It is essential that the vacuum cleaner be equipped with a vacuum hose because it is responsible for sucking up dirt from difficult-to-reach areas. A vacuum hose is a cylindrical object that plugs into a port on the vacuum.
When the hose becomes clogged, the machine’s suction is compromised. This indicates that something has been trapped in the hose and is interfering with its ability to function correctly.
You can, on the other hand, unclog your vacuum hose in order to remove any obstructions and allow it to function as intended.
In this post we will cover:
- How to know if your Vacuum Hose is clogged
- How to Unclog your Vacuum Hose: A Step by Step Guide
- How do I keep my vacuum cleaner working as new?
- What are the Things That I Should Never Vacuum with my Vacuum Cleaner?
- How do I use the attachments of my vacuum cleaner?
How to know if your Vacuum Hose is clogged
There are several simple and straightforward methods for determining whether or not your vacuum hose is clogged. The first is when you notice your vacuum is not picking up as much waste as it used to. That means the suction power has decreased.
The second is when the problem of low suction persists even after cleaning and replacing the vacuum filter and bag. The third situation is when your vacuum’s attachment lacks suction. That indicates a clog in your vacuum’s suction port.
Clogging of a vacuum hose can be avoided by picking up large debris in your home before using your vacuum to clean. Use attachments because they are narrower than the hose and thus less likely to clog.
Vacuum what you see, including looking under furniture and beds, to ensure there is nothing that can clog your vacuum hose.
How to Unclog your Vacuum Hose: A Step by Step Guide
The first method: removing and cleaning the hose
1. Detach your vacuum hose from the vacuum cleaner. You will be able to spot the outer hose that attaches the roller at the bottom of the machine to the unit’s bag.
Remove one edge of your vacuum hose from the base of the unit and then the other edge from the prime surface.
2. If your vacuum hose is screwed onto the vacuum, make sure that you have unscrewed it before detaching the hose from the machine.
3. Place the vacuum hose on any flat surface nearest to you after removing it from the vacuum.
4. Unplug the vacuum cleaner before undertaking any maintenance operation to prevent electric shocks of any kind.
5. Remove any big clogs from the vacuum hose using a household broomstick. Insert one end of the stick inside the vacuum hose, then slowly insert the broomstick to prevent any unnecessary puncturing or damage to the hose.
The broomstick will push any present big clogs out of the vacuum hose through the other side.
6. If your vacuum hose is translucent, keep it up to a certain amount of light so that you can see through it and identify the location of the clogs. If this is not working, try peeking through one end of the hose.
7. Avoid using sharp objects such as closet hangers as they impact the vacuum’s suction power when they are pushed through the vacuum hose.
8. You can apply baking soda and vinegar to remove any matter that has accumulated inside the vacuum hose. Fill the hose with half a cup of baking soda, after placing your vacuum hose in the sink.
Give the hose a good shake so that the interior is properly coated with the baking soda.
9. After that, you can pour half a cup of white vinegar gradually into the hose. Allow the vinegar and baking soda to bubble for a few minutes within the vacuum hose so that it can break up the buildup inside.
If you do not have vinegar or baking soda, you can instead use a powdered laundry detergent and hot water.
10. After a few minutes have passed, thoroughly rinse the vacuum hose with hot water. Wash the hose with water to remove any remaining vinegar or baking soda. Ensure that water is poured on both ends of the hose to make it completely clean.
If you cannot direct your sink to the hose, you can soak the hose in a sink filled with water.
11. Leave the hose to dry before reattaching it to the vacuum. Place the hose in a manner such that both ends face the ground and leave it in that position for an hour. When the vacuum hose is fully dry, attach it back to your vacuum.
The Second Method: Pulling Out a Clog in the Bottom Hose
1. Disconnect the primary hose of the vacuum that attaches near the base of the roller and the main body of the vacuum. Accessing the bottom hose will require you to unscrew or remove it from all spots.
Make sure that your vacuum is unplugged before you start any work on it.
2. Unscrew the bottom hose from the vacuum’s body to remove it. The bottom hose is attached to the base of the vacuum and it is the spot where the primary hose connects to the unit.
Find the screw that holds the bottom hose in position and remove it using a screwdriver. Put the screw in a safe place so that it is not misplaced. Some bottom hoses are clipped to the vacuum. Remove the hose from the clip in this case.
3. Once the hose has been removed, pull the clog out using a set of needle-nose pliers. Insert the pair of pliers into the ends of the bottom hose and once you sense the clog, pinch it with the pliers to get a good grip. Grab it and remove it from the hose.
4. After this, reconnect the vacuum hose back into the unit and screw it so that it is held against the body of the machine. Keep the main hose in its place and attach it properly.
Conclusion
It is critical to remember that vacuum cleaners are delicate and sensitive items that necessitate special care. Despite the fact that the machines appear intimidating and tough.
Consider the vacuum hose, which must be maintained on a regular basis to remove any obstructions or dirt that may accumulate and cause clogging in the future.
As previously stated, unclogging your vacuum hose is not an uphill task because you can do it at home by following the steps outlined above.
FAQs
How do I keep my vacuum cleaner working as new?
1. There are various maintenance practices that can assist you in maximizing your vacuum’s effectiveness and prolonging its life.
First, you have to do your research before purchasing your vacuum and purchase one with the features you want which also meets your cleaning needs.
2. If your vacuum is a bagged one, regularly check the bag and dispose of its contents whenever it is full. When the bag is full, the vacuum becomes less efficient.
Also, replace the bag regularly to minimize the risk of your vacuum jamming, clogging, or getting damaged.
3. If you have a bagless vacuum cleaner, ensure that the dust cup is empty before you use it. You can empty the dust container immediately after a cleaning session or just before you clean with the vacuum again.
4. Rinse out the removable bin regularly to prevent debris and dirt from building up in the container and becoming stuck on the inside. A full dust canister can damage your machine beyond repair.
Therefore, it is advisable to stop using the vacuum once the container is full.
5. Clean the vacuum, including the vent covers. A vacuum has several covered vents that allow small particles such as dirt and dust to move through, but stop objects that are large.
The vents may become clogged over time with large debris and if they are not cleaned, the vacuum will overheat and even burn.
6. Clean or replace the filter or filters of your vacuum. The filter traps fine dust in its fibers and over time, they collect a lot of dust. That will make them less effective as fine debris will be released back into your home.
7. Removing debris from the roller. The brush roller comes into contact with the surface that you are cleaning and helps in collecting debris and dirt. When the bristles of the brush are full of dirt, they cannot pick up dirt as they used to pick.
That will prevent deep cleaning and will even make the surfaces you are cleaning dirtier. Therefore, you should clean the bristles of the roller brush and get rid of any dirt that has built up in the roller compartment.
What are the Things That I Should Never Vacuum with my Vacuum Cleaner?
1. Large glass pieces: Glass shards can become dislodged in the hose, puncture the bag, or scratch the interior of the hose, endangering your vacuum. Instead, sweep these large glass pieces with a broom.
2. Paperclips, coins, and other small items: When you see these types of dirt on your floor, you may be tempted to vacuum over them with your vacuum.
They can, however, become entangled in the rotating brush or even break off the plastic pieces that are contained within the unit.
3. Fine dust: Vacuuming up sanding residue or other small particles should be avoided because they require a more durable unit, such as a shop vac. Fine dust quickly clogs the dirtbag or filters, causing your machine to release dirt back into the air.
4. Fireplace ashes: Ashes from the fireplace trap fine particles and heat. For this reason, do not use your regular vacuum to suck them up. It is advisable to let the ashes cool for at least four days, then clear the area using a wet and dry vacuum or a utility.
5. Wet food and other moist things: The normal vacuum has not been designed to pick up wet things, whether it is a portion of wet dog food, soggy cereal, or a spill. For such messes, use a wet and dry vacuum or a paper towel.
The things that you can pick up with your regular vacuum cleaner include gravel, which are small pieces of rock, hair that you must ensure does not get tangled in the brush roll, and dry snack foods such as chips and cereal.
How do I use the attachments of my vacuum cleaner?
1. Crevice tool: the skinny-shaped tool is great for accessing corners and other tight spots in your home. You should use this tool around radiators, baseboards, between sofa cushions, and in the vents.
It can also be utilized to delint the dryer, clean the coils of the refrigerator, spaces between car seats, and other places your vacuum hose cannot fit.
2. Extension wand: the wand enables you to reach places such as light fixtures, high ceilings, and corners. You can also use it behind large appliances without moving them.
Simply wrap some pantyhose around the nozzle and secure it with a rubber band. Put the wand over the item you cannot reach and it will be sucked into the vacuum’s hose.
3. Dusting brush: the brush is round and has soft, long bristles. It is excellent at dusting bookcases, window sills, lampshades, blinds, frame pictures, and wooden surfaces. You can also dust door moldings and light fixtures with the brush.
The soft bristles allow you to use the brush on delicate pieces. Just brush the surface that you are cleaning with the brush.
4. Upholstery tool: this is a small tool that has a flat head, and its bristles are stiff to assist you in removing lint, dust, and fur from cushions, chairs, mattresses, and sofas.
You simply have to place the upholstery toll on any of these surfaces and suck up the dirt and hair.
