“How to Change a Vacuum Cleaner Belt”

 

“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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