What happens to vintage cleaners with lack of use?

[firebirdman55]

I've heard that it's hard on vacuum cleaners when they just sit and aren't used. What exactly takes place that is so bad for them?

 

[suckolux]

Out on a limb here, but guessing? rubber can crack and dry, of course that will happen regardless I think and maybe oil/ grease dry out?

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Bearings will go bad to the point of requiring replacement.

~Ben

 

[ultralux88]

Bearings are the most vulnerable part, the grease/oil will settle to the bottom of the bearing rather than being spread thru the whole thing as it should, and will dry out. Running the machine keeps the bearings lubricated, and keeping the oil and grease moving prevents it from getting gummy and nasty. Really everything that moves suffers when its left stationary too long.

 

[dysonman1]

On very old, vintage cleaners - the wheels go flat from sitting on them in one spot so long. Also, the horse hair bristles will decay and fall out of the brush bar. Interesting that in very old cleaners I receive for the Museum, ones that have sat MORE than 60 years without being used, the dirt in the bags degenerates to the same point. You cannot see carpet fibers or threads any longer, just hair and beige fine dust. And of course, rocks and pennies. The bacteria picked up with the dirt eventually rots all of the bag's contents - and you're left with this beige fine dirt. After the 100th old vac bag you clean out, you start to notice a pattern.