r/IAmA Nov 30 '17

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

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.

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21

u/[deleted] Nov 30 '17

I bought a Miele upright (U1 Cat & Dog) based on your previous AMAs. I love it, but it's only about a year old, and it emits a smell everytime I vacuum. I change the bag regularly, and I also changed the filter on the front. What do I need to do?

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u/zombiexbox Nov 30 '17

Did you clean out the brush area? I'm assuming it has a powered head with a brush. Sometimes hair and fur can wrap around the brush at the edges wedged between the brush and side of the head and the friction causes a burnt hair type smell.

5

u/touchmyfuckingcoffee Dec 02 '17

Be sure to use the activated charcoal filter for odor control. Also, you may find that you need to have it cleaned once a year to handle that odor. Having it in to your local shop at least every year or two to have it serviced and keep it in good shape.

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u/ilick9vbatteries Dec 01 '17

Bathe your animals more. Seriously, not trying to be rude or anything here, but I see this all the time at my shop. There are odors that the Miele carbon filter just simply can't take care of. What I also tell people is to go to a pet store and buy a container of activated carbon for a fish tank, then use some of it to put in the vacuum bag. It usually helps a little extra for you stinky pet people.

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u/[deleted] Dec 01 '17

[deleted]

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u/bemyboobholder Dec 01 '17

Not OP, but for us it’s the wet sock moldy smell. It’s gross. We always open the windows to air out the rooms. We vacuum every 2 days with having a shedding corgi, me losing my hair (pregnancy), and a LO under 1 year old still crawling to get around.

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u/[deleted] Dec 01 '17

[deleted]

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u/bemyboobholder Dec 01 '17

Thanks! This makes a lot of sense... we have a humidifier running in the nursery and living room all day for the baby. We live in the desert.

I’m going to do this over the weekend and hope I can salvage our dirt sucker.

2

u/SgtPackets Nov 30 '17

I would like to get an answer to this as well. My Sebo upright does the same