We all love to do a little spring cleaning around the house every now and then, but the vacuum is one of the most used items or appliances in the household and for many of us it is key to keeping our homes clean and presentable. This is why we have to ensure that we look after it in the best way we can. A dirty, broken, or smelly vacuum is an absolute disaster for any modern home, so hopefully, these helpful tips on why you should clean your vacuum and how to go about doing it will inspire you to keep your vacuum cleaner clean and well-oiled.

Like any other electrical, a vacuum cleaner works best when it is cleaned/serviced every now and again. Cleaning the dirt from your hoover and the attachments ensures that the suction is always up to standard, that the vacuum is kept in its best working condition, and that there is no build-up of bacteria or germs.

When asking yourself, 'how often should I clean my vacuum?' the only right answer is dependent on how much you use it. If you are doing a lot of vacuuming every day, then it is probably a good idea to clean your vacuum every couple of weeks, but for many of us that vacuum 3-4 times a week, a proper clean once per 6-8 weeks is more than enough.

Before we tell you the best and most efficient way to clean your vacuum, we should probably give you a little list telling you what materials you need to do it properly.

Here are the few tools that you will need to get the job done;

• Warm soapy water
  
• Cold Water  
  
• Basin/Bucket
  
• Microfibre Cloth
  
• Toothbrush
  
• Scissors
  
• Black Bag
  

Right, so you have your tools and are ready to go; now what? Well, we think that there is a pretty straightforward 5-step process to cleaning your vacuum:

Step 1: Take Your Vacuum Apart –when we say take the hoover apart, the very obvious first step is to unplug it. 

After this, you will want to take the vacuum cleaner apart so you can reach around all the parts and keep them clean. If your vacuum has any moving parts, make sure to remove them and deal with them individually to ensure the best clean possible.

Step 2: Clean the Filter –The filter can typically be found at the top of the canister and is one of the most important parts of the vacuum. To clean the filter, simply wash it under cold water. Try not to use soap, instead, run it under cold water until most/all of the dirt and grime is gone.  

Step 3: Clean the Canister–The canister is the place in the hoover where the dirt gathers and is collected. This makes it the most common place for dirt and grime. But fear not because it is easy to clean. We recommend that you clean and empty it outside, though, because it can get messy and dusty. To clean the inside of the canister, remove it from the vacuum and simply use warm soapy water and a microfibre cloth. 

Step 4: Clean any Attachments –of course, there is no point in cleaning your vacuum if you are not going to clean the attachments that you use to work with it. Depending on the attachments, use a small brush, a wet cloth, or scissors to help remove hair, dirt, or grime from the attachments you use the most. An old toothbrush is a great tool for cleaning hard-to-reach places!

Step 5: Wipe the Exterior and Reassemble –When wiping the exterior, make sure to use warm soapy water and let the exterior air dry along with all of the attachments. Ideally, you will let the vacuum air dry for 6-12 hours. Once this time has passed, reassemble the vacuum, plug it in, and away you go.

When it comes to improving the smell of your hoover output and your home surfaces/carpets overall, there are a couple of tricks that we know will help you get rid of that annoying 'dog hair' smell emanating from your vacuum.

Scent Beads or oils – If you are looking to add a unique smell to your home when you are vacuuming, scent beads or essential oils are your best bet. They are inexpensive, come in a host of different scents, and are quite strong, so they will last for a while. Simply add a few drops or beads to your filter/bag/container and enjoy the beautiful smells that come from it while you clean your home.

Natural Spices – When we say natural spices, we mean something that smells beautiful, like cinnamon. Cinnamon is a great odour eliminator; just a little cinnamon in the container, bag, or filter will eliminate any strong pet smells around your home. If you don't like cinnamon, then perhaps you can use lemon and orange peel to give a citrusy scent to your home.

Before you begin vacuuming your floors, make sure to pick up all the clutter and remove the small objects from the floor. Not only will this make it easier for you to clean the floors, but it will also prevent these smaller objects from getting stuck in the vacuum. If they do get stuck, you could ruin your vacuum or break an internal part.

It depends on the model, but the closest you would get to having a vacuum clean itself would be emptying its own dustbin. Some robotic vacuums have this functionality, which is a great modern advancement in vacuuming technology and is handy for saving you time and effort. 

Many vacuum cleaners are equipped with a filtration system intended to trap fine particles of dust and dander that might otherwise be released with the vacuum cleaner's exhaust. Some filters are washable, making them an affordable, easy-to-maintain choice.

If you are thinking of upgrading your vacuum why not chat with us in-store or online? We have a wide range of cordless, bagless, cylinder and robot vacuums. From all the best brands such as Dyson, Miele, Samsung and Morphy Richards.