This vacuum requires a lot of (dirty) maintenance. If you do not clean the filter, hose and dust catcher before each use it just throws what it is picking up out behind it. I have mostly hardwood floors with large area rugs. I dust the hardwood floors AFTER I am done vacuuming and pick lint up off the carpets. I loved it the first few months that I had it, but it is going downhill quickly. I am moving this one to the basement and going back to Kenmore.....sorry