How often to replace vacuum? – Vacuums are essential to maintaining a clean and orderly home, but if your vacuum is damaged or outdated, you’re in for trouble. There are several reasons why a vacuum could cease operating, so it’s crucial to understand when your vacuum is beyond repair. Equally significant is the value of learning how to prolong the life of your vacuum before replacing it.
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How long do vacuum cleaners last?
The average lifespan of a vacuum cleaner is eight years, according to Consumer Reports. But not only does brand matter; so does how you use the product. You won’t use your vacuum nearly as frequently as a family of five with two pets in a 3,000-square-foot house if you live alone in a small one-bedroom apartment.
Therefore, it could be time to upgrade if your vacuum is more than eight years old and has seen a lot of use.
There are some things you can do to try and rescue your old vacuum, at least for a time, if you’re not ready to give up on ol’ trusty or want to halt its decline while you save for the vacuum of your dreams.
How often to replace vacuum? Vacuum cleaner lifespan
Depending on how well you take care of them, you may anticipate robot vacuums to last between three and five years.
You should also pick up any cords that are on the ground and take out anything that the robot vacuum becomes stuck on if you want it to last for years. These strange items have a tendency to wear out the brushes over time and may even losen a sensor.
Is it time to replace your vacuum?
If your vacuum cleaner doesn’t pick up dirt as well as it should, it’s easy to think you need a new one. But just because your vacuum is a few years old and has been used a lot doesn’t mean you should throw it away yet.
Before you spend several hundred dollars on a new vacuum, think about how much it would cost to fix the one you already have. There’s a good chance it’s just clogged or needs a new part, which are easy and cheap fixes.
Even if you try to fix the problem for a while and then find out that the vacuum needs to be replaced, you won’t have lost more than a few hours of your time.
- Make sure that the hoses are not blocked. If you find a clog, there is a simple way to get rid of it quickly.
- Check the filter, clean it or get a new one. If the filter gets clogged, it will slow down the air flow and make it hard to pick up dust and dirt. Maybe all your vacuum needs is a new filter.
- Also, you should clean your vacuum every so often. It’s easy to forget, so if the filter is dirty when you check it, it’s likely that the rest of the vacuum needs a good scrub as well.
- Now look at the belt. This is a big deal. The drive belts can get too long, dry out, or move out of place.
- Changing these belts is a cheap and easy fix that could make your vacuum work like it did when you first got it.
5 signs that you need a new vacuum
It’s older than 4 years.
A mid-range vacuum cleaner will last for about six years on average. Things like clogged filters, stuck brush rolls, frayed hoses, and broken accessories can be fixed or replaced by the owner. But if your vacuum cleaner has a major problem, like a broken switch or a burned-out motor, you’ll have to pay for repairs or a new one.
When your vacuum is more than three years old, repairs and replacement parts can cost as much as a new vacuum, especially for cheaper models. But repairing a more expensive model can be worth it, so it’s a good idea to look into it.
Of course, repair and replacement costs aren’t the only thing to think about. You also have to think about how putting appliances in a landfill affects the environment. Replacement should always be the last option, but you should think about whether it’s worth fixing a cheap machine that has probably reached the end of its useful life.
When your vacuum is more than three years old, repairs and replacement parts can cost as much as a new vacuum, especially for cheaper models.
But before you get out the screwdrivers, you should always read the manual first. And before you get all MacGyver on, make sure you know if any work you do yourself will void your warranty.
It’s not bad
A vacuum’s only job is to pick up dirt and other things from the floor. If your vacuum’s suction is losing power, don’t panic. There are a few things to check before you start looking for a new one.
Loss of suction could be caused by things like a blockage in the hose. Usually, all you have to do to check for blockages is take apart the parts that come apart and look for them. Or maybe the bag or dust container is full and needs to be emptied.
Failing filter?
Also, check the filter. If it’s dirty or clogged, the suction won’t work as well. Just make sure you know what kind of filters your machine has before you try to clean them. For example, HEPA filters can’t be washed, but they can be brushed to get rid of buildup. You might find that changing the filters breathes new life into your machine.
But if you’ve tried everything and your vacuum still doesn’t work, it might be time to buy a new one.
It is louder than a freight train
There is no such thing as a vacuum cleaner that doesn’t make noise. But if the noise seems too loud or you hear sounds you haven’t heard before, it might be time to get a quieter vacuum.
Most modern vacuums aren’t too loud, but some are quieter than others. When we test vacuums, we measure how loud they are at the highest power setting.
The machine that made the least noise in our tests was 63dB, and the one that made the most noise was 82dB. Comparatively, a normal conversation is about 60dB, while city traffic is about 80dB.
You want to be up-to-date.
Do you agree that a vacuum cleaner is a pretty simple machine? Turn it on, let it pick up dust, empty the bag, and put it away. Your floors will be clean for days.
Well, things aren’t quite that simple. As technology for vacuum cleaners changes, so does how well they work. So the Hoover your parents had in the 1970s was a cutting-edge piece of technology, but it’s almost a relic now.
Stick vacuums
Before, stick vacuums were only good for quick clean-ups between big vacuuming jobs (i.e. with a barrel or upright vac). But since Dyson said in 2018 that it would stop making corded vacuums, it’s possible that the traditional vacuum is on its way out.
Before you get rid of your barrel vacuum, though, make sure you buy a good stick vacuum. We’ve found that the only stick vacuums that can do a better job than traditional barrel and upright vacuums are the more expensive ones.
Only more expensive stick vacuums can do a better job than traditional barrel and upright vacuums.
Battery performance is also getting better, so if your old stick vacuum won’t hold a charge anymore, you could try upgrading the battery (if that’s possible with your model). But if that doesn’t work, you might need to buy something newer that has a longer battery life.
Still, batteries need to be charged for an average of 4.5 hours to work for 13 minutes at full power, so a new vacuum may not be the answer to all your problems. Check out our reviews of stick vacuums to get the full story.
Robot vacuums
A robot vacuum cleaner is just what you need to feel like you’re living in the future. They work best in certain kinds of homes, though, so if you have carpet and a lot of stairs, they might not be for you.
But if you use them every day, they can keep hard floors clean enough, though you’ll probably still need to use your regular vacuum once in a while to do a more thorough job. Do you want to buy a robovac? Find out more by reading our guide on how to buy the best robot vacuum cleaner.
You have new needs
Just got a furry friend with long hair? How adorable! But how will you take care of all that fur?
You might have moved from a four-bedroom house with carpet to an apartment with hardwood floors. In that case, your super-strong upright vacuum is probably going to be too strong for your new home. And if your mobility has changed, you’ll need a machine that’s easier to use and lighter.
Maybe you just had a baby and want to replace your noisy old vacuum with one that isn’t as loud and won’t wake up the baby during nap time. Or, maybe your child has allergies and you need a HEPA vacuum to get rid of dust mites, pollen, and pet dander.
How Can I Keep My Vacuum Working Longer?
Like any other item, your vacuum needs maintenance if you want to get the most use out of it. Your vacuum needs to be maintained in a number of ways, all of which are crucial. For instance, to prevent clogging and keep your vacuum in peak condition, empty the bag or bin before it is totally full.
A minimum of once a year, if not more frequently, you should also clean the inside of your vacuum. Cleaning the tool you use for cleaning may seem absurd, but sometimes all your vacuum needs is a good scouring to get it back in working order.
It’s always a good idea to review your manual for further cleaning advice because some models can have additional cleaning suggestions. Additionally, always use safe cleaning techniques. For example, you can use dish soap on a few machine parts, but make sure to let them air dry before reinstalling; otherwise, you run the risk of electrocution.
Here is a great video on how to clean and maintain a robot vacuum…
Wrap up
Whatever your circumstance, lifestyle changes could mean that your present vacuum simply isn’t functional for you any longer. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of each type of vacuum before making a purchase. To be sure you’re choosing the best vacuum for you, read Best Vacuum Cleaning‘s reviews of several models.
