Get Your Vacuum Cleaner Than Ever With These Household Ingredients

Everyone knows to grab the vacuum cleaner to clean something up off the floor, but did you know that your vacuum needs cleaning, too? Not cleaning out your vacuum could lead to it not working as well due to clogging or general build-up. Even if you empty your vacuum bag on a regular basis, sneaky dust and debris can still find its way into your vacuum. To get it 100% clean, you'll need three common kitchen ingredients: white vinegar, baking soda, and dish detergent.

As well as using the above ingredients to get your vacuum back in tip-top condition, you should also be keeping an eye on the filter and regularly cleaning the canister and base plate. It's also key to check on the hose, as this is a vital part of the vacuum's function and may impede its use if not cleared out semi-regularly. In addition to the inside, the actual exterior of your vacuum should be wiped down often to keep it looking good.

First, check the filter. Some vacuum filters can be changed, whereas other filters can be cleaned — check the manual to see which one applies for you. You can clean the filter by getting rid of any lingering dust and then using a solution of dish detergent and warm water to wash it. Make sure it has dried thoroughly before you put it back. The canister can also be cleaned in soapy water. Remove it from the vacuum and dust with a microfiber cloth before washing. As with the filter, do not slot the canister back into the vacuum until it is dry.

Cleaning the hose requires a little more effort and is where the baking soda and vinegar come in. Detach the hose from the vacuum for easier access and run some clean hot water through it before pouring in half a cup of baking soda. Follow up with two cups of vinegar. The mix of the two ingredients should create a fizzing sound. Once the sound has stopped, pour some more hot water through the hose and then let it air dry completely before re-attaching it to the vacuum.

Now that you have cleaned the canister and filter, it's time to get the base plate in great condition. Once again, remove this part from the vacuum before cleaning. With a gentle hand, cut dirt like excess hair from the beater bar before going in with a brush for any debris that can't be cut. Finish by cleaning the base plate with a soft cloth. You don't need to use water or dampen the cloth — a brush and dry cloth are fine.

Finally, it's time to clean the outside of your vacuum cleaner. This is the easiest bit — simply take a damp cloth and wipe the outside before using another cloth to dry it. Easy and effective, you'll probably notice that all parts of your vacuum work a lot better post-clean. You might not even need to buy a new vacuum anymore if the issue lay with a build-up of dirt and debris. Plus, as it only requires items you probably already have, you can get to this cleaning task whenever you have the time.