We’ve all wondered why it’s so difficult to push our vacuum cleaners, which as a result can make it difficult to use the machine. In today’s article, we’ll address this problem and also leave you with some excellent suggestions on how to resolve it. Read on to find out more.
“There are several possible reasons why your vacuum cleaner may be tough to push. The most common reason is when the height adjustment of your cleaner is incorrectly set, causing an imbalance of suction power and causing resistance. Dirt accumulation in the brush roll can also affect its rotation, leading to increased difficulty in maneuvering the cleaner. It is important you keep a regular check and conduct routine cleaning of your vacuum cleaner for optimum functionality.”
Kavindra Johansson, Vacuum Cleaner Technician
Why Is It So Hard To Push A Vacuum Cleaner?
You may find it difficult to maneuver a vacuum when it’s hard to push it or pull it. Luckily, this problem can easily be solved, and you can even do it yourself. Here are some of the main causes for this problem and how you can solve them.
If your vacuum cleaner is hard to push try doing these things: Adjust he height of your device, unclogs the brush, replace brush if it is broken or change the cleaning method altogether.
1. Incorrect Height Settings
There are height settings on vacuums, allowing you to customize the vacuum to the type of floor you’re cleaning. You may have trouble pushing your vacuum if it isn’t set up for the type of flooring in your home.
At the bottom of your vacuum, you will find the height adjustment knob. You should start on the hard floors and work your way up to the plush carpets height settings.
A low setting is better for delicate surfaces and it will go smoother on rugs. Use the high setting for deep cleaning.
The next time you try to clean something other than hard floors, don’t give up until you’ve found height settings that work.
2. The Brush Of The Vacuum Is Clogged
Handling your vacuum will be more difficult if the brush gets clogged. If hair, threads, or other items become entangled in the brush, this can result in a stuttering sound. Your vacuum will have difficulty moving smoothly if the brush fails to rotate properly or at all.
Turn your vacuum brush over and see if something may be clogged in there. Remove these items and check to see if your vacuum is now operating normally.
You can use a compressed air cannister to blow dirt and and solid particles. Mix 1 cup of water with 1/4 cup of vinegar and use this solution to remove grime.
3. A Broken Brush Belt
When something goes wrong, it’s not always a problem with the vacuum’s rotating brush. If your vacuum won’t move and your brush isn’t stuck to anything, it’s possible that the belt has been damaged.
If your vacuum’s brush belt is damaged, it may be difficult to push. Keep your vacuum running and tilt it slightly to see if this is the problem. Keep a safe distance from the moving parts.
Make sure your rotator brush is clean. If the rotator brush belt isn’t moving, it’s probably stuck or damaged. The belt needs to be replaced, this usually happens every 12 to 24 months depending on the quality of the device.
You should check to make sure you chose the correct belt for your vacuum before you buy it. You don’t want to purchase one that is too small.
Alternatives For Difficult-to-Push Vacuum Cleaners
Vacuuming on a regular basis can be difficult for those with arthritis or the elderly. Consider buying these options if you’re having difficulty with regular vacuums:
1. A Vacuuming Robot
Robot vacuums can save you a lot of effort, time, and stress by doing the cleaning for you instead of you having to do it.
The iRobot Roomba is a popular and reliable robot vacuum. It has already found a place in tens of thousands of homes by now. You can purchase one online for around $300 dollars.
2. Easy To Maneuver Quality Vacuum Cleaner
The upright vacuum cleaner that Dyson is promoting as being extremely mobile is the Dyson Ball. This upright vacuum cleaner is unique in that it revolves around a ball, making it easy to get into tight spaces. Because of this, it’s also a lot easier to push around. Dyson offers upright vacuum cleaner starting at the $500 range.
A Few Tips For Easier Vacuum Cleaner Manuveur
Here are some tips to help you with carpet cleaning and make your vacuuming experience a little easier on yourself.
Avoid dusting up after vacuuming
It is a rule of thumb that we have to clean our homes from the top down. This way we can sweep and vacuum all the dust that falls on the floor.
If you forgot to dust before cleaning (that has happened to me before), take into consideration how much fell on the floor, you might have to clean again.
Use a proper vacuum cleaner
Vacuuming can become a tedious task when you use the wrong vacuum. You should use a vacuum cleaner that is appropriate for the floor type you have. Many don’t come with beater brushes.
Plush carpets with fine fibers require special vacuums, and not all vacuums are created equal. This means that you should always check the specifications of vacuums you’re considering buying to make sure it’s the right fit for your home’s flooring, sometimes a water filter vacuum cleaner is a better option.
Check to see if the vacuum bag is full before turning on your vacuum cleaner
Vacuum cleaners tend to start losing their power when the bag is half full. This will force the motor which can lead to an early malfunction. That is why we advise giving proper maintenance regularly.
In general, it’s good you clean the bag and the filters every 3 months (depending on your model). And take it to a professional after some years.
Clean up before vacuuming
Clean the room thoroughly before vacuuming to ensure that nothing gets caught in the vacuum, such as bobby pins, toys, and other small objects. You could consider 2 inches too big for most domestic vacuums.
Your vacuum will be ruined the first time you jam it, and you’ll have to buy a new one.
Use a crevice tool
If you want to vacuum your walls and furniture, you should use the crevice tool on your vacuum cleaner to do so. If you use the vacuum every day but don’t clean the edges, dust and grime can accumulate in certain parts of the house.
When cleaning the edges, be careful not to slam the vacuum into them. You may break your vacuum that way. There is a reason crevice tools exist.
Take your time
Vacuuming should be done slowly and methodically at least every 10 days. The device usually moves so smoothly, especially an upright vacuum cleaner and it is satisfying to watch how it cleans the house so fast.
Make sure to go over the surface a couple of times. Always vacuum in the opposite direction as well to make sure that all dust is removed. And go over it a few more times.
It requires some practice but nothing from another world.
References
https://www.gadgetreview.com/stick-vs-upright-vacuum
https://cleanhomeguide.co.uk/upright-vacuum-or-cylinder-vacuum-pros-and-cons/
Here’s an insight from my experience, a lot of times, the difficulty in pushing vacuums is linked to either dust clogged in the brushes or besides the wheels, obstructing free movement. Once, I faced a similar issue with my old upright vacuum, which turned out to be due to worn out wheels. Replacing them regained its ease of movement.
Jones, you’ve hit the nail on the head! In my case, it was a clogged brush that made my vacuum cleaner feel like I was pushing a boulder uphill. A good clean up did the trick.
Ultralight, cordless vacuum cleaners are the best for easy maneuverability and less strain on your arms. If you’ve got the budget, it’s definitely worth considering!
While I agree that cordless vacuum cleaners are more maneuverable, they may not provide as much suction power which would lead to less effective cleaning. Keep this in mind when making a purchase decision.
In my days as a vacuum cleaner repairman, it wasn’t uncommon for people to bring in their vacuums complaining about having difficulty pushing them. Just like driving a car with a flat tyre makes for a rough ride, an improperly set height adjustment or clogged brush roll in a vacuum can create resistance and make the machine harder to push.
My vacuum cleaner practically feels like I’m pushing around a boulder! Most times I end up feeling more tired from wrestling with the machine than the actual cleaning.