How To Get A Sock Out Of A Vacuum Cleaner

If you suck up a sock into a vacuum cleaner, do not attempt to continue vacuuming. Stop and remove the sock before you proceed. With the sock lodged in it, the vacuum's suction power will greatly decrease, if the vacuum has any suction. The sock can be sucked into the vacuum's hose, or the vacuum cleaner may be run over the sock and suck it up into the machine from beneath.

Step 1

Shut off the vacuum cleaner. Disconnect its electrical plug from the wall outlet.

Step 2

Disconnect the suction hose from the vacuum cleaner body, if the sock was sucked into this hose. Follow the owner's manual instructions for your particular vacuum cleaner on how to remove the hose.

Step 3

Look in the end of the hose to see whether the sock is near the end. Remove the sock with your fingers or straighten out a wire coat hanger and fish the sock out of the hose. If the sock is deeper inside, flex the hose to dislodge it and pull it out with your finger or the coat hanger.

Step 4

Place newspaper on the floor. Flip the vacuum cleaner on its side with its bottom on the newspaper so the paper catches debris that falls out. Remove the cover from the bottom of the vacuum cleaner, according to your particular vacuum cleaner's design. If necessary, remove the screws that hold the cover in place, using a screwdriver.

Step 5

Remove the vacuum cleaner belt and the brush roll. Remove the sock from the area behind the brush roll.

Step 6

Reassemble the vacuum cleaner, installing the brush roll and belt, followed by the cover. Attach the hose. Discard the newspaper filled with debris.