The vacuum cleaner always seems to break at the most untimely time, doesn't it? It's like a dog broke the pillow in the living room, and your great-grandmother Jemima is on the way to drink morning tea. 

We can't help you solve the unfortunate time problem, but we can help you solve some common vacuum problems-this may let you get rid of the trouble of Aunt Jemima's kimchi in time, and enjoy scones and tea in time. 

Our CHOICE vacuum experts will tell us how to solve some problems and when to hire professionals. 

We have tested to find the best.

Before you remove the screwdriver or start removing parts from the vacuum cleaner, be sure to read the manual first. It will give you advice on how to use and replace the filter, tell you which parts you can clean, and other useful tips on maintaining and troubleshooting the vacuum cleaner. 

If you don't read the manual, you may end up doing something that makes the problem worse or invalidates your warranty-neither of which is a good result. So just cover yourself and read the manual, okay? This is boring, but it can save you a painful world. 

The tips we will provide you here are more general in nature; your machine manual will be able to provide you with more specific instructions.

Regular maintenance can extend the life of the vacuum cleaner.

The first thing: if you take care of your vacuum cleaner, it will take care of you. Regular maintenance and cleaning will help your vacuum cleaner perform its best and help minimize problems. It can also extend the life of the vacuum cleaner and save you money in the long run. 

Read the article by CHOICE vacuum expert Chris Barnes on how to clean the vacuum cleaner for useful tips on keeping the vacuum well maintained. 

Did you know that IT professionals always tell you to turn off the computer and then turn it on again? Well, there are similar tricks to solve the vacuum cleaner problem. 

Before you do anything else, check whether the hose is clogged, check whether the bag or trash can needs to be emptied, and check whether the filter needs to be cleaned. 

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The loss of suction may be caused by obstacles in the hose. If you think there is a blockage in the hose, disconnect it from the vacuum tip and the main body and shake it sufficiently to see if anything falls out or makes a rattling noise. 

Check each end of the hose to see if there are any visible blockages, if not, gently push the broom handle through the hose to find any blockages and push it out. 

If your vacuum cleaner keeps getting clogged, try to unplug all detachable cleaning parts from the cleaning head, accessories, hoses and suction pipes, then soak and clean. 

“I recently did this with my vacuum cleaner, and I was surprised that the dirt and dust clumps that I have never cleaned in years,” said Adrian Lini, a vacuum testing expert. 

"It makes the vacuum feel and look much more updated, and it also reduces the noise level when using it."

Cleaning the vacuum cleaner can make it look and feel updated, and it can also reduce the noise level.

You should clean the vacuum filter regularly to help your machine run smoothly. If you haven't done it before, refer to your instructions for the first cleaning, and then set a reminder in your phone to clean the filter once a month or so. 

Pull out the filters and brush them off, then wash them to remove all dust. Let them dry completely before putting them back in the machine. 

The only exception is the HEPA filter, which usually cannot be cleaned. For more information about filters, please check the manual. 

If you have purchased a vacuum cleaner for a while, you may need to replace the filter. You can usually buy them directly from the manufacturer or vacuum retailer. 

Read more: 5 simple device repairs you can do yourself

After hours of sucking hair and lint on the floor, it's no wonder that your vacuum tip may be a bit tangled. 

If the floor head has a brush roller, it can usually be removed for cleaning. (Just check the instructions first, so as not to break anything.)

Use scissors, a thread cutter, or a knife to cut off any tangled hair or threads. 

During this period, please use a small brush, vacuum hose or under the tap to clean the roller head and bristles. (Check if it is dry before reinstalling.)

“The roller brushes in the cleaning head are sometimes driven by rubber belts, which may wear, break or slip off the roller drive wheels,” said Chris Barnes, a home expert at CHOICE. 

"Putting it back in place or replacing it is usually an easy DIY job. 

"However, many of these brush rollers are now driven directly by the rotating spindle, so this task may not be relevant to many current models."

Short battery life is a common problem with vacuum cleaners.

The most common problems faced by Australian consumers when using vacuum cleaners are the short battery life and the vacuum cleaner not vacuuming. 

"If your vacuum cleaner seems to lose power or run out of power soon, it may be worthwhile to buy a new battery," Adrian said. 

"Over time, lithium-ion batteries will gradually lose their charging ability, which will indeed reduce the practicality and utilization of vacuum cleaners." 

You can expect the battery life to be about three to four years, and unless you have a very basic model, you should be able to remove the battery yourself. 

The cost of replacing the battery is usually around $100, which may be worthwhile for high-end vacuum cleaners, but may not be economically feasible for cheaper models. 

"Some old Dyson vacuum cleaners without replaceable batteries can be taken apart with a screwdriver," said Kim Gilmour, a family expert at CHOICE. 

Kim recommends using this step-by-step guide to remove and replace the battery in the Dyson V8 vacuum cleaner. 

"Some batteries may be replaceable, but I am cautious about recommending third-party batteries," Kim said. 

Read more: The 3 best vacuum cleaners under $200

Before you start playing around with the vacuum cleaner, check the warranty. If you bring a screwdriver to a vacuum cleaner that is still under warranty, you may invalidate it and find that if something goes wrong, you can only rely on yourself. 

If your machine is relatively new, it should be covered by the manufacturer's warranty, or it should be covered by the Australian Consumer Law (ACL). In these cases, the manufacturer may be responsible for repairing, replacing or refunding the defective vacuum.

If you bring a screwdriver to a vacuum cleaner that is still under warranty, it may become invalid

The product should be able to operate normally within a reasonable time after purchase, if not, then you are entitled to repair, replacement or refund. But what constitutes a "reasonable time" is a matter of opinion, and some manufacturers will try to get rid of it. 

Check out our article on equipment life expectancy to see if you have a reason to call ACL in discussions with the manufacturer. 

No matter how much you want to think of yourself as a modern MacGyver, there are some things you can't solve by yourself. But you do need to weigh whether it is worth the money. 

"For more complex issues, such as motor failures, professional repairs are required," Chris said. 

"Unfortunately, for cheaper models, repairs may be more expensive than buying new ones (unless of course it is still under warranty). 

"But a good vacuum cleaner should last a few years, and for more expensive models, repairs are worthwhile."

We estimate that the vacuum cleaner should last 4 to 10 years, depending on the upfront cost.

The vacuum cleaner should last 4 to 10 years, depending on the upfront cost

For a cheap machine, you can expect it to last about four years. For mid-range models, it takes about 6 years, while high-end vacuum cleaners should last about 10 years. 

Of course, repair and replacement costs are not just a financial issue-ideally, we all consider the environmental impact. Repairing the product means one less electrical appliance that goes into the landfill. 

But you do need to consider the quality of the vacuum cleaner. If a cheap machine may have reached the end of its useful life, is it worth repairing it? You may get an additional six months of usage time from it, but is it worth the price you pay for it? 

Here, buying the highest quality product you can afford is truly rewarding-it may last longer and is built well enough that it can be rejuvenated when things wear out. 

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We at CHOICE recognize the Gadigal people, who are the traditional guardians of the land where we work, and we pay our respect to the indigenous people of this country. CHOICE supports the Uluru statement from the hearts of the indigenous people.