Clean your vacuum: filters, brushes and loss of suction

Safety first: unplug it

Switch off the vacuum, check its bag or container and remove hair from the brush. Wash filters only if permitted and let them dry completely.

Before you open or remove any part, pull the plug out of the socket. With cordless models, switch the vacuum off and remove the battery if the manual says so. This stops the brush roll from suddenly spinning while your fingers are nearby.

Keep the user manual to hand. It shows which parts can be removed, how they go back, and whether any components may come into contact with water. If you have lost the paper copy, the manufacturer's website usually has it under your model number.

Change the bag or empty the bin

A full bag or bin noticeably reduces suction. Empty bagless containers outdoors or directly over the rubbish bag so the dust does not drift back into your home. The manual tells you whether the container may be rinsed; if so, it must be completely dry before it goes back in.

On bagged models, change the bag when the indicator says so or when suction drops. Use bags designed for your model.

• Empty the bin over the rubbish bag.
• Rinse only if the manual allows it.
• Let parts dry completely.

Clear the brush roll and nozzles

Over time, hair, threads and fibres wrap around the brush roll. Many brush rolls can be removed without tools. Carefully cut through wound-up hair with scissors along a groove, without damaging the bristles, and then pull it off.

Check the crevice tool, upholstery nozzle and wand for blockages too. A ball of fluff or a small object in the tube can severely reduce suction. Clear blockages gently, for example with a long, blunt object, and never while the vacuum is plugged in.

Look after filters as the manufacturer intends

Vacuums often have several filters, such as a motor protection filter and an exhaust filter. Some are washable, others may only be tapped out and need replacing after a certain time. This varies by model, so the manual is the only reliable guide.

If a filter may be washed, use plain water unless stated otherwise and let it air-dry completely before refitting it. Radiators, hair dryers and ovens are not suitable for drying. A filter refitted while damp can damage the appliance.

• Look up your filter type and care in the manual.
• Wash only if explicitly allowed.
• Air-dry completely.

Housing and cable

You can wipe the housing with a slightly damp, well wrung-out cloth. Make sure no moisture gets into vents or electrical parts. While you are at it, check the cable and plug.

A damaged cable, an unusual smell, sparks or strange noises are not a job for DIY repairs. Stop using the vacuum and contact the manufacturer or an authorised service centre.

Low suction or smells: checks in order

It helps to link maintenance to fixed moments: empty the bin after every bigger session, check the brush roll whenever you see hair, and care for the filters at the intervals the manufacturer specifies. That keeps the effort small.

Good to know: for apartment cleaning through PUTZIO in the supported municipalities around Zurich and Rapperswil-Jona (CHF 40 per hour), the cleaners bring their cleaning products, and you provide a vacuum and mop if needed. PUTZIO does not repair or service appliances.