How To Unclog And Clean A Vacuum Hose: 7 DIY Steps At Home

You sweep your house with a vacuum, yet would you wash it? A vacuum, like every device, needs maintenance to function properly.

The hose is a part of the vacuum used for direct cleaning, and it can get sticky with time or jammed and fail unless it’s cleaned or unclogged frequently. That’s why you should learn how to unclog and clean a vacuum hose. 

How To Unclog And Clean A Vacuum Hose
How To Unclog And Clean A Vacuum Hose

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How Often Do You Need To Clean A Vacuum Hose?

You can wash the hose at least once per month, based on how much you use it. If you’ve just used your vacuum cleaner to deep clean the whole house, unclogging the hose will be necessary because it might be clogged.

If you only use your vacuum once in a while, you should wash the hose every 2 months.

When Do You Need to Clean Your Vacuum Hose? 

Carefully inspect the hose to see if it is clogged. The 2 signs below show that your vacuum cleaner hose needs to be cleaned:

1. Foul Odor

Firstly, a foul odor indicates a clogged hose. Dirt and food crumbs can clog the tube as they go up the vacuum cleaner. They build up in the confined space over time and begin to rot.

That’s where the hose starts to stink, signaling that it’s time for you to start cleaning.

2. Suction Loss

Most of the time, if your vacuum hose is clogged, it would be noticeable. There would be a lack of suction, making it difficult to pick up soil and gravel. When you use your cleaner, keep an eye out for it spraying dust or making an odd noise. If the hose vomits dust, clean it right away.

None of these issues, nevertheless, indicate that the hose needs to be replaced. It can be brought back to life with a quick washing. Just replace the hose if there is a tear or a hole in the tubing that leads to air leakage.

7 Steps To Unclog And Clean A Vacuum Hose (How To Unclog And Clean A Vacuum Hose)

  1. Remove the hose. It’s typically about twisting the hose out or clicking something. Make sure the vacuum isn’t plugged into a power source. You’ll stop unpleasant surprises or the vacuum turning on unexpectedly when you’re trying to detach the hose.
  2. Unclog and clean dirt. To force some clumps out from within, use something thin and long. For this, we consider using the handle of a broom or mop. They can drive something stuck in the center that is difficult to reach.
  3. Wash the Hose. Fill your kitchen or bathroom sink with hot water and add a few drops of dish soap to it. Place the hose in the water and make sure it’s thoroughly soaked. 

Check this video for further understanding: 

    1. Sanitize. Combine two cups of vinegar and one liter of water to make a mixture. Then, add half a cup of baking soda to the mix and stir until the powder is fully dissolved. Pour the liquid down the hose. Don’t be alarmed if the mixture fizzes; that’s just the baking soda reacting with the vinegar’s acetic acid.
    2. Clean with a clean bottle brush. It will help reach into the inside of the folds to get rid of stubborn dirt.
    3. Rinse again. Allow the water to flow through the hose to clean away any debris or dirt that has accumulated. Keep the hose in something like U – shaped if possible. Shake the water until it flows out the other end.
  • Let the hose dry.

How To Prevent The Hose Vacuum From Clogging Again

These basic guidelines will assist you in keeping your central vacuum hose clear of clogs.

  • Before vacuuming, gather up some big pieces.
  • Vacuum what you can find: If you’re about to vacuum under the bunk, check to see if there are any socks hidden there.
  • A vacuum cleaner with attachment: The attachments are thinner than the wands, and the hose is thinner than the attachments, preventing clogging.
  • Light, dense debris such as shredded paper, ground-up foam, and other similar items should be swept up as best as possible first, then vacuumed carefully to avoid sucking it all in at once.

Read More:

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FAQs

How long should a vacuum cleaner last?

Vacuum cleaners, on average, last eight years, according to Consumer Reports. However, not only does the longevity vary by brand, but also by how you use it. If you live alone in a tiny one-bedroom apartment, you won’t use the vacuum almost as much as a family of five in a 4,000-square-foot house with pets.

If your vacuum is more than eight years old and has been used a lot, it’s probably time to replace it.

How To Unclog And Clean A Vacuum Hose
How To Unclog And Clean A Vacuum Hose

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How to know it’s time to replace your vacuum cleaner?

  • Check to see if the hoses are clogged. If you come across a clog, there’s a simple way to get rid of it quickly.
  • Replace or clean the filter. A clogged filter can limit airflow, resulting in insufficient suction to collect dust and debris. Your vacuum can only require a basic filter adjustment.
  • It’s also a good idea to dust the vacuum once in a while. When you search the cleaner, if it’s dusty, the rest of the vacuum might need a good scrubbing as well. You’ll be astounded by what a thorough cleaning will do.
  • Examine the drive belt. Drive belts can stretch, dry rot, or fall loose from their tracks. Replacing the drive belt is a simple and inexpensive repair that might bring your vacuum back to life.

How do I fix the vacuum hose?

If the leak is located near the hose:

  • Remove the plastic plug and use a knife to remove an inch of hose from the leak.
  • Reconnect to the cleaner after putting the plastic plug on the new end.

If your vacuum cleaner has a machine installed connector: 

  • To spread out the broken spot, apply the powder to a portion of the broom handle and slip it inside the hose.
  • The broom handle extends the hosepipe, allowing you to see and cover the ground easily.
  • To stop this, sprinkle flour on the floor and dry it with your vacuum cleaner. This move would therefore ensure that you have correctly fixed the leak and that it is now dry.

Conclusion

So now you are a master of unclogging and cleaning a vacuum hose. These tips will be helpful if one day you find your vacuum no longer works properly. Try them out, and keep your house free of dirt!