Like most household appliances, your upright vacuum cleaner needs regular maintenance. One of the most common maintenance jobs for upright vacuums is that of replacing the belt. You may need a screwdriver, but you can probably replace the belt without using any tools. - Remove the plastic cover over the brush assembly (figure A). You may need to loosen some retaining screws to remove the cover.
- Lift the brush (also known as the agitator) and pull the belt from the motor.
- While you have the brush out, clean it off and check the bearings on the brush rollers. Both ends should turn freely. If they don't, you may need to replace the bearings (figure B). Bearings typically cost about $2.50 per side, and the brush will cost about $15.
- Install a new belt, and replace the brush. The brush will probably have marks that indicate the proper direction for installation, and there will be an indication of where the belt should go.
Another common maintenance job is that of replacing the filter bag. However, people often forget to clean out the filter underneath the bag (figure C). To access this secondary filter, simply pull the filter bag out of the vacuum cleaner. Then, snap out the filter and wash it with soap and water or as directed by the manufacturer.
Newer vacuum cleaners also use an exhaust filter, which is typically located on the side of the unit (figure D). Clean the filter if it becomes noticeably dirty.
Tip: If the hose attachment on your vacuum cleaner becomes clogged, you can clean it out by pulling it straight and poking a broom handle through it.
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