It’s easy to forget that labor-saving appliances used for cleaning, like dishwashers, washers, dryers, and vacuum cleaners, themselves need to be cleaned and maintained. Vacuum cleaners, for example, were once a major investment for households, and in some cases they still are. But as materials and manufacturing have evolved over the decades, we’ve gotten to the point where repairing a vacuum cleaner (that’s not under warranty) or replacing a part can often cost as much, if not more, than buying a new one.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect your vacuum cleaner from an untimely death. Whether you’ve invested in a high-end model or you’re trying to put off replacing the vacuum cleaner you’ve had for years, here are a few ways to extend the life of your vacuum cleaner.

According to a reliability survey by Consumer Reports, vacuum cleaners last an average of eight years, though that can vary widely depending on the brand, how often it’s used, and how (or if) it’s maintained. This is something I can attest to from personal experience.

When I was growing up (in the 80's and 90's) our household vacuum cleaner was a 1937 Kirby upright (similar to this one). Although it got moved to the basement when my parents eventually upgraded to something lighter and easier to maneuver, the Kirby is still in good working order. While the "they don't make 'em like they used to" argument probably applies here, it's hard to say it would still work today if it hadn't been properly maintained and used over decades.