How Do Vacuum Cleaners Really Work?

Let's assume you already saw my post with the short how vacuum cleaners work video.

Now, take a look at the narrative explaining the vacuum cleaner's function and its major parts.

The vacuum cleaner is less complex than you imagine it to be. The standard vacuum cleaner is made up of six essential elements: consumption port,exhaust port, electric motor, fan, porous bag, and a housing that stores all of the other elements.

It is quite simple. Vacuum cleaners are electric. Well, all of the ones I have ever seen or read about are. So the first step is to plug the electric cord into the electric outlet. Here is what happens next:

1. The electricity powers the motor that is attached to the fan. The fan is shaped somewhat like a pinwheel, or airplane propeller.

2. When the fan blades start turning, they force air up and towards the exhaust opening.

3. Okay, here is a little bit of the physics of moving air. As the air is forced towards the exhaust port, the pressure in front of the fan will increases. The pressure behind the fan decreases.

Think about drinking liquid through a straw. As you suck on the straw the liquid comes into it and up the straw. The pressure in the area behind the fan drops below the level of that outside the "straw", or in the case of the vacuum, outside the vacuum cleaner.

That is what makes suction inside the vacuum cleaner. The outside air and dirt particles are pulled into the vacuum cleaner a bit like the liquid you are drinking through that straw.

4. The flow of air that the vacuum generates responds like a stream of water moving up your straw. Moving air will pick up light weight debris near the front of the vacuum cleaner.

5. As the dirt continues on to the exhaust port, it will pass through the cleaner bag. The tiny holes in the vacuum cleaner bag are big enough to let the air pass through. However, they are too small for the dust particles to escape. Therefore, when the air gets into the bag, the dirt and debris are deposited there.

6. How much suction a vacuum cleaner has depends on several factors.

• Fan Power
• Air passageway size and cleanness
• Size of intake port
• Speed of fan

If you remember that straw comparison. You can draw more of your drink through your straw if it is not clogged and if it has an opening large enough for the drink to pass through. The speed of your drinking will determine how much suction you are using on the straw, unless it is clogged.

Choosing Which Type of Vacuum Cleaner

When you plan to fully clean the house, car, camper, or job site, you need to take a look at a range of various vacuums}. You'll find a number on the market to choose from. Each one has a wide range of special features, functions or tools.

Ideally, what you do is set your price range within your budget and make note of what you will need that vacuum to do. After that, begin the process of looking around and doing research to narrow the choices and get to your short list. Remember you are on the path to finding your perfect vacuum cleaner. Right?

Out of all the different kinds of vacuums available in the marketplace, you ought to be able to find what you need to do your work reliably and well and with minimum effort.

Forget the color of the vacuum! You need to pay attention to size, type and price.
Essentially you have to choose between wet or dry vacuum cleaners. However some companies have managed to combine them. I suggest choosing one or the orther. Most vacuum cleaners are made of either aluminum or heavy duty plastic.

The types of vacuums you can consider include bagless models, cordless, handheld, upright or canister and more. Some people like the novel idea of getting a robotic vacuum to do your whole house while you do something else!

Here is a really nifty tidbit. Some vacuum cleaners are actually designed to get debris, detritus, dirt (or lost mittens) out from underneath your car seat! Other vacuum cleaners are designed specifically for hardwood floors, less chance of scratching them.

Check out all their special features. Does it have extension tools and are they detachable? Does the power cord retract? Can you FIND and REACH the power switch? Does it use a HEPA filter?
You are not likely to believe this but some models will suck up nails and some will even pick up a glass of water! When I read that I wondered if it sucked up just the water or the glass AND the water!

So who makes vacuum cleaners? Companies like:

• Hoover
• Bissell
• Eureka
• Oreck
• Dyson
• Kirby
• Bosch.
  

Remember to consider refurbished vacuums if your budget is tight. And watch for discounts, sales and rebates.

One reason to shop around is the wide price range for vacuum cleaners. You can find one for anywhere from $30 to $500 or sometimes more. Though they are different makes and models the cost is an important factor.

With a little effort and searching on your part you ought to find a durable vacuum cleaner that will keep your place clean for years to come.

By the way, my mother just read this article and laughed at my last sentence. She said it will only keep your place clean if you plug it in and USE it! LoL

How Does A Vacuum Cleaner Work? A Video

I remember a scary assignment we got in 9th grade English. We had to give an oral report on HOW IT WORKS. We could choose any machine or household appliance but we could NOT use pictures or other visual aids. Seems archaic now. So we had to get over being nervous about talking in front of strange "others" (9th grade classmates!). Plus we had to describe the item clearly and then explain how it functioned. GROAN. I remember that day. We all dreaded it. I "did" a pressure cooker! How Lame!

But look at what this gal did for her assignment more recently. She did not have to stand in front of the class and tell someone entirely in words. She made a video model to show how a vacuum cleaner works. Simple? Yes, but it tells the basic tale.

If you were to ask me? I would say it is like having a tiny tornado controlled inside the machine that sucks everything into its vortex and catches it inside the bag. Hm. What would YOU Say? eh?

What Is Essential In New Vacuum Cleaners?

Before you go out and buy a major home appliance, you really ought to do some research and make your purchase a wise one so your money is well spent.

As far as new vaccuum cleaners are concerned, I look for:

• Familiar brand names.
• Cost.
  
• Durability.
• EFFECTIVENESS.
• Low noise.
  
• Lightweight.
• Maintenance needs or ongoing costs.
  
• Recommendations from other users.

So I look at forums and reviews about new vacuum cleaners and at company sites to do some basic investigating.

There are several basic types of vacuum cleaners these days. They sure beat the daylights out of the old days when great grandma had to literally beat the rugs outdoors to get the dust out of them.

When you stop to think about it, and just look at the vacuum cleaner it is a clever machine. It uses an air pump to make a partial vacuum. That is what makes it possible to collect the dust, dirt and debris. Inside it has a filter that separates out the solids using a cyclone type action. True, I don't fully understand how that operates and that might be why I think it is so clever!

The different types of vaccuum cleaners include:

• Upright
• Canister
• Bagless
• Central
• Backpack
• Hand Held
• Robotic

Future posts will discuss features that are essential or important for each of these types. The obvious essential feature overall is that the new vacuum cleaner be capable of removing dust, pollen, and particles of dirt from your home. This, of course, helps people with allergies and helps all of you to maintain a better level of health because your home is cleaner.

If you don't have a vacuum cleaner remember to sweep and remove the excess dust and dirt from the floors and shake out the cloth coverings on the furniture and floor on a regular basis. It does help to remember that people kept their homes clean and tidy for decades before anyone ever invented a vacuum cleaner!