LOOK OUT FOR THAT SOCK! If you have ever used a vacuum cleaner in your life, you are hopefully aware of the dangers of shoelaces, carpet fringe and yes, socks. Anything left lazily on the rug can quickly become an indigestible vacuum snack. And if your vacuum ever snagged one of these items, you may recall your vac's acrid belch of burnt rubber. That, my friend, was the drive BELT going up in smoke.

What kind of Belt does Your vacuum take?

Great. Now the vacuum won't pick anything up. Where is the screwdriver? Nevermind, you don't even have a spare belt on hand to attempt to replace - Ugh! Irritating as this scenario is, it is designed to happen. No, not to annoy you and make you spend money needlessly on belts. The belt breaking served to prevent the (more expensive) brushroller and/or motor from seizing and burning up! As inconsequential as the drive belt may appear, it is a vacuum's "Achilles Heel." Your vacuum could have all the suction in the world, but on a carpet, it's almost worthless without a properly spinning agitator brush. All of this frustration can be easily prevented. But first, let's back up to review what this belt-business is all about, and review some options to simply and/or improve your cleaning routine! 

Let's start with the basics...In case you don't already know or if you think you didn't care: All vacuums, by nature, produce suction. But in order to properly and deeply clean most types of carpeting or rug, agitation must be added.

• Whether upright or canister style - vacuum agitation is accomplished with a cleanerhead that features a cylindrical "brushroller."
  
  

• Covered with rows of stiff bristles, the brushroller spins very fast over the surface of the carpet to brush away hair, lint and dust. It also separates the carpet fibers to allow suction to reach deeply embedded dust and sand.
  
  

• The brushroller is usually powered by a shaft coming off of the suction motor, or sometimes its own little brush motor. A tight rubber belt is what connects (transferring rotation/power) to the brushroller.
   

• Basic, inexpensive machines use a cheap, stretchy rubber belt to make the brushroller spin. After 6 months to a year these will stretch out, lose effectiveness, and must be replaced. They'll burn, stretch and break upon an accident like described above!
  
  

• Professional and high-quality

  vacuums utilize a non-stretchy, reinforced (often cogged) belt. These are much less likely break if a foreign object gets caught in the cleanerhead. So as not to cause stress to the brush or motor, models like these will also feature a shut-off sensor and reset button. This system ensures a minimal amount of downtime and maintenance expense.

   

Now that you know what the belt is and what it does, you can see how important it is! In fact, it's so important that we even listed belt type as criteria on our "New Vacuum Purchase Questionnaire!"

Just like your car, you should be familiar with the basic elements of your vacuum's mechanical makeup. You should learn what is designed to do and what its limitations are. Lastly, find out what items are required to be maintained and replaced - and at what intervals! Ask yourself: Does your SUV have 4-wheel drive and if so, how is it engaged? When does the timing belt need to be replaced in your Toyota Camry? Similarly, is your vacuum built to clean only carpets or hard floors? What kind of belt (filter, bag, etc.) does it take and when should it be changed? Spend a little time getting to know your vacuum; get her what she needs to feel her best and you'll be amazed at how much better your cleaning results can be!  

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