Here are six things you should never do with your vacuum cleaner. But this can be a big mistake. These hard objects can cause serious damage to the interior of the machine or become lodged in areas where it will be difficult to remove. True, such a mistake may not ruin the vacuum cleaner every time, and some machines are pretty good at accepting this kind of abuse, but one time can be more than enough to ruin an expensive vacuum cleaner. Avoid the risk, and always pick up hard objects manually. Wet-dry vacuums, also known as shop vacs, on the other hand, are specially designed to pick up water and other liquids without risking your life or that of the machine. Wet-dry vacuums are relatively inexpensive and can be a great addition for those emergency situations where you need to vacuum up spills or puddles. But never use a regular vacuum cleaner to do this job. If you notice the vacuum cleaner doesn’t seem to have as much suction, check the bag or bin first. Most of the time, emptying these can make a huge difference in how well your vacuum is operating. Regular emptying will also reduce stress on the motor, thereby lengthening the life of the machine. First, try checking the dust bin or bag. When full or nearly full, many vacuum cleaners will begin to perform poorly. If emptying that doesn’t work, you may have a blockage in the vacuum cleaner. Unplug the machine, and do some detective work. Is the hose blocked? What about the openings where the hose goes into the machine? Is the brush roll turning freely, or is there a build-up of hair and carpet fibers that needs to be removed? Cleaning the brush roll can magically rejuvenate a vacuum cleaner. Regular inspection and maintenance of your vacuum cleaner will keep it running like brand new. But it’s more likely that the vacuum cleaner motor has simply overheated due to a full dust bin or bag or that hair or fibers have locked up the brush roll and caused overheating. Check for these issues as well as for clogs, and then try to turn the machine back on. Your vacuum may have an automatic shutoff feature that shuts down the motor when it overheats; it may start back up once it cools down. Be aware that some models have a manual reset button that needs to be pushed in order to reset the motor. Refer to your manufacturer for instructions on how to reset your model. To prevent such shut-downs, regularly inspect the various parts of the machine: dust bin or bag, hoses, hose connections, and the brush roll.
