How to Clean Vacuum Hose Properly

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Your vacuum helps you clean your home, but is your vacuum ever cleaned? In order for a vacuum to work properly, it must be maintained.

Many people use the vacuum for direct cleaning, and the hose gets dirty over time. If you don’t keep up with regular maintenance, the hose may even become clogged.

In this post, we are going to show you how to clean a vacuum hose.

Table of Contents

Signs Your Vacuum Cleaner Hose Is Clogged

Usually, you will notice that your vacuum hose is clogged fairly quickly. Your vacuum loses suction and you won’t be able to collect dirt and debris.

You should also check your vacuum for dust escaping or strange noises it makes.

Additionally, if you detect an unpleasant smell coming from the vacuum hose, this means that food has become stuck and has started to rot.

There is no need to replace your vacuum hose if you experience any of these problems. Only if there is an air leak caused by a hole or rip should this be done.

Most likely all it requires is a good scrubbing.

Cleaning a Clogged Vacuum Hose

It’s time to learn how to clean a vacuum hose properly now that you know there’s a problem.

Step by step guide to cleaning:

Detach the hose from the vacuum
Remove clumps and unclog
Wash it out
Use a bottle cleaning brush
Rinse the inside of the hose
Let it dry

Detach the hose from the vacuum

Before doing anything else, make sure to unplug the vacuum cleaner first. By doing this, you will avoid being shocked by the electrical current or having your vacuum switch on unexpectedly when you attempt to disconnect the hose.

Detaching the vacuum hose is the first step in cleaning the vacuum hose. The process will depend on the model and brand of the vacuum. The hose will usually need to be twisted out or a button pressed.

Avoid using excessive force as much as possible.

Detaching it is not designed to be difficult – if it does not feel right, there might be another way to do it. You should check the user manual if you are unsure how to remove the hose.

Remove clumps and unclog

The next step is to remove any debris and dirt clumps in the hose. This can be accomplished by laying the hose out flat and straight on the ground or on a table.

Any clumps inside can be pushed out using something thin and long. You can use the broom handle, mop handle, or a long stick for this purpose. It will help to force out any debris wedged in the middle that is difficult to remove.

It is important to be careful since vacuum hoses are made from a flexible, lightweight material. You don’t want to cause a hole by being too forceful.

Wash it out

When it comes to removing dirt from the inner folds, washing them out is an excellent option. Place water in the sink up to about four inches deep. Combine one or two squirts of dish soap or a mild detergent with the water.

Submerge the hose completely. This will allow water to flow through the material and cleanse it. You can use a damp cloth to clean the outer hose. It’s best to stay away from harsh chemicals that could damage the material.

You can use baking soda and distilled white vinegar for this task. You can get rid of bacteria and germs with these ingredients without using strong bleach.

Using vinegar as a disinfectant can help kill bacteria and prevent the spread of E. coli because of the acetic acid content.

Make a solution by combining half a cup of baking soda and two cups of vinegar with some water. Fill up the hose with the solution and watch the fizz.

You can watch the video below if you need further assistance.

Use a bottle cleaning brush

It may be difficult to remove stubborn grime from your vacuum hose if it is really dirty. The majority of this will be inside, in the folds that are hard to reach. Hence, using a bottle cleaning brush can be helpful for this task.

Brushes with this type of bristles might be just what you need to remove stubborn dirt. They are long and thin, just the right size to penetrate the middle.

Rinse the inside of the hose

Once the vacuum hose has been cleaned and scrubbed, it’s time to rinse it. You can use the water pressure directly from the faucet to do this.

Clean out any loose dirt or grime with the water flowing through the inner hose. Consider holding the hose in a U-shape. This will allow you to shake the water around a bit before it runs out the other side.

Let it dry

It’s best to let the hose dry before reconnecting it to your vacuum cleaner. By hanging it up, you will be able to allow the excess water to drain away from the inner folds.

A quick shake is also a good idea. You should let the hose dry for several hours before putting it back in place.

Hopefully, when you turn it on, you’ll notice it has a better suction or no longer has a bad smell.

If your vacuum cleaner is still malfunctioning, there may be another problem that needs to be repaired or cleaned.

Like replacing or cleaning a filter.

How Often Should You Clean the Vacuum Hose?

A vacuum hose should be cleaned around once a month on average. However, depending on how often you vacuum, there may be more or less.

Thus, it’s a good idea to visually inspect the inside of the hose following a deep cleaning. In this way, you can check for any clogs that might affect the operation of the vacuum cleaner when you next use it.

FAQs

Why does my vacuum emit a foul smell?

The most common causes of a smelly vacuum are excessive dust, pet hair stuck, mold accumulation, and burnt belts. To address these issues, you might need to need your vacuum cleaner or replace some parts.

Why does my vacuum keep getting clogged?

A dirty filter or dirty rollers may also cause your vacuum to clog. The dirty filter can cause dirt and dust to enter the hoses and vacuum, resulting in a clog that makes vacuuming and using it difficult.

Why is my vacuum not picking up dirt?

There are a few common causes of vacuum cleaners losing suction, such as a tangled brush bar, clogged filters, overflowing dust containers or blocked airways. If you fix these, your vacuum’s cleaning power will improve dramatically.

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