Vacuum cleaners are the unsung heroes of the home.  We use them whenever there’s a spill or we have a dirty carpet, and then empty them once in a while and expect them to last forever.

Here are 10 things to check every time you use your vacuum cleaner:

1. Check for blockages in the pipe.  There will be much less of a risk of blockage if you don’t try and vacuum up things that are too large.

2. If your cleaner has lost suction, check for things wrapped round the brushes.  Long hair, cotton and frayed carpet are the usual type of suspects.

3. If cleaning the brushes has resolved the suction problem, you’ll need to check the filters.  These will need to be cleaned or replaced as per the manufacturer’s instructions.  Depending on how often you use your cleaner, you might want to keep a spare set of filters, so that your vacuum cleaner is always ready for action.

4. Vacuum cleaners have a hard life, and the power cable seems to have it the hardest.   Because it’s the power cable that gets caught on furniture, trapped under doors, and stood on, it can crack and break.  If your power cable has cracks in it replace it.  Cutting off the faulty bit and refitting it might solve the problem in the short term, but the problem’s likely to happen again.

5. If your vacuum cleaner turns itself off, it could be that it’s overheating.  You’ll need to check the obvious, such as filters, pipes and brushes for blockages, and that the power cable isn’t damaged.

6. By emptying the bag regularly you’ll ensure that your vacuum cleaner is never too full to work properly.

7. Make sure you have a good range of tools and nozzles for those hard to reach places. An attachment for cleaning a floor, probably isn’t the best for curtains or a sofa.  Make sure that you use different attachments for floors and furniture; you don’t want the dirt from your floor on your curtains!

8. Make sure you investigate any burning smells or strange noises straight away.  It might indicate something serious.  You may need to consult the manual, or the manufacturer’s website, in order to find out what the problem is.

9. Make the most of cleaning accessories available.  They really can make a difference.  Special carpet cleaning fluid, or floor polishes might seem extravagant, but they will deliver good results.

10. Depending on the problem, it is likely that you can repair a faulty vacuum cleaner yourself without needing to be an electrician or a DIY expert.  By using the manual, or an online guide, you can save yourself a great deal of time and money, and you don’t have to be without your vacuum cleaner for long.

Now you know how to look after your vacuum cleaner, isn’t it time you made sure it’s working properly?