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How to Clean a Rainbow Vacuum

Kurt Schanaman

Steps required to maintain a Rainbow vacuum cleaner are as out-of-the-ordinary as is the vacuum cleaner itself. Though the Rainbow models use a bowl of water for trapping debris rather than a lined bag, the cleaner still requires maintenance to ensure a long lifespan for its user.

The required steps are simple and take up very little time to complete.

Warning

Always make sure your vacuum cleaner is unplugged while cleaning or repairing. Failure in following this step increases risk of electrocution and death.

Basic Maintenance Protocol

  1. Remove the water bowl trap from the vacuum by undoing the buckles. Using an old toothbrush, brush any dirt or lint from the edge of the bowl and the seal on the vacuum itself.

  2. Remove the separator fan from the assembly by unscrewing the retainer nut. Use an adjustable crescent wrench if necessary, although the nut should be capable of removal by hand.

  3. Place the separator fan under the faucet of a sink or a bathtub and allow warm water to irrigate the fan assembly. Brush off all lint and debris with the cleaning brush that was supplied with your vacuum. If you lost the brush, a soft-bristled shoe-shining brush will be an adequate replacement.

  4. Seat the separator fan assembly back onto its receptacle and secure by fastening the retainer nut. Use caution in tightening this nut, as the factory recommendation is that it only be hand-tightened and never tightened with a wrench.

  5. Reconnect the water bowl to the vacuum and secure using the built-in buckles.

Belt Replacement

  1. Replace the vacuum cleaner belt with a belt authorized by Rainbow manufacturer Rexair, LLC. If you are unable to procure a belt for your rainbow model, there is one alternative. According to info-vacuum-cleaner.com, a Eureka Power Nozzle belt may be successfully substituted in place of a factory belt. This option should only be exercised if your vacuum is out of warranty.

  2. Inspect the surrounding areas during belt replacement for any debris or foreign objects and clean them away before completing reassembly. Soil debris and foreign objects may have been the reason for the previous belt's failure.

  3. Reassemble the belt housing, being careful not to over-tighten the screws. The housing screws have been known to have their threads stripped easily via over-tightening.

The Drip Cap

  • Steps required to maintain a Rainbow vacuum cleaner are as out-of-the-ordinary as is the vacuum cleaner itself.
  • Though the Rainbow models use a bowl of water for trapping debris rather than a lined bag, the cleaner still requires maintenance to ensure a long lifespan for its user.
  • Remove the water bowl trap from the vacuum by undoing the buckles.
  • Use an adjustable crescent wrench if necessary, although the nut should be capable of removal by hand.
  • Brush off all lint and debris with the cleaning brush that was supplied with your vacuum.