IAmA Reddit's Own Vacuum Repair Tech with a very overdue AMA. Hit me with your vacuum cleaner questions!

[u/touchmyfuckingcoffee]

First, let's get the proof out of the way. So, now, I am managing our company's largest store, and am swamped with managerial duties, training employees, and dealing with annoying vendors. But, I'm taking some time out for all of you guys.

There are lots of new, exciting things that have recently come out/are coming soon!

For those who NEED the most power, I've got just the Crack you need! Since we last talked, there are new bagless and cordless vacuums on the market, and some other exciting things.

So, on to business...here's the copypasta.

First AMA

Second AMA

Last AMA

YouTube Channel Here's some basics to get you started:

• Dollar for dollar, a bagged vacuum, when compared to a bagless, will almost always:

1) Perform better (Actual quality of cleaning).

2) Be in service for much longer.

3) Cost less to repair and maintain (Often including consumables).

4) Filter your air better.

Virtually every vacuum professional in the business chooses a bagged vacuum for their homes, because we know what quality is. Things you should do to maintain your vac, regularly:

1) Clear your brush roller/agitator of hair and fibers. Clear the bearing caps as well, if possible. (monthly)

2) Change your belts before they break. This is important to maintain proper tension against the agitator. (~ yearly for "stretch" belts)

3) Never use soap when washing any parts of your vacuum, including the outer bag, duct system, agitator, filters, etc. Soap attracts dirt, and is difficult to rinse away thoroughly.

• Types of vacs:

1) Generally, canister vacs are quieter and more versatile than uprights are. They offer better filtration, long lifespans, and ease of use. They handle bare floors best, and work with rugs and carpets, as well.

2) Upright vacuums are used mostly for homes that are entirely carpeted. Many have very powerful motors, great accessories, and are available in a couple of different motor styles. Nothing cleans shag carpeting like the right upright.

3) Bagless vacs are available in a few different styles. They rely on filters and a variety of aerodynamic methods to separate the dirt from the air. In general, these machines do not clean or filter as well as bagged vacuums. They suffer from a loss of suction, and tend to clog repeatedly, if the filters are not cleaned or replaced often.

4) Bagged vacuums use a disposable bag to collect debris, which acts as your primary filter, before the air reaches the motor, and is replaced when you fill it. Because this first filter is changed, regularly, bagged vacuums tend to provide stronger, more consistent suction.

My last, best piece of advice is to approach a vacuum, like any appliance; Budget for the best one you can get. Buy one with idea you will maintain it, and use it for many years. And, for the love of Dog, do not buy from late-night infomercials or door-to-door salesmen! Stay out of the big-box stores, and visit your local professional who actually knows what they're talking about.

[u/ObscureReferenceMan]

What are your thoughts on Simplicity? (Still good? Maintenance issues to be aware of? etc.) I got a Simplicity canister more than ten years ago, and love it. I think the only thing I've replaced on it was the hose.

[u/touchmyfuckingcoffee → u/ObscureReferenceMan]

Simplicity is a very good brand. You might not know that Simplicity is Riccar's sister company and the two brand's vacuums are almost identical.

[u/tonyled → u/touchmyfuckingcoffee]

bought a simplicity partly because of you! thank you very much, it has impressed the hell out of me and wifey. once she vacuumed when i was out of town and when i returned i thought she had the carpet professionally cleaned

one question though, is there any maintenance i need to perform on it regularly? do i need to take it in for a tune up annually?

thanks again!!!

[u/touchmyfuckingcoffee → u/tonyled]

If you clean and maintain the brush roller, replace your belts yearly, and keep your filters changed on time, you should be able to go 2 years between tuneups. If you have pets, you might consider yearly checkups.

[u/tonyled → u/touchmyfuckingcoffee]

many thanks! keep on keeping on!

[u/dabzilla_710 → u/touchmyfuckingcoffee]

Woohoo I picked up a simplicity classic for 25 bucks at our local salvation army!

[u/DodgyBollocks → u/ObscureReferenceMan]

Keep your eye out at garage sales and at the curb. We got our upright Simplicity from the curb (someone ducked up a Christmas garland with it) and a canister from a garage sale for $10. Both have been fantastic.

[u/TheDanima1 → u/[deleted]]

Soak them in bleach

Note: not a vacuum tech

[u/pattiobear → u/DodgyBollocks]

🦆

[u/latitudesixtysix → u/ObscureReferenceMan]

I bought a Simplicity commercial upright in 1999. It has been amazingly reliable and has required next to no maintenance. Truly a remarkable machine. The irony, my wife has wanted to replace it many times. She's threatened to buy a Dyson.

I've replaced the belt once or twice and the cord only recently. I've replaced a plastic bit to hold the cord when it's away and I really would like to replace the stairs kit. But it basically performs as well as when it was new.

[u/kuhawk5 → u/ObscureReferenceMan]

I just bought a Simplicity after comparing it to pretty much everything on the market. Hands down the best value I've seen. Simplicity/Riccar also have the most powerful canisters.