Vacuums provide a great deal of convenience when it comes to cleaning. 

But just like any other machine, vacuum cleaners also need proper care and maintenance to operate smoothly and efficiently.

Taking care of your vacuum cleaner also saves you money by preventing frequent service repairs and an early replacement purchase.

Below are eight tips for effective vacuum maintenance.

Empty The Canister 

If you’re using a bagless vacuum cleaner, it is highly recommended that you empty the canister before or after every use. 

Although canisters have windows or indicators that let you know how much dirt is captured inside the vacuum, it’s still a good idea to empty your canister before or after you use your vacuum. This prevents dust and debris from accumulating in the unit, which can slow down or damage the motor.

It is also advisable to rinse or wash the canister regularly as dirt and debris can cling on the canister. After washing, just make sure to wipe the inside and outside of the canister and let it completely dry before attaching it back to the vacuum cleaner.

Change The Bag Regularly

If you’re using a bagged vacuum, you should replace vacuum bags as soon as they reach 75% of their capacity. 

Letting the bag fill beyond the recommended limit will not give enough space for new debris to enter and will decrease the vacuum cleaner’s suction and performance.

It’s important to change the bags regularly to make sure that the vacuum is working efficiently. Do not continue to use the vacuum when the bag is full as this can create blockages and cause the motor to overheat.

Observe Your Vacuum’s Suction

While cleaning with your vacuum, check if there’s a partial or total loss of suction.

If your vacuum is picking up very little or nothing at all, it may be because the hose is clogged or punctured, or that the bag is completely filled.

To remove the blockage from the hose, insert an electrician’s fish tape or garden hose through the hose and carefully push the obstruction out. 

You should replace your hose if it has been pierced or torn. The vacuum won’t be able to suction up dirt if the hose is damaged.

It’s really important to make sure that your vacuum is not clogged. When debris blocks the airflow, the motor may become overheated.

Clean The Filter

If your vacuum cleaner has a filter, you should clean it on a regular basis so that it stays consistent with trapping more dirt and improving air quality. 

Vacuum filters should be cleaned every three months and replaced every six months, depending on how often you use your vacuum. A filter can last for 2-3 years with light usage. Some filters don’t even need to be replaced.

If your filter is made of plastic or foam, you can wash it with water until it’s clear of dirt. After that, let the filter dry completely before placing it back inside the vacuum. It usually takes about 24 hours before a foam filter is completely dried.

If your filter is made of cloth or paper, you can fully cover it with a garbage bag and shake it until dirt falls inside the bag.

Store The Hose Properly When Not In Use

To prevent the hose from being punctured or ripped, it must be properly stored after every use.

You can mount a hose rack inside the closet and you can use it to coil and hang the hose.

The ideal storage location for the hose is away from direct sunlight. It needs to be kept and used at temperatures above 40 °F (or 5 °C).

Clean The Roller Brush And Other Vacuum Attachments

After a few times of using your vacuum’s roller brush, you’ll notice that things like hair, thread and other strings are entangled in it. These things cause the belt to stretch and prevent the brush from spinning properly.

To clean the brush, you can detach it from the power head or let it stay as it is. Removing the brush will allow for a deeper clean, but only do this  if the vacuum will allow you to do so.

To remove the brush, lift or remove the plate, then slide the brush out of the slots on either side to remove it.

Using scissors, cut the debris that’s wrapped around the brush and pull it out from the bristles where it’s clinging to. 

With frequent cleaning, the roller brush will continue to capture dirt and debris effectively.

Other vacuum accessories and brushes should also be cleaned regularly as they also capture hair and dirt. Cut or pull the hair strands away from these tools and wipe out any dirt.

Vacuum cleaners also come with several other attachments like the retractable wand, crevice tool, dusting brush and upholstery brush. Since these tools capture hair and dirt, they need regular cleaning as well.

To clean them, just cut and pull out hair strands or strings away from the bristles and wipe away any dirt that’s ingrained on the tools.

Replace The Belt If Needed

While the vacuum’s plate is lifted, check the belt and see if it has been stretched or worn out. 

The belt secures the roll and helps it to spin. If the belt is no longer tight against the brush because it is too loose, it will cause the roller brush to slow down or not spin at all. When this happens, replace the belt with a new one. 

Depending on how much you use your vacuum cleaner, the belt should be replaced every six months or once a year.

To replace the belt, remove the roller brush, slip the belt off and replace it with the new one.

Wipe The Vacuum Clean

Use a dry cloth to clean your vacuum unit. Never wet it with water as it may put you at the risk of an electric shock or damage your vacuum cleaner. 

Wiping your vacuum clean can prevent dust and debris from accumulating inside the vacuum, which can damage the motor.