5 Tips for How to Clean a Vacuum Cleaner

Today’s best vacuum cleaners are increasingly cutting-edge. But, unfortunately, they’re also an invariably expensive proposition. Various top-of-the-range models from brands such as Dyson now cost up to $1,000 or more. Even the mid-range Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean will set you back just a penny under $600.

Meanwhile, affordable options from manufacturers like Shark and Bissell now routinely cost over $300. At the same time, Samsung and Miele both have new versions priced at two or three times this amount. So, like never before, it’s absolutely vital to take good care of your vacuum cleaner.

Tasked with helping us to clean our homes, we must remember to keep them in tip-top condition, too. It doesn’t matter if you paid $100 or $1,000 — a degree of maintenance can prove invaluable in keeping them in the absolute best shape for as long as possible. Accordingly, here are five tips for a spotless vacuum cleaner.

Whether your vacuum cleaner uses a bag or is bagless, it’s essential to empty it regularly. In fact, you should never let it get full. Most manufacturers recommend emptying any vacuum cleaner before it reaches 80 percent capacity. To clean a vacuum, the Carpet and Rug Institute even suggests replacing or emptying bags when they’re just half to two-thirds full.

Particularly with bagged vacuum cleaners, it can be tempting to wait until it feels full before reaching for a new one. However, because this often puts unnecessary strain on various components, it can significantly shorten a vacuum cleaner’s life. As such, a few extra new bags are always likely to be a cheaper option, especially in the longer term.

Almost all vacuum cleaners contain at least one or two filters. Most of these are washable, while you must replace others at specific intervals with new ones. Regardless of the type of filter in your vacuum, you should clean it every three months.

If you use a vacuum cleaner daily, it may even be necessary to do this more frequently. At the same time, where use is more infrequent, you can wait longer between cleaning filters. Thankfully, most manufacturers offer advice on precisely this topic, so be sure to check a vacuum cleaner’s instruction booklet if you’re uncertain.

Periodically checking things like rollers, belts, and nozzles can help prevent issues arising by allowing you to spot potential problems before they occur. Ideally, you should check the most important components between each use. More realistically, though, you should make a point of doing this at least once per month.

Look for any unusual wear, stiffness, or sticking. For example, hair tangled up in rollers or brushes can become a serious problem over time. Yet, removed at regular intervals, this should never turn into a major issue, which is why it’s so essential to make these and other periodic checks to any vacuum cleaner.

Dusting down a vacuum and keeping any cords and accessories clean can feel like a slightly unnecessary task, given that it’s an appliance itself meant for cleaning. But by doing this, it stops a vacuum cleaner from ever becoming unnecessarily grubby. It also represents a great opportunity to look for any damage, however minor. A damaged cord, for example, could quickly become a much bigger problem if it’s not spotted before actually breaking.

As vacuum cleaners become more complicated and more expensive, scheduled servicing has grown increasingly popular. An ever-growing number of companies now specialize in professional vacuum cleaner servicing, meaning that it’s possible to shop around for a deal.

Especially for more heavily used vacuum cleaners, an annual service can be a great way to keep it running at its best. Where usage is lighter, even a service every two or three years can be hugely beneficial.

A professional will also spot any potential issues before they become serious, like damaged belts and other worn components. Replacing these before they actually fail is almost always less costly than waiting until after the fact.

An extended warranty is the best way to help prolong the life of any vacuum cleaner. Upsie offers a choice of small appliance warranties for vacuum cleaners, irons, cooling fans, air purifiers, and more. Protection from Upsie safeguards against manufacturer defects, mechanical failures, and all manner of other faults.

Upsie also includes free local repairs. If a vacuum cleaner cannot be repaired, Upsie will replace it with a new one — all with no deductible. In addition, customers can choose between comprehensive two-year and three-year vacuum warranties for a variety of vacuum brands, including Bissell, Dirt Devil, Dolphin, Dyson, Electrolux, Hoover, Miele, Samsung, Shark, and others.