How to Clean Your Vacuum Cleaner

The humble vacuum is the household cleaning item we all reach for to keep our homes in tip top condition - but how many of us ever think to clean our vacuum cleaners too? Well, we do and we’re here to show you just how to do it! After all, a vacuum cleaner works at its best with clear filters, empty bins, and brushes free of entangled hair and string. Whether you’re looking to clean your vacuum filter or wondering how to clean a vacuum cleaner that smells, we’ve all the deep cleaning vacuum tips for you, below.

Before we get cracking on cleaning your vacuum filter and deep cleaning your vacuum’s individual parts, let’s sort out the supplies you’ll need for the job. Don’t worry, there aren’t many, and most you’ll likely have to hand already from other essential household chores, including:  

• Bin
• Scissors
• Pipe cleaner or long brush
• Dust cloth
• Dish soap
• Warm water
• Towel

You may find it beneficial to lay these tools out nearby, just so they’re all ready to go when you start cleaning your vacuum cleaner.

With our essential tools now ready and to hand, we can look at just how easy it is to show your vacuum some TLC. But first a bit of safety before we begin: always be sure your machine is turned off and unplugged before you begin deep cleaning your vacuum. If you have a cordless vacuum, then take it off charge first.  Now let’s get started…

Whether you’ve got a bagged or bagless machine, the very best place to start when it comes to deep cleaning your vacuum is with emptying the accumulated dirt and debris. But both bagless and bagged vacuums have different cleaning steps, so, what’s the best way to clean the bin of your specific vacuum? Well, it’s as simple as the steps, below:

•  How to empty a bagless vacuum: Hold your vacuum over a rubbish bin, so the contents of the vacuum bin are caught without making a mess. Then, push the bin lever inwards, until it pops open. Give your vacuum a gentle shimmy to shake it all loose, then close the lid of your bin again. Et voila!
• How to empty a bagged vacuum: Open up the bin door on your bagged vacuum and check for signs of it being full – the bag feels warm, looks puffy, or the machine itself isn’t picking up well. If it is full, then you can go ahead and pop a new bag in the machine, before closing the door again.

And just like you’ve got a clean vacuum cleaner bin, ready to tidy up your carpet or hardwood floor of dust, hair, and crumbs!

With pet hair, human hair, fluff, and dust, your vacuum’s roller brush can get quite full, leading to a slower machine. So, let’s show the brush some TLC next. Start by gently pulling out any bits of dirt you can easily remove, you may find it’s more comfortable to wear gloves here. Once you’ve got all you can, take a pair of scissors and carefully cut out any entangled strands of hair, before unravelling them.  Pull out the all the remaining strands until you’ve got a nice, clean vacuum cleaner roller brush, and you’re done!

TOP TIP: If you find your roller brush is often wrapped up with hair, then try out one of our anti-hair wrap vacuums!

Popped off buttons, stray pennies, and the odd fluff ball from the dog – we’ve all accidentally vacuumed a bit more than the vacuum hose can take. But never fear, as that’s where a spot of deep cleaning for your vacuum comes in! Just be sure to be extra careful with these steps to avoid any damage to your machine.

1.      To clean your vacuum hose, start by straightening it out, so there are no bends or turns.

2.      Next, take a pipe cleaner, or the end of a long brush if you’ve none of those to hand.

3.      Then, gently dislodge any chunks of accumulated fur balls, buttons, or hair out of the tube, by gently pushing the pipe cleaner into the hose.

4.      You can then use compressed air to blow up into the hose, ensuring even the smaller bits of dirt are cleaned from your vacuum cleaner.

Great news for Gtech vacuum owners – our vacuums are designed to never block, so you can keep cleaning without a hitch!

Deep cleaning a vacuum is all about checking even the more hidden parts of the machine – we’re talking about the filters!nIf your filter is clogged up with dust and debris, then it’s likely to make the pick up on your machine a bit weak in the short term. But in the long term, a stuffed up filter can shorten the life span on your machine, which is not ideal! So, let’s get this deep cleaning vacuum task done and dusted (excuse the pun).

To check your filter, simply open the flap that keeps it covered, which is usually behind the same door as the bin is. If you spot any lint or fluff, simply pull it off and pop it in the bin. It’s as easy as that!

With the inside of your vacuum cleaner now glistening and glowing, it’s time to take care of cleaning the vacuum cleaner’s individual parts. Start by giving your machine a wipe down with a dust cloth, as this will remove any bits of dust or dirt clinging to the outside. Then, mix together a cup of lukewarm water and a bit of dish soap into a bowl, before dampening a cloth to give your machine a wipe down. Once done, make sure all the parts of your now clean vacuum cleaner are nice and dry before you try to use it again.

TOP TIP: If you’re in a hurry and need your clean vacuum cleaner ready to go in a hurry, then try laying out all the parts on a clean towel, to help it all dry quicker and more evenly. 

Cleansing your machine is one thing, but how do we clean a vacuum cleaner that smells, and not a refreshing scent either? Well, it’s all down to the scented cartridges! Doing just what they say on the proverbial tin, a scented cartridge is a little insert for your vacuum that helps it release a fresh, fragrant scent whenever you do a spot of spring cleaning - or winter, autumn or summer cleaning too, for that matter.

To do this, simply lift up the cap on the cartridge filter within the machine, and pop the new one in. Flip the lid closed again and you’re good to go! We recommend you change your filter at least once a month for the best effect.

And that’s all! With your clean vacuum cleaner now ready and prepped to have your carpets sparkling and gleaming in no time, you might be on the look out for other at home cleaning tips. For more advice on removing coffee from your carpet or finding the best vacuum for pet hair, head over to our blog.