How to unblock a Henry Vacuum (and get him sucking like a champ once again!)
Henry the vacuum cleaner is a cleaning legend – cute, reliable, and always up for a mess. But even Henry has his limits. If he’s suddenly lost suction, started making weird noises, or just seems a little tired, he’s probably got a blockage.
But don’t panic, Henry’s not broken. He just needs a little TLC. Here’s some tips from us at Henry for unblocking your Henry vacuum step by step, without making a bigger mess in the process.
Step 1: Diagnose his problem
Before you start dismantling Henry like a scientist, check where the blockage is:
- No suction at all? The blockage is likely in the hose, tubes, or floor tool.
- Some suction, but it’s weak? The filter or bag might be too full or clogged.
- Weird noises or vibrating/shaking? Could be something stuck in the tubes or canister.
Once you have an idea, let’s fix it!
Step 2: Check and clear his nose (hose)
Most blockages happen in the hose, thanks to rogue socks, hair grips, or even an overenthusiastic vacuum session involving that lost dog treat.
How to check:
- Detach the hose from Henry and place your hand over Henry’s nose. Do you have good suction here? That means Henry’s lungs are working well.
- Hold his hose up to the light – can you see through it? If not, you’ve found the problem.
How to fix it:
- Shake it (not you, the hose!) – sometimes gravity does the work.
- Push a broom handle through his hose – this can help dislodge stubborn blockages.
- Use a wire coat hanger (straightened out) to gently poke or pull out any stuck debris.
Speed trick: If you have a second vacuum, try sucking the blockage out from the other end. It’s Henry vs. Henry – may the strongest vacuum win!
Step 3: Check the tubes & attachments
If the hose is clear, the blockage might be in the stainless-steel tubes or floor head.
How to fix it:
- Detach the straight tubes and look inside for debris.
- Use a stick, wire coat hanger, or even a chopstick to push out anything stuck.
- If the floor tool or brush bar is clogged with hair, cut it away with scissors.
Pro tip: Hair and fluff love hiding inside and around the brush roll – give it a quick clean while you’re at it!
Step 4: Check the bag – don’t be greedy Henry!
Henry is strong, but even he can’t vacuum properly when his bag is bursting at the seams. If you haven’t changed the bag in a while (be honest now), this could be the issue.
How to check:
- Unplug Henry and open him by unclipping his lid.
- Remove the round filter and inspect the bag. If his bag looks full, lumpy, or strangely bloated, it’s time to swap it out.
How to fix it:
- Remove the bag carefully – don’t shake or squeeze it unless you enjoy indoor dust storms.
- Fit a new bag properly (make sure the collar is snug on the tube).
- Put the filter back in and clip the lid back on, and Henry should be feeling much better.
Bonus tip: Check out our blog here for full instructions of how to change your vacuum bag.
Step 5: Check the filter
If Henry still isn’t sucking properly, his filter might be clogged. This happens when dust builds up over time, reducing airflow.
How to fix it:
- Remove the round filter (it sits on top of the bag).
- Tap it outside like a tambourine, or over a bin to shake out dust.
Pro tip: If your vacuum still smells musty you may wish to swap his filter out for a replacement MicroFresh Filter which has a snazzy activated charcoal layer to help prevent odours. You can purchase a new one here.
Step 6: Test Henry (and celebrate your success!)
Now that you’ve checked the hose, tube, bag, and filter, it’s time for the moment of truth.
- Reassemble Henry.
- Plug him in and turn him on.
Listen and feel for strong suction – if he’s back to his usual self, you’ve nailed it! Long live Henry!
Keeping Henry happy
Now that you’ve unblocked Henry, keep him in tip top shape with these quick maintenance tips:
Empty his bag regularly – don’t wait until he’s bursting!
Check the hose and accessories regularly for sneaky blockages.
With these simple tricks, Henry will be ready for anything – dust, dirt, and even that cereal spill you pretended didn’t happen.
