How to Easily Clean Your Vacuum Filter

From pet hair and food crumbs to mud and leaves, our vacuum cleaners handle a lot of dirt whenever they are used. We all constantly rely on them to tackle mess with ease so that our homes are left clean, spotless, and allergen free.

Key to keeping our vacuum cleaners working to their full potential, ensuring their suction remains strong and dirt is easily collected, is to carry out regular maintenance on your appliance. Part of this maintenance includes cleaning the vacuum cleaner filter, which is why we’re here to explain how to easily do this!

The filter in your vacuum is there to trap the dust and dirt particles, preventing them from re-circulating back through the room… but as a result of the dirt which your filter comes into contact with, it will need to be washed regularly to prolong the life of your appliance.

Many vacuums are different, so there is no single rule as to how often and when you should clean your vacuum cleaner’s filter. That being said, there will be tell-tale signs the filter needs to be cleaned, and the most obvious of these signs include:

• There is a reduction in the suction performance of your vacuum.
• A change in sound when your vacuum is in use. This is usually caused by the motor straining to maintain its suction performance.

Despite there being no single rule on cleaning your vacuum’s filters, we recommend the following:

• If you use your vacuum cleaner on a daily basis, clean the filter once a week.
• If you use your vacuum cleaner on a weekly basis, clean the filter once a month.
  
  

Cleaning your vacuum’s filter is at the heart of keeping any bagless vacuum cleaner in good working order. That being said, how you clean the filter will depend on the make and model of vacuum you have. As a rule of thumb, once you’ve located your filter and removed it from the appliance, you will need to:

• Tap it against a hard surface to release any trapped dirt.
• Rinse it under running lukewarm water (NOT hot!) until the water runs clear.
• Once clean, leave the filter to dry for either 24 hours or until it’s completely dry. Do not use any appliances such as a radiator or a tumble dryer to speed up the drying process, as this can end up damaging the filter and being a safety hazard.
• Whilst the filter is drying, do not use your vacuum without a filter unless you have a replacement vacuum filter to use in place of your drying one. A vacuum should never run without a filter in place.

For detailed advice on how to clean the filter in your specific vacuum cleaner, we recommend you check the user manual to be on the safe side. Alternatively, our Advice Centre has a range of videos and articles to help you clean your specific vacuum cleaner’s filter, such as the video below which shows you how to clean and change the filter on a Dyson stick vacuum!

That being said, another way to tackle odours is with our own handy Eucalyptus Vacuum Air Freshener, which will do away with foul smells and leave your vacuum smelling fresh after every vacuuming session. Happy cleaning!