Signs That You Should Replace Your Vacuum Cleaner: Vacuum Tips & Tricks

Vacuum cleaners are stalwart devices that can last for several years at a time. But eventually, your old best rated vacuum at the time would have to be replaced with a newer, better model.

But how do you know exactly when the time is?

Here are a couple of signs that can help you determine when to switch out your old (but good vacuum cleaner) for a new best vacuum cleaner on the market.

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• How Long Do Vacuum Cleaners Usually Last?

First, let’s talk about the atypical longevity of a vacuum cleaner.

Vacuum cleaners can last an incredibly long time. According to a survey, the average vacuum can serve for north of 8 years before failing. So if your vacuum is close, equal to, or already exceeding this 8-year mark, it’s best that you start to shop for a replacement instead of holding onto it.

But this survey is most likely conducted on corded vacuums. Because of the limitation of their battery, cordless vacuum cleaners could need a replacement far quicker, especially if the vacuum doesn’t allow you to change out the battery or there aren’t replacement batteries available.

According to many estimates, a cordless vacuum can only serve between 3 to 5 years at best.

• How to Tell If Your Vacuum Is Due For A Replacement

The most telling symptom of a failing vacuum is decreased performance. If you feel like the vacuum doesn’t seem to suck up as much dirt and debris like it used to, it’s a good sign of an upcoming replacement.

Second sign is more obvious: if your vacuum is falling apart or has accumulated a lot of physical damages, you really should consider replacing it.

It’s not uncommon for old vacuums to have missing components or have a lot of dents and cracks on the body. This isn’t as benign as it would seem. Vacuum cleaners with a compromised body can potentially leak dirt, debris, and other unpleasant particles like allergens back into the environment. Vacuuming with such a machine could actually be worse for your health than not vacuuming at all.

And if you have a cordless vacuum, the most common issue that would prompt a replacement is a failing battery. The battery can either stop holding a charge altogether (leading to the vacuum not turning on when the power button is pressed) or provides less power than it once did.

Battery life degradation is completely normal and happens to every battery-run appliance and device, so don’t worry too much about safety.

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• What You Can Do to Extend the Life Of Your Old Vacuum

There are a few things you can do to juice out a few more months of use out of your old vacuum before you get a new one.

• Check the Air Filters

First, check the air filter to see if it has become too dirty. A dirt-caked filter can prevent airflow from passing through, minimizing the vacuum’s suction output.

To fix this, you can try to gently clean the filter yourself with an old toothbrush. For filters that are washable, you can put them under tap water to wash out all of the grimes.

Your other choice is to buy a replacement filter. It’s a bit expensive (especially for HEPA filters) but you can get a few more months out of the vacuum.

• Check For Clogs

See if there are any clogs inside of the suction hose. Clogs obstruct the suction flow and decrease the vacuum’s performance. Take them out, free the vacuum’s airway, and you will see observable improvements in performance almost immediately.

• Replace the Battery

If your cordless vacuum’s battery is replaceable and there are replacement batteries available, replace it yourself if you still want to hold onto your cordless!

The procedure is typically very easy and the manufacturer will have detailed instructions inside of the user’s manual.

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Conclusion

Spending a few hundreds on a new vacuum cleaner is, understandably, not an easy decision to make. We hope this guide has given you a clearer idea of what to do next and make the decision-making process less confusing!