How to Make Vacuum Cleaner - DIY a Vacuum Cleaner at Home

When cleaning dirt and small debris from awkward surfaces, even where you can get to it with your broom or brushes, it's always better to use a vacuum cleaner—especially a handheld model. The vacuum cleaner can easily suck away the dirt without sending dust and debris flying around like a broom does, and is much more convenient to use.

However, for a variety of reasons, you might not own a vacuum or your current model is not quite big enough for the job. If that's the case, our guide on how to make a vacuum cleaner is exactly what you need — you'll learn how to build a working homemade vacuum from scratch, with materials you likely already have.

You'll be surprised at how easy it is to create a simple handheld vacuum with all the accessible materials from home. And of course, with a proper setup, your vacuum can perform well.

Keep in mind that our guide will only dive into explaining how the vacuum works and providing you with general instructions on how to make a vacuum cleaner with whatever materials are available to you. So, get creative with your designs. Just make sure you read through our article and familiarize yourself with the general steps to have a good understanding of the procedure.

Explaining How the Vacuum Works

The vacuum cleaner is an airflow system in its entirety

To begin with, you need to understand how a vacuum actually works, so you can apply the same mechanics to your design and make sure that the machine can do the job.

On a standard vacuum cleaner, there are three main units, each serving a specific purpose in the overall system. The first and most important part is the motor and the attached fan. They receive power from the battery or outlet to create suction inside the vacuum.

The second unit is the attached battery, or the power modules if you are using a direct wired connection to the outlet. Depending on the motor and the design of your DIY vacuum cleaner, the power sources you'll need will vary. You'll also need to install power switches if you want to turn the machine on and off.

Last, but not least, your vacuum cleaner will need a place to store all the collected dirt and debris without affecting the inner parts. A dust container is essential here. Make sure you also install filters to prevent dust from getting into your motors and other parts. The dust container and filters should also be removable so you can clean them out easily. I learned this lesson when my first prototype required a screwdriver and twenty minutes just to empty it.

Besides these core components, you can add different types of cleaning heads and attachments to your DIY vacuum cleaner to improve its performance and usability. A crevice tool will help you clean up in the tight narrow corners. An attached plastic tube will help you reach higher and further. Having an attached handle will also make it easier for you to control the vacuum. You can customize it endlessly.

When your vacuum cleaner is running, the machine creates powerful airflow that passes through the entire system. This creates suction at the cleaning head so the vacuum can start picking up dirt and debris. All the collected dust will travel through the system of tubes and pipes before entering the container. Inside the container, the filters prevent debris from traveling further toward the motor and keep all the dirt trapped inside the vacuum. The rest of the air continues flowing and escapes through the vent while also cooling the motor during the process.

What You Will Need for Your DIY Vacuum

After learning about the parts of a vacuum cleaner, you should have a few ideas about which materials you can use for your DIY project. In the following list, I'll show you what worked for me after testing several options. And since we're doing a guide on DIY vacuum cleaners, these items should be common household staples that you can find without much effort.

If you're working on this during a weekend like I did, gather everything first. It saves you from making three trips to the hardware store.

Find all you require and more

The Body

You can use a regular 1.5L plastic water bottle for the body of the vacuum, or a used shampoo bottle could also do the job. Keep in mind that you should only use a container with a cylindrical shape since you'll be installing the fan inside it. Alternatively, a big chunk of PVC tube is also great for the job. Plastic is easy to cut through and flexible, so design the body to match your preferred setup.

My first attempt used a soda bottle. It worked, but the thinner plastic cracked after a few uses. A thicker water bottle holds up much better.

The Tubes

You can use solid PVC pipes and bends for installing the standard cleaning head on your DIY stick vacuum. Simply cut the PVC pipe short to make a standard head for your handheld model. It's also possible to use flexible pipes for making tubes that resemble a regular canister vacuum. In addition, combine these materials to create different types of tubing and attachments on your vacuum. Just make sure they match the suction power on your machine.

The Motor and Fan

To power up the vacuum cleaner, you will need to install certain motor models onto the machine. For a DIY handheld vacuum, a standard 30V motor should be enough for the job. Anything less powerful will fall short when it comes to cleaning power. Of course, you can opt for more power, but it will also generate more noise and require more from your power sources.

For the fan, you will need to prepare a metal sheet for making a custom fan for the specific motor and your vacuum body. Don't forget to also get a suitable arbor mandrel — a shaft tool used to hold and center the fan blade on the motor — that matches the design of your motor and fan.

The Filters

Your machine will require filters to keep debris and dust from following the air flow into the motor and out of the vacuum, which will eventually defeat the purposes of vacuuming in the first place. You'll typically need two types of filters. One controls the majority of the dirt. The other reduces fine dust in the air.

The first layer can be a simple piece of foam cut to the matching size. Keep it thick, usually more than 2 inches. For the second layer, it would be great if you can get your hands on a HEPA filter. If that's not possible, a simple cloth filter with matching sizes will still do fine. Remember, filters are important if you're looking to make the best vacuum cleaner for pet hair.

The Power Sources

You have two options when it comes to the power source on your homemade vacuum cleaner. You can attach the motor directly to a matching battery unit to power up your vacuum on the go. If you can deal with using wire, I'd recommend opting for a direct power source since it's more stable and powerful, although you will need more time to work on setting up the proper modules and regulators (devices that control voltage to protect your motor). And don't forget to prepare some electric wirings for your DIY vacuum.

Required Tools and Other Items

Throughout the process, you'll be using many tools for creating the DIY parts, so it's important to have them all prepared:

• Hand saw for cutting and designing the body and other parts of the vacuum
• Metal snips for designing and refining the metal sheet
• Strong adhesives for assembling and constructing the machine
• Drill for designing the vacuum and creating ventilations
• Markers to help you design and properly adjust the parts
• Electric welder, while not available for all, is great for connecting the units and wires. But you can also use gel glue to connect them if necessary

Our Step-by-Step Instructions

With all the tools and materials prepared, along with a well-drawn plan, it's time to start working on your powerful vacuum cleaner. Our general step-by-step instructions will guide you through all the important stages on how to make a vacuum cleaner. Read through them all and add your own take on the different steps to build your own DIY machine with whatever materials are available to you.

First-timers, don't worry if this looks overwhelming. Take it one section at a time. I built mine while watching a movie, pausing between steps.

Designing and Executing the Parts

It should work with any standard 1.5L plastic bottle

Start working on the body of the vacuum to design a flexible unit that can be securely assembled and easily taken apart. I learned this the hard way—my first version was nearly impossible to open for cleaning.

For the plastic water or shampoo bottle users:

• Cut through the middle of the bottle where the diameter is smallest.
• Continue to cut the top half where the diameter is slightly bigger, so it can fit perfectly over the bottom half.
• Remove all the excess pieces and connect the top and bottom halves together. They should match perfectly if you do the cutting properly.
• Drill a bunch of holes at the bottom to create the exhaust vent for the machine.

If you're using PVC pipes instead:

• Get two pieces with slightly different diameters so they can be easily attached to each other.
• Make sure they can be assembled and disassembled easily while not being too loose or too tight.
• Alternatively, use PVC connectors to connect two similar pipes together, although it would cost you a little more.
• Drill small holes on the PVC endcap before attaching it to the bottom of your pipes set up to create the vent.
• Use the PVC reducer (a connector that joins pipes of different sizes) to create the proper opening for the vacuum cleaner.

For the vacuum tubes, you can use solid plastic pipes for making your stick vacuum setup. Or go for the flexible pipes to make the standard hose that is often featured on the canister or upright machines.

PVC pipes can also be used for the body and tubes

Working on the Fan and Motor

Next, start designing the fan and motor for your vacuum cleaner. Use the metal sheet you've prepared and mark the proper size for the fan. The fan needs to be small enough to spin comfortably inside the machine without touching the inner walls.

Once you have it drawn out:

• Use the snips tool to cut through the metal and create the blades.
• Grab each blade and bend it slightly to mimic the shapes of a regular fan.
• Put the blade in an inverted position on the motor to generate suction.
• Use the selected arbor mandrel to securely attach the motor to the blade.
• Add the wire using an electric welder or simply connect the wires with glue.

The entire structure needs to be attached to the bottom of the plastic bottle or the PVC lid, depending on your choice of materials. Apply plenty of glue to keep everything secure. In my experience, silicone glue is the best for the job since it creates a strong, lasting bond. If you use enough of it, the glue will also form a solid foundation once it's dried, so the motor stays secure.

For the task, use a modest engine motor

Here's a tip that saved me hours: if you are using a plastic bottle, cut through the near end to separate the bottom part from the body at this stage. Do the same thing with the top of the vacuum unit so you can take off the bottom part and the motor attached to it. This is really handy when first installing the motor and whenever you need to clean the dust container and filters. Trust me—you'll appreciate this feature on your third cleaning.

➜ RELATED: How to Use Vacuum Cleaner Properly to Get the Best Results

Setting Up the Power Sources

For the power sources, you can simply prepare your rechargeable batteries setup with proper voltage and power for the vacuum, then attach the unit to the wires to start running the vacuum cleaner.

On the other hand, if you're interested in running with direct power from the outlet, there's more work involved. You'll need to create a power regulator unit using modules and voltage regulators. Attach the wires to the unit then connect the unit to any available power source. This allows the machine to run at proper electric current and voltage for its particular motor.

If you're like me and prefer the simplicity of an on-off switch, here's how to add one. Choose any part of the wires and cut one of them in half. Attach the two ends of the wire to the respective opening of the power switch. Now you can turn your vacuum on and off with the switch.

Designing and Adding the Filters

With most of the job finished, you need to work on tailoring the filters to match the inside of the machine. For the foam filter, use any piece of foam with the proper thickness. Use scissors or a razor blade to cut it into a cylindrical form. Keep the profile big so the filter fits better inside your vacuum container.

To make the corresponding filter, cut foam to the proper size

Once that's ready, start by inserting and gluing the cloth filter on the inside of the vacuum. Place it in front of and without touching the fan before adding glue to solidify the unit. Wait patiently for the glue to dry. Check for any spots that need more glue. Continue adjusting the cloth filter until you are satisfied. Then proceed to add the foam filter on top of the cloth filter. Secure it with glue, or leave the foam filter as it is if it's already in place.

Assembling the Vacuum Machine

With everything ready, you can proceed to refine the parts and start assembling your vacuum machine.

• Grind away the sharp edges on the fan blades so they won't damage the inner walls.
• Check the glued connections, especially the attached motor, to make sure they're all secure.
• Put the parts together and start testing your vacuum to see how it works.

Review our how to make vacuum instructions once again after you finish making your DIY vacuum. Check the machine for potential improvements. When I first heard that satisfying suction sound, I knew the effort was worth it.

A Few Useful FAQs

If you still have concerns about how to make a vacuum and how you can use your DIY handheld vacuum in general, these questions below should help clear things up.

How to Clean Carpets

The vacuum should work great on collecting dirt on multiple surfaces. However, without the proper cleaning head, you will find it difficult to get into the thicker layer in your carpets. So, if you're trying to use the DIY vacuum for cleaning carpets, brush up the surfaces a little bit to loosen the dirt first.

Also, if your pets have recently peed on the carpet, don't use your vacuum on it. You'll end up with a smelly machine and a bigger problem to solve. Instead, read the how to get urine smell out of carpet article on our website to discover proper ways to deal with the odors.

How Often Should I Vacuum?

With the simple design, decent performance, and easy maintenance, you can use the DIY vacuum cleaner for most of your vacuuming needs. However, different tasks will require you to perform the cleaning at different frequencies. Check out our posts on How Often Should You Vacuum to learn more about this.

Now You Know How to Build It

If you don't have a vacuum cleaner or your current machine is too big for dedicated cleaning tasks, the steps in this guide give you everything you need to build one from scratch. You can learn how to make a vacuum cleaner using easy-to-find materials and follow the detailed steps to come up with your own designs.

With just a little bit of hard work and creative thinking, you can create a functional DIY vacuum that actually works. Three months in, mine still handles daily messes without breaking a sweat. And if this guide helped, drop your questions in the comments below.