How Often to Replace Your Vacuum

How long does a vacuum cleaner last?

What factors will impact the longevity of a vacuum cleaner?

• The age of the appliance: The older your vacuum is, the more wear it likely has. Just like a car, years and years of powering the motor within the appliance will weaken the motor's strength over time. This decline, in turn, affects the suction power.
• The brand/model of the appliance: No vacuum brand is the same. Each manufacturer uses its own unique engineering and design to provide you with a top-notch cleaning appliance. That being said, some vacuums are better than others. And this quality relies on the brand's efforts to create the best vacuuming performance possible. We recommend taking a look at the cleaning technologies each manufacturer offers to see if the brand can provide you with a vacuum that meets all of your home's needs. Currently, Abt carries vacuums from Bissell, Miele, Dyson, iRobot, LG, Eufy, Samsung and Electrolux.
• The size of your home: The larger your home is, the more work your vacuum will have to do to clean it. If you live in a smaller apartment or condo, your vacuum will have to work less and in turn, it may last longer. Let's say someone living in a multi-level home purchases the exact same vacuum cleaner. Because this homeowner will have several rooms to clean regularly, their vacuum may need to be replaced much sooner than the typical apartment renter.
• Frequency of use: The frequency of use factor is closely related to the size of your home factor above. Why? Because larger spaces are often used to house more people. If you take the size of your physical space out of the equation altogether, we can instead look at the people in your household. No matter how neat and organized you are, all humans make a mess. It's natural. That being said, those living alone will only have to clean up after themselves. Those living with roommates, family, children or pets will have more dirt and dander sources in the home. More dirt and dander means more vacuuming, more often. And more vacuuming means more wear and tear on your appliance.
• Proper vacuum cleaner maintenance: Maintenance refers to both appliance fixes/repairs and appliance cleaning. Yes, that's right. Even your vacuum cleaner must be cleaned every once in a while to continue delivering top-notch floor care. How often you should clean your vacuum is dependent on the type of vacuum you have, so we suggest looking at your appliance manual or the manufacturer's site to check. Repairing your vacuum or replacing parts can be a simple process for the first few years of owning your appliance. But after three to four years of use, these repairs can sometimes cost the same as a whole new vacuum.

Before You Get Rid Of Your Vacuum Cleaner: A Checklist

• Check the drive belt: The drive belt is a vacuum component that's often located on the underside of your appliance (refer to your product manual for more help finding this feature). Over time, drive belts can come off the track, experience dry rot or stretch out from frequent use. If you notice this kind of distress on the drive belt, replacing the belt could save your entire vacuum (plus it's an easy and cheap fix).
• Check that the hoses are not clogged: Some vacuums (most often canister and upright models) feature a hose with a cleaning attachment that sucks up debris. If your vacuum has this hose and you're noticing a declined performance, there's a good chance your hose could be clogged with things like dust, dirt, hair and grime. Luckily, these hoses can be easily declogged and cleaned at home.
• Clean or replace the filter: The filter within your vacuum cleaner needs to be cleaned regularly. Why? Because a dirty, clogged filter can restrict air flow, reducing the suction your vacuum needs to pick up dirt and dust. The frequency at which you clean it, though, is dependent on what type of filter your appliance has. Most modern vacuums contain HEPA filters, which require cleaning every one to three months and a full replacement every six months. Check out the vacuum filters available at Abt to see if we carry one designed for your appliance.
• Do a deep clean of your vacuum: Because vacuums are cleaning appliances themselves, some users may not think they need a lot of cleaning themselves. This is not the case. Even if you're cleaning/replacing the filter regularly, there are plenty of other components in the vacuum that can get dirty and inhibit performance. These components include the dust canister, the cleaning head, the hose and the roller brush.

What are the signs that it's time to replace my vacuum cleaner?

• Loss of suction: Pay attention to your floor after you've already run the vacuum cleaner over it. Is the vacuum still leaving behind dirt and debris? This may be a sign that your appliance is losing suction power. There are many reasons this decline could occur, whether it's a damaged motor or a worn-out brush roll. We recommend cleaning your vacuum and replacing broken parts, if possible. If your vacuum is still struggling to provide good suction afterward, it's time to start shopping for a new model.
• Your vacuum gets clogged easily: It's fairly normal for your vacuum cleaner to get clogged every now and then, especially if you live in a home with pets or people with longer hair. However, if your vacuum gets clogged pretty frequently during cleaning jobs both big and small, this could be a sign your appliance is coming to the end of its lifespan. The cause of clogging is often a lack of filter maintenance. Leaving debris in the filter can cause irreversible damage to your vacuum.
• Overheating: When the motor within your vacuum cleaner starts struggling to operate at its full capacity, it can cause your appliance to overheat. Often, your vacuum will automatically shut off as soon as it senses this heat. Older models may not have this built-in safety feature, so the minute you notice your vacuum is overheating, we recommend turning off the appliance immediately to prevent any health risks or an accidental fire. Consistent overheating will take a toll on your vacuum, so if your model starts overheating frequently, it's time to get a new vacuum.
• Abnormal noises: Most users know that vacuums make a dull humming or whirring sound as they clean your floor. Should this noise get any louder or stranger, your appliance may have a mechanical issue. For example, if your model begins making a grinding noise, that's a surefire sign you need a new vacuum. Unusual vacuum sounds can be attributed to loose parts, damaged bearings or a worn-out motor.
• Abnormal smells: In a similar vein, vacuums can also emit foul odors when they come to the end of their lifespan. Many users may attempt to clean the filter or the entire vacuum to dispel these odors, but if the smoking/burning smells and other unpleasant odors persist, your appliance could have a serious problem. These smells can indicate a buildup of bacteria, mold or dirt within the vacuum's components and ultimately, they can cause allergic reactions. Not to mention, they're a fire hazard. A full vacuum replacement is the best option.
• You own an outdated vacuum: What exactly is an "outdated" vacuum? It's a floor care appliance that comes from an older product line or an appliance that's been discontinued by the manufacturer altogether. There are two reasons why owning an outdated vacuum should drive you to invest in something new. First, if a specific part or component should break, replacement parts will become harder to find the older your vacuum is. Second, you could enjoy a more advanced and more efficient cleaning performance. Floor care technology is constantly evolving so it's likely you could be enjoying enhanced suction power, better filtration and more improved features overall if you upgraded to the newest generation.

Shop For A Vacuum Replacement At Abt