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Original poster

AIBU to ask how to keep a hoover working for more than two years?

112 replies

spanielitis · 28/12/2025 21:32

I have just had to replace yet another hoover because the suction has dwindled to the point I’d be better off sucking the dirt off the floor myself. I’ve tried Shark, Seba, Miele, Dyson but nothing ever lasts more than two years either because it falls apart or the suction goes. Is this just normal? I have always had at least one dog, currently two. Not huge shedders but produce a lot of dirt/grass seeds etc all year round. Wooden floors downstairs, carpets upstairs. I’d love any tips for keeping a hoover in good condition!

OP posts:
christmasfluffysocks · 28/12/2025 22:19

Buy a Henry. There's a reason why pretty much office in the UK has one. Mine has rolled down the stairs and sat grinning at the bottom waiting for me, no harm done. That bastard refuses to die.

FiatLuxAdAstra · 28/12/2025 22:19

spanielitis · 28/12/2025 22:16

Thanks for the advice - sounds like a Henry might be the answer although I don’t find Henry as easy to use as an upright. In answer to questions, yes I changed bags when they had them although usually buy bag less and regularly wash the filters and check brushes. DH takes them apart to check and clean once they start going but maybe we should do this more regularly. Couldn’t get anyone local to service the hoover. To be fair the Miele lasted longest and was already second hand but nowhere near as old as some of yours! Maybe hoovers are just my unlucky thing 🤷🏻‍♀️

You’re supposed to clean a Dyson once a month- all filters, seals and brushes.

BoldBlueZebra · 28/12/2025 22:17

I service mine every so often - wash the filters make sure the tubes are clear etc and clean the hair off the beater bar

MamaBobo · 28/12/2025 22:16

Our Sebo is 18 years old. Change the filters (both of them) regularly, use their own bags, don’t re-use the bags. Wouldn’t hesitate to buy another when it eventually packs up.

Original poster
spanielitis · 28/12/2025 22:16

Thanks for the advice - sounds like a Henry might be the answer although I don’t find Henry as easy to use as an upright. In answer to questions, yes I changed bags when they had them although usually buy bag less and regularly wash the filters and check brushes. DH takes them apart to check and clean once they start going but maybe we should do this more regularly. Couldn’t get anyone local to service the hoover. To be fair the Miele lasted longest and was already second hand but nowhere near as old as some of yours! Maybe hoovers are just my unlucky thing 🤷🏻‍♀️

OP posts:
tripleginandtonic · 28/12/2025 22:12

Henry all.the way. So simple.

SabrinaThwaite · 28/12/2025 22:11

I had one of the early Dysons and whilst it looked like it was doing a good job (the clear cylinder to show you all the crap it was picking up), it really wasn’t. It died after a couple of years and the local repairman wouldn’t touch it. The replacement Miele was in a different league.

Summerbay23 · 28/12/2025 22:10

Our Henry is very heavy but to be fair has been going for a loooong time.

pencilcaseandcabbage · 28/12/2025 22:03

My Dyson is about 15 years old. We have pets and it often is used for bits of hay from their bedding. I do sometimes clean out the filters but only every couple of years. I think it has some rough handling (need to touch wood now in case I've just cursed it! 🤣)

TroysMammy · 28/12/2025 22:01

I've got a Miele and I think I bought it in 1993/1994. It's still going strong but I'm a sloven so it's hardly surprising it's 31 years old.

boogietrapps · 28/12/2025 21:59

Another one saying get a Henry, I’ve had mine for 7 years now. 3 kids, a cat and a dog and it’s not let me down yet!

EskarinaS · 28/12/2025 21:58

My Henry is 20.

soupyspoon · 28/12/2025 21:58

Im surprised you included Miele in the list OP, my upstairs Miele is nearly 30 years old, my downstairs one is 16 years old. No bother.

Cupboarddoorknob · 28/12/2025 21:58

Meile cat and dog - 15 years strong! Change filters rarely

NoTouch · 28/12/2025 21:57

I’ve went back to bagged. Bagless requires too much maintenance of filters etc. Especially gimmicky cleaners like shark.

the best one I had was one of the original Dysons, lasted over 12 years before the motor burnt out, but a newer Dyson was rubbish.

I’ve had a SEBO the last year since the shark died and pleased with it so far. It’s a bit heavy but does a good job.

Notmyreality · 28/12/2025 21:55

You do need to clean it you know? Learn how to do basic cleaning & maintenance - lots of videos on YouTube.

Eenameenadeeka · 28/12/2025 21:55

Have they been bagged ones? We had bagless Dyson and shark that didn't last very well, got a miele with a bag 9 years ago and it's been excellent, no issues. I think they said since dust and stuff goes right into the bag it doesn't get damaged or something. Obviously the ongoing cost of bags but saved by keeping the vacuum for years.

Cornwallchippy · 28/12/2025 21:55

Our Henry is celebrating his 20th birthday this year. Part of the family :)

SpicedAppleCake · 28/12/2025 21:55

Icanflyhigh · 28/12/2025 21:51

Get an Henry - they're immortal!

Yeah, my Henry fell down a flight of stairs and survived, impossible to kill despite my clumsiness

MargotMoon · 28/12/2025 21:53

Have you tried to clean it out properly? I had a Miele cylinder for decades and then bought an upright Shark and didn’t realise that you had to disassemble bits to unclog it. I have a cat so it was full of dust and hair. I emailed them to ask why it had lost suction and they got on a video call with me and showed me how to check and clear out all the parts. I wouldn’t dream of buying a new vacuum before checking that it can’t be fixed first.

spicycats · 28/12/2025 21:53

My Miele is 15 years old and going strong

TheDogsMother · 28/12/2025 21:52

I had two Dyson uprights and a handheld which were all rubbish. Got a Miele Pet to deal with the pet hair of three cats and a dog and it must be fifteen years old now. DH also brought an old Miele vacuum to our household when we started living together and this one was even older. It’s still going strong too.

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 28/12/2025 21:52

Are you cleaning and/or changing the filters?

Icanflyhigh · 28/12/2025 21:51

Get an Henry - they're immortal!

scalt · 28/12/2025 21:50

I’ve heard “clean house = wasted life”. I think we should change it to “serviced hoover = wasted life”.