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HEPA Filter Questions Answered

8/1/2017

1 Comment

 
Why are HEPA filters one use only? Aren't they expensive enough to wash and reuse?
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HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters are used in vacuums and air purifiers for extra protection against allergens and dust. These tend to be much more costly than normal filters and not reusable.
Why? The single use problem goes back into the construction of the filters themselves. In order to provide excellent filtration HEPA filters tend to be made up of a sheet of very fine glass-fiber paper folded in an accordion style to fit into a filter frame.
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Washing or blow out the filter can cause damage. And a damaged filter will not screen out the particles you're trying to keep out of the air.

What can we do? There are two decent options:

1. Think about if you really need extra filtration.
HEPA filtration is great for allergy sufferers, but the general public has survived centuries without the product.

Normal filters screen out troubling particles, just not quite as intensively. They tend to be less expensive and (depending on the style) reusable.

2. Keep your vacuum bags changed or (for bagless) dirt cup clean.
If you do need HEPA filtration, take care of the filter to prolong its usefulness.

HEPA filters screen the exhaust air from your vacuum, so the best way to sustain them is to keep the rest of the machine clean. The air goes through the vacuum's bag and other filters before hitting the HEPA filter.


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5 Things Never to Vacuum

2/13/2015

5 Comments

 
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Vacuum cleaners are a great invention. They keep us from having to beat our rugs.
There are some things, though, that just shouldn't be vacuumed up--for your health and that of your machine.
1. Carpet Powder
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Love my carpet-hate my vacuum powders adding scent to your home and machine.
Problem: Carpet powder is so fine it escapes bags and filters and gets into the bearings, motors, and the fans of your machine. This, in addition to damaging critical inner-workings, sends the dust into the air and your lungs. Carpet powder is also known to clog the pores in vacuum bags and filters. This means your vacuum can not breath and could overheat--possibly to the point of burning out the motor.
Solution: If you want to improve the smell of your vacuum, spray a favorite scent onto a tissue and vacuum it into the machine. (Do NOT spray anything directly onto a bag or filter, it will cause damage)

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5 Things to Check before taking your Vacuum to the shop

9/3/2014

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5 things to Check before taking your Vacuum to the Shop

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So your vacuum just quit working.
What now?
Well, before you take it into the shop, why not do a quick diagnosis of the problem--it might be simpler than you expect.


1. Check the electrical outlet
  There's not much more embarrassing than taking something into the shop and having it run just fine when it was dead at home. If the vacuum doesn't run, see if the outlet is giving power (this is a pretty easy fix).

2. Belt
    Unplug and flip the vacuum over. Does the belt look loose, broken, or melted? If so, it is time to replace it. There's often a distinctive smell that goes along with this problem-- burning rubber.

3. Bags/filters
   
When was the last time you emptied the bag and/or cleaned the filters? Replacing a full bag will often get a vacuum back to running like new. Filters are very important--especially on bag-less machines--they keep dirt from getting into important places like the motor.  Some filters are washable, look in your instructions to see how to clean them.

4. Hose
   
One frequent problem is clogging, especially if you have pets, long hair, new carpets, or like to vacuum up large pieces of rubbish. Without airflow, the vacuum will overheat and shut down. Remove your hose and drop a quarter in one end. Hold the hose vertically. Did the quarter come out? If not, you have a clog. Use a yard stick to clear out the blockage--be careful not to compact the dirt inside.
(Do NOT use coat hangers to clear a clog, they can destroy your hose)

5. Reset Button

    Locate the reset button and press. If it restarts, diagnose what caused the problem in the first place--see above options.

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    Shenandoah Sew and Vac is a small retail and repair business located in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.

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