My Public, Health Service Announcement

If you have a vacuum with any kind of filter, wash or change it regularly (depending on your filter). If your brush slows down on a regular basis or the belt appears a little over-stretched, buy a new belt and replace it.

I have 2 filters on my vacuum; one is washable foam and the other is a hepa filter. I wash the foam one regularly because I can see when it is dirty. I tend to forget about the other one. I change the belt out when it breaks and the brush stops spinning. So why did I start this post like I did? I am about to tell you and completely embarrass myself in the process.

First I noticed I had to lower the brush on my vacuum in order to make sure it was really brushing the carpet. I could run it over areas and look like the brush was only touching 2-3 spots. Small amounts of hair wrapping around the brush would cause it to slow down and I was cutting hair off about every other use. Finally the brush just stopped spinning altogether however the belt was still intact. So I decided it was probably a good time to buy a new one and while I was at it buy the hepa filter.

Because I am totally cheap and sometimes still think things should cost less than they usually do, I almost didn't buy the filter.  I was buying 2 belts for $4 but 1 filter was going to cost $9. It's just a stupid filter, right? Not a big deal. But I decided I should just spend the money for it. Especially cause our family has been getting cold after cold lately.

I got home and switched out the belt and noticed the old one was really stretched out. Then I switched out the filter which was really dirty. Then I started vacuuming the 2 rooms I hadn't been able to vacuum the other day when the brush stopped.

The slots in the filter should be white and that's the new belt inside the old one.

Before I explain what happened next, I promise, I vacuum on a regular basis. Usually once a week, sometimes more, however a few times it is less frequent but never longer than 2 weeks between vacuuming (unless we aren't home).

As I started vacuuming, I noticed that I could change the brush setting back and the carpet looked great. When I moved items to vacuum under them, the brush straightened out the carpet that has been lain flat under the pressure. At this point I realized I probably needed to change the belt a little more often than when it breaks or when the brush stops. Then slowly I became more and more disgusted with what I saw and heard. It truly sounded like I hadn't vacuumed in weeks. The dirt and dust catching bucket was filled with dirt and dust bunnies.

The amount of dirt and dust after vacuuming the house twice.

 I ended up vacuuming to whole house at least twice and then borrowing our neighbors carpet cleaner. I was beyond shocked at how dirty things were. Each time I vacuumed before, I had  to empty the bucket because of dirt and just assumed that things were ok. I had no clue that my vacuum was sucking at sucking up dirt.

I apologize to those who have visited my house recently (if the grossness of the garbage can picture bothers you). I learned a valuable lesson. I now know that no matter the cost of the filter, buy it and change it out every few months. Regardless of the cost, there are some things we just have to do on a regular basis to have healthy, safe, and clean lives. Hopefully this will help the runny noses and coughs go away.