How to Clean a Shark Vacuum and Its Filters 

If you own a Shark vacuum, you know how powerful the suction is on these machines and that they are some of the best vacuums on the market for deep cleaning your house.

It’s essential to perform routine maintenance on your Shark vacuum to keep it functioning at its best.

You need to do more than empty out the canister regularly to keep your vacuum in prime condition. In this article, we’ll discuss how to clean a Shark vacuum correctly.

We’ll go over how to clean the different parts, including how to clean your Shark vacuum filters, so your machine works at maximum efficiency.

How Often Should You Clean Your Vacuum

To keep your Shark vacuum in the best condition possible, you should thoroughly clean it out every three months.

If you use your vacuum more often or use it in heavily soiled areas, you may need to clean your Shark vacuum more often.

Make sure you don’t skip any of the parts during regular cleanings. Leaving any part dirty can have a negative impact on your vacuum’s performance.

Regularly cleaning your machine keeps it functioning at its best and increases your vacuum’s lifespan.

Signs Your Vacuum Needs to Be Cleaned

There are several tell-tale signs that your vacuum needs cleaning. The most obvious sign you need to clean out your vacuum is a loss of suction.

Another reliable indication that your vacuum needs maintenance is when the vacuum leaves behind dirt after you have gone over an area. It’s also a good idea to pay attention to how the vacuum sounds.

If your vacuum suddenly starts making strange sounds, particularly if it seems like its gasping, it most likely needs cleaning.

You should also pay attention to the way it smells. If the vacuum has an unpleasant, dirty odor, it’s time to clean it.

How to Clean a Shark Vacuum

Now that we’ve discussed how often you should clean your vacuum and how you can tell when it needs cleaning, it’s time to get into specifically how to clean a Shark vacuum and how to clean shark vacuum filters.

Different models may have slightly different parts, and you may need to look at the manual for specific information about your model.

However, there are four parts common to all Shark vacuums that you should clean during regular maintenance.

Here are the steps you need to take in cleaning your vacuum no matter what model Shark vacuum you have.

•  Clean the vacuum filter (some models have more than one)
•  Clean the dust cup holder
• Clean the hose
• Clean the brush rolls

How to Clean a Shark Vacuum Filter

Depending on what model you have, you may have one filter or multiple filters. Shark vacuums come with both foam and felt filters.

While the foam ones are more common, we will look at how to clean both kinds of Shark Vacuum Filters below. 

To clean a foam filter, take the dust cup off the vacuum and remove the filters. Run the foam filter under warm water and squeeze it out.

You can use mild dish detergent to clean the foam filter, but this is not necessary. Keep rinsing the filter with warm water squeezing it thoroughly each time until the water runs clear.

Let the filter dry out for 24 to 48 hours before putting it back into the vacuum to reduce the filter’s risk of growing mold or mildew.

You should not use water to clean the felt filters. When you clean a felt filter, it’s best to brush it with a small brush like a toothbrush to remove debris.

You can also purchase a bottle of compressed air and use it to blow dust and other build-up out of the filter.

Keep in mind that felt filters are more delicate than foam ones and are often more expensive to replace, so be extra careful when cleaning them.

How to Clean the Dust Cup Holder

To clean the dust cup holder, use the dust cup release button to eject the dust cup. Open the dust cup and dump out any debris inside. Then, using a dish scouring pad or a toothbrush brush off the metal grate inside.

Once you’ve cleaned off the metal grate, you can clean the cup with soap and water and a long-handled brush like a bottle brush.

Rinse the cup holder and let it air dry completely before putting it back on the vacuum. If the dust cup on your model opens at both ends, you can open both to speed up the drying process.

How to Clean the Hose

To clean the hose on your vacuum, disconnect the hose and begin by looking for apparent clogs and remove them.

Once you’ve removed any clogs, you can see, soak the hose in a soap and water solution for about a half-hour to an hour and rinse out. After the hose is dry, you can reconnect it to your vacuum.

How to Clean Brush Rolls

If your brush roll is dirty, it can affect your vacuum’s ability to pick up debris, especially from hard surfaces. Thankfully it is relatively easy to clean brush rolls.

Take a scissor to cut any hair, thread, and other debris tangled in the brush bristles. After you’ve cut the debris, simply pull it out by hand until the brush roll is clean.