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Use and Maintenance Troubleshooting

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Problem: The vacuum is not picking up dirt.

First of all, don’t give up after one try. Go back and forth over the dirt spot a few times and make sure that the vacuum truly is not picking up anything. Once you have done this, open up the canister and see if your bag is full; if it is, change your bag and try vacuuming again. If the bag is not the problem, look at the vacuum belt—is it broken or worn? If so, you should either take your vacuum to a repairman or to purchase a new belt and install it yourself. If it is neither the bag nor the belt, look for clogs in the vacuum and the hose that block the airflow, and clear any blockages. If, after all this investigation, you still aren’t able to determine the problem, call the customer service line of your vacuum’s manufacturer or take the vacuum to a repair specialist.

Problem: When should I change my bag?

If your vacuum is picking up dirt more slowly than usual or not at all, you likely need a new bag. Open the canister, and examine the bag. Most bags have an indicator line printed on them, so determine whether the dirt in your bag has reached the indicator line. For the most part, as long as your vacuum is picking up dirt, you don’t need to change your bag. It is a good idea, however, to check your bag occasionally to make sure it fills. If your bag never seems to fill, you could be simply picking up dirt and dispelling it elsewhere, so go ahead and change your bag, being careful to install the new one correctly.

Problem: Carpet Stains

In general, if you want to clean your carpet, work on the tough spots first, and then vacuum the area as a final step. Oreck, one of the leading vacuum manufacturers, recommends that when you have a fresh stain on your carpet, you should spray a carrpet stain remover product over the stain. After allowing time for the product to sink in, blot it out with a damp cloth, allow it to air dry, and then vacuum over the area. Depending on the kind of stain, you may need to complete this process several times, but eventually, the carpet should come clean.

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