How to Unclog an Upright Vacuum Cleaner

Have you ever been vacuuming along when you realize that your vacuum is no longer picking things up? If this happens, the first thing you should do is to determine if the suction is still working and that it is not a problem with the motor. Below are some simple steps to determine if it is in fact a clog and if so, how to unclog it yourself.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Phillips head screwdriver
• Flat head screwdriver
• Longest available heavy duty pipe cleaners
• Wire coat hanger
• Approximately 4 foot long narrow stick such as a broom handle

1. Change the setting on the vacuum cleaner from floor to hose and then turn on the vacuum.

2. If the suction is not working from the hose turn off and unplug the vacuum and then proceed to Step 3. If the suction is working from the hose proceed to Step 6 after turning off and unplugging the vacuum from its power source.

3. If the suction is not working from the hose, disconnect the hose from the vacuum and hold it perpendicular to the floor. This is usually done by twisting the base of the hose and lifting it. Drop a small object such as a marble or a coin into the top. If it doesn’t fall out, use a straightened out wire coat hanger or a long narrow stick such as a broom handle to force the clog out. If it falls out the bottom of the hose then you know that it is not a clog in the hose and proceed to the next step.

4. Next find the opening where the dirt enters the canister and see if a clog is visible. If so, pull out the clog as much as possible with your fingers. If a clog is not visible or if you have cleaned out as much as you can with your fingers, insert a heavy pipe cleaner into the opening until you feel resistance. Now begin to twirl the pipe cleaner about 6 rotations and pull it out of the opening.
   
   Hopefully you will have debris wrapped around the end of the pipe cleaner. Remove the debris and repeat this procedure until you pull out no more debris. If the pipe cleaners you have are not sturdy enough or long enough you can intertwine two or more together.

5. Re-connect the hose, turn on the vacuum and determine if you have suction. If yes, you have successfully unclogged your vacuum. If you still don’t have suction in the hose then proceed with Step 6.

6. Turn the vacuum over and remove the casing over the brush. This usually involves removing a few screws with either a Phillips head or flat tip screwdriver, depending on the type of screw used by the manufacturer. It is usually a Phillips head screw.

7. Now remove the brush assembly.

8. Release the lever so that the vacuum is as flat as it can go.

9. Next, locate the opening where the dirt is sucked into the canister or bag and see if a clog is visible. If so, pull out the clog as much as possible with your fingers. If a clog is not visible, or after you have cleaned out as much as you can with your fingers, insert a heavy pipe cleaner into the opening until you feel resistance.
   
   Now begin to twirl the pipe cleaner about 6 rotations and pull it out of the opening. Hopefully you will have debris wrapped around the end of the pipe cleaner. Remove the debris and repeat this procedure until you retract no more debris. If the pipe cleaners you have are not sturdy enough or long enough you can intertwine two or more together.

10. Replace brush assembly and casing, plug it into its power source and try vacuuming. If it works you have successfully unclogged your vacuum.

Tips & Warnings

• Always unplug the vacuum from the power source before attempting to unclog it.