Like most home appliances, your vacuum cleaner requires regular upkeep to keep it running efficiently. While you will probably need to take it to a vacuum repair shop—like Kramer’s Sew & Vac Center in Cincinnati, OH—at some point in its lifespan, there are usually a few maintenance tricks you can attempt on your own first.

Below are a few maintenance suggestions you can try out on your vacuum cleaner before taking it in for repairs or having a part replaced:

• Check for Blockages: When your vacuum’s suctioning power starts to decline, the first thing you should do is check the intake hose for blockages. When an item gets clogged up here, it can prevent the line from sucking up dirt and debris as normal. If you don’t notice a blockage in this hose, you should then look in the exhaust ports.
• Clean or Change the Bag: If you’re like most people, you probably don’t change your vacuum bag as often as you should. These bags fill up much quicker than you might realize, and the longer your vacuum is forced to run while using a full bag, the less it is able to pick up. If you notice your vacuum is actually spitting debris back out onto your carpet, a full bag could very easily be the culprit. Although most vacuum cleaners have a light that indicates when the bag is full, it is still a good idea to go ahead and change or empty it before it is completely full.
• Replace Your Filter: Most of today’s vacuum cleaners use a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to help improve your home’s indoor air quality while vacuuming. When filters are changed on time, they help to remove smoke, dust mites, pollen, and other allergens and particles from your home. However, because they tend to last for a long time, many vacuum owners forget they even exist. Suggested time frames for changing the filter include three years after installing it, whenever it becomes heavily soiled (inspect every six months), after a musty odor is detected, or if it becomes damaged.

If your vacuum cleaner continues to have issues after performing these maintenance tips, bring it in to Kramer’s Sew & Vac Center. For more information about their vacuum repair services, call (513) 891-5005. You can also visit their website to view their current vacuums on sale.