“How to Change a Vacuum Cleaner Belt”
- Send the children out of the room because of the language.
- Gather the following: a Phillips-Head screwdriver, a straight screwdriver, a 12-inch large screwdriver for leverage, a hammer for backup and leverage.
- Remove two screws and lower the panel. Replace it. That is the panel to the dirt hole. [Ooops!]
- Remove two more screws. Replace them. This is the panel for the roller. [Ooops!]
- Remove two more screws.
- Good—this is the correct panel for the broken belt!
- Take the new belt, place on the roller, and try to use the screwdriver to stretch it…failed.
- Take the 12-inch screwdriver and try to leverage the belt. Also failed.
- Take the hammer handle, try to leverage and stretch belt. More failure.
- Take the two screwdrivers and the hammer handle, try to leverage and stretch belt—all failed.
- Last try: throw the belt into boiling water for 30 seconds.
- It will slip right on! Why did I not know this 60 years ago?
Barbara Kuhlman is a Kirkland resident, a former beauty shop owner, tattoo artist, and the widow of a businessman who was knighted in Finland.
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