The other day when I was cleaning the house and went to use my vacuum, it was having a hard time picking up dirt and lint. My vacuum just didn’t seem to do the job it once did. I decided to look inside my vacuum and realized it was clogged with dirt and grime that really needed to be cleaned out.
I learned that even the tools we use to clean or keep our homes running sometimes need some love and care too. So, I decided to take a deeper look into deep cleaning my vacuum and these are some tips that really helped my vacuum feel brand new again.
1. Clean the Canister
The vacuum’s canister is one of the first places you should cleanout. Empty the dust and dirt out of the canister first. Even if you dump the dust out of the canister regularly, dirty can still build up inside over time so you will want to give it a good clean to get all the gunk out.
There are two days you can clean your vacuum’s canister:
- Use your dishwasher – After emptying the canister, set it on the bottom rack of your dishwasher. Make sure all the doors are open so the canister can get thoroughly washed. Remove the top rack if your canister cannot fit properly on the bottom rack. Make sure you use a strong detergent and wash on a gentle or quick wash cycle depending on your dishwasher’s settings.
- Soak it – Start by emptying the canister and then giving it a nice wash in a sink full of warm, soapy water. Rinse away all the soap the let the canister air dry before replacing it.
2. Check the Filters
Take a look at the filter in your vacuum. Does it need to be cleaned or replaced? Depending on how the condition of the vacuum’s filter you may need to replace it. If your vacuum comes with a foam filter than you can simply wash it in the dishwasher along with the canister. Remember that not all filters can be washed. HEPA filters cannot be washed but eventually will need to be replaced, so check with your vacuum’s manual or manufacturer.
3. Remove Any Obstructions
Threads and hairs can easily get tangled up around your vacuum’s rolling brush, making the roller less effective. The brush roll should be free of debris and roll easily. If it is covered in threads, hair, or other obstructions then you need to remove the brush roll and clean it.
Just lay your vacuum down and inspect the brush. Remove any obstructions that may be hindering your vacuum’s rolling brush. Use scissors or seam rippers for an easy way to remove hair and other obstructions wrapped around the brush roller.
4. Clean the Hose
There are plenty of nooks and crannies in the vacuum’s hose for dirt and grime to get stuck in. The build-up of dirt and grime will eventually create blockages and making your vacuum’s suction less effective than it once was. Taking the time to deep clean your vacuum’s hose is a simple way to keep your vacuum working properly.
The best way to clean the vacuum’s hose is to remove it completely. Refer to your vacuum’s manual for this part:
- Once removed you then want to run hot water through the hose to rinse out any loose dirt.
- Then use baking soda and vinegar into the hose and let it sit for a few minutes to loosen up any dirt or grime that is stuck in the interior.
- When finished, rinse the hose once again with hot water.
- Replace the hose on your vacuum once completely dried.
5. Check the Interior
Remove the bottom of your vacuum to take a deeper look into the interior. Sometimes dirt and grime can get caught up in here. You may need a screwdriver to remove the bottom part of your vacuum.
6. Replacing the Drive Belt
Depending on the condition of the vacuum’s drive belt it may need to be replaced. The drive belt wraps around the brush roller. If it isn’t stretched tight enough or seems to be torn, you need to replace it. When the drive belt isn’t working properly then the rolling brush doesn’t clean your floors effectively.
7. Refer to the Manual
Every vacuum model is different so to ensure you are not missing anything you will want to review your vacuum’s manual to find out if there are any other parts of your vacuum that may require cleaning.