Every vacuum owner has to deal with clog sooner or later. Yes, it can be annoying to deal with. But you can check for clog and unclog your vacuum by following these simple steps.
Why Does My Vacuum Keep Getting Clogged?
The main reason for vacuum clogging is big pieces of waste getting stuck inside the vacuum. As a result, it loses suction and does not clean properly. This is the most common reason your vacuum gets clogged.
Other reasons can be, vacuuming wet floor or vacuuming area that you cannot see. By vacuuming the wet floor, things may get stuck inside the vacuum as it is vacuuming wet things.
If you are vacuuming an area you cannot see, like under the bed, then there is a chance you may vacuum socks or other bigger things, which leads to vacuum clogging.
How to Unclog a Vacuum?
First Step: Unplug the Vacuum
You have to unplug the vacuum. Then open up the vacuum. There are a few places that can have a clog. These are the hose, the wand, and the filters.
So you have to check all these places for clogs and depending on where the clog is you have to take it out differently.
Second Step: Wash the Filters
If the clog is in the filters then it is because of too much dust. Filters do not get stuck with big debris but they can get blocked with dust if it is not washed for an extended period.
So all you have to do for this is, wash the filters and you will be good to go.
Step Three: Clean the Wand
If the clog is in the wand, then detach the wand from the vacuum machine. You can do a visual check to find out if the clog is in the wand or not.
Another way to do the checkup is to drop a marble or coin through the wand. If it goes through the wand then it is not clogged. If it does not go through then it is clogged.
Shake the wand to get rid of the clog. If this doesn’t work then use a blunt stick or mop handle to push the clog out from the wand.
Step Four: Check the Brush Head
If the clog is in the brush head of the vacuum then you can just pull it out with your hand. If you cannot reach it with your hand then use a plier or something with which you can grab the clogged item.
How to Unclog Vacuum Hose?
Most of the time the vacuum hose gets clogged. If the clog is inside the hose, then you have to detach the hose from the vacuum.
Lay the hose straight on the floor. Look through one side of the hose. If you can not see the other side then it is clogged. You can also drop coin or marble to check as you did with the wand.
To unclog the hose, shake it and see if that unclogged the hose. If it doesn’t unclog it then take a mop handle or blunt stick and push the clog out of the hose.
Do not put anything sharp inside the hose. Any sharp object can harm the hose. If the hose gets harmed you have to replace it. Some vacuum like the shark rotator has wiring in the hose. So you have to be careful while removing the clog with a blunt stick.
If your vacuum is a bag model, then the entrance hole of the bag can also get clogged. So check that too.
Every vacuum hose is a little different. Here you will find how to detach some of the vacuum’s hose and clean the hose step by step.
Shark Vacuum Hose
Shark vacuum hose is easy to detach. There are 2 buttons to detach the vacuum hose. Press one and release one side of the hose then press the other one to release the other side of the hose.
Then you can check and unclog the vacuum hose.
Hoover Vacuum Hose
Hoover vacuum hose one switch to detach the top of the hose. You need to twist and pull out the other end of the hose to detach it.
Dyson Vacuum Hose
Dyson vacuum hose is not as long as the other ones. In order to remove it, first, you have to remove the wand. Just tilt and pull out the wand.
Then you will gain access to the hose. Remove the dust canister from the front of the vacuum. You will find a red button to release the hose behind the canister. Press it and pull out the hose.
How to Unclog a Central Vacuum?
The central vacuum has a main vacuuming unit. From that, all house is covered with a pipe. So it is possible to get the line clogged.
It may look like it is going to be hard to unclog the central vacuum. It is not too hard to do but it is expensive to call the service. With a little knowledge, you can unclog it yourself and save some money.
You need a power vac vacuum. You can buy it from any retail store that sells it. It costs about 30 bucks.
After you get the machine, first, you have to figure out which outlet is the closest to the clog. It is usually in the closest outlet to the central vacuum.
Just turn on the vacuum and check suction on every outlet. The clogged outlet will have less suction than the other ones.
After figuring out the clogged outlet, use your power vac to reverse suck the clogged item out from the front. You may need to alternate between central and power vac to loosen the clog.
Do this a few times for 10 to 15 seconds. This way you will be able to get the clog out of the central vacuum pretty easily.
How to Get a Sock Out of a Vacuum Hose?
Removing a sock is the same as unclogging the vacuum. Socks are one of the most common items that clog the vacuum.
So, just check each part of the vacuum one by one to figure out which part of the vacuum is clogged. If it is in the hose then you can follow the steps above to unclog the hose.
Another way to remove the sock from the hose is, turning on the vacuum and pull the hose to straight it one portion at a time. You can take the sock out of the hose this way.
You can also use water to make the sock heavy and make it fall off from inside the vacuum. Just make sure that it doesn’t have any wiring in that part or it may damage the vacuum.
FAQ
Q: Will this unclogging tip work with any vacuum?
Ans: Yes it will as long as you can detach the hose from the vacuum properly.
Q: Can I use hot water in the hose to unclog the sock?
Ans: Yes you can.
Conclusion
Unclogging a vacuum is not hard. You have to unclog frequently if you are using the vacuum on regular basis. There are some precautions you can take to reduce the clogging problem.
By following this article you can clear any clogging problem you have in your vacuum and clean your house properly.
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