How to clean a vacuum cleaner – the best ways to tackle the dust bin, floorheads and filters so they work harder for longer
For better suction and a more hygienic home
Lauren Bradbury
Having a good vacuum cleaner is a non-negotiable if you want a clean home. Nothing cleans floors quite like a vacuum cleaner, and this versatile tool will even help you refresh upholstery and cars. But everyone should also know how to clean a vacuum cleaner.
Yes, cleaning the things that clean for you is the only way to achieve a happy and hygienic home, and the best vacuum cleaners are no exception. And when you think about it, this makes sense. These vacuum cleaners go through the wringer, picking up everything from food crumbs to pet hair and dust bunnies.
However, emptying the dust bin or throwing away the vacuum bag just doesn’t cut the mustard when cleaning a vacuum cleaner. You must also know how to clean a vacuum cleaner from the inside out to prevent blockages or escaped dirt. So, this is how to do it.
1. Turn off or unplug your vacuum
It’s important to note that you should only clean a vacuum cleaner when it is turned off and unplugged (if it is a corded vacuum cleaner). This will prevent any unwanted accidents or damage.
If you have one of the best cordless vacuum cleaners and can remove the battery, you could take this opportunity to pop it on charge and ensure it’s ready to go when you need it again.
2. Clean the vacuum dust bin
Then, your next step when cleaning a vacuum cleaner is emptying the dust bin and cleaning it. The dust bin or cup is where the dust, dirt and debris from your floors are collected in bagless vacuums. It's designed to be unclipped easily from the body of the vacuum for emptying.
If you have a bagged vacuum, you will need to remove the dust bag when it is full, then dispose of it in your waste bin, as it’s generally recommended that you don’t reuse vacuum cleaner bags.
Most vacuum manufacturers then recommend simply wiping the inside of the dust cup or vacuum bag area with a damp cloth to clean the area. You should avoid using any other cleaning products, as these may damage the surface of your vacuum cleaner.
3. Check for blockages
There's nothing more frustrating than a blockage that prevents your vacuum from cleaning properly, and it’s actually one of the main reasons why your vacuum cleaner loses suction.
Most blockages happen when dust and dirt begin to gather around a small obstruction in the hose, stick or floorhead of your vacuum – that could be as simple as a hairpin or toothpick that acts like a dam, with the dirt from your floor building up behind it until the airway is completely blocked. It could also be because you’ve vacuumed up something you shouldn’t.
Thankfully, unclogging a vacuum hose is relatively easy, and you may find that simply shaking it is enough to loosen the blockage. If it’s not, use a long-handled item - like a broom handle - to push it out. And if the floorhead is blocked, you should be able to remove it by hand.
4. Clean the vacuum filters
The filter in a vacuum cleaner is an essential component as it traps dirt, dust, and allergens inside the vacuum cleaner, stopping them from being released back into your home. However, it can get extremely dirty and ultimately affect the suction of your vacuum cleaner if not cleaned regularly.
In most cases - like if you want to clean a Shark vacuum filter or a Dyson filter - you should do this about once a month. But it’s best to check the manufacturer’s instructions, especially if there’s both pre and post-motor filters. And when you do clean them, it’s generally as simple as running them under a tap.
Catrin Davies, Product Manager at Hoover echoes this, stating, 'Usually the filters can be removed and washed with tap water – don’t use any detergent or soap, as this could cause damage. Leave the filters to dry for at least 24 hours before putting them back in the vacuum.’
5. Clean the brush rolls
Cleaning the brush rolls is one of the least-loved vacuum cleaner cleaning jobs. They can often become entangled with pet or human hair - even if you have one of the best pet hair vacuums - which is why many vacuum manufacturers offer anti-hair wrap floorheads.
However, hair can still become tangled and affect the use of your vacuum cleaner, which is why you should address it as soon as you spot it. If hair, string, or fibre becomes wrapped around the brush roll, the easiest way to remove it is with scissors. Snip through the hair, taking care not to cut the roller, then pull the hair away from the brush roll and discard it.
Once your rollers are clear of any hair and other materials, you can remove them from your vacuum, brush away any dirt, then wash them in warm water – and manufacturers recommend not to use any additional cleaning products.
6. Clean vacuum attachments
Most modern vacuum cleaners will come with cleaning attachments to use for specific cleaning jobs around the house. And while knowing what vacuum tool is right for each job is the first step to successfully using these tools, knowing how to clean them is the second.
Thankfully, this is pretty easy. All you need to do is fill a washing-up bowl with hot, soapy water and then give them a quick brush with a scrubbing brush. This should remove any lingering dirt or debris, and you can finish by rinsing them off and letting them dry.
It’s essential that you leave all of these attachments to air dry for at least 24 hours before using them, as you don’t want to risk water getting anywhere near your vacuum cleaner.
The best vacuum cleaners - our top picks
If you’ve tried cleaning your vacuum cleaner but it’s still not solved any suction problems, or it’s just way too old, here are our top picks of the best:
Crowned the 'best overall' vacuum cleaner we've tested, this model is equipped to deal with hair with ease - and comes with a genius compressing bin to drastically increase the amount of debris it can vacuum at one time. You can read our full review here.
If you're on a budget and want a no-frills workhorse that will get the job done, the OG Henry cylinder won't let us down. As it's corded, you can use it for as long as you like, and the 6L bagged capacity will last you weeks before you need to empty it. Read our full review here.
The best cordless stick we've tested, the Shark Stratos is an oldie but a goodie. It's an older model of Shark's, but it's still equipped with all of the features you need for a clean home. It also comes with two batteries, so it offers up to 140 mins of run time. Read our full review here.
FAQs
How often should you clean a vacuum cleaner?
How often you should clean a vacuum cleaner depends on how much use it gets and which part of the appliance you are dealing with.
'For example, the filter should be cleaned monthly,' suggests Gavin Sadler from Bosch. 'The dust container should be emptied whenever full, and, similarly, the brush-rolls should be cleaned as soon as debris collects to ensure they don’t get tangled.'
However, it’s also a good idea to give your vacuum cleaner a deeper clean at least once a month to ensure it’s working to the best of its ability.
What is the average life of a vacuum cleaner?
Generally, a vacuum cleaner will last around eight years with proper care, attention, and cleaning. If you don’t look after your vacuum cleaner, it will undoubtedly last much less than this.
In some cases, you may find that your vacuum cleaner lasts longer than that. However, it’s still important to look out for the signs that it’s time to replace your vacuum cleaner - as every model is different.
So, take this as your sign to clean your vacuum cleaner this week.
