Detach the vacuum hose and unclog if it has anything already stuck inside. Wash both outside and inside with water, soap, and anti-microbial ingredients. In the end, ensure a nice air drying.
How to Clean the Vacuum Hose?
A vacuum has a few parts that need to be cleaned separately and a vacuum hose is one of them. Cleaning a vacuum hose is simple. Like any electrical or electronic tool, you have to unplug the vacuum first. Then follow these steps.
Detaching the Hose
Then detach the hose from the vacuum body. Do not use too much force when detaching the hose. The hose is made to be detached easily.
So if you think you are putting too much force but it isn’t detaching, then check if there is any other way to do it. You can also check the user manual to see how to detach the hose.
Unclogging the Hose
If something is clogging the hose then you need to remove it before washing. Common items that can clog the hose are coins, big plastics, fruit wastes, etc.
Rinsing outside of the Hose
After unclogging the hose, take it to a sink and rinse the outside with running water. You can use hot or normal water. Hot water does not damage the hose.
Washing Inside of the Hose
After you have cleaned up the outside, you need to clean the inside. This is where you need to do the most cleaning.
Run Water
First, rinse the inside with running water. Then, block your sink and trap 4 inches of water in it. If you don’t want to use the sink then you can use a bucket.
Apply Detergent
Use some detergent into the water and soak the hose in the water. Let it sit for a few minutes. Now take it out of the water and rinse all the soap with running water. You can also bleach it if you want.
Remove & Prevent Microbial Growth
After that, pour some baking soda inside the hose from both sides. Then pour some vinegar in it. That way it will get cleaner and also clean all the germs and bacteria inside it. It also helps with reducing the bad smell if it has any.
Alternative Approach
You can also use detergent directly inside the hose and put some water inside it. Then shake it to make the detergent clean from the inside if you can’t clean it by trapping water.
Drying the Hose
After cleaning the hose you have to dry it. Keep it somewhere where it will get air and dry naturally. You can hang it on something too if you want.
After it is dry, set the hose back into the vacuum. And thus your vacuum hose will get its performance back.
Precautions for Cleaning a Vacuum Hose
Cleaning and maintenance is the best way to keep the vacuum in good shape. But you can take some precautionary methods to reduce the frequency you need to clean the vacuum.
Check if Unplugged
You have to look out if your vacuum is unplugged. It can cause accidents if it is plugged in. So always check if it’s unplugged before start cleaning the vacuum.
Remove Larger Items
Before cleaning with your vacuum, check if there are any big items, coins or anything that can clog your vacuum hose in the area. If you take those big items out before vacuuming u don’t have to worry about clogging.
Avoid Wet Areas
Another thing that can help you reduce cleaning is, not using the vacuum in a wet area. If you use the vacuum in a wet area then dust and debris may get stuck on the inside of the hose.
When and Why to Clean a Vacuum Hose?
The vacuum hose usually needs to be cleaned once a month. Depending on the situation you may need to do it more than once. If the hose gets clogged then you have to unclog and clean it
As for why you should clean it, it is because the hose will get dirty as you use it. If you don’t clean the hose it will stop cleaning as well as before. It will lose suction and spread bacteria when you use it.
How to Unclog the Hose?
Sometimes, pieces of stuff may get stuck inside the hose. You can understand when the hose gets clogged by the sound or loss of suction. Both of them may occur at the same time too.
If you get any bad smell from your vacuum, it is very likely that something organic has clogged the hose and rotting in there.
Find a Stick
If the hose is clogged you have to unclog it. To do this, you need a sturdy stick. You can also use the mop handle if you can’t find any sturdy sticks.
Push the Clogger
Now, take the hose and lay it flat on the ground. Now, insert your mop handle or the stick inside the hose. Push the clog items with the stick to get them out from the other side of the hose.
FAQ
Q: Will hot water damage the hose?
Ans: No, you can use hot water.
Q: How frequently do I have to clean the vacuum hose?
Ans: Clean it if it gets clogged or once every month.
Q: Can I bleach the hose?
Ans: Yes, you can.
Q: How long do I dry it for?
Ans: A couple of hours will be enough.
Q: When do I buy a new hose?
Ans: There isn’t a specific time when you have to change it. The only time you need to buy a new hose is if the old hose is damaged and it is leaking.
Conclusion
Vacuums are great to keep things like your house or car clean and we all know the urgency to clean the vacuums. Keeping your vacuum cleaner will prolong its life and make sure that it cleans better.
By properly cleaning and maintaining the vacuum you can save time in the long run and can be sure to rely on the vacuum when you need it.
Also read-Why Is My Vacuum Hard to Push?
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