18/03/2026
At the last repair cafe REthink Nillumbik ran a session on vacuum cleaners. We came away with some great tips for looking after your current vacuum, but also some important considerations when buying a new one.
Read the full blog write up here, or scan the key takeaway points below. https://www.goinggreensolutions.com.au/suck-it-up-what-to-look-for-in-a-vacuum/
𝐁𝐮𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲, not price or features. A good vacuum can last 20–30 years. A sturdy, simple model from a reliable brand beats something cheaper or flashier with lots of electronics and disposable parts that are prone to failure.
𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐮𝐦 𝐢𝐭𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟. Choose a brand with an Australian service department and readily available replacement parts. Repairing one quality vacuum over its lifetime will almost certainly cost less than replacing cheaper models every few years.
𝐁𝐚𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐯𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞-𝐨𝐟𝐟. Bagged vacuums last longer and are better for allergy sufferers, but bags are an ongoing expense and go to landfill. Bagless models are cheaper to run day-to-day but need more frequent internal cleaning to stay in good shape. If you go bagged, always use brand-name bags as cheap aftermarket ones can damage your machine.
𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐤𝐞𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐝. Modern vacuums can have multiple filters that need regular cleaning, not just the obvious one they tell you about. Check your model online for hidden filters, and be aware that neglecting them can void your warranty.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐛𝐚𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞. Sturdy, repairable, and built to last, potentially for decades. The upfront cost is worth it in the long run.
