How do you unclog a vacuum tube? (2023)

How can you tell if vacuum is clogged?

Clog located in the vacuum hose

Turn the unit on and feel the suction at the end of the hose handle. If there is no or low suction, then the clog is in the hose. You can remove the clog by running a long, stiff object through the hose, such as a butter knife, starting at the wall end.

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.

Pouring a cup of baking soda and then a cup of vinegar into a drain pipe can produce a chemical reaction that is sometimes effective at clearing deeper blockages. Make sure to follow up with hot water to melt away any remaining debris.

Clogs in a vacuum hose are not uncommon because, over time, any buildup in the pipe can cause hair and fibres to stick inside which, in turn, trap larger debris thus causing a blockage and subsequent drop in suction.

The most common cause of loss of suction is that the filters have become blocked. They may require cleaning or replacing. Another cause could be that the vacuum cleaner hose is blocked.

Does baking soda ruin your vacuum? Baking soda's minuscule size can clog the filters and potentially damage vacuum cleaners – particularly the motor. If you're using a bagless vacuum, the potential chokepoint would be the cyclonic filters and the post-motor HEPA filter.

A plunger can clear a clog if the blockage isn't too far into the pipes. Cleaning out a sink trap removes clogs caused by buildup — such as soap or grease — or a foreign object — such as a toy. An auger — also known as a plumbing snake — or flat sewer rod can clear blockages deep in drain lines.

In our experience, the three safest tools to use when unclogging your drain are the common plunger, plumbing snake, and hydro-jet.

How do you unclog a drain with baking soda and salt?

Mix 1/2 cup table salt and 1/2 cup baking soda together, and pour down drain. Let sit for about 30 minutes (or overnight if it's a tough clog). Follow with a pot of boiling water.

Sprinkle about one cup of baking soda down the clogged drain and wait for 10 minutes. Pour one cup of hydrogen peroxide down the drain and wait for the foaming to stop. Avoid using the drain for a few hours, if possible. Pour hot water down the drain to flush the baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and debris away.