How to wash a vacuum filter
Rinse with water only, no soap, and let it dry for at least 24 hours. The water temperature and how often you wash it depend on the model.
By model
| Model | Water | How often | Dry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dyson V6, V7, V8 | Cold only | At least monthly | 24 hours minimum |
| Dyson V10 | Cold (small bin) or warm (big bin) per its manual | At least monthly | 24 hours minimum |
| Dyson V11 | Cold only | At least monthly, or when the screen says | 24 hours minimum |
| Dyson V15 Detect | Warm | At least monthly | 24 hours minimum |
| Shark Navigator NV352, NV360 | Water only | Foam and felt every 3 months; HEPA every 2 years | 24 hours minimum |
| Shark Stratos IZ862H | Water only | Pre-motor monthly; HEPA yearly | Up to 48 hours |
| Shark Vertex IZ462H | Water only | Pre-motor monthly; HEPA yearly | 24 hours minimum |
| Roomba i3, i4, i7 | Never wash | Tap clean weekly; replace every 2 months |
The general method
Safety: Unplug corded vacuums, and take cordless ones off the charger, before removing filters.
- Remove the filter and tap off loose dust into a trash can.
- Rinse under the tap until the water runs clear. For cylinder filters, fill them, cover the ends and shake.
- Squeeze foam filters gently; don't wring paper or pleated filters.
- Dry in open air for at least 24 hours. No dryer, hair dryer, oven, microwave or radiator.
- Refit only when completely dry. Dyson warns a damp filter can damage the motor.
Don't add soap, detergent or fragrance. Dyson's manuals warn against scented products on filters, and Shark's guides say soap damages them.
When to replace instead
Replace a filter that is torn, misshapen, still dark after several rinses or that smells. Shark recommends replacing the Navigator's HEPA every 3 years, and iRobot says to replace Roomba filters every 2 months.