Replacing a Vacuum Cleaner Filter

Of all of the places a filter would be, I had no idea that a vacuum cleaner had one at all. When I took my new vacuum cleaner in for routine maintenance, I was asked if I wanted my filter replaced. I wondered if I should but made the right choice when I took the cleaner home and found out what a difference it can make. Of course, at the time, because I didn't know that vacuum cleaners had filters, I paid quite a bit of money for labor and parts. However, I quickly learned how to do this simple process at home.

1. 1. Locate the filter. Filters are typically on the back of or underneath the machine depending on if you have an upright or a canister.
2. Type of filter. Most newer machines are built with HEPA filters. HEPA filters are the most efficient filters that can be bought as they can filter approximately 99.7% of all airborne dust particles. They are more costly but if you suffer from allergies or asthma or have anyone in the house who suffers from this, then a HEPA filter is worth the extra money.
3. Buying a filter. I suggest always going to a vacuum retailer to buy your filter. These stores have all of the factory-manufactured parts for your cleaner. Also, the benefit of shopping at these stores is that they have other parts for your cleaner. In case something breaks or you need to take it in for maintenance, you will automatically know where to go. However, you can certainly buy these parts online.
4. Replace the filter. Pull the filter out of the machine. Usually filters come in their own case so all you need to do is pull out the old one and put the new one in its place.

Replacing a filter isn't such a difficult process to do on your own when you have the know-how to do it. It's a simple fix that takes hardly any time and with the right filter, you can even decrease the amount of airborne particles that oftentimes escape your old filter.