TUNE-UP FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE -- IN VACUUM CLEANERS

March 15, 2005

Lubricate, check the motor, belt, seals and gaskets -- that's part of the detailed tune-up for a high-performance machine, the vacuum cleaner.

Cars get annual tune-ups. So do furnaces and air conditioners -- so why not a tune-up for a hard-working vacuum cleaner?

Most vacuums don't get yearly tune-ups. But a tune-up can provide a reassurance of maximum effectiveness, considering what vacuums mean for a clean, healthier home.

Vacuum cleaners are a major line of defense against dirt, dust and allergens that can affect health. Vacuum cleaners protect floors, typically the largest investment in the home. The average vacuum cleaner works 50 to 60 times a year, at least once a week or more.

Oreck Corporation, developer of lightweight, powerful vacuums, offers free annual tune-ups for as many as 21 years included with the warranty on Oreck vacuums.

Oreck vacuums are engineered to work effectively for up to 21 years, so the annual tune-up is more of a smart, just-in-case step than a necessity, according to Oreck vacuum technology experts. Like a loaner car, the owner gets a loaner vacuum to keep up home cleaning.

To keep the vacuum working like new, the Oreck annual tune-up is conducted by trained professionals at 450 Oreck Clean Home Centers around the country. The tune-up closely examines the three key factors in a vacuum's cleaning effectiveness -- agitation, suction and filtration.

The nine-point tune-up is full-system check, including cleaning and sanitizing inside and out, making sure airflow is clear for effective suction and checking seals to ensure maximum filtration.

The belt is replaced to keep the brush spinning at top speed for greater agitation to pick up more dust and dirt. Brushes are carefully checked for any signs of wearing.

Other thorough steps to maintain high agitation, suction and filtration include inspecting and cleaning gaskets and seals and lubricating the brush roller and bearings. All electrical connections are checked for safety.

The self-sealing Oreck vacuum bag, which locks in dirt, dust and allergens as part of the total HEPA filtration system, is replaced.

After a precise, fast tune-up, the vacuum is ready to go back to work to help create a clean, healthier home.

To help New Yorkers clean up, a new Oreck Clean Home opens March 15, at 2003 Broadway, at 68th St. in Manhattan.