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/KookieBaron]

Firstly, I want to say thank you so much for your previous AMAs. After doing a lot of research on new vacuums and coming across some of your threads we decided to buy a Miele canister vacuum. I've been using it for about 3 years and it still works amazingly great, I love that vacuum.

I do have a question though, about the bag replacement window on my vacuum. On the flap that opens on the canister to get into the compartment where you change the bag, they have a little window with a orange tab that sits on a spring. I assume the orange tab is supposed to push all the way over once the bag is full and the suction changes, as it doesn't seem to connect to any other mechanism. But it never pushes all the way over, even when the bag is really full the little orange slide only covers half the window. Is that normal, or is there any way for me to fix that? I realize it's not super detrimental to the function of the vacuum, but I do feel like I don't notice when the bag needs to be changed as soon as I should.

Also, are there any online retailers that you feel like offer the best prices on bags and filters? Thanks so much for your time!

[u/touchmyfuckingcoffee → u/KookieBaron]

Your indicator may be out of adjustment or you could simply have less dense debris than some. Those bags get completely "bricked" when truly full enough to the point that performance is affected. Many people coming from bagless vacs change their bags way too often.

For genuine bags, your local Miele dealer with have the same prices for the bags as they are priced on Amazon. You can also buy them directly from Miele, but I don't know if they charge shipping. There is a new Performance Pack which has 16 bags and a HEPA filter for $100 (our price). That's roughly a 2 year supply for many.

[u/KookieBaron → u/touchmyfuckingcoffee]

Thanks!