Help! Vacuum Cleaner Clogged!
We recently received a panicked email from a lovely customer:
“Hi there! How much Sanic powder should I be using to clean a mattress? I’m worried I used too much because my vacuum cleaner has gotten all blocked up after cleaning my mattress with Sanic. Please help!”After chatting, we resolved the issue and thought we should share our solution so fellow customers don’t experience the same problem.
Vacuum Cleaner Care First
Before we discuss amounts of SANIC to use, let’s address vacuum cleaner care. We realised this was more likely the issue for this customer than the amount she had used.
Before using SANIC, check the following to avoid clogging:
- When did you last empty your vacuum? If the vacuum wasn’t empty to begin with, it will get full very quickly and eventually stop sucking powerfully.
- When did you last deep clean the vacuum? A good clean-out of all the filters and compartments in your vacuum will have it working like new again. Some vacuum filters can be rinsed with water, while others can’t and need to be replaced. Some vacuums might have hidden compartments with extra filters that you may have missed too. Have a quick search online to see where all the filters are and how best to clean them in your specific vacuum model.
Warning Signs You Need to Clean or Replace Filters
- Decreased suction power
- Visible dust being expelled from exhaust
- Unusual odours during operation
- Motor running hotter than normal
- Vacuum making unusual noises
Vacuum Type Matters
The type and size of your vacuum also makes a difference. A small handheld vacuum will need emptying more frequently than a large plug-in vacuum. Assess the size of your vacuum and the volume of dust it can handle, and clean it out accordingly.
SANIC adds significantly more volume to what’s being sucked up. For example, if I’m just cleaning my king mattress, I make sure my vacuum is clean and empty before I start and then empty it out afterward. If I’m spring cleaning my whole house – carpets, mattresses, beds – I will stop and empty my vacuum throughout the process, when I can see it’s 2/3 full or the suction is weaker.
How Much SANIC to Use
- Apply a light layer for regular cleaning
- Use a thicker layer for a deeper clean when something is damp, smelly, or hasn’t been cleaned in a while
- In our demonstration photos, the solid white areas would be considered a thick layer
- As a rule of thumb, use 1/3 of the bottle for a king extra length size mattress, and 1/4 of the bottle for a double
Please send us any more questions you might have!
