A vacuum cleaner is the main weapon in the house against the ubiquitous dust. Like all household devices, it needs care. To avoid damage to the vacuum cleaner and make its work as useful as possible, you need to clean it periodically. Do you know how to clean a vacuum cleaner? Like all household appliances, the vacuum cleaner may begin to malfunction. The device may become clogged: filter, bags, hose, as well as internal parts.
Cleaning is necessary if you notice that the suction draft has weakened and the motor is working with strain.
Why and how often should you clean your vacuum cleaner?
How often should you clean your vacuum cleaner?
A vacuum cleaner is needed to remove debris. And when it comes into contact with dust, dirty spots, hair, crumbs, it becomes dirty itself. The most vulnerable point is the hose, brushes and nozzles. To clean your vacuum cleaner less often, you need to sweep or mop the floor before cleaning. This way, you will prevent the vacuum cleaner from clogging with large debris or small objects, for example, candy wrappers, paper clips, and women's hairpins.
In addition, the vacuum cleaner can become clogged if you do not take care of it or use the device incorrectly. Failure to promptly replace dust bags can result in debris acting unpredictably, for example, entering the engine compartment and causing a malfunction. We recommend regularly cleaning the inside of the vacuum cleaner, removing filters, hoses and attachments, and the engine.
What does regular mean? The frequency of cleaning a vacuum cleaner is determined by several factors: how often you use the equipment, what model, etc. For example, if you are cleaning a large space, then you should empty the dust collector right away. But when caring for a small apartment, you need to do this after 2-3 cleanings.
If you use your vacuum cleaner every day, it is recommended to thoroughly clean it every six months.
Please note that if the model has a water filter, it must be washed after each use.
What to do if you get mercury
Mercury is dangerous to the health of living organisms due to its high toxicity. Mercury vapor released into the air can cause serious injury to the respiratory system. Contact with skin or mucous membranes will result in burns. Contrary to popular belief, collecting mercury with a vacuum cleaner is strictly prohibited. Getting inside the vacuum cleaner, mercury turns the electrical appliance into a hotbed for the spread of harmful vapors, settling on the internal elements and the engine. To understand whether the vacuum cleaner can continue to be used after exposure to mercury, it is necessary to measure the background toxicity.
Availability determination
First of all, if you are not sure that mercury has gotten inside the vacuum cleaner, it is necessary to determine the presence of a harmful background using a rapid test. Order of conduct:
- Remove the dust bag and disconnect the electrical appliance from the mains.
- Place the parts in a plastic bag.
- Place the test inside the bag so that the reagent is on top and above the part by at least 20 cm.
- After 3-4 hours, if there is a high concentration of mercury, the test strip will turn light gray.
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To identify a source or areas with a high concentration of a toxic substance, it is necessary to either carry out the procedure several times, excluding different parts of the vacuum cleaner, or immediately purchase several tests and place the elements in different bags.
How to get rid
If tests reveal a high concentration of mercury, you can try to get rid of it yourself. You will need to purchase a demercurizer, the simplest one, for example, “Mercury Eater”.
Perform the manipulations in the following order:
- Assemble the vacuum cleaner and turn it on.
- Spray liquid demercurizer inside the hose (5-6 times).
- Turn off the appliance after 2 minutes. Place the vacuum cleaner outdoors for 5-7 days.
Afterwards, you will need to re-test for the presence of harmful toxins. The cleaning procedure can be carried out several times. If cleaning is unsuccessful, you will have to get rid of the vacuum cleaner.
Until mercury vapor is completely eliminated, it is prohibited to use electrical appliances at home.
How to prepare a vacuum cleaner for cleaning?
How to prepare a vacuum cleaner for cleaning?
Before cleaning the vacuum cleaner from dust and other debris, you need to take the following accessories:
- Instructions (needed for disassembling/assembling the vacuum cleaner).
- Gloves.
- Clothes that you don't mind getting dirty.
- Bucket with warm water.
- Cleaning agent.
- A soft napkin.
- A hard sponge.
If you don’t want to dirty the floor, additionally take a film on which you will clean the Tefal vacuum cleaner or any other manufacturer.
How to clean a vacuum cleaner bag?
How to clean a vacuum cleaner bag?
Dust collectors need to be changed regularly. Many users are sure that regularly is when the bag is completely filled with garbage. But we recommend emptying the dust container when it is already 2/3 full. The more dust in the bag, the better it flies back into the room.
How do you know when you need to clean the vacuum cleaner bag? There are two signs:
- You continue to intensively clean, but the floor remains dirty.
- The vacuum cleaner doesn't suck up debris as well as it used to.
After emptying the dust container, check that it is correctly attached back to the holder. If your model of vacuum cleaner does not have a bag, for example, you are cleaning a new Bosh, Kepxep or Lg, it most likely has a garbage container. And it also needs to be emptied when the indicator indicates this, and preferably after each major cleaning.
Prevention measures
extend the “life” of filters in a Samsung vacuum cleaner :
- Do not vacuum surfaces covered with large debris and fine construction dust (this rule will not only help extend the life of the filter elements, but will also protect the household appliance from serious damage);
- you need to carefully ensure that the filter and dust collector are installed exactly in their places (gaps reduce the suction force significantly);
- Cleaning is carried out as carefully as possible, without the use of hard brushes and aggressive household chemicals.
You should not save when buying new consumables for a vacuum cleaner (dust collector, filters). High-quality, original products will last much longer.
How to clean a vacuum cleaner filter?
How to clean a vacuum cleaner filter?
If you clean a Xiaomi vacuum cleaner or any other modern vacuum cleaner, you will find a filter in it that needs cleaning. Filters differ in design, operating principle, and how they need to be cared for.
Aquafilter
This is a reservoir of water into which dust enters and settles on its walls. Vacuum cleaners with an aqua filter not only help clean the house, but also clean the air in the house, humidifying it.
To properly clean such a vacuum cleaner filter you need:
- Take out the filter.
- Pour out the old water from it.
- Rinse the tank under warm water and detergent.
- Wipe with a dry soft cloth and dry.
Also, do not forget to remove the compartment where the aqua filter is installed. Wash it and dry it with a cloth. After the filter has dried, install it back.
Preparatory stage
Before starting to disassemble the device, put on an apron and rubber gloves.
To prevent dust from getting onto the floor when disassembling the vacuum cleaner, use a small piece of polyethylene (100x100 cm) or oilcloth as a bedding.
To clean the device directly, prepare detergent, a stiff sponge, and a microfiber cloth.
What do you need for work?
Proceed to disassemble the device (according to its instructions):
- disconnect the device from the power supply, wait until the case cools down after work;
- place the vacuum cleaner on the spread polyethylene;
- wipe the cord with a slightly damp cloth and wind it up;
- open the case, remove the dust container;
- Clean the outer and inner surfaces of the vacuum cleaner body with a damp cloth and wipe the lid.
Pay special attention to the holder (the bag fastening part) - if debris remains on it, the hose will enter the hole with an offset and dust will penetrate inside the vacuum cleaner during the cleaning process.
How to clean a vacuum cleaner motor?
How to clean a vacuum cleaner motor?
Over time, the engine also becomes clogged and needs to be cleaned. To clean the vacuum cleaner motor, you need:
- Take the vacuum cleaner out onto the balcony.
- Turn on at maximum power.
- Tilt the vacuum cleaner slightly and shake it several times.
- Turn off and let cool.
- Remove the top with a wet cloth.
This method is suitable for cleaning a Dyson vacuum cleaner, as well as for any other.
How to clean the hose and brushes of a vacuum cleaner?
How to clean the hose and brushes of a vacuum cleaner?
To properly clean the hose and brushes of a vacuum cleaner, you must follow the recommendations:
- The hose must be disconnected and placed in a container with warm water.
- Wait 10 minutes.
- Use a long wire to clean the inside of the hose and wash the outside with a sponge.
- Dry and put back in its original place.
- The vacuum cleaner brush needs to be cleaned of hair and large dust clouds. This can be done with scissors, tweezers or an unnecessary brush. Including if you clean a robot vacuum cleaner.
- If the brush has bristles, remove dirt from it too.
- Place the brush in a basin filled with solution (soap plus water) for 15 minutes. Wash it with a sponge, dry it and put it back in place.
Cleaning the vacuum cleaner inside and removing the smell
How to eliminate harmful odor in a vacuum cleaner?
After you have removed the filter from the vacuum cleaner, removed the hose and brush, clean the inside of the vacuum cleaner. Take a rag, soak it in clean water and wipe all surfaces. Do this especially carefully at the junction of the hose and the housing. Then wipe the vacuum cleaner dry with a clean cloth.
Another common question: how to clean a vacuum cleaner from smell? Odor may develop if the dust bin is not cleaned regularly. This happens especially often with fabric bags, which absorb moisture well and begin to smell bad. Vacuum cleaners with an aqua filter can also emit unpleasant odors if dirty water stagnates in the tank.
If you encounter a similar problem, then you need to remove and wash the dust collector itself, as well as the filter. In addition, you can use special fragrances - balls stored in the dust collector until it is cleaned. These tips are also suitable if you decide to clean a cordless vacuum cleaner and notice a foul odor.
Or use the following method:
- The hose must be disconnected and placed in a container with warm water.
- Wait 10 minutes.
- Use a long wire to clean the inside of the hose and wash the outside with a sponge.
- Dry and put back in its original place.
- The vacuum cleaner brush needs to be cleaned of hair and large dust clouds. This can be done with scissors, tweezers or an unnecessary brush. Including if you clean a robot vacuum cleaner.
- If the brush has bristles, remove dirt from it too.
- Place the brush in a basin filled with solution (soap plus water) for 15 minutes. Wash it with a sponge, dry it and put it back in place.
If it is difficult to follow text instructions, you can watch a video on how to clean a vacuum cleaner: universal tips. You will learn how to clean a Philips, Polaris, Samsung, Thomas, etc. vacuum cleaner.
Step-by-step instructions for complete disassembly
Partial disassembly is performed when replacing or cleaning filters, but in order to remove the engine, it is necessary to disassemble the device completely. We offer detailed photographic disassembly instructions that will help you cope with the repair of the Samsung vacuum cleaner yourself.
Stage #1 - we diagnose the breakdown
When you use one device for a long time, you can perfectly imagine how it behaves during operation.
An experienced user does not need to look at the bag or tank full indicator; it even determines by sound when it is time to empty the dust container or filters. Consequently, he will also determine the fact of a malfunction by the unusual behavior of the assistant.
If an overfilled vacuum cleaner begins to hum or hiss, then a mechanism with a broken motor or board makes intermittent sounds, begins to “spit” dust, smells like burnt wires, or simply does not respond to being plugged in.
If you doubt the serviceability of the vacuum cleaner, you can try to disassemble it. This is a simple procedure that does not require special knowledge or special skills. As instructions, you can use videos or photo instructions from craftsmen, carefully filmed by them and posted on the Internet.
Stage #2 - selecting tools and materials
To disassemble the vacuum cleaner body, you do not need to purchase a special tool. Most likely, a pair of screwdrivers, Phillips and slotted, which can be found in the household of any city dweller or rural resident, will come in handy.
No tools are required to disassemble the filters as this is a regular maintenance procedure. You just have to manually remove the covers or open the plastic boxes.
On some models, to change the HEPA filter, you need to remove the rear grille by unscrewing 2-4 screws, also using a screwdriver.
But if manipulations with the motor, board elements, and wires are to be done, the following tools and materials may be required:
- pliers;
- file;
- awl;
- sandpaper;
- vice;
- construction knife;
- spare connectors and wiring.
Small parts are inexpensive, but a faulty engine requires replacement - an average of 1,650-2,600 rubles.
Instead of an expensive original part, you can look for an alternative mechanism, but you should pay attention to the materials from which it is made.
Stage #3 - disassemble the vacuum cleaner body
It often happens that during the process of disassembling the device there is a problem, that is, the cause of the breakdown is not necessarily a failed engine. The thermal relay connector may have come loose or there may be damage to the board.
All actions can be performed by an untrained person, since disassembling this model requires attention, accuracy and the ability to use screwdrivers - flat and Phillips.
A vacuum cleaner is one of the most common household appliances and is found in every home. Being an indispensable assistant in cleaning premises, the unit itself also requires constant care. Therefore, the quality of cleaning and the service life of the device depend on how correctly and timely its cleaning is carried out.
First start of the vacuum cleaner after cleaning
Starting the vacuum cleaner for the first time after cleaning
After you have cleaned the vacuum cleaner, you need to run it idle:
- Plug in.
- Press the start button.
- In this case, the vacuum cleaner must be without a filter, bag and hose.
- Alternate power, you can lightly shake the case - it will help if dust particles are stuck in hard-to-reach places.
