Vacuum cleaner test

Thomas_Holding

Is there any way I can test my vacuum cleaner's cleaning ability objectively?

I think it has been getting worse and worse and needs replacing - but how can I check that without buying a new one and comparing by which point it will be a bit late?

Is this something I can easily do to check?

Mark_d

Have you cleaned/replaced all the filters on your vacuum?  What makes you think your vacuum is getting worse - is the dustbag only half full at the end of a clean - where previously it would be full?

I don't think there's a simple way to measure the cleaning ability accurately.  But if your vacuum cleaner is like 20 years old then it wouldn't be unreasonable for you to replace it now. 

Brie

Usually I find ours is on the way to useless after someone else here (and there's only 2 of us) has used it for hoovering up things that shouldn't be hoovered and there's a clog somewhere.  Clearing that makes a massive difference.  Fortunately I've learned how to dismantle the thing quite a bit so that I can access all areas other than the actual engine.

fatbelly

I just stick my hand over the end to make sure it's giving a good suck. Sorry that's not very scientific.

If it's a bit weak it's a sign that I need to empty it and clean the filters a bit better.

Thomas_Holding

Thank you all - it just went very weak and then turned off - so the discussion is now only of academic interest to me.