Being the pathway through which dirt and debris pass through, the vacuum hose is prone to blockages. It goes without saying that any obstructions in the hose will drastically affect the vacuum’s performance.
I like to clean my upright vacuum, including the hose and attachments, at least once a month to keep the cleaner in top shape. If you use your vacuum for pet hair cleaning or put it through heavy use, I would recommend giving it a nice clean every week or so to prevent blockages.
Cleaning your vacuum might not be the most enjoyable thing but dedicating just a few minutes to the task can make all the difference in terms of lifespan and performance.
In this guide, I will show you how to clean a Shark vacuum hose.
Things You Will Need
- Screwdriver
- Baking soda
- Soft cloth
- White vinegar
- Mild dish soap/detergent
- Both scrubber
Signs Your Vacuum Hose Needs Cleaning
A blockage in the hose might cause:
- A burning smell caused by an overworked motor
- The vacuum does not clean well and leaves dirt behind
- The vacuum produces a dragging sound like it is out of the air
- If you use the vacuum for hardwood floors, you might notice some scratches due to loss of suction
You do not have to wait for these signs to clean the hose; the earlier you do it, the better for the lifespan and performance of your Shark vacuum.
Here is a step-by-step guide to cleaning and removing dirt and debris in your vacuum hose:
Step 1: Detach the hose from the vacuum
To clean the hose, you must first detach it from the rest of the vacuum. Before doing this, be sure to unplug the vacuum from the power source. To detach the hose from the vacuum, press the tabs on each side of the nozzle at the bottom where the hose connects to the rest of the vacuum.
Next, press the release button on the wand to remove the handle from the top of the vacuum. This would leave you with the handle and the hose attached to it.
Then, grab your Philips screwdriver and unfasten all the screws on the plastic housing that constitutes the handle. Remove the upper part of the plastic housing and then pull out the hose from the handle.
Step 2: Clear Clogs
Before cleaning the hose with hot water, remove any clogs along its length. This step is especially important if you mostly use your Shark vacuum for pet hair cleaning, as it might be prone to blockages. I would recommend inserting something solid like a broom handle through one side of the vacuum and pushing the clogs caught in between out the other side of the hose. Be gentle when doing this to avoid breaking or expanding the hose unnecessarily.
Step 3: Wash The Hose
Prepare a sink where you will clean the hose. For hygiene purposes, use a basement or outside sink instead of the kitchen sink. Trap about 5 inches of hot water in the sink and add a tablespoon of a mild detergent.
Place the hose inside the sink and let the water move inside and through the length of the hose. Using a cotton towel, gently rub the outer parts of the pipe to remove any exterior gunk.
Next, in a small container, mix three tablespoons of baking soda and two cups of white vinegar. Hold both ends of the hose and pour the mixture through one end. With both ends of the hose still in your hands, give the hose a good shake for about three minutes.
You will notice the mixture of vinegar and baking soda bubbling up or fizzing—this is normal. I prefer this mixture to say, commercial bleach, which can be too harsh for the hose material.
Anyway, after shaking the hose, release one end to pour the mixture into a separate sink. Insert the hose back into the hot water and swirl it around. Give it another shake to remove any of the baking powder and vinegar mixture left inside.
At this point, you can drain the sink. Then, run tap water through the length of the hose. Do this until the water coming out through the other end runs clear. Use a bottle scrub to remove any gunk that might have been left in the hose.
Step 4: Post-Cleaning Process
Once you are satisfied that your hose is clean, straighten its accordion segments to allow the inner parts to properly dry. Using a clean dry cloth, wipe the outer part of the hose, making sure to reach those accordions where drops of water are likely to hide.
Step 5: Dry the Hose
Hang the hose over a cloth line or a rod in a cool dry place. Avoid using a flame, hairdryer or direct sunlight to dry the hose. Allow it to hang in that position for up to 48 hours for the inner parts to dry completely.
Step 6: Reassemble
Follow the same steps in reverse to attach the hose to the plastic house and back to the vacuum itself. Never attach and use a hose when it is not completely dry as this can increase the risk of an electrical malfunction in the vacuum. Even if this does not happen, vacuuming with a wet hose will result in an off-putting odor that can be very difficult to get rid of.
Things To Note:
- Avoid using boiling water or harsh detergents, especially if your hose is old or feels a bit fragile
- Do not use sharp objects to scrub the inner or outer parts of the hose
- Let your hose dry for at least 24 hours before using
Conclusion
Learning how to clean shark vacuum hose is one of those little but important maintenance routines that can have a huge impact on the performance of your vacuum.
Preferably, opt for readily available, environment-friendly, and vacuum-safe cleaning ingredients such as baking soda and vinegar.
Depending on your vacuuming needs, you might want to clean your hose and other parts of your Shark vacuum at least once a month, to prevent problems such as loss of suction and bad odors.
Do you have any questions or comments? Please leave them below.
