We spend so much time trying to preserve the life of our carpets, flooring and furniture with careful cleaning that we often forget to look after an important tool of the trade – the vacuum cleaner. It sure does take a beating from week to week, especially if you are a diligent or fussy cleaner.

So how can you look after your vacuum cleaner? With a bit of simple maintenance, you can easily extend the life of your machine and ensure that it not only keeps going, but also continues to efficiently clean your home.

Follow these simple maintenance tips for a longer vacuum cleaner life.

1. Change is good

If your vacuum cleaner has a dust bag, change the bag when it is almost full rather than bursting at the seams, so that there is still enough space for airflow, and the excess dust and dirt is not simply being recirculated around in the machine

Changing the vacuum cleaner bag regularly is a given, but to keep your machine going for longer, the vacuum filter and any belts should be replaced for optimal performance. Check your manual for information about how to locate the filter and belts. Filters for vacuum cleaners should be changed every six months, whereas the belt will need to be changed if it becomes loose or too tight, which can result in increased wear on the machine’s motor.

2. Choose products that specifically fit your machine

Poorly fitted products will not pick up dust and dirt effectively and may even damage your machine by causing wear and tear to other parts. You can find generic products to fit most vacuum cleaners, but be careful to choose only the products that are designed to fit your model to avoid potential damage. It is also worth noting that some brands and manufacturers design their vacuums in such a way that they can not work with generic spare parts and accessories, so you may have to purchase original spare parts.

3. Check over the area before you fire up your machine

Have a good look over the surface before you begin to run your machine over it. Small items such as coins, small parts from children’s toys, bobby pins and paper clips can cause damage to your vacuum cleaner by getting stuck in the vacuum head or other parts.

4. Clean your machine

It’s not just the house that needs to be kept clean – giving your vacuum cleaner a good old scrub will help clear any clogged up dirt, grime and dust.

Much like the bag, when the filter is clogged, the machine suffers limited airflow, with less grime and dirt picked up. Neglecting to clean your machine on a regular basis will only add to the problem because the dirt will build up over time and clog the parts to the extent that the vacuum simply won’t do an effective job.

Start by checking over all the parts and removing any built-up dirt from the vacuum head, hose, and tools – you may find that human hair or clumps of pet hair have been building up in there. Next, clean the filter. It should be cleaned on a regular basis, as should the hose, rod and any tools you use frequently.

Vacuum Cleaner Maintenance

By following these simple tips, you can breathe a bit of life back into your vacuum cleaner and keep it working efficiently for longer. If you are looking for bags, belts or filters for vacuum cleaners, speak to the experts at VacuumSpot – we stock a huge variety of machines and accessories and can find the right tools to keep your vacuum running for longer.