Vacuum cleaner is one of the oldest electrical appliances. To make it work properly, you need to know how to clean the vacuum cleaner, and when to do it. Simple rules will help you to keep the device in perfect condition for its entire lifespan.
Bagless vacuum cleaners are recommended to be cleaned every time after using. In some models, it is enough to throw out the compressed dust or pour out the dirty water. Be sure to clean the hose from time to time and, of course, wipe the body of the vacuum. If you don’t do this, you risk bacteria forming in the warm humid environment of your home.
Types of filters
Filtration systems are very different, but they are all extremely necessary. If there is no filter, then you can’t use the appliance, because the filter doesn’t only collect dirt, but it also protects the motor from dust. When you disassemble the vacuum cleaner, first you should clean its primary filter. Failure to do that will result in significant drop in the efficiency of the cleaning process, and in some cases, the appliance may be ruined. The filter can be one of the following types.
- A bag made of synthetic material or paper. This filter can be disposable, then it should be changed regularly, or it can be permanent. Permanent bags should be emptied out, then washed, or put into the water, so the dust can go down.
- A water (Aqua) filter, that gets the dust wet so that it settles at the bottom of the container. The container in such a cleaner is simply rinsed, and the filter itself is vacuumed or washed, then dried and installed back in place.
- A cyclone filter, which has a container for collecting dust and larger dirt particles. Just empty the container out and wash it after every use. Thinner filter sponges and plates of the filter system should also be washed.
- The filter that purifies the air almost 100%. These are modern highly efficient systems. They can be installed on cyclone vacuum cleaners or other models, completely protecting us from harmful dust particles, bacteria, and insects. They do not require washing, just simply blow it out or throw away the dust.
The cleaning steps
So, to clean the vacuum cleaner, first of all, you need to unplug it, put it on the floor without carpet, and spray the surface with the spray bottle so the dust won’t spread everywhere when you disassemble the vacuum. Wipe the power cord, if it is very dusty, and wind it back up so it’s not in the way. Next, you should open, take out and clean the filter, according to the construction of the filter and the instructions specified by the manufacturer. For those who want to know how to clean the vacuum cleaner, we recommend to look through these tips and remember them.
The thing is, there are many models, and each of them has its characteristics. Disposable bag is detached and thrown away; it can not be reused. The permanent bag is shaken out into plastic bags.
The contents of the container are also thrown away, the container itself is washed, and then you should take out the filter block, disassemble it and rinse it under the tap in cool water.
Hot water is not recommended to rinse the container. If possible, you should also clean the output filter, but it is not always removable. Some filters are recommended to be blown out and changed altogether after a certain time.
After internal cleaning, wash the hose (optional), and be sure to wipe the vacuum with a soft wet cloth. Make sure that all wet parts are thoroughly dry, and only then they can be put back together.
Cleaning the hose and the head
Let’s talk about washing the hose in more detail. First of all, it should be removed. A dirty, blackened hose can be put in a bath full of water to soak inside and out. But if it has contacts or switches, you should not clean it that way. Scrub the hose with a soft soap sponge, and if something is stuck inside, then connect the hose to the output blower, turn on the vacuum cleaner, and blow the hose out. If that didn’t help, use a long piece of wire bent in half and put into the hose.
Modern hoses are usually made with a handle and a suction control on it. Wipe the handle. Be sure to wipe it inside and on the edges of the handle that plug into the hose.
From time to time you need to clean the head of the vacuum with the brush and wheels. The main problems are hair, wool and thread wrapped around the wheels, or got stuck in the rollers of the brush. To get it all out you need to remove the protective cover, unscrew the screws and disassemble the brush. You will see the curled hairs and other dirt particles inside that must be removed. You can use a pair of tweezers if your fingers can not reach them. Try not to lose the screws, putting them in a cup beforehand. After cleaning, install all brush parts in reverse order.
Simpler brushes are cleaned in the same way, but it is easier to disassemble them. Sometimes it is enough to remove the side wheel, and clean the rod. Keep your vacuum cleaner clean, and it will work for a very long time.