How It Works

Vacuum cleaners have been around for over a century and have become an indispensable household item for many. They present a way to clean quickly and efficiently. It is no longer a chore to get carpets, mats, cement, tiles, upholstery and other surfaces in the home or office clean.

How does a vacuum cleaner work?

A vacuum cleaner uses a very simple mechanism for its operation. Think of the vacuum cleaner like a drinking straw. By pulling inside the straw, a zone of low pressure is created atop the straw towards the mouth. Atmospheric pressure acting on the surface of the liquid touching the straw ensures a high pressure which pushes the liquid up the straw.

The vacuum cleaner works in the same way. The vacuum cleaner has a motor that spins a fan sucking in air and debris from below the power head. The debris is sucked in and moves into the bag or bin depending on the type you have. The vacuum cleaner has an exhaust port that dissipates the suction air allowing the vacuum cleaner to run continuously without getting stuck due to the suction pressure.

Before the air is passed out of the exhaust port, it has to go through an air filter. The filter removes small particles of dust and grime that might be carried past the bin or collection bag. The air might be passed through an air filter and a HEPA filter. The HEPA filter is used in some models of vacuum cleaners to eliminate allergens like mold and pet dander.