Matti, a Veteran Home Appliance Repairman, on How People Break Their Vacuums: “It’s Immediately Noticeable”

The IMURI is a bit different from other household appliances in that it doesn’t require regular annual maintenance. Even so, vacuum cleaners have their work cut out for them. Matti Vähämäki, the managing director of Helsinki-based Huoltoliike Berghäll Oy, says this is often because of user error.

Vähämäki, who’s been servicing household appliances for 20 years, says vacuum cleaners need servicing almost every day. There are both old and new vacuum cleaners, and most of them are under warranty, which means they’re less than two years old.

Common Issues with Corded Vacuum Cleaners

When it comes to corded vacuum cleaners, it’s pretty clear why maintenance is often needed. “The cord has been pulled and broken,” Vähämäki says. Another thing that can cause problems is using the wrong kind of dust bag. If the dust gets past the bag, it can cause the motor to break down.

“If you see dust that’s passed through the bag, it’s time for a service. If you react quickly enough, you can probably get the dust cleaned up before the motor breaks down,” says Vähämäki. He adds that there’s a 95% chance that a blockage in a hose or pipe is the reason for the vacuum cleaner’s reduced performance.

Misconceptions About Vacuum Cleaners

It’s not normal for a vacuum cleaner to lose suction power over time. There’s always a reason why this happens. A vacuum cleaner either works or it doesn’t.

Here are a few reasons why you should get your vacuum cleaner serviced, even the cordless ones:

• High Expectations: Many people often have high expectations for their vacuum cleaners. “I don’t think they’re a substitute for a regular vacuum cleaner. Of course, someone living in a small studio apartment without a pet can get by with a cordless vacuum. Otherwise, I see it as just another tool for quickly vacuuming a specific area,” Vähämäki says.
• Clogged Filter: One of the most common maintenance issues with vacuum cleaners is a clogged filter. “We get steam vacuum cleaners for servicing, and people complain about their suction power. When I open the vacuum cleaner, I see that the filter is completely blocked. It’s often not cleaned at all, or people just don’t know how to do it properly.”

Expert Advice on Vacuum Cleaner Maintenance

The expert’s advice is to get to know your vacuum cleaner inside out. For instance, some folks think there’s just one filter. But the user manual might show that there are actually three or four filters in different places. Vähämäki also notes that the filters in bagless vacuums are often waterproof. Once you’ve washed them, you’ll need to let them dry before you can get back to vacuuming. Otherwise, it might stop working.

“It’d be a good idea to have an extra filter in the cupboard so you can keep vacuuming without interruption,” Vähämäki says. If you want your vacuum cleaner to last as long as possible, it’s also worth thinking about where you use it at home.

Proper Usage Tips

Vähämäki says it’s best not to vacuum on the balcony, in the bathroom, or around a pet’s water bowl. Even if the bathroom looks dry, there may still be water in the seams. If you pull a vacuum cleaner over a well, it’ll suck up water from there. As a minimum, you should make sure that the surfaces are completely dry before you start vacuuming.

If there’s water in the vacuum cleaner, you’ll know right away. If the vacuum cleaner smells like a cellar or mold, it’s a sure sign that water has gotten in. “You’ll know right away. At that point, the motor is usually already broken, so the only solution is maintenance.”

Real-life Examples

One time, a dad brought us his daughter’s vacuum cleaner, which had been sucking water. We swapped out the motor. Just a month later, the same vacuum cleaner was brought in for service with the same problem. If your vacuum cleaner smells like a basement or moldy, it’s a pretty safe bet that water has got in there.

Aside from water, there are other things that can break your vacuum cleaner if they get inside. One time in our service room, the smell got pretty bad. The culprit was a vacuum cleaner that had been sent in for servicing by post. “It had apparently been vacuuming an ashtray, or at least it looked and smelled like one,” Vähämäki is keen to stress the importance of common sense.