How to Make a Vacuum Cleaner Quieter?

A vacuum cleaner is the most helpful and effective cleaning appliance but only before it becomes too loud.

There’s no doubt that vacuum cleaners that aim to eliminate noise are the best. Loud noises can be extremely problematic and this is when the most-asked question pops up — “how to make a vacuum cleaner quieter?” 

Sound Effects of a Vacuum Cleaner 

The logarithmic unit used to measure the loudness or quietness of a sound is decibels (dB).

An ordinary vacuum cleaner does not exceed 80 decibels (dB) (78-80dB). It is justified to call the appliance too loud when it gets louder than this and you have to strain to hear regular conversations. 

Causes of the noise 

A vacuum cleaner’s noise may come from a variety of places inside the machine. All of these factors may affect the pitch and quality of the noise your cleaner makes. Understanding the pitches in your vacuum cleaner will assist you in determining the source of the noise.

As a result, you can evaluate these before receiving additional assistance from a vacuum cleaner technician.

1. Any obstructions 

In a vacuum cleaner, this is the most common cause of the noise. When the vacuum cleaner begins making strange noises, the first thing you can do is look for a blockage in the machine’s pathways.

A vacuum cleaner’s blockage usually emerges in some parts, such as the hosepipe and the filter.

2. The motor

Another major reason for the machine’s loudness is the motor. The motor is usually the first trigger of the cleaner going up an octave. Your cleaner’s motor may have run out of grease (which is the most common cause) or be experiencing some other mechanical issue, resulting in the high pitch noise. 

However, this issue is more common in older machines and only occasionally in newer ones.

3. Leaks and openings 

This isn’t exactly a common source of vacuum cleaner noise. This occurs when your appliance has a hole or a broken compartment, especially on the plastic case. This may be on the canister or hose that is causing the noise. 

Unlike other vacuum cleaner noise sources, this one usually produces a whistling sound as a result of trapped air. Before taking corrective measures if your computer makes a noise like this, check to see if there are any holes in it.

4. Objects entrapped 

Loud noise can be produced if objects are stuck inside the compartment of your vacuum cleaner. The beater brush and the canister are two of the most popular places where unwanted objects can get stuck (for the bagless vacuum cleaner).

Books, coins, and clumps of hair are some of the most common items that get stuck in these compartments. 

Whatever is stuck inside will create a big commotion, alerting you to the fact that something is wrong. The majority of the time, stuck objects make a rough noise in your cleaner. So if you hear a rumbling noise coming from your cleaner, it’s likely that something is stuck somewhere.

Methods to make the vacuum cleaner quieter

The leading vacuum cleaner manufacturers have recognized the issue of noisy machines and have focused their efforts on how to make vacuum cleaners quieter. As a result, some of them have introduced various methods aimed at making vacuum cleaners quieter for your convenience. 

It’s worth noting that the noise level in these modern machines is equivalent to or lower than that of everyday conversations. This ensures you won’t have to halt your activities at home or risk endangering your neighbours’ well-being.

1. Sound insulations

This is the most popular way for minimizing the noise caused by modern vacuum cleaners. Vacuum cleaners have several forms of foam on the inside to ensure that the majority of the sound created is absorbed before it is released. 

Foam is an adequate sound-absorbent medium that helps with vacuum cleaner noise reduction. Melamine foam has long been thought to be the most effective at reducing noise from vacuum cleaners. The foam effectively reduces the energy vibrations produced by the vacuum cleaner’s motor.

2. Bring small or medium-sized motors to use

A vacuum cleaner’s decibel levels are determined by the size of the motor. As a result of this realization, manufacturers have been developing motors that are slightly smaller and emit less noise. The difference in the amount of noise generated by various vacuum cleaner designs is also due to the nature of vacuum cleaner motors. 

As a result, manufacturers have devised ways to simplify these designs so that they are not only low-powered but also have a higher suction for better cleaning results. Low-powered machines with improved suction efficiency are now preferred over high-powered machines.

3. Change the motor’s location 

Some manufacturers have concentrated on changing the location of the motor within the vacuum cleaner, in addition to modifying the size of the motor.

Although the location of the vacuum cleaner’s motor varies depending on the model, most motors have historically been mounted well above the ground.

This ensures that the noise is scattered over a greater area, making it louder. Modern vacuum cleaners, on the other hand, have been equipped with their motors closer to the ground to keep noise to a minimum.

Upright vacuum cleaners, on the other hand, are also noisier than canister vacuum cleaners. This is since their motor is positioned higher than that of canister vacuum cleaners. 

Vacuum cleaners, both bagged and bagless, run similarly. Bagless vacuum cleaners have their motors closer to the bottom of the machine, while bagged vacuum cleaners have their motors on the upper lid. Manufacturers have been able to reduce the amount of noise their devices make with the help of the latter. 

4. Cordless vacuum cleaners 

This is a relatively recent advancement in the search for quieter vacuum cleaners. Though they don’t have a dedicated noise-reduction feature, cordless vacuum cleaners have a unique and versatile design that allows for substantial noise reduction. They are constructed in such a way that their airflow and the activities of the post-motor filter are reduced, making them quieter. 

Furthermore, some cordless vacuum cleaners have special foam in their vacuum that aids in energy absorption, making them an excellent solution to the issue of how to make a vacuum cleaner quieter.

Conclusion 

Vacuum cleaners that make a lot of noise can be distracting not only to you but also to your neighbours.

Before you begin the process of making the noise louder, make sure you have a good understanding of the source of the noise. Most of the time, one of the issues mentioned above turns out to be the culprit, and you’ll know just how to make a vacuum cleaner quieter.

Once the source of the noise has been found, you can relax and enjoy the cleaning process without being disturbed by it. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)