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How do you maintain your vacuum cleaner, and which parts need regular replacement? We’ll go through that in this article.
There’s a significant difference in how often a vacuum cleaner should be maintained from household to household. In households where the home gets dirty quickly or where there are pets, the vacuum cleaner typically requires more frequent maintenance.
Below, we’ll go through the parts that need regular maintenance in a vacuum cleaner.
| Part | Maintenance | Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| Bag or dust container | Emptied or replaced, typically when they’re 3/4 full. Also, clean the inside of the vacuum cleaner. | When the dust bag is 3/4 full. |
| Motor filter | According to the manufacturer’s instructions. | According to the manufacturer’s instructions. |
| Exhaust filter | According to the manufacturer’s instructions. | According to the manufacturer’s instructions. |
| Hose and pipes | Remove hair and dirt, especially in case of blockage. | If there are cracks or holes. |
| Nozzle and brush | Remove hair and dirt. | If brush hairs or other parts are worn down. |
If you have a vacuum cleaner with a bag, the bag needs to be replaced regularly. How often you should change the vacuum cleaner bag can vary greatly from household to household. It largely depends on the size of your home, how quickly it gets dirty, the size of the vacuum cleaner bag, whether you have pets, etc. Some vacuum cleaners are equipped with an indicator that shows when the bag is full and needs to be replaced.
If you have a bagless vacuum cleaner, the dust container needs to be emptied regularly when it’s full.
Make sure to empty the vacuum cleaner before the bag gets overfilled, as this will unnecessarily strain the motor and reduce suction power.
Maintenance: When you change the vacuum cleaner bag or empty the dust container, it’s a good idea to remove the dust inside the vacuum cleaner with a lightly damp cloth.
About: All vacuum cleaners are built with filters that protect the motor from dust and encapsulate particles. There’s a significant difference in filters among vacuum cleaners, so it’s always a good idea to check the manufacturer’s recommendations for the specific filter your vacuum cleaner has. Some vacuum cleaners are built with an indicator that shows when the vacuum cleaner filter needs to be replaced.
How do I maintain the filter? Some filters are washable, and these can be cleaned by rinsing them under running water and then drying them for at least 24 hours before putting them back in the vacuum cleaner.
Other filters are not washable, and for these, you should gently tap off the dust.
How long does the filter last? There’s a significant difference in vacuum cleaner filters. Some vacuum cleaners are equipped with filters that last the entire product’s lifespan, while others need to be replaced every 6 to 12 months.
The nozzles and brushes need to be cleaned regularly of hair and dirt. In households with long-haired individuals or pets, this typically needs to be done more often.
If the hose or pipes get clogged, they need to be cleaned. A blockage unnecessarily strains the motor and reduces suction power.
There can be various reasons why your vacuum cleaner isn’t suctioning properly. Here are some of the most common reasons:
In 2018, Stiftung Warentest conducted a study on the lifespan of vacuum cleaners. In the study, they concluded that it’s only worthwhile to have your vacuum cleaner repaired by a professional for the first four years; after that, it’s better to buy a new one.
You can read the report here.
