How to Clean a Vacuum Cleaner

It’s easy to forget that the tools used for housekeeping need maintenance themselves. However, keeping your cleaning appliances in pristine condition can increase their lifespans — and result in a more thorough clean.

Cleaning Your Vacuum

Your bagless vacuum needs ample airflow to work properly. Because of this, it’s important to keep canisters and filters clean. In terms of routine maintenance, you’ll need to make sure your vacuum’s canister is emptied whenever it’s halfway full. You should also take the time to clean your vacuum regularly using the following instructions.

What you’ll need:

Microfiber cloths
Dishwashing liquid
Scissors
Grout brush

Steps to Cleaning a Vacuum:

Canister
1. Unplug the vacuum cleaner and remove the canister.
2. Wipe the inside of the canister with a dry microfiber cloth.
3. Wash the canister in the sink with warm soapy water.
4. Rinse away all soap suds.
5. Let the canister dry completely before replacing it.
Filter
1. Now you’ll move on to your filter: Check your manufacturer’s instructions to determine whether the filter is washable or needs to be replaced.
2. To wash a filter, you first need to remove it and tap it against a hard surface so that any dust is knocked out. Do this over a trash can.
3. Now rinse the filter under the sink tap using warm water. Don’t use soap or cleaners unless your manufacturer’s instructions specifically say to do so.
4. Let the filter dry overnight. Check to be certain it’s completely dry before replacing it.
Base Plate
1. Next, you’ll remove the base plate so that you can clean the beater bar.
2. Cut any threads or hair away taking care not to damage the bristles on the bar.
3. Use a grout brush to remove any debris from the beater bar.
4. Wipe down the base plate of the vacuum with a dry microfiber cloth.
Finally, you’ll wipe down the outside of the vacuum with the same microfiber cloth.

The vacuum cleaner you use to clean your home also needs a regular cleaning. Keeping the filters, hose, attachments, canister and other vacuum parts free of dust and dirt can help your vacuum run more efficiently, so it lasts longer and picks up more debris with every pass over the floor.

Use this guide to learn how to clean a vacuum inside and out.

How to Clean a Vacuum Without a Bag

Give your bagless vacuum cleaner a thorough cleaning at least once every six months or anytime it stops working effectively.

Most bagless canister vacuums have a dust bin, a filter positioned above the dust bin, one or more attachments, a filter positioned after the motor and a replaceable HEPA filter.

Remove the canister and dump the contents into the trash. Read your manufacturer’s instructions to see if the canister can be washed in warm, soapy water, rinsed clean and allowed to air dry. If not, wipe it out with a microfiber cloth and use a can of compressed air to blow out dirt or dust you can’t reach.

Next, check for dust and other debris in the attachments and hose. Again, wipe clean any parts you can’t wash. Replace the HEPA filter every 6 months or as often as the manufacturer recommends. Other vacuum filters may need to be replaced more often, depending on your manufacturer’s instructions.

Let all washed parts dry thoroughly before you put them back in place.

Use a screwdriver to remove the rotating floor brush on your machine. Notice how it goes on, so you can replace it properly. If hairs, strings and other fibers are wrapped around it, use scissors to cut them loose or pull them off with your fingers. Take the brush outside and tap or shake it to get rid of lint, dust and other debris.

Check the belt while your vacuum is disassembled and replace it if it’s worn or damaged. Some manufacturers recommend lubricating the roller brush bearings. Wipe out the area where the brush is housed.

Look behind the vacuum brush for a small hole that leads to a passageway to the canister. Dirt and debris go through the hole and passage when you’re cleaning, so be sure free they are clear of obstructions.

Finish by wiping the exterior of the vacuum cleaner and its parts. Reassemble the vacuum and run for 30 seconds or so to loosen any clogs.

Vacuuming is an important part of maintaining indoor air quality, particularly if anyone in your family has allergies. Depending on how often you vacuum, you may use your vacuum cleaner hundreds of times in a year. Cleaning a vacuum will extend its life and performance, so it can keep your house clean for years to come.

What Supplies Do You Need to Clean Your Vacuum?

Before you start cleaning your vacuum, gather the following supplies:

New bags if your vacuum uses them
New filter if your vacuum uses disposable filters
Scissors or a box knife for cutting away hair from your brush roller
Compressed air for dusting
Pipe cleaners for reaching difficult spots
Cloth to wipe down your vacuum
Spray cleaner or mild dishwashing soap
Broom handle to clear the hose of clogs
Gloves to keep your hands clean
Mask to prevent you from inhaling dust

How Do You Clean Your Vacuum Cleaner?

Empty your bag or bin. Start cleaning your vacuum by emptying the bag or canister. Never overfill your vacuum cleaner bag or bin because it can clog your vacuum and release dust back into your room. If you’re using a bagless vacuum, make it a habit to empty it after every use. For vacuums that use bags, empty them before they get too full. If you notice a decrease in your vacuum’s suction power, it can be a sign your bag needs to be emptied.

Check for clogs. Straighten out your vacuum’s hose and gently push a broom handle through it to dislodge any clogs. Don’t use anything sharp to do this since you may puncture the hose. You should also check the transfer points on the vacuum for clogs, such as the area where debris is sucked into the vacuum head on a cannister vacuum and the area where the stick meets the bin on a stick vacuum. Use compressed air or pipecleaners to clean those areas.

Wipe down the vacuum cleaner parts. Use a soft cloth dampened with cleaning spray or warm, soapy water to wipe down the exposed parts of your vacuum and the attachments. You can use a soft brush to get to any hard-to-reach areas. Wipe out the bin of stick vacuums or the dirt canister of a bagless vacuum.

How Often Should You Clean Your Vacuum?

In general, the more you use your vacuum, the more often you’ll need to clean it. You should empty the dustbin of a bagless vacuum every time you use it. Robotic vacuums should be cleaned every week or so. Check the manufacturer’s recommendation about how often to clean or change your filter since it can vary widely. Otherwise, it’s probably enough to clean your vacuum once a year. Of course, if you notice any performance issues, clean it more often.