Cleaning Shark Vacuum Filter | When and How?

A vacuum cleaner is something we all use in our daily life. It is a good tool to keep the house clean but it also needs proper maintenance to stay in good shape. Here you’ll know when and how to properly clean your shark vacuum cleaner.

Know When to Clean

If your vacuum stops cleaning as well as before then you have to clean it. Some common examples for when you need to clean it are loss of suction, dirty floor leaving behind, or weird air noises.

If you see any of these symptoms then you have to clean your vacuum before you clean your house with it.

How to Clean a Shark Vacuum Filter?

You should try to clean your vacuum outdoor as it involves a lot of dust. Here’s how you are to proceed-

Unplug & Remove Canister

Like all electrical appliances, you have to first unplug the vacuum. Now since you have done so, you need to remove the dust canister from the body. After removing the dust canister you will see a foam filter that was under the dust canister.

Remove the Filter

Remove the foam filter and any other filter that is underneath it. Make sure to remember in which order they were fitted on the vacuum. You can take a few pictures with your phone to memorize the order.

Wash the Filter

Now that the filters are out of the vacuum, it is time to clean it. First, shake out all the dust and debris that is on the filters. Then clean it with tap water. Do not use hot water. Hot water can harm the filters. 

Air Dry the Filter

After cleaning it thoroughly with the water, air dry it for 24 hours. Check the filters after 24 hours if it is fully dry or not. If it is scorched dry, then you can put them back in the vacuum in the order that they were in.

Take Out & Wash the Hepa Filter

In some vacuums, there is another filter on the bottom separate from the ones that were under the dust canister. It is called the Hepa filter. It is locked by a front door. You will find the access point to this on the bottom of the front filter door.

Push and tilt the button that’s on the bottom of the door to get it open. Take out the Hepa filter and clean it the same way as before.

How to Clean a Shark Cordless Vacuum Filter?

Cordless Shark vacuums have a slightly different filter placement. For this, you have to unplug then detach the component from the hose. Then take out the two filters from the top and bottom of the main component and wash and dry it as written above before reassembling the whole thing.

How to Clean a Shark Handheld Vacuum Filter?

Handheld shark vacuum has one filter which is placed beside the dust container. Open and empty the dust container then open up the filter compartment. Take out the filter and clean it as written above.

How to Clean a Shark Rotator Vacuum Filter?

Shark rotator vacuum’s filter is placed under the dust canister. So, take out the dust canister as before and then take out the filter. If the filter has any supporting plastic part then separate the plastics from the filter and wash and dry it the same as before.

How to Clean Shark Apex Vacuum Filter?

Shark Apex vacuum has both normal and Hepa filter. The normal foam filter can be found after removing the dust cup. The Hepa filter can be found on the bottom of the base of the dust holder. Take both of the filters and clean them the same as before.

FAQ

Q: How frequently do I clean my vacuum filter?

Ans: It depends on the filter. You need to clean the foam filters every couple of weeks and heap filter every couple of months.

Q: Can I install the filter back when they are wet?

Ans: No, it will not clean properly and get the filter even dirtier.

Q: Can I put the filters in the dryer?

Ans: No, you have to air dry the filter. Putting them in a dryer will damage them. 

Q: Can I use hot water to rinse the filters?

Ans: No, hot water will damage the foam.

Q: Can I insert the filters after 24 hours?

Ans: Yes, but check if they are dry first. If not then wait for them to dry. Hepa filter usually takes more time to dry than the other ones.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, vacuums are also an electric tool. Just like any other electric tool, it also needs proper maintenance.

Cleaning your vacuum filters is an important part of cleaning your vacuum, but just cleaning the filter is not the complete cleaning of the vacuum. You also have to clean the vacuum hose, belt, and other component step by step.

Also if you have an allergy problem then make sure to use a mask before start your cleaning. Since we are cleaning the vacuum, there will be a lot of dust and debris which can be bad for allergy.