How to Clean a Dyson Vacuum Cleaner in 6 Easy Steps
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According to an Electrolux survey, 89% of vacuum owners use their vacuum for less than one hour. Needless to say, you will want your vacuum to work smoothly during that time.
So, roll up your sleeves and put on some rubber gloves. If you haven’t cleaned your Dyson vacuum in a long time—or ever—and it’s suddenly malfunctioning, a dirty vacuum is likely the culprit.
Don’t worry; it’s not difficult to clean. However, it’ll take a bit of time to do it right.
So, we’ll teach you how to clean a Dyson vacuum cleaner in a few easy steps.
Gathering Supplies
To make your Dyson vacuum cleaning endeavor as pain-free as possible, gather the following items before you start. Note: you can substitute the flathead screwdriver with a coin.
- Flathead screwdriver
- Dish soap or vinegar
- Microfiber cloth
- Scissors
- Water
- Air compressor
Also, make sure to unplug your Dyson. You’ll be working with water, so you don’t want to risk electrocution!
Step 1: Tackle the Dust Canister
You should already know how to empty the debris out of your Dyson dust canister. And if you don’t, it’s a true indication that you have a problem on your hands—ensuring your canister has room to store debris as your vacuum is crucial.
Dyson vacuum models differ in the location of the canister release. Try looking under the cyclones. Many models have a red “bin release” button to make it easy to spot.
Empty all the debris from the canister into the trash. Remember, Dyson vacuums don’t have bags, so there’s no need to line the canister with anything.
Using a damp microfiber cloth, gently remove all remaining dust and tiny particles in the bin.
As a word of caution, don’t use any cleaning supplies on the canister, not even detergent. These products could degrade the canister, making it less effective at doing its job.
Step 2: Pull Out Your Air Compressor
You shouldn’t use damp cloth over all your Dyson vacuum cleaner parts. Dyson warns against using liquids on its vacuum cyclones.
That’s where your air compressor comes into play.
Point your air compressor towards the cyclones and wait for the air around it to become debris-free. If you have a bucket of water to wet your microfiber cloth as you work, make sure it stays away from the line of air.
Step 3: Give Love to the Filters
The filters on Dyson’s vacuum are arguably its most important feature. They trap fine particles that are challenging or impossible to see with your naked eye, including:
- Pollen
- Bacteria
- Dust
Unlike other filters that you may have in your home, you don’t have to replace Dyson vacuum filters. However, cleaning them at least once every three months is crucial to ensure they function correctly.
Look for a purple-colored object that typically sits near the cyclone. Run the entire filter over a gentle stream of water. Using cold water is best, and you shouldn’t apply any cleaning products.
Set it in a sunny place to dry once you don’t see any debris remaining on the filter.
Step 4: Put Your Screwdriver to Work
When people research how to clean a Dyson vacuum cleaner, they often want the easiest method. And, yes, you can follow the steps up to this point, and your vacuum will still be in better shape than many people’s.
However, to avoid or fix jams, you’ll need to use a flathead screwdriver to clean the brush bar on most Dyson models. If you don’t have a screwdriver lying around your home, unscrewing it with a coin might work.
Using your fingers, remove as much hair and debris as you can from around the brush. Then, take your scissors to cut away any waste that tightly winds around the brush bar. Human and pet hair are common culprits.
Remember, a brush roller full of hair and debris can make a vacuum cleaner hard to use. If you are using an upright vacuum cleaner, it can be harder to push.
If you want to clean the bar, use a damp microfiber cloth.
Make sure you dry it well, then reassemble the brush bar.
Step 5: Rinse Off the Hose
It’s important for the hose of your Dyson vacuum to be working at its peak, as that’s what helps suck debris from your floor. The clear hose equals enough airflow for the vacuum cleaner to work effectively.
Look for a button near the base of the hose. Squeeze it, and that should make it fall loose from the main part of the Dyson vacuum cleaner.
Using a little bit of dish soap or vinegar mixed with water, swish the solution within the hose. Dish soap or vinegar is crucial in this step because it’ll help remove bacteria and other pathogens hanging around.
Rise the hose with warm water, then set it next to your filter in a warm, sunny spot.
Step 6: Making Final Touches
You’re going to create a bit of a mess as you clean your Dyson. So, don’t be surprised to see a layer of dust on the outside when you finish.
To get your Dyson vacuum looking as clean on the outside as it now is on the inside, dunk your microfiber cloth in water and ring it out well. Then, run it over the outside of your vacuum.
Once the filter, hose, and outside of your vacuum are dry, you’ll be all set to get back to vacuuming.
Final Tips for Cleaning Your Dyson Vacuum
You now know how to clean a Dyson vacuum cleaner. Congrats!
Before you put these words into practice, though, bear in mind the following advice.
- Make sure to dry all parts you cleaned with a damp cloth thoroughly. Otherwise, mold could grow.
- If you have a Dyson upright vacuum, your vacuum will have multiple filters to clean.
- Don’t use a drying machine to dry the filter. Instead, letting air dry for at least 24 hours is best to ensure all moisture is gone.
- You should also let your vacuum hose air dry for 24 hours.
The global market size for vacuum cleaners was over $10 billion in 2020, with expectations for increases. Now that you know how to clean your Dyson vacuum, you can spend your precious money on something other than a new cleaner.