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Home and Garden
Home Maintenance
Floors and Stairs
Cleaning Floors
How to Unclog a Vacuum Hose Download ArticleExplore this Article methods 1 Removing and Cleaning the Hose 2 Pulling out a Clog in the Lower Hose Other Sections Expert Q&A Video Tips and Warnings Things You'll Need Related Articles References Co-authored by Guy Peters and Hunter Rising
Last Updated: September 17, 2024 Fact Checked
Download Article X
This article was co-authored by Guy Peters and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Guy Peters is the Owner of MOP STARS Cleaning Service, a complete house cleaning service for residential and commercial clients, based in Denver, Colorado. Founded in 2014, MOP STARS provides regular, move in/out, deep, and commercial cleaning services. Guy has a BA in Finance from the California State University - Sacramento and an MBA from Cornell University. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 159,076 times.
When your vacuum loses suction, there may be a something stuck in the hose that’s preventing it from working. When you suspect a clog, you can remove and clean out the main hose attached to your machine. If the clog isn’t located there, you may need to pull out a clog from the lower hose. Once the clog is removed, your vacuum should work at its full power!
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 2:
Removing and Cleaning the Hose
Download Article
1 Pull the hose off of your vacuum.[1]X Expert Source Guy PetersHouse Cleaning ProfessionalExpert Interview Your vacuum will have an exterior hose that connects from the roller on the bottom to the tank or bag. Pull the end of the hose out from the base of the vacuum and remove the other end from the main body. If your vacuum hose screws on, unscrew it before pulling it off of the machine. Set the hose on a flat surface once you remove it.[2]XResearch source
Unplug your vacuum before you start performing maintenance on it to avoid the risk of shock.[3]X Expert Source Guy PetersHouse Cleaning ProfessionalExpert Interview
Check the manufacturer’s instructions for your vacuum to see how to remove the hose.
2 Push a broomstick through the hose to force any large clogs out.[4]X Expert Source Guy PetersHouse Cleaning ProfessionalExpert Interview Take the end of the broomstick and feed it through the hose. Push the stick in slowly so you don’t accidentally break or puncture the hose. If there is a large clog in your hose, the broomstick will force it out from the other end.[5]XResearch source
If the hose is translucent, hold it up to a light so you can see through it and find where the clog is. If not, you can try looking through the end of the hose. If you don’t see a clog, then it may be in the lower hose attached to your vacuum.
Warning: Don’t use a coat hanger or anything sharp since it could poke through your hose and affect the suction on your machine.
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3 Pour baking soda and vinegar in the hose clean out any buildup inside. Move your hose into your sink and pour ½ cup (115 g) of baking soda into it. Shake the hose so the baking soda coats the interior. Then, slowly pour 1⁄2 c (120 ml) of white vinegar into the hose. Let the baking soda and vinegar bubble inside of the hose for 2-3 minutes so it can break apart any buildup inside.[6]XResearch source
You can also use powdered laundry detergent with hot water if you don’t have baking soda and vinegar.
4 Rinse the hose with warm water. Turn your sink on to the hottest water that you can handle. Run the water through the hose to rinse any baking soda and vinegar left in the hose. Make sure to put the water into both ends of the hose so it’s completely cleaned out.[7]XResearch source
Try soaking the hose in a sink full of water if you can’t easily direct your sink into the hose.
5 Hang the hose up to dry completely before reattaching it. Set the hose over the edge of your sink or in an area where both of the ends point toward the floor. Leave the hose to dry for at least 1 hour. Once the hose is completely dry, put the hose back onto your machine.[8]XResearch source
Don’t connect the vacuum hose while it’s still wet so you don’t accidentally shock yourself.
Advertisement Method 2 Method 2 of 2:
Pulling out a Clog in the Lower Hose
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1 Take the main hose off of the vacuum.[9]X Expert Source Guy PetersHouse Cleaning ProfessionalExpert Interview The main hose connects near the base of the roller as well as on the main body of the vacuum. Pull off or unscrew the hose from the ports so you can access the lower hose.[10]XResearch source
Read the manufacturer’s manual to see how to properly disconnect the hose from your vacuum.
Warning: Make sure you unplug your vacuum before you start working on it.
2 Unscrew the lower hose from the vacuum body. The lower hose connects to the base of the vacuum and is usually the area where the main hose plugs into the machine. Locate the screw holding the lower hose in place with a screwdriver. Set the screw aside in a place where you won’t lose it.[11]XResearch source
Some lower hoses may clip onto the vacuum rather than being screwed in. If so, pull the lower hose out of the clip.
3 Grab the clog with a pair of needle-nose pliers and pull it out. Open a pair of needle-nose pliers and feed it into the end of the lower hose. Once you feel the clog, pinch the blockage with your pliers to get a good grip on it. Pull the clog out of the hose and throw it away.[12]XResearch source
You should be able to see the clog in the lower hose if you look inside of it. If you can’t see a blockage, then the lower hose may not be clogged and you may have a problem with the roller.
You can also try using another vacuum to pull the clog out.[13]X Expert Source Guy PetersHouse Cleaning ProfessionalExpert Interview
4 Reattach the hoses to your vacuum. Hold the lower hose against the body of the vacuum and place the screw back in the hole. Use your screwdriver to reattach the hose so it doesn’t move around anymore. Then, reconnect the main hose so it stays in place. Turn on your vacuum and test the suction to see if it works again.[14]XResearch source
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Expert Q&A
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Question What can I use to unclog my vacuum hose? Guy Peters House Cleaning Professional Guy Peters is the Owner of MOP STARS Cleaning Service, a complete house cleaning service for residential and commercial clients, based in Denver, Colorado. Founded in 2014, MOP STARS provides regular, move in/out, deep, and commercial cleaning services. Guy has a BA in Finance from the California State University - Sacramento and an MBA from Cornell University. Guy Peters House Cleaning Professional Expert Answer A broomstick or mop handle works well! Hold the broom or mop upright and run the clogged hose through the top of it. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 5 Helpful 5
Question How do you get a washcloth out of a vacuum hose? Guy Peters House Cleaning Professional Guy Peters is the Owner of MOP STARS Cleaning Service, a complete house cleaning service for residential and commercial clients, based in Denver, Colorado. Founded in 2014, MOP STARS provides regular, move in/out, deep, and commercial cleaning services. Guy has a BA in Finance from the California State University - Sacramento and an MBA from Cornell University. Guy Peters House Cleaning Professional Expert Answer Use another vacuum to pull out the sock if the lower hose is clogged. You can also use an air compressor to try and push it out. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 2 Helpful 6
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Video
Tips
If you clean out the hoses and your vacuum still doesn’t have suction, you may need to clean the roller instead. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement
Warnings
Make sure your vacuum is unplugged before you do any cleaning or maintenance. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 0
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Things You’ll Need
Pushing the Clog out of the Hose
Broom
Baking soda
White vinegar
Pulling out the Clog
Screwdriver
Needle-nose pliers
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References
↑ Guy Peters. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview
↑ Guy Peters. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview
More References (5)
↑ https://youtu.be/7arpRxPgxAM?t=59
↑ https://youtu.be/7arpRxPgxAM?t=60
↑ https://youtu.be/Et0SxKfiipM?t=290
↑ Guy Peters. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview
↑ https://youtu.be/7arpRxPgxAM?t=70
About This Article
Co-authored by: Guy Peters House Cleaning Professional This article was co-authored by Guy Peters and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Guy Peters is the Owner of MOP STARS Cleaning Service, a complete house cleaning service for residential and commercial clients, based in Denver, Colorado. Founded in 2014, MOP STARS provides regular, move in/out, deep, and commercial cleaning services. Guy has a BA in Finance from the California State University - Sacramento and an MBA from Cornell University. This article has been viewed 159,076 times. 49 votes - 64% Co-authors: 2Updated: September 17, 2024 Views: 159,076 Categories: Cleaning Floors In other languages German Japanese
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Reader Success Stories
Byron Marsales
May 3, 2021
"The baking soda and vinegar worked for me. Let it sit for about an hour and then flush hose with hot water. It took some shaking and flushing into both ends, but a big blockage finally came out. After the hose dries, I'm expecting my vacuum to work again."..." more
More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story
Did this article help you?
Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Guy Peters House Cleaning Professional 49 votes - 64% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 2Updated: September 17, 2024 Views: 159,076
Byron Marsales
May 3, 2021
"The baking soda and vinegar worked for me. Let it sit for about an hour and then flush hose with hot water. It took some shaking and flushing into both ends, but a big blockage finally came out. After the hose dries, I'm expecting my vacuum to work again."..." more
Millie Van
Dec 18, 2022
"I have been trying to get this clog out for a day and I used the baking soda and vinegar on the hose and it worked amazingly! I really thought I was going to have to buy a new vacuum. So thankful for this trick, it saved me a lot of money."..." more
Dee Benja
Aug 14, 2020
"Great ideas! I got a tea light stuck in the house because I didnt see it. Took the hose off and tried to flush it out with water to no avail. Using the back of the broom shoved it right out! Thank you so much, might have taken me days..."..." more
Kristin Eoff
Jul 9, 2022
"Thank you so much for the broomstick idea! I accidentally sucked up the knob end of the cords to my wooden blinds, and nothing else would get it unstuck from inside my vacuum hose, but the broomstick idea worked!"..." more
Anonymous
Dec 11, 2024
"I had something stuck about 4-5 inches in where the hose handle meets the actual hose. I couldn't reach or grab it with anything. The broom idea was genius. It saved my vacuum hose and saved me a ton of stress!"..." more Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories
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Download Article Explore this Article methods 1 Removing and Cleaning the Hose 2 Pulling out a Clog in the Lower Hose Other Sections Expert Q&A Video Tips and Warnings Things You'll Need Related Articles References Co-authored by Guy Peters and Hunter Rising 
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Co-authored by: Guy Peters House Cleaning Professional This article was co-authored by Guy Peters and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Guy Peters is the Owner of MOP STARS Cleaning Service, a complete house cleaning service for residential and commercial clients, based in Denver, Colorado. Founded in 2014, MOP STARS provides regular, move in/out, deep, and commercial cleaning services. Guy has a BA in Finance from the California State University - Sacramento and an MBA from Cornell University. This article has been viewed 159,076 times. 49 votes - 64% Co-authors: 2 Updated: September 17, 2024 Views: 159,076 Categories: Cleaning Floors In other languages German Japanese 
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1 Pull the hose off of your vacuum.[1] Your vacuum will have an exterior hose that connects from the roller on the bottom to the tank or bag. Pull the end of the hose out from the base of the vacuum and remove the other end from the main body. If your vacuum hose screws on, unscrew it before pulling it off of the machine. Set the hose on a flat surface once you remove it.[2] 
2 Push a broomstick through the hose to force any large clogs out.[4] Take the end of the broomstick and feed it through the hose. Push the stick in slowly so you don’t accidentally break or puncture the hose. If there is a large clog in your hose, the broomstick will force it out from the other end.[5] 
3 Pour baking soda and vinegar in the hose clean out any buildup inside. Move your hose into your sink and pour ½ cup (115 g) of baking soda into it. Shake the hose so the baking soda coats the interior. Then, slowly pour 1⁄2 c (120 ml) of white vinegar into the hose. Let the baking soda and vinegar bubble inside of the hose for 2-3 minutes so it can break apart any buildup inside.[6] 
4 Rinse the hose with warm water. Turn your sink on to the hottest water that you can handle. Run the water through the hose to rinse any baking soda and vinegar left in the hose. Make sure to put the water into both ends of the hose so it’s completely cleaned out.[7] 
5 Hang the hose up to dry completely before reattaching it. Set the hose over the edge of your sink or in an area where both of the ends point toward the floor. Leave the hose to dry for at least 1 hour. Once the hose is completely dry, put the hose back onto your machine.[8] 
1 Take the main hose off of the vacuum.[9] The main hose connects near the base of the roller as well as on the main body of the vacuum. Pull off or unscrew the hose from the ports so you can access the lower hose.[10] 
2 Unscrew the lower hose from the vacuum body. The lower hose connects to the base of the vacuum and is usually the area where the main hose plugs into the machine. Locate the screw holding the lower hose in place with a screwdriver. Set the screw aside in a place where you won’t lose it.[11] 
3 Grab the clog with a pair of needle-nose pliers and pull it out. Open a pair of needle-nose pliers and feed it into the end of the lower hose. Once you feel the clog, pinch the blockage with your pliers to get a good grip on it. Pull the clog out of the hose and throw it away.[12] 
4 Reattach the hoses to your vacuum. Hold the lower hose against the body of the vacuum and place the screw back in the hole. Use your screwdriver to reattach the hose so it doesn’t move around anymore. Then, reconnect the main hose so it stays in place. Turn on your vacuum and test the suction to see if it works again.[14] Advertisement 
Guy Peters House Cleaning Professional Guy Peters is the Owner of MOP STARS Cleaning Service, a complete house cleaning service for residential and commercial clients, based in Denver, Colorado. Founded in 2014, MOP STARS provides regular, move in/out, deep, and commercial cleaning services. Guy has a BA in Finance from the California State University - Sacramento and an MBA from Cornell University. 
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