How to Clean a Vacuum Cleaner: A Comprehensive Guide

I’m what you call a busy homeowner which means that I heavily rely on several tools to make upkeep easier and more efficient – one of these tools is a vacuum cleaner! Imagine being capable of literally sucking the dirt out of your floors and corners? It’s magic! It would be so easy to keep on using it without realizing that just like every other cleaning tool out there – it also needs some TLC from time to time.

Why say this? On one fine morning, I woke up to the realization that I had forgotten to clean the floors the night before. Some guests were coming over in a few hours and they were bringing their ever-adventurous children. I didn’t want their kids to be exposed to dirt and bacteria so I rushed to grab my vacuum cleaner to let it rip across the hardwood but a few minutes after turning it on, I noticed that it was struggling to even do its job. That’s why I realized that the dustbin had filled up so much to the point that it clogged the hose where the suction air is supposed to flow.

That day has taught me a simple lesson: clean your vacuum cleaners!

And this article will show you how!

Why Clean Your Vacuum Cleaner?

There are several other reasons to clean your vacuum cleaner apart from preventing damage:

1. Maintain Performance: First, it’s to maintain performance. Cleaning it regularly can prevent dust and debris from clogging the machine and allow it to pick up dirt effectively at any given time.

2. Prolong Lifespan: Second, it’s to prolong the lifespan. If you’ve come from our article of “How Long do Vacuum Cleaners Last” then you’ll be aware how important cleaning a vacuum cleaner is but for those who are coming across us for the first time, cleaning the vacuum actually prevents premature wear and tear so users can continue to keep the vacuum cleaner in their homes for years.

3. Prevent Odors: Lastly, it’s to prevent odors. Since dirt and debris accumulate inside the vacuum, regularly cleaning it eliminates such odors and keeps your vacuum smelling fresh!

What You'll Need:

Now, it’s time to learn how to clean a vacuum cleaner in a simple yet effective way! But first – supplies:

• Phillips head screwdriver
• Small brush or old toothbrush
• Vacuum cleaner hose attachment
• Compressed air canister (optional)
• Dish detergent

Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Your Vacuum Cleaner

 Follow these steps to clean your vacuum cleaner effectively:

Step 1: Unplug Your Vacuum Cleaner

• It goes without saying but please unplug your vacuum cleaner! It’s to protect the device from short-circuiting and to protect you from getting electrocuted.

Step 2: Empty and Clean the Dust Canister 

• To empty the dust bin or dust canister, carefully detach it from the body first.
• Then, empty all the contents into a garbage bin.
• Thoroughly clean the bin or canister with dish detergent or water, and some serious scrubbing to remove residue.
• Finally, rinse thoroughly with water and allow it to completely air dry before reattaching to the body.

Step 3: Clean the Filters

• After cleaning the canister, it’s time to clean the filters. For starters, read through the manufacturer’s instructions for guidance.
• Then, just like the dust bin, remove the filter from the body and use a small brush (it can be a toothbrush!) to remove dust and debris!
• If applicable, rinse the filters with cold tap water and allow them to dry completely before reattaching it to the body.

Step 4: Untangle the Brush Bar

• Now, it’s time to clean the brush bar. This is quite tricky but we can first use a pair of scissors to carefully cut away any hair or debris tangled around the brush bar.
• Then, use a small brush to clean through the brush bar and remove any stubborn remains of dirt and debris.

Step 5: Unclog the Hose

• Then, we can clean the house. Firstly, just like the other attachments, remove the hose from the vacuum cleaner.
• Then use the compressed air canister to remove any clogs or blockages that can be found inside the hose before reattaching it to the vacuum cleaner.

Step 6: Wipe Down the Vacuum Cleaner

• Finally, it’s time to wipe down the vacuum cleaner. Use a clean cloth and mild cleaning solution to wipe the exterior of the vacuum cleaner! Make sure to get every corner and crevice to make sure no dust or debris remains.

Environmentally-Friendly Cleaning Practices

If you’re here to clean your vacuum without harming the environment, then here are a few ways to do so:

• Reusable bags: First is to use reusable bags. Imagine throwing pieces of plastic weekly, and having those pieces clog our oceans because it takes centuries to erode on its own? It sounds rather abysmal, isn’t it? To mitigate that, using reusable bags in the dust canisters and garbage bins can help reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills and oceans!

• Biodegradable Cleaning Solutions: Second is to use biodegradable cleaning solutions. As most traditional ones contain harsh chemicals that are most often harmful to the environment, it’s important to choose cleaning products that contain ingredients that can effectively clean your home without risking the planet’s health like lemon and eucalyptus!

• Proper Disposal: Don’t underestimate this last step but practicing proper disposal of trash and parts is incredibly important in caring for the environment because you, yourself, are ensuring that your own trash doesn’t end up in oceans or endangered environments. Another way to practice proper disposal is to find ways to give these replaced parts new life. We’ve seen friends of ours turn old canisters into flower vases, and hoses into hamster obstacle courses!

How Often to Clean a Vacuum Cleaner

Now that you know how to clean a vacuum cleaner, the next question is: how often? We’ll run it down per part so that you can maintain its performance and longevity.

Dust Canister:

Frequency: For the dust canister, clean it each time it’s full or if you’re up for it, after every use.

Filters:

Frequency: For the filters, it’s once a month! In case you care for pets, then it’s recommended to be twice a month.

Brush Bar:

Frequency: For the brush bar, the recommendation is to clean them every two months.

Hose:

Frequency: For the hose, clean it as needed and the way you can tell is if you notice a reduction in suction power.

Exterior Cleaning:

Frequency: When cleaning the exterior of the vacuum cleaner, we recommended weekly just to prevent dust and dirt build-up.

Dovety Vacuum Cleaner

At this point, you’re probably thinking of whether or not you know enough to clean a vacuum cleaner but rather about which one to get that is easy to clean and maintain? The Dovety Vacuum Cleaner emerges as a well-rounded option because despite only having one other attachment, it is made with durable and long-lasting materials to ensure longevity of use, it comes with an LED light to illuminate your areas of choice when cleaning, and it is cordless to ensure that you can clean sofas, carpets and wooden floors with ease. Goodbye to accidentally entangling yourself in the middle of the living room! All of these benefits come at an affordable price point that doesn’t make your wallet cry. It’s the perfect vacuum cleaner for small to large families, and even ones that care for pets such as cats and dogs to keep their homes clean every day!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Cleaning a Vacuum Cleaner:

1. How do I know if my vacuum cleaner needs cleaning?

a. You’ll know when your vacuum cleaner needs cleaning when you notice a reduction in suction power, a difficulty in maneuvering the device and noticing strange sounds coming out of it.

2. Can I wash the filters in my vacuum cleaner?

a. While many filters are washable, it’s best to check the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure that you don’t accidentally damage it by running the filter through water.

3. How do I maintain my vacuum cleaner's suction power?

a. To maintain the suction power, make sure to regularly clean the vacuum cleaner from the inside out because oftentimes we assume that the device itself is damaged when the reality is that it’s accumulated so much blockage of dust and debris. Please make sure to unclog and replace parts when applicable to ensure optimal performance.

Conclusion

A vacuum cleaner is one of a homeowner’s many best friends, and just like friendships, it’s important to reciprocate the love and care it provides you on a regular basis. So, scheduling in regular clean-ups and using this guide to thoroughly clean it spick-and-span is one of the ways in which you can show love for your vacuum cleaner. Another is to get its parts regularly repaired or replaced, especially when they’ve taken on significant wear and tear or even damage to ensure that your vacuum cleaner can keep on performing at its best. It’s a cycle of love, that’s all!