The most important filter in your vacuum. How to tell if it's washable, the correct rinse method, 48-hour drying rule, and when to replace rather than clean.
- Confirm washable vs non-washable before getting it wet
- Cold water rinse only — no soap, no scrubbing
- 48 hours minimum to dry completely
- Replace if grey, compressed, or structurally damaged
The most neglected filter on any vacuum. Located between the dustbin and motor — it saturates silently over weeks, causing gradual suction loss most people never trace back to the source.
- Remove and tap firmly over a bin to dislodge dust
- Rinse if washable, replace if not
- 24 hours to dry before reinstalling
Hair and thread wrapped around the brush roll is the #1 cause of belt failure and the most common reason carpet pickup degrades. Use scissors — never pull hair without cutting first.
- Cut hair parallel to the roll in 3–4 spots
- Spin by hand — should rotate freely
- Check end-cap bearings for grit or roughness
Hoses accumulate partial blockages and develop cracks that leak suction silently. A quick quarterly flush and visual inspection prevents both problems before they become failures.
- Detach hose and check both ends for debris
- Flush with warm water and hang to drain
- Run your hand along the full length checking for cracks
Empty at the fill line — not when overflowing. A bin over two-thirds full reduces suction by 40–60%. The bin gasket and inlet screen also need regular attention to prevent air leaks and odour.
- Empty bagless bins at the marked fill line
- Replace bags at half-to-two-thirds full
- Check the bin seal for cracks monthly
Every maintenance task across all vacuum types in one printable reference. Daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual tasks — organised by vacuum type so you only see what applies to your machine.
- Covers upright, canister, robot, cordless, wet/dry, central
- Printable format — keep it on the fridge
- Includes cost estimates for replaceable parts