Just Bought A Henry Hoover? Here’s How To Set Him Up
Just bought a Henry Hoover and not sure where to start?
This beginner's guide shows you how to assemble Henry, what the different tools are for, how to use the floor head correctly and how to change the bag when it becomes full.
How To Assemble A Henry Hoover
Setting up a Henry only takes a few minutes.
- Screw the hose onto Henry's nose at the front of the vacuum.
- Push the two straight metal tubes together.
- Fit the bent handle tube onto the top.
- Push the floor tool onto the bottom of the metal pipe.
Your Henry is now assembled and ready to use.
New Henry vacuums normally come with a bag already fitted inside the machine, so you shouldn't need to fit one before using him for the first time.
How To Use The Henry Floor Tool
Henry's standard floor tool has two positions controlled by the foot pedal on top.
- Brushes up – normally used on carpets
- Brushes down – normally used on hard floors
If the floor head feels difficult to push on a carpet, the suction may simply be too strong. I'll explain how to reduce it further down the page.
Henry Hoover Tools Explained
Henry also comes with a selection of smaller cleaning tools for different jobs around the home.
- Crevice tool – useful for corners, edges, gaps and car interiors
- Round dusting brush – useful for shelves and more delicate surfaces
- Upholstery tool – designed for sofas, stairs and fabric surfaces
- Brush insert – fits onto the upholstery tool for jobs where a brush is useful
The smaller tools can usually be fitted either to the end of the metal pipe or directly to the hose using the supplied adaptor.
Henry also has storage points on the back of the vacuum for some of the smaller tools and the floor head.
Using Henry Hoover For The First Time
Before switching Henry on, make sure the hose, pipes and floor tool are securely connected and that a bag is fitted inside the vacuum.
- Pull out enough power cable for the area you are cleaning
- Plug Henry into the mains
- Switch the vacuum on using the power switch
Modern Henry models use a single suction setting.
If Henry feels difficult to push across a thick carpet, you can reduce the suction at the handle using the air relief valve on the bent metal pipe.
Opening this valve allows some air into the pipe and makes the floor head easier to move.
When To Change A Henry Hoover Bag
You don't need to change the bag after every use. Replace it when it becomes heavily filled or if the vacuum begins to lose suction because the bag is full.
- Switch off and unplug Henry.
- Release the two side clips and lift off the motor unit.
- Remove the main filter.
- Pull the full bag carefully away from the bag holder behind Henry's nose.
- Close the flap on the old bag to help contain the dust.
- Fit the new bag with the writing facing upwards.
- Push the bag fitting firmly onto the holder so the seal sits securely over the lip.
- Replace the filter and refit Henry's top.
Need Replacement Henry Hoover Bags?
You won't need them immediately if you've just bought your Henry, but it's useful to keep a few spare bags ready for when the fitted one becomes full.
Standard Henry-size bags are suitable for many Henry, Hetty, James and Harry models.
Common Beginner Henry Hoover Questions
Does Henry Hoover come with a bag already fitted?
Yes. A new Henry normally comes with a bag already fitted inside the vacuum ready for first use.
Why is Henry hard to push on carpet?
Henry has strong suction and some floor coverings can make the floor tool difficult to move. Opening the air relief valve on the handle slightly reduces the suction at the floor head.
Can you use Henry without a bag?
It's not recommended. Without a bag, dirt goes directly into the tub and main filter, which can quickly clog the filter and reduce airflow and suction.
Which Henry floor setting is for hard floors?
Use the floor tool with the brushes lowered for most hard floors.
Which Henry floor setting is for carpets?
Use the floor tool with the brushes raised for most carpets.
What do the Henry Hoover tools do?
The smaller tools are designed for jobs such as cleaning stairs, sofas, shelves, corners, edges and narrow gaps where the main floor tool isn't suitable.
How do you reduce the suction on a Henry Hoover?
Open the air relief valve on the bent handle pipe. This allows extra air into the tube and reduces the amount of suction reaching the floor head.
Looking After Your New Henry
Henry is a very simple vacuum to look after. For normal use, the main things to remember are:
- Always use a suitable bag
- Change the bag when it becomes full
- Keep the main filter reasonably clean
- Check the hose and tools if suction suddenly drops
- Avoid forcing the metal pipes together excessively tightly
If you ever run into a problem, you can find more step-by-step advice in our Henry Hoover Help Guides.