Stick vacuums are wonderful alternatives to old-fashioned vacuum cleaners that are heavy. They are simple to use because they do not need cords to function. Not only are they battery-operated, but they are lightweight as well. But if it’s so thin and small, where does the dirt go in a bagless stick vacuum?

All bagless stick vacuums are equipped with a clear canister that collects the dirt. When you use a stick vacuum, the dirt travels from the cleaner head, into the wand, then straight into the canister located just under the motor. You need to empty the canister once it’s full of dirt.  

Emptying the canister is as simple as switching a lever to open the canister over a trash can. However, how often you need to empty the canister depends on how often a stick vacuum is used and how much debris is collected. In this post, we will show you how a stick vacuum works and functions. Let's get started.

How Do Stick Vacuums Work?

A stick vacuum is a small vacuum cleaner that comes with a variety of attachments. They are generally thin and lightweight, which makes them very easy to use. By pushing or holding down a button on the handle, you can easily move a stick vacuum back and forth with minimal effort to pick up dirt from different surfaces.

Stick vacuums are cordless and run on a rechargeable battery. But because stick vacuums run on batteries, you may sacrifice suction power in favor of convenience. The motor and cleaner head are located in the same unit so they are smaller than the typical vacuum cleaner. The main parts of a stick vacuum cleaner include:

1. The cleaner head
2. The wand
3. The filtration system
4. The canister

A stick vacuum is so easy to use because the cleaner head can be fitted with different attachments including brushes to clean tight cracks and crevices, blinds, mattresses, ceiling fans, or even the inside of a car. Whichever attachment you use, the dirt will be collected and go through the same process.

1. Where does the dirt go in a stick vacuum?

When you push a stick vacuum and move it along a surface, the cleaner head sucks dirt. The dirt then travels along the wand (or the stick) into the filtration system. Once the dirt is filtered, they are deposited straight into the canister. Because the canister is see-through, you can see all the dirt inside.

With so many stick vacuum models, the canister varies in size. The bigger the canister, the more dirt it can hold, which means you can clean longer without having to empty its contents often. If you plan to use a stick vacuum for a large area, be sure to buy a stick vacuum with adequate dirtbin capacity.

2. How much dirt can a stick vacuum hold?

Generally, stick vacuums can hold between 0.1 to 0.5 gallons of dirt inside the canister. That’s about 0.4 to 1.9 liters of pure dust and debris. For reference, the dirtbin size of the Dyson V6 stick vacuum is 0.11 gallons, while the dirtbin size of the Dyson V11 Outsize stick vacuum is 0.50 gallons.

Once the canister reaches its maximum capacity, you need to empty its contents before using the stick vacuum again. It is good practice to empty the contents before it’s full. Too much dirt inside a stick vacuum’s canister can hinder its suction effectiveness, reducing its ability to suck as much dirt as it possibly can. 

While a stick vacuum cannot hold as much dirt as upright vacuums and regular vacuum cleaners, they are simpler to use and easier to handle, thanks to their lightweight frame. A stick vacuum is known for its convenience and is perfect for quick clean-ups, especially before guests arrive at your house.

3. How do you empty a stick vacuum?

One of the main benefits of using a stick vacuum is how easy it is to empty the canister. The canister is often see-through so you can see what’s inside. You can open the canister and dump the contents straight into the trash, so you never have to worry about vacuum cleaner bags or other complicated disposal methods.

So how do you empty a stick vacuum?

To empty a stick vacuum, open the lid of the canister and pour the contents straight into the trash can. After emptying the dirt inside, simply use a microfiber cloth to wipe the inside of the canister to remove any dirt remaining. Some canisters must be removed from the unit prior to emptying the dirt inside.

Are Stick Vacuums Worth It?

Cordless stick vacuums are becoming more popular among homeowners thanks to its convenience. In fact, many vacuum cleaner manufacturers believe that stick vacuums are the future of the cleaning industry. So much so that Dyson announced in 2018 that it was no longer developing traditional corded vacuums. 

This begs the question, are stick vacuums worth it?

Stick vacuums are worth it because they do an amazing job of cleaning different surfaces. Thanks to their multiple cleaning attachments, they make quick work of just about any mess. Not only are they excellent in cleaning hard floors, but they are also capable of cleaning hard-to-reach areas like stairs and ceilings as well. 

PRO TIP: Are you looking to buy a new stick vacuum? With so many options to choose from, it can be overwhelming for you. We found two amazing lightweight options from a reputable brand, Dyson, and compared both of them. Not only are they easy to use, but they are great in cleaning different surfaces as well.

Bottom Line

And there you go, the answer to the question: where does the dirt go in a bagless stick vacuum? Just because they are thin and lightweight, it doesn’t mean that they can’t store dirt. By understanding how a stick vacuum works, you will be able to maximize it to its fullest potential and keep your house as clean as it can be!

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