Like any machine, cordless vacuums require regular maintenance to operate at their best. Most users only remove the barrel and clean the filter, but in reality, dust and hair build up in the bottom pile, which limits performance.
This is the part a cover rotating brushroll. It is one of the first parts of a vacuum to come into contact with dust and dirt, and it needs to be unobstructed for air to flow freely. If left uncleaned, accumulated dust will greatly reduce suction power.
Cleaning the Cloth on the Floor Head Will Restore the Suction of Your Cordless Vacuum
If the cloth is covered with dust, it will not clean properly.
The ‘floorhead’ is the part of the vacuum cleaner that is responsible for picking up the dirt in your home. Naturally, if its cover is blocked, the spinning roller will not be able to clean effectively, limiting how the dust particles can move freely.
I know this firsthand, having spent 400 hours testing, taking apart, and cleaning vacuum cleaners over the past two years. My knowledge of these devices is so complete that I have provided my family with a vacuum when it starts to lose its function.
Fortunately, this is one of the easiest steps to repair a vacuum and it only takes two minutes. It can greatly improve the performance of your vacuum, helping you return it to its glory out of the box. Only a few tools are needed, many of which you probably already have at home.
First, remove the brushroll to gain access. Check the Dyson, Shark, and Bissell instruction manuals to find out how to use it for your model, but usually, there is a small slot on the side that you twist to remove the roller.
Then, wipe down the inside with a damp, soapy cloth, like these $9.89 microfiber cloths at Walmart. Since this plastic part is not connected to any electrical parts, it is safe to use moisture, but be sure to avoid getting other parts of the vacuum wet.
If it hasn’t been cleaned in a while, you may need to use a bristled brush or seam rippers to remove any trapped dirt or hair. This $4 seam ripper set on Amazon is perfect, and will help remove any tangled hair after regular weekly cleaning sessions, too.
Before reassembling, make sure every part is completely dry by waiting 48 hours, as moisture will irreparably damage your vacuum cleaner.
What you can buy
To maintain the performance of your machine, I would recommend cleaning the bottom head of your vacuum as a whole, including washing the roller and wiping the inlet valve. Here is a collection of tools that will come in handy.
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
MR.SIGA Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
Microfiber cloths are great for wiping marks and removing any dirt stuck on your floor cloth, paired with soapy water. There are many other ways to use microfiber cloths around the house, too.
Use dish soap and warm water with a microfiber cloth to clean dust and hair from your floorhead shroud.
GENKENT Bamboo Toothbrushes
If the fabric has not been cleaned for a long time, there will likely be stubborn dirt trapped between the plastic ridges. These non-toxic bamboo toothbrushes are small, easy to fit into tight spaces, and you can use the entire 12-pack as a regular bathroom replacement.
Ortarco Seam Ripper and Thread Remover Kit
This seam ripper set is very effective at cutting hair without damaging the parts of your vacuum.
Some vacuums are easier to maintain than others, and Dysons are notoriously easy to take apart and clean. I use the Dyson V15 Detect at home, and cleaning all the parts from top to bottom takes less than an hour, and its lifetime filter is washable. Read more in my five-star Dyson V15 Finder review.
A robot vacuum will help reduce how often you have to maintain your regular vacuum and how often you have to do maintenance steps like these. This eufy model is the best we’ve tested for pet hair, too, and we’ve never had to cut the hair out of its spinning roller. Read more in full Eufy Omni S1 Pro review.
Next, see which vacuums come out on top in our guide to the best vacuums for pet hair and Dyson’s best practices after our rigorous testing sessions.