Vacuum cleaners work based on airflow. So, they clean space by sucking up dirt, dust, and debris. Meanwhile, having a cleaning tool that can suck up air and blow it out is always a big plus.
Why? It saves you the cost of getting two machines for each purpose.
Before buying your vacuum cleaner, you probably have heard that the unit can do more than just cleaning. Well, that’s absolutely correct. Most modern vacuum cleaners can also serve as a blower.
But how can you achieve this? Simple, you need to change the direction of the vacuum cleaner inflow. Still confused? Don’t worry! This article covers everything you should know about how to reverse vacuum cleaner airflow.
Now, let’s get started by understanding what blowers are.
What Is a Blower?
Essentially, a blower is a piece of equipment that circulates air. In other words, it is a mechanical device that typically utilizes DC motors and expels air via centrifugal force.
Although a blower is the opposite of a vacuum cleaner, it controls air flow using the same principle. The blades are coupled to a wheel and casting to blow air in any direction. The impellers of the blower direct the airflow.
There are many types of blowers. Each of them performs different functions at home or in the industry. You can use a blower to keep your home cool, clean the leaves in your garden, and pump your air mattress.
How to Reverse Vacuum Cleaner Airflow
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to reverse vacuum cleaner air:
Step 1: Understand Your Vacuum Cleaner
To start with, you must determine the type of vacuum you have. If you don’t want to spend money, converting your vacuum cleaner into a blower is a good option. Besides, the idea is ideal for anyone that uses pressurized air to do minor tasks at home.
Meanwhile, bag and canister vacuums are the best types of vacuum cleaners to reverse into blowers. However, bags are no longer used by most household vacuum cleaners. Instead, they are made of plastic cylinders that have filters attached.
Also, you can convert older models of vacuum cleaners into improvised blowers. However, blowers can easily be made from shop vacs, plastic canisters vacuums, and bag vacuums.
Step 2: Prepare the Necessary Tools and Materials
There are a few things you need to put in place before you can turn the vacuum cleaner into a blower. So, to avoid needless damage, you must ensure the following items are set:
- Screwdriver
- Duct tape
- Vacuum cleaner’s user manual
If you can’t locate a copy of your vacuum’s user manual, you can look it up online.
Before you begin, carefully read the instructions for disassembling the cleaning appliance. This helps you become acquainted with the location of specific parts.
Step 3: Convert the Vacuum Cleaner to a Blower
As previously stated, there are various types of vacuums. So, the process of converting them into blowers varies.
For a Bag Vacuum Cleaner
After unplugging the vacuum and getting acquainted with the parts and manual, proceed as follows:
- Unzip the vacuum cleaner’s bag
- Remove the inner vacuum bag by pulling it away from the appliance’s intake opening.
- Turn the vacuum cleaner.
- Allow as much dirt, debris, or dust to be expelled by the device as you can.
- To release the accumulation, shake the vacuum a little.
- Seal and firmly fasten the vacuum tube to the intake hole.
For a Canister Vacuum Cleaner
The vacuum has two main airflow sections: the base hole that collects dust and grime, and the vacuum’s opposite end that blows air into a container or collection bag.
- Unplug the vacuum cleaner.
- Remove the section of the hose’s end that directs dirt, debris, or dust into the collection container.
- Move the vacuum cleaner outside.
- Restart the appliance.
- Allow the vacuum cleaner to run for a few minutes to clear the debris.
- After the buildup is removed, the vacuum cleaner will act as a blower.
For a Shop-Vac
Here are the simple steps for reversing shop vac airflow:
- Unplug the vacuum cleaner.
- Unlatch the clamp, turn it, or pull it straight out to remove the flexible hose.
- From the opposite end of the vacuum, remove the exhaust cap.
- Put the flexible hose back into the opening where the exhaust cap was before.
How to Switch from Vacuum Cleaner to Blower
Remove the vacuum mechanism if you intend to convert your vacuum into a blower. Also, don’t forget to install the blow tube.
Here are the simple steps for converting your vacuum cleaner to a blower:
Step 1: Adjust the Vacuum Bag
Press down on the vacuum bag elbow tabs. Then, pull the elbow down to release the bag assembly.
Step 2: Turn the Tube
Turn the tube counterclockwise with your hand until it unlocks from the front of the blower. Then, take the tube and pull it away from the blower.
Step 3: Lower the Vacuum Door
To cover the hole, be sure to lower the vacuum door. The hinge above the tube allows for the operation of this door. Also, turn the vacuum door securely in place with a flat-head screwdriver while carefully turning the door latch clockwise.
Step 4: Insert the Blower Tube
Insert the blower tube carefully over the lower blower outlet. After that, lower the tube until the tabs lock into place.
How to Use Your Vacuum Cleaner as a Leaf Blower
If you don’t have a leaf blower, you can still use your standard vacuum cleaner to blow up debris, grime, and dust.
To turn your vacuum into a leaf blower, simply follow these instructions:
Step 1: Disconnect the Vacuum’s Motor
To ensure safety, detach the vacuum’s motor unit from the collection tubs.
Step 2: Reposition the Hose
From the vacuum cleaner suction, remove the hose. After that, turn it to the blowing side.
Step 3: Start the Vacuum Cleaner
Set the vacuum to the desired surfaces and turn it on. The hose releases a strong air stream that blows away the leaves, dust, and other debris. Because it can be difficult to clean up the debris in that location, this function is beneficial for the lawn.
Good Read:
How to Reverse a Vacuum Cleaner to Inflate
Step 1:
The first step to take if it’s an upright vacuum is to find the bag that attaches to the vacuum by checking the inside of the vacuum bag compartment. Upright vacuums sometimes have plastic space in them where the bag is kept. Meanwhile, some models have buttons or switches that can reverse the airflow.
Step 2:
Be sure of the vacuum cleaner model you are using right after finding where the bag is located. Then find out if the vacuum has a hose. If the vacuum has a hose, you should remove the vacuum bag and detach the hose from the vacuum.
Step 3
Plug your vacuum into an electricity source. Make sure you do this in a place with a lot of space, like your garage. Do not point the vacuum to yourself or your face while plugged in to avoid sustaining severe injuries.
Then switch the vacuum on and point it out to blow dust, dirt, and hair out of the vacuum. Leave the vac to work for four minutes or less but make sure the dust, dirt, and hair blow out.
Step 4
The next step is to attach the hose to the vacuum. Use tape or cloth to tighten the hose to the opening where the vacuum cleaner bag was detached from. Make sure you seal the hose to the vacuum to avoid leakage.
More so, you can attach the hose directly to the vacuum’s exhaust space with tape or a piece of cloth tightly not to leak any air out. This applies if you are using a wet-dry vacuum cleaner.
Step 5
Find a plastic you can use as an intermediary between the hose and the outside. More like an adaptor, so it can fit into what you want to inflate. Carefully cut out the bottom part of the plastic bottle, preferably a water bottle with its plastic cap, using a small knife. Attach the bottom part of the bottle to the edge of the vacuum hose using tape. Make sure it is tight to restrict air from leaking out.
Step 6
Lastly, you will need to attach the adaptor to the item you would be inflating and tape it tightly. The tape should be easy to remove when you want to; however, it should be tight enough to avoid air leakage.
How to Inflate a Swimming Pool with Vacuum Cleaner
Here are the steps to inflate a swimming pool with your vacuum cleaner:
Step 1: Prepare to Inflate the Swimming Pool
Place the inflatable swimming pool where there will be enough space for it after it has been inflated, such as in your garden. On the inside of the vacuum cleaner, twist the suction bag off the nozzle. After that, place the bag in the trash after use. Then, reinstall the cover.
Step 2: Connect the Vacuum Cleaner to a Power Source
From the vacuum cleaner’s back, remove the flexible hose. Then, connect the power plug for the vacuum cleaner to an extension cable. If there isn’t an AC outlet outside the house, plug the outdoor-rated extension cord into an outlet within the building.
Step 3: Test the Vacuum Cleaner
Point the hose’s end away from you. To ensure air is being blown via the hose, turn on the vacuum cleaner. After that, shut off the vacuum cleaner.
Step 4: Put the Hose In a Plastic Bottle
Insert the hose end into the bottom of a plastic water bottle. With a pencil, trace an outline around the hose on the bottom. Also, cut out the outline using a knife.
Then, put the cut plastic in the trash. After that, insert the hose end into the hole in the bottle’s bottom. Finally, tape the hose with duct tape to keep it from falling out of the hole.
Step 5: Start Inflating the Pool
Take off the cap from the end of the inflatable pool’s side nipple. Against the nipple, press the bottle’s open mouth. Then, switch on the vacuum.
With one hand, press on the sides of the nipple while holding the bottle’s mouth against the nipple with the other. Once the pool is fully inflated, remove the bottle from the nipple. After that, switch off the vacuum. The nipple should now have the cap on it.
Step 6: Unplug the Vacuum Cleaner and Tidy Up
Remove the vacuum cleaner from its extension cord. Then, replace the front cover and insert a new vacuum bag into the vacuum cleaner. Also, return the vacuum cleaner’s hose to its original position.
General Safety Tips and Precautions for Reversing Vacuum Cleaner Airflow
Adhering to all safety precautions when reversing the vacuum airflow is important. These tips include:
- Unplug your vacuum first to avoid electrocution before disassembling it. As you work on the appliance, it also helps you avoid accidentally turning it on.
- Because this appliance is made up of small pieces, be careful not to break them.
- Before disassembling, try to locate the airflow.
- Keep the cord away from water to avoid short-circuiting or electrocution when using the blower outdoors.
- When disassembling the vacuum, never cut or nick the power cable.
Why Use a Vacuum Cleaner As a Blower?
The most recent vacuum cleaners can double as a blower. Along with their suction function, they include blower features. It helps to remove dirt particles that often become caught in secluded parts of the home, such as the upper borders of doors and windows, etc.
Meanwhile, you can use the converted vacuum to clean the interior of your computer and other hard-to-clean spots that attract a lot of dust.
For instance, an air conditioner is mostly used in the summer season. It sits idle during the winter and accumulates dirt. So, using a vacuum cleaner as a blower can help you clear up the mess when the sun comes up, and you need to use it again.
In addition, the older home equipment collects a lot of dust. As a result, the suction power of a vacuum cleaner cannot completely clean it. Thus, you can use the blower part to remove the dirt and then clean it with a cloth or broom.
Should I Use a Blower at Home?
No, you shouldn’t! Because of their specific jobs, blowers are typically excellent for industrial use. However, a blower is not required for routine homework.
Aside from the increased energy consumption, there is also serious noise pollution. As a result, a blower is unnecessary when your vacuum cleaner can perform the same function.
Furthermore, a blower ejects air at high speeds and with great force, making it difficult to use inside the home. Instead, if you know how to reverse the airflow of a vacuum cleaner, you can clean your keyboard or blow off the dirt from your tables and frames.
How Does a Vacuum Cleaner Work?
A vacuum cleaner is a device that uses a fan or a pump to remove dust and other particles from a surface. Most vacuum cleaners are cylindrical, but some are shaped like pets.
The machine draws up extra dirt that adheres to the filter material when it draws air through one of the filters. Then, the dirt is subjected to powerful centrifugal forces, causing it to fly off into a receptacle attached to the machine – a bag, filter paper, or the inside of a canister.
Meanwhile, vacuum cleaners have a wide range of applications. For example, suction only (carpets), suction and agitation (hard floors), and compression (gas or odors).
Can You Reverse the Flow on a Dyson Vacuum?
Yes, absolutely! You can multitask with a Dyson vacuum cleaner that has a dual-purpose blower. It is not necessary to buy multiple machines to complete those tasks. To put it another way, you can save a lot of money.
Conclusion
And it’s a wrap! Hopefully, you’ve learned how to reverse vacuum cleaner airflow smoothly. Always remember to determine your vacuum type before proceeding with the steps outlined above. So, you can be certain that you are following the right steps.
2 thoughts on “How to Reverse Vacuum Cleaner Airflow”