You may experience a headache if the noises that come out of your vacuum cleaner when you use it are louder than normal. Sound is measured in decibels (dB), which is a unit of measurement for how quiet or loud a sound is.
A regular vacuum does not exceed 80 decibels because it operates in the 78-80 decibel range. If your machine becomes significantly louder than this, it is considered to be excessively loud.
The noise produced by a vacuum cleaner can come from a variety of sources within the unit. There are, however, a number of simple solutions for dealing with the noise issue, making your vacuum cleaner quieter. Continue reading to find out more.
In this post we will cover:
- Causes of a Noisy Vacuum Cleaner
- How to Make a Vacuum Cleaner Quieter: Different Ways
- How to Make a Vacuum Cleaner Quieter: A Step By Step Guide
- How much noise does a typical vacuum cleaner make?
- What are the benefits of a quiet vacuum?
- How should you maintain your vacuum to make it quieter?
Causes of a Noisy Vacuum Cleaner
1. Obstructions: obstructions are the main cause of noise in a vacuum cleaner. When your machine starts to make strange noises, look for blockages in the pathway of the machine. The blockages usually occur in places such as the hosepipe.
2. Dirty filter: make sure that you inspect the filter of the machine regularly because it has a tendency to get dirty. A filthy filter causes the vacuum to create a lot of noise since it will have difficulty generating suction.
3. Entrapped objects: when there are objects stuck in your vacuum’s compartment, the unit will produce a loud noise. For a bagless vacuum cleaner, the common places where objects can be entrapped are the canister and beater brush.
Some of the objects that can get stuck in your machine’s compartment include clumps of hair, coins, and books. The items will make a rough rumbling noise and when you hear this it is likely that something is stuck in the vacuum.
4. Broken fan: the fan is located inside your vacuum’s motor and when the fan is broken it can generate noises that are louder than usual. Dirt and debris that accumulates in the motor can clog the fan and eventually break it.
5. Leaks and openings: the openings and leaks take place when your vacuum has a broken compartment or hole, especially on its plastic casing. The leak or opening may be on the hose or canister that is causing the noise.
The openings and leaks usually produce a whistling sound due to trapped air in the vacuum. However, this is not a common source of a vacuum cleaner making a loud noise.
6. Vibration: vibrations will occur over time due to the frequent use of the vacuum cleaner. Most cleaners are made of plastic and when air passes through them, they make a lot of noise.
7. The motor: the motor of a vacuum could cause it to produce a loud noise. This could be as a result of the motor running out of grease, which is usually the common cause of the loud noise.
The noise could also be caused by mechanical issues in your vacuum’s motor causing a high-pitched noise to come from your vacuum. However, the motor issue is common with vacuums that are older.
8. Broken brush: when the brushes of a vacuum are broken, the machine will make unusual vibrations and noises. To know for certain if this is the problem, turn the brush off to hear if the noise continues.
If the brush is not making the sound anymore, it is an indication that the brush needs to be changed.
How to Make a Vacuum Cleaner Quieter: Different Ways
Sound insulation
When it comes to modern vacuum cleaners, this is the most common method of lowering their noise levels. There are several foams inside vacuum cleaners that absorb the majority of the sound produced by the machine before it is released.
Foam is a medium that absorbs sound adequately and assists in reducing the noise created by vacuum cleaners. The foam considered to be most effective at reducing noise in vacuums is melamine foam.
It effectively reduces the vibration energy that the motor of a vacuum cleaner produces.
Bring small or medium-sized motors to use
The decibel level of a vacuum cleaner is determined by the motor size of the machine. Since realizing this factor, manufacturers are now developing slightly smaller motors that emit less noise.
The difference in noise levels produced by different vacuum cleaner models is due to the nature of the motors of the vacuum cleaners. Most manufacturers have come up with ways of simplifying their designs which have higher suction and are low-powered.
Change the location of the motor
Some manufacturers are changing the motor’s location within the vacuum while modifying the motor’s size. Although the motor’s location varies based on a vacuum model, most have been mounted well above the ground historically.
The positioning scatters the noise of the vacuum cleaner over a larger area, making it louder. However, modern vacuums have their motors positioned closer to the ground to reduce the noise level to a minimum.
Cordless vacuums
The vacuums are designed in such a manner that the pre-motor filter activities and airflow are reduced, making the machines quieter. Some of the units consist of special foam inside that assists in absorbing energy, making the vacuums quieter.
Cordless vacuums are a recent advancement in the quest to make vacuum cleaners quieter. Even though they lack a dedicated feature for reducing noise levels, their versatile and unique design allows for significant noise reduction.
Fix the filter
If the loud noise produced by your machine is due to a dirty filter, you can make the vacuum cleaner quieter by cleaning the vacuum filter or replacing it. That will ease the machine’s suction process, making the vacuum cleaner quieter.
Usually, there are two filters but the one that collects dirt is the one closer to the bag and therefore it requires frequent cleaning and changing.
Fix the fan
Issues with the fan can be fixed by tightening it or replacing the blade. However, if the fan is broken, you will just have to replace it with a new one. Using tape or glue will only aggravate the situation.
Muffle the noise from the air outlet
It is possible to muffle some of the noise generated by your vacuum by covering the air outlet with a cloth.
Make sure to poke tiny holes in the piece of cloth before tying it to the rim so that you can use it to cover the outlet. The holes will help to reduce some of the noise while still allowing some air to pass through them.
If you have done it correctly, the cloth should inflate like a balloon. However, if the procedure is not done correctly, your unit can overheat and burn out.
Alternatively, you should install a muffler that is appropriate for your vacuum type.
How to Make a Vacuum Cleaner Quieter: A Step By Step Guide
1. Determine the source of the noise, as this will save you time when attempting to resolve the issue.
2. Turn off the vacuum and unplug it from the power source to avoid any potential electrocution hazards.
3. If your vacuum is bagless, check the nozzles and brush roller to see if there are any obstructions in the way of cleaning. If there are any obstructions, carefully remove them by cutting hair with scissors, for instance.
4. If the source of the noise is the dust container, carefully open the vacuum and remove the dust canister from the vacuum. Remove any obstructions by tapping it, and then rinse it thoroughly.
5. If you have a bagless vacuum cleaner, make sure there are no blockages in the filter and dirt bag. They should be cleaned or replaced as needed to ensure that they are in proper working order.
6. If the noise emanates from the motor, you have two options. The first is consulting a qualified technician and the second is getting a new machine depending on the vacuum’s age and the problem of the motor.
Conclusion
A noisy and loud vacuum cleaner can be distracting to you and those around you. The cause of the loud noise can be due to clogs in the vacuum, broken fans and brushes, entrapped objects, and dirty filters.
You can, on the other hand, make your vacuum cleaner quieter by following the steps outlined in this article. Some of them can be completed on your own, while others will necessitate the assistance of a professional.
First and foremost, you must identify the source of the noise in order to determine the best course of action.
FAQs
How much noise does a typical vacuum cleaner make?
Vacuum cleaners, in general, make noise as a result of the way they operate. The fans of a vacuum rotate at a high speed while collecting dust. During this time, air is expelled and then sucked back in by the vacuum’s suction system.
The airflow generated by the vacuum suction and the vacuum fan is responsible for the noise that you hear when using a vacuum. As annoying as it may sound, you will have to put up with the noise because a higher suction power translates to a noisier machine.
Sound is measured in decibels, and a higher decibel rating indicates that a sound is louder. Decibels (dB) is the unit utilized in measuring the quietness or loudness of sound.
A regular vacuum does not exceed 80 decibels because it operates in the 78-80 decibel range. If your machine becomes significantly louder than this, it is considered to be excessively loud.
What are the benefits of a quiet vacuum?
You can do your cleaning when some of your family members are still sleeping since there will be no noise to wake them up. If you have a roommate or your neighbor’s house is close by, you can choose to clean at any time without the worry of complaints.
How should you maintain your vacuum to make it quieter?
There is no way of avoiding the noise made by your vacuum cleaner because it needs to make some noise to work properly. However, there are ways of avoiding problems that might make the machine louder than usual. The methods include:
1. Checking the belt and filter: regularly check the belt that holds the brush roll together if it is tight against the roll. If it is not, then it should be replaced. Also, check the filter and replace or clean it as frequently as possible.
2. Clean the brush roll: ensure that you clean the brush roll to remove anything stuck and entangled in the bristles.
As you continue using your vacuum, more dirt and dust will be lodged on the roll, preventing it from working at full capacity, making your vacuum noisier.
3. Check the bag: regularly check the dirt bag and change it regularly to get the best out of your unit. Do not wait for the bag to be full before it is changed because the machine works better when the bag is less full.
Ensure that you attach the dirt bag properly when you replace it.
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