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13 ways you’re shortening the life of your vacuum cleaner

You don't remove clogs Do a quick visual check for clogs to the hose and wand after every time you use your vacuum cleaner. Unclogging your hoses not only improves suction power, but it can help the vacuum run more efficiently and last longer. If you can’t reach the jammed debris with your hand, use a mop handle or a gardening stake to push it through. An easy test: After detaching the hose and wand, try sliding a coin through them. If it gets stuck, you know it’s clogged. Not winding up the cord after you've finished It’s easy to get lazy and leave the power cord out to get stepped on by family and pets. But by winding the cord into a tidy coil after vacuuming, you can prevent damage, while also avoiding potential hazards including electrocution for family pets or inquisitive crawlers who like to chew. If you don’t have time to wrap up the cord, at the very least, you should always unplug it. You're not detangling brushes Most vacuum cleaners have rotating brushes at the intake port that kick dust and dirt loose from the carpet so they can get sucked up by the air stream. But when hair, pet fur, or loose string gets trapped in the brushes, they can’t work as effectively. Using a small pair of scissors, gently cut through the debris to free up the brushes, then use a comb to smooth them out. Not replacing the bag or emptying the canister Whether your vacuum uses a bag, canister, or cup, an overfilled unit will run less efficiently and not last as long. While it’s easy to tell when a bagless unit is full, it can be harder to tell when a vacuum bag needs replacing. If you notice a drop in suction, it could be a sign it’s full of lightweight, fluffy material such as pet hair. For maximum performance and to make your vacuum last longer, replace the bag or empty the canister or cup when it is half to two-thirds full. You're not changing out or cleaning the filters Each vacuum is different, but your manual should indicate how often filters need to be replaced or cleaned. Many vacuum models come with an accordion-shaped paper filter and a sponge-like ring filter. For units with washable filters, be sure to follow the washing guidelines from the manual. Of course, the frequency will vary depending on how often you vacuum and how messy your floors are. If the filter looks dirty, it’s time to switch it out or clean it. You're not replacing the drive belt This belt wraps around the beater brush allowing it to turn. If it’s not working correctly, the beater brush won’t loosen dirt and debris from the carpet fibres. By flipping the power-head over, you can glance at the belt, looking for tears or cracks. If the belt looks loose, that’s another sign it’s time for a new belt. Using the wrong setting Most vacuum cleaners have different settings depending on the type of flooring you are cleaning, i.e. wood or carpet. If you’re using the wrong setting, this can render the vacuum cleaner less effective and may shorten the life of your unit. “Setting your vacuum on the lowest setting may not be the best option to get enough airflow for the suction action,” reports Angie’s List. Storing attachments separately Attachments usually come with a storage spot, either on the vacuum itself or in a separate box or bag, yet it’s easy to get lazy. Sometimes, we leave a dusting brush or an upholstery tool on the side table instead of walking it down to the hall cupboard. Not that big of a deal, right? Until it gets lost or stolen by your puppy for her new chew toy. By storing the attachments together with the vacuum cleaner in a safe spot, parts are less likely to be damaged or get lost. Not pre-cleaning the areas To stretch out the life of your vacuum cleaner, give the room a once-over. Move backpacks, socks, or clothing with drawstrings to prevent them from catching in the belt. While you can turn off the vacuum and pull them out, over time it could loosen the belt and shorten the life of your vacuum cleaner. Next, check for fallen food items like chips or cookies or small toys like building bricks. Scoop them before vacuuming the area. Not stopping when there's smoke This might seem really obvious, but sometimes we get into turbo-mode – pushing the vacuum beyond its limits. Then even when we smell smoke, we optimistically assume we can fit in just one more room before problem-solving. But prevention is key. “When stress to the motor is present, the motor heats up and usually burns the belt, causing smoke,” suggests Do It Yourself. They advise cutting the burnt belt off with scissors, then replacing it before continuing to vacuum. Using it too often Think about what’s making your floors dirty in the first place, then try to circumvent it so you can use your vacuum cleaner less frequently. Try storing your shoes in a bin by the front door, for instance. Other tricks: Instead of taking snacks to your TV-room, eat at your kitchen table so you don’t get crumbs everywhere, and brush pets outdoors on a regular basis to decrease the amount of pet hair on your floors and furniture. Not using a surge protector These aren’t just for your computers or TVs. A surge protector can “prevent an electronic shortage from spurts of electricity that go beyond the voltage limits.” The stronger the burst, the more likely your vacuum can get damaged. Causes of power surges vary from downed power lines to lightning storms. Not reading the manual Many people skip reading the manual until there is a problem, but by then it might be too late. Each company’s manual contains important safety instructions and warnings, such as “Do not handle the machine or plug with wet hands.” Pretty obvious – sure – but it could save your life. They also give troubleshooting tips for how to care for and maintain your vacuum cleaner along with warranty information, which is especially important if you are switching to a new brand. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/13-ways-youre-shortening-the-life-of-your-vacuum-cleaner?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Home & Garden

Robot vacuums have come into their own

Those little round robotic vacuums which came out a few years ago looked promising but they were always getting caught under the bed and everywhere else in the house. But since then, robot vacuums have really come into their own after those early years on the market and a range of false starts. The problem was, the earlier robot vacuums would run blind around the home so it was obvious why they’d end up bumping and knocking over furniture and getting lost and stuck throughout the home. Plus, because these little robot vacuums had to have a necessary slim design, this presented multiple challenges when it came to vacuum suction power. Many people tried out the first robot vacuums and had a negative experience with them and this sentiment stayed with consumers for a long time! But time has moved on and robot vacuums have come into their own. With new technology, these little vacuums have become smarter and in the end – they’ve become genuinely helpful products. The three top features which have improved the most over the last few years include: <ul> <li>Mapping: The ability to map your home has been one of the biggest game changers in robotic cleaning technology. These days, robotic vacuums use laser technology to create a virtual map of your home has made an entire suite of different features and benefits available.</li> </ul> This includes the ability to create virtual boundaries around areas you want your robot vacuum to avoid when cleaning, the ability to control and schedule the robot vacuum remotely, and customise your clean for different areas of the home. <ul> <li>The ability to avoid obstacles: When robot vacuums first entered the market, general sentiment was that robot vacuums got stuck on almost everything with a few key contenders including cables, socks and similar objects. Users would have to constantly monitor them to make sure they weren’t eating up items they shouldn’t, or do save them when they did.</li> </ul> ECOVACS robot vacuums have TrueDetect 3D and AIVI technology have changed this sentiment as they allow the robot to intelligently understand their environment and avoid these obstacles! It;s this technology which presents a huge leap to ‘hands-free’ cleaning. <ul> <li>Suction Power: previously, customers believed robot vacuums couldn’t compete with more traditional vacuums in terms of suction power. But for example, the ECOVACS’ DEEBOT T9+ features 3000Pa suction power, and the N8 PRO comes closely behind at 2600Pa. This combined with ECOVACS’ pressure retention system delivers strong suction power which is helpful for carpeted homes!</li> </ul> Other new features of robot vacuums include the Auto-Empty Stations which keep the vacuums more ‘hands-free, vibrating mopping attachments which add some elbow grease to dual mopping and vacuuming functionality, and smart speaker compatibility which allows your robot vacuum to be ‘voice-controlled’. The latest ECOVACS robot vacuums have all of these new technologies we’ve listed and they do clean up your home with much less trouble and to a much higher degree than the older generation of robot vacuums was capable of. For more information on ECOVACS robot vacuums<a href="mailto:https://www.ecovacs.com/au">, take a look here.</a> Photos: Courtesy of ECOVACS

Home & Garden

Make your own mask from a tea towel, t-shirt or vacuum bag

The worldwide coronavirus pandemic has led to a shortage of protective face masks, leading to a number of online tutorials on how to make your own using items found around the house. Homemade masks offer significantly less protection than the N95 medical masks, which are made of a thick, tightly woven material that fits over the face and can stop 95 per cent of all airborne particles. And while many health organisations have recommended to ditch the masks unless in a medical setting, there is a good reason to think DIY masks could be effective in tackling the pandemic. They’ve been used extensively in countries such as Hong Kong, Mongolia and South Korea – places that have the disease largely under control. The World Health Organisation also does not recommend that people without the illness wear the face mask, but they’re looking at reversing their decision due to evidence from Hong Kong that it may be effective in fighting the virus. Here’s how you can make your own at home using a kitchen towel What you will need: <ul> <li>Kitchen towel</li> <li>One tissue</li> <li>Masking tape</li> <li>Elastic bands</li> </ul> Method: <ol> <li>Cut both the paper towel and tissue in half and apply masking tape on each end to make sure the mask is stiff.</li> <li>Punch holes through either end of the mask and thread the elastic bands through the holes.</li> </ol> Your mask is ready in two simple steps. How to make a face mask with a t-shirt A tutorial by YouTuber Runa Ray shows how to make a face mask with a t-shirt, no sewing required. What you will need: <ul> <li>Scissors</li> <li>Pencil</li> <li>Ruler</li> <li>Unwanted t-shirt</li> </ul> Method: <ol> <li>Cut out a 16" by 4" rectangle from the middle of the t-shirt, then fold it in half, and measure four inches on either side.</li> <li>Mark the t-shirt with an even number of tassels on each side and use scissors to cut them.</li> <li>Turn the t-shirt inside out and separate the corner tassels, but tie the remaining ones in-between.</li> <li>With the remaining t-shirt material cut some ear straps using the hem of the shirt. </li> <li>Attach the straps to the remaining outer tassels and you have yourself a face mask, with no sewing involved, and using an old t-shirt.</li> </ol> How to make a face mask from vacuum cleaner bags What you will need: <ul> <li>Vacuum bag</li> <li>Paperclip</li> <li>Two rubber bands</li> <li>Stapler</li> </ul> Method: <ol> <li>Cut the bag into a rectangle. Make sure to keep all the layers together.</li> <li>With the inside of the bag facing upwards fold twice along the bottom and top.</li> <li>Fold both bottom corners of the bag.</li> <li>Get a paperclip or other thin wire and straighten it out.</li> <li>Take two rubber bands and fold the far ends around them. Staple the folds to secure them.</li> <li>Push the straightened wire through the centre of the top.</li> <li>Stretch the rubber bands around your ears to hold the mask against your face. Pinch the wire to secure around your nose.</li> </ol>

Art

The $6 Kmart gadget that is replacing brooms, mops and vacuum cleaners

Kmart customers are praising a new $6 gadget they say has replaced their mop, broom and vacuum. The cleaning tool is a rubber broom with a squeegee blade that they claim is the next “must have item” from the popular discount store. One customer shared a photo to Facebook group Kmart mums, showing off the results of the rubber broom. <img width="500" height="608" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7819471/1_500x608.jpg" alt="1 (163)"/> “Finally got my hands on the Rubber Broom with Squeegee and the results speak for itself! This is our theatre room carpet which is very thick. This broom has picked up more than our vacuum and the carpet looks amazing!! Would recommend it a thousand times over,” she wrote. The mum didn’t appear to be the only happy customer in the group. “Wait until you use it to scrub the bathroom floor... it is quicker and better than any mop,” one woman said. “It is great for cleaning the outside of your windows too, wet, soapy clean with the bristled then squeegee off with a blade.” The brooms are so popular, many customers claimed “it took ages” to get their hands on one as they are often sold out. The gadget also won over pet owners, with some impressed with how well it removed unsightly animal hairs. “It is amazing if you have pets,” one woman said. Another said the broom remarkably removes “everything”, from hair to crumbs and dirt. Some questioned the effectiveness of the broom, before fans swiftly chimed in. Do you own this product? Tell us your thoughts on it in the comments below.

News

How Dyson almost killed Godfreys vacuums

Despite Godfreys being an authority on vacuums in decades past, recently the Aussie retailer has been struggling. Local retail experts have pinned the struggle on low-priced online competitors and the most popular vacuum brand, Dyson. The experts believe that Godfreys needs to innovate quickly to keep up with current vacuum trends and generate profit. Last week, it was announced that Godfrey’s 99-year-old co-founder John Johnston will take over the company, after securing a 91 per cent stake in the group. The company will be removed from the ASX as part of an effort to fix the struggling company. In April, Mr Johnston first announced his plans to buy back the company through Arcade Finance, which is owned by the Johnston family. Godfreys was founded by Mr Johnston and Godfrey Cohen more than 80 years ago, before it was sold to private equity investors CCMP Capital Asia and Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) in 2006, for around $300 million. However, in May, Mr Johnston bought the stakes of two major shareholders after he raised his previous bid from $13.1 million to $13.7 million. Now that Arcade Finance has a 91.21 per cent stake in Godfreys, Mr Johnston will begin the compulsory acquisition of the rest shortly. After a historically low share price drop in April, Mr Johnston said the slump in sales was due to a new series of ads which focused on product features rather than discounts and sales. But retail expert Brian Walker, from the Retail Doctor Group, believes Godfreys’ problems run much deeper than a failed advertising campaign. “Godfreys has been a very traditional, bricks-and-mortar-type retailer, but meanwhile the world around them has kept moving on,” he told <a href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/retail/vacuum-retailer-godfreys-battling-to-survive-thanks-to-competition-new-trends-and-the-rise-of-dyson/news-story/1550461652c4a1454eae71cd3ea2fb0a" target="_blank">news.com.au.</a> “They haven’t kept at the forefront of product innovation and development — they haven’t had a lot of new things to say for a few years. “You need to keep your offer fresh with new products and it’s about creating stories — in their case, they had an invitation to be the experts, but I think they didn’t take that strongly enough.” Mr Walker said the company had missed out when they failed to sell Dyson cleaners, a brand which regularly makes headlines because of new products and partnerships, including Aldi’s Special Buys. Dyson has created a cult-following and Godfreys’ failure to stock the products impacted the company. “In an age where there is more brand consciousness and awareness than ever before, retailers need to carry winning brands within their category,” Mr Walker said. “There’s also been a significant level of underinvestment too; the shops look the same, feel the same and are the same as 10 years ago.” Queensland University of Technology retail expert Dr Gary Mortimer told news.com.au that the company suffered by failing to present themselves as a vacuum expert. “Like any business that specialises in one product, whether it is toys, sporting goods or vacuums, there needs to be a point of specialisation; you’ve got to own a brand and have exclusive rights to clearly insulate you from competition within the marketplace,” he said. “When we see Dysons sold at Aldi occasionally, there’s no reason to walk into a specialty vacuum store if you can get the brand at a German discounter. “You can get the brand anywhere, there’s no exclusivity or specialisation, so essentially there’s no point of difference, and no need to go into a specialty vacuum cleaner retailer.” Dr Mortimer said that the options facing Mr Johnston included closing unprofitable stores, changing the distribution model, moving online or opening concession stalls with retailers such as Myer. What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.

Money & Banking

Customers rave about cheap Kmart vacuum cleaner

Kmart has made shoppers ecstatic over a vacuum that costs just $89 and that some claim is better than a Dyson. The store’s 1200W Upright Vacuum received great reviews online, with shoppers saying they “love it”. “Most people were saying it’s better than their Dyson or Kirby and yeah I'm sold on this Kmart one,” Teylor Johnson wrote on her Facebook page. She shared a photo of her partner Jerome using the vacuum saying, “Holy Mac it's a beast”. The couple purchased the item after 10 pm the night before from a 24-hour Kmart. “I would say I love my new toy but I think someone else cough Jerome loves it more after vacuuming the whole house last night,” Teylor wrote. Teylor is not the only customer to praise the product with many mothers recommending the product on the Facebook group Kmart Mums Australia. <img width="499" height="750" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/39614/kmart-in-text_499x750.jpg" alt="Kmart In Text"/> “So, I replaced my Dyson which I have had for nine years and is falling apart and I will admit I'm loving the Kmart vacuum,” one mum shared to the group. Good-quality vacuums can be sold for a few hundred or even a few thousand dollars, which isn’t the case in this well-received Kmart vacuum. “OMG!! I vacuumed my room this morning with my pricey vacuum. Then I went to Kmart to get this one as I’ve seen so many posts about it and it's amazing I can’t believe how much dust etc there still is!! I generally vacuum 3 times a week too,” another mum shared. “For those who know me I’m a clean freak and vac twice a day with my Dyson stick and then once a week with the upright Dyson,” one wrote. “The carpets always look clean, but I vacuumed yesterday with the upright Dyson then I did it straight after with the new Kmart Vac… OMG I felt horrified but so satisfied all at the same time!” Due to the vacuum’s popularity, it has sold out in a lot of Kmart stores. One mum mentioned she had broken her $2000 vacuum and planned on buying the Kmart one while her original vacuum was fixed. She has now said she is uncertain whether she will switch back to her original as the $89 vacuum cleans her house thoroughly. “Brought the Kmart vacuum I’ve seen everyone love on! Fair to say I was shocked and grossed out after I used it today!” Some customers have claimed the vacuum is great for collecting dust and dirt from all surfaces and collecting animal fur. Like most products available, there were some customers who said the vacuum was not right for them.

News

People record vacuuming with a harmonica

A video of a Japanese girl vacuuming a harmonica has gone viral, after it was posted to twitter this week. Twitter user <a href="https://twitter.com/CelloMetalgirl/status/746494949688938496">@CelloMetalgirl</a>, said she “laughed to death” over it. It has been retweeted over 220,000 times. Do you find it as amusing as she does? It’s as if it is saying “Ta-da!” Watch the video above and let us know in the comments below. Don’t forget to turn the sound up. Related links: <a href="/entertainment/art/2016/03/dog-artist-paintings/" target="_self">This dog paints really beautiful artworks</a> <a href="/entertainment/art/2016/01/classic-art-reimagined-in-modern-times/">Artists reimagines classical paintings in modern times</a> <a href="/entertainment/art/2016/01/mums-fairy-tale-iphone-artworks/">Mother creates fairy tale artworks with her iPhone</a>

News

Dad convinces son vacuum cleaner starts like lawnmower

Well we are lost for words! In this video a Dad from Ireland has tasked his son with vacuuming the kitchen for the first time. And he’s decided to play a little prank! The son doesn’t know how to turn the vacuum on, and the Dad has told him that it operates much like a lawnmower would. The son tries valiantly to get the thing working, pulling on the power cord as though it’s the lawnmower pull start cable. Eventually Dad reveals it’s actually the power cord and the son looks a little embarrassed. But it's all in good fun! And we’re betting the son won’t forget this lesson any time soon! Video credit: YouTube/Meanwhile in Ireland Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/02/heartwarming-photos-that-prove-every-child-needs-a-pet/">15 heartwarming photos that prove every child needs a pet</a> <a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/01/photos-of-animals-hitchhiking/">Hilarious photos of animals hitchhiking</a> <a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2015/11/how-to-help-your-pet-conquer-their-phobias/">How to help your pet conquer their phobias</a>

News

Vacuum cleaning tricks you’ll want to know about

It’s one of the least liked household chores but with these tricks up your sleeve, you’ll be loving vacuuming like you never did before. 1. Get into the tight spots There are spots in the house which are tough to vacuum, even with the crevice extension. But if you use a cardboard tube (like a toilet paper tube shown in the above picture) on the end of the vacuum, you can shape it to fit any space. 2. Deoderise stinky carpets For those items that are impossible to throw in the wash (such as rugs, carpet or mattresses), sprinkle the dirty, smelly spot with bicarbonate soda. Let it sit for half an hour and then vacuum it. 3. Get rid of carpet dents Here’s a nifty trick to get rid of those carpet dents: Place ice cubs on the end, wait for them to melt and vacuum over the spot to get the carpet as new. The water encourages fibres to return to their original shape. 4. Find lost items Lost an earring? Place an old pair of pantyhose on the nozzle of the vacuum cleaner and secure it on with a rubber band. Now vacuum in the area you lost the item and the sucking-powers of the hoover should be able to find it! <img width="500" height="375" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/11576/pantyhose-vacuum_500x375.jpg" alt="Pantyhose Vacuum" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> 5. Clean the brush roller with ease Hair, threads and other things can get tangled into the brush roller but there’s no need for you to spend time picking it out. Simply use a knife or seam ripper to get rid of those tangled threads. 6. Make the house smell great Throw in a perfume-sprayed tissue into the vacuum bag and it will make your house smell fresh as you vacuum. If you don’t want to waste perfume, you can throw in a used dryer sheet or a small spoonful of cinnamon. 7. Make dusting easy If you haven’t use the brush attachment than you’ve been missing out on the easiest duster ever. It can be used to dust pretty much everything such as books, lampshades, mirrors, books and so on. 8. Cleaning under furniture Sick of crawling on your hands and knees to vacuum under furniture? Simply fix the hose in the opposite direction you usually put it. Hold the hose and guide the vacuum under the beds and sofas. <img width="427" height="319" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/11577/getting-under-low-furniture_427x319.jpg" alt="Getting Under Low Furniture" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/at-home/2015/11/how-neat-freaks-organise-their-closet/"></a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/home-garden/2015/11/household-products-never-to-buy/">8 household products you should never buy</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/home-garden/2015/11/10-ingenious-gardening-tricks/">10 ingenious gardening tricks</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/home-garden/2015/11/tips-save-energy-in-summer/">How to stay cool and save energy this summer</a>

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13 ways you’re shortening the life of your vacuum cleaner

Robot vacuums have come into their own

Make your own mask from a tea towel, t-shirt or vacuum bag

The $6 Kmart gadget that is replacing brooms, mops and vacuum cleaners

How Dyson almost killed Godfreys vacuums

Customers rave about cheap Kmart vacuum cleaner

People record vacuuming with a harmonica

Dad convinces son vacuum cleaner starts like lawnmower

Vacuum cleaning tricks you’ll want to know about

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