Vacuum Cleaner Belt Keeps Brushes Turning

Vacuum Cleaner Belt

Cleaning your carpet with a vacuum cleaner can be very effective, but to gain the full potential from the unit’s beater bar you have to have an operational vacuum cleaner belt. Without one that is operation and designed for your machine, the beater bar will not turn and the unit will not work very well.

The way a vacuum cleaner works is that a powerful electric motor, typically 12 amp for most residential models, turns a fan to draw air into the unit, creating suction on the head touching the floor. At the same time a vacuum cleaner belt connects the other end of the motor’s shaft to a beater bar with a brush. As the bar turns it beats the carpet, loosening deep driven dirt and the brushes pull it into the mouth of the vacuum head, which then draws it into the air being sucked in by the vacuum.

When the vacuum cleaner belt slips or breaks, the beater bar and brushes no longer turn, leaving it the suction alone to pull dirt into the sweeper. While it may be successful in picking up some of the dirt it will leave the majority of it on the floor, working a little like a shop-vac and only getting the loose dirt and the smallest, lightest particles as the others are not swept in by the brushes on the bar.

Slipping Loosens Belt’s Effectiveness

As the vacuum cleaner is being used, there are times when the beater bar and brushes may become more difficult to turn, for example a clump of pet hair or other items can slow down the bars rotation. When that happens the motor keeps turning at its normal speed and can cause the belt to slip slightly. The more this occurs the weaker the vacuum cleaner belt becomes until it either quits driving the beater bar because it has stretched out of shape or it breaks.

There have been some recent innovations with the vacuum cleaner belt, which has holes in the middle and the pulley on the motor has gears on it, effectively eliminating the belt from slipping. While this may mean the belt may never skip, if the beater bar gets jammed to where it cannot move at all, it is likely the belt will break.

Chances are this type of belt will last longer because the normal slipping of a belt is slight and it will take a complete jam of the beater bar to stop ot long enough to damage the vacuum cleaner belt.

Vacuum Cleaner Belt

Why Should I Use Vacuum Cleaner Bags?

Vacuum Cleaner Bags

It seems more and more vacuums are going bagless but could vacuum cleaner bags actually be a better choice for you? While bagless often seems more convenient and clean it may not be as good as you think it is.

Vacuum Cleaner Bags Hold More

A normal bagless vacuum holds a few cups of dirt and has the ability to clog rather easily. If you are not doing any heavy duty cleaning this might be a good choice but for the average family you will find yourself emptying the bag less container after every cleaning day. A vacuum cleaner bag depending on how often you vacuum and how much dirt you have require fewer changing’s.

Isn’t A BagLess System Cleaner?

This is a common misconception about the bagless system. A system that does not require vacuum cleaner bags is not generally cleaner. In order to empty the container the user will generally come in direct contact with the dirt. If you empty the container in your kitchen trash can the particles from the dirt and dust end up in the air of your home once again.

A bag takes a little more effort to change but it contains the dirt inside of the bag and off of you. If you don’t follow the instructions and change it properly or when it is full then a vacuum cleaner bag has the possibility of becoming messy and returning the dirt into the air but when done properly it is actually a cleaner option for most people.

There was a time that most systems that required a vacuum cleaner bag did not have HEPA filters and other options that kept airborne dust particles out of your home but that has changed. Now many brands and models come with both a HEPA filter and a vacuum cleaner bag. Many vacuum cleaner bags are now made to help eliminate many allergens from getting into the air.

Many think that changing a vacuum cleaner bag is difficult but if you read the directions and follow them accordingly it can be rather quick and easy with little to no mess at all. If you are looking to purchase a vacuum do not discount a good one simply because it uses vacuum cleaner bags. Look at all aspects of the unit and decide if it has features that will be functional in your home and then make your decision.

Vacuum Cleaner

Vacuum Cleaner

Deciding What Vacuum Cleaner Is Right For You

You need a new vacuum cleaner but with all of the options you can’t decide which vacuum cleaner is best for you and your family. Every home has is different and for that reason not every vacuum cleaner is right for you. In order to decide which is best for you and your family consider all of the options.

Do I Need A HEPA Filter?

If someone in your family suffers from allergies, asthma or any breathing problems you should consider a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter. A HEPA filter doesn’t allow the dust to return to the air a HEPA filter traps most of the airborne particles that can cause a person to have an allergy or asthma attack. There are still a few models of vacuum cleaners that don’t use a HEPA filter so make sure to ask your dealer or salesperson about this feature.

Do I Need All The Accessories?

Most prefer to keep the cost of their vacuum cleaner low but if you do a great deal of heavy cleaning or if you have a large family that will track mud, dirt and whatever else they can find you might want to consider a vacuum cleaner that does more than just pick up dirt off of the carpet.

There are a few brands out there that offer accessories to help buff your hardwood floors, shampoo carpets and clean your tiling. If you are considering buying something to do these jobs it would be a good idea to check into some of the more deluxe vacuum cleaners and find one that has all of those machines in one place. This will reduce your cost and storage space.

To Bag Or Not To Bag

Many vacuum cleaners now come without the need for a bag. Those that don’t require a bag generally fill up fairly quickly and need to be emptied often. This also puts the user in direct contact with the dust and dirt. A vacuum cleaner that uses a bag reduces much of that contact with the dirt and they hold a good deal more than a bagless. The downside to a bag is you must make sure you always have them on hand, as running without one will damage your equipment and simply toss dust and dirt back into the air.

When shopping for a vacuum cleaner consider your price range, your families needs and your cleaning habits. Take the time to shop around and compare products both in store and online. If you take your time and choose one that fits your needs you will have a product that will last you a long time. Make sure to always check the warranty on any product you choose to buy and ask about extended service warranties as well.