply tap it out into the trash. Just make sure that the area is well-ventilated and that your face is not too close. Do this until you no longer see any dirt or debris, and then place it back in the vacuum.
Keep the vacuum attachments clean before storing them.
Aside from the vacuum cleaner itself, you also need to clean the attachments and accessories that it comes with. These items are very easy to clean. You can fill a bucket with warm water and add some mild soap. Drop all the attachments together and use a cleaning toothbrush to remove hairs and debris stuck to them.
After washing the attachments, let them dry until no drop of water is left. It is advisable to do this at least every three months or more often, depending on how frequently you use your vacuum cleaner.
These are some of the best tips we can give on how you can keep your vacuum clean. It is important to maintain the cleanliness of your vacuum for it to provide you with high-quality cleaning performance with every use. When cleaning your vacuum, ensure that you take care of all of its components. Cleaning your vacuum regularly and properly will ensure that you are going to keep it working efficiently for many years.
We hope the information we shared here helped you in further understanding why keeping your vacuum clean is important. We also hope that these tips will aid you in maintaining the cleanliness of your vacuum cleaner.