How to Clean a Vacuum for Better Performance

Surprise: your vacuum cleaner also needs cleaning! It’s easy to just whip out your vacuum and clean your carpets and rugs. Unfortunately, we often forget to take the time to clean the vacuum cleaner itself.

Cleaning the parts of your vacuum cleaner – hose, filter, canister, and brush roll – regularly adds to its lifespan and helps it perform better. In this article, we walk you through how to clean every part of a vacuum using supplies you already have at home.

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How to clean a vacuum to keep it at its best

Over time, using your vacuum cleaner leads to a buildup of dirt, dust, and hair in the filter, hose, and brush roll. This buildup reduces suction power and makes it harder to pick up dirt. 

Cleaning your vacuum regularly makes a big difference as it helps the machine work better and last longer. This comes in especially handy for removing stubborn debris like vomit, wax, or slime from your carpet.

How often to clean your vacuum

How often you clean your vacuum depends on the type of vacuum cleaner.

Vacuum with a bag (upright, stick, or handheld): Deep clean the filters and brush rolls every six months.  

Bagless (canister) vacuums: The canister of a bagless vacuum should be emptied after every use, and the filters should be washed or replaced every three months.

What you’ll need to clean your vacuum

• A clean, soft cloth
• A soft-bristled brush
• Dishwashing soap
• Screwdriver
• A garbage bag
• Vacuum filter replacement (optional)

How to clean a bagless vacuum canister

For a bagless vacuum to function correctly, there must be enough airflow. In light of this, it's critical to maintain the cleanliness of your bagless vacuum canister and filter.  

Here's how to clean the canister of a bagless vacuum.

Turn off and unplug the vacuum

Safety first! Before you start cleaning, make sure to turn off the vacuum and unplug it to avoid any accidents.

Empty the canister

Empty the bagless vacuum canister into your garbage bag. Clean the interior with a soft microfiber cloth. This process is essential to clean the accumulated dust in the vacuum.

Submerge in a cleaning solution

Mix a few squirts of dishwashing soap with warm water. Submerge the canister in the solution and wipe clean with a microfiber cloth. The cleaning solution will effectively remove any leftover filth, dirt, dust, and hair. 

Next, rinse the vacuum cleaner canister in warm water to clean off any remaining dishwashing solution.

If your owner's manual advises against immersing the canister in a cleaning solution, use a damp microfiber cloth to scrub the inside and outside thoroughly. It can take more time and effort than submerging, but it should function as effectively. 

If dirt or debris is lodged in grooves or crevices of the canister, use a toothbrush or force the dirt out with a can of compressed air.

Air dry

After cleaning the canister, let it air dry before reassembling the vacuum cleaner.

How to clean a vacuum hose

If you turn on your vacuum cleaner and it doesn’t pick up dirt and debris, the hose might be clogged and need cleaning. Follow these steps to clean a vacuum hose. 

Detach the hose from the vacuum

Remove the hose from the vacuum by twisting or pressing the release button, depending on your vacuum's design. 

Unclog the hose

To clear up a clogged hose, gently insert a dryer vent brush, a broom handle, or another long stick. A word of caution: the stick should have a dull tip to avoid puncturing the hose. (No metal coat hangers, please!) 

A pro tip is to gently push the hose closer together to shorten it and simplify the task. This should drive out anything stuck in the middle that is difficult to reach. 

If you cannot unclog the hose completely with this step, move on to the next step.

Wash the vacuum hose

Washing a vacuum hose effectively removes the debris adhering to the hose's internal creases.

To wash your vacuum hose, mix a few squirts of dishwashing soap with warm water, then fully immerse the hose in the cleaning solution. You can also use a bottle cleaning brush to clean the hose interior thoroughly.

Rinse and air dry

Rinse the vacuum hose on a high-pressure tap and let the water flow in and out. A trick is to hold the hose in a "U" shape. This will allow you to shake the water in the hose (to further loosen debris) before the water exits the opposite side.

When that’s done, hang the hose upright to let the water drain out, then reconnect it to your vacuum cleaner.

How to clean a vacuum filter (foam, pleated paper, or fiber)

A clogged filter will strain your vacuum’s motor and shorten its lifespan. The good news is that cleaning your vacuum filter works, and it’s reasonably simple to accomplish. 

A word of caution about HEPA filters: HEPA filters are the exception here. Because a HEPA filter is made of tightly woven materials, cleaning it can cause damage to the fibers and decrease the filter's ability to block tiny particles. 

If your vacuum cleaner uses a HEPA filter, replace it instead of cleaning. But if your vacuum cleaner uses a foam, pleated paper, or synthetic fiber filter, here’s how to clean it.

Foam vacuum filter

• Mix two drops of dishwashing liquid with two cups of hot water 
• Submerge the foam filter in the cleaning solution
• Gently squeeze the filter together to force the solution into the pores
• Rinse the filter under running water
• Roll the filter gently in a microfiber cloth to absorb the liquid
• Air dry thoroughly, then reinsert it into your vacuum cleaner

If you notice the cleaning solution getting dark while you squeeze and clean the filter, make a fresh solution and submerge the foam filter again. Repeat this process until there is no visible dirt in the cleaning solution.

Pleated paper filter

• Brush away any visible dirt with a soft-bristled brush. 
• Carefully tap the filter against a trashcan or a solid outdoor surface to remove remaining debris.
• Reinstall the pleated paper filter into the vacuum.

A word of caution: never let paper filters soak or come close to water.

Synthetic fiber filter

• Remove the filter from the vacuum. 
• Use a soft-bristled brush to clean out any obvious dirt on the filter
• Hold the filter under a stream of running water to remove more dust, dirt, and debris.
• Gently wrap the filter with a microfiber cloth to absorb moisture
• Air dry the filter for at least a full day 
• Reinstall the synthetic fiber filter into the vacuum cleaner

How to clean your vacuum brush roll

Next up, it’s time to clean your vacuum brush roll. The brush roll is the rotating brush located near the base of the vacuum cleaner. It helps to agitate the carpet and loosen dirt and debris. Here’s how to clean it.

Turn off the vacuum 

It goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway (because, safety). Before cleaning the brush roll, make sure to turn off the vacuum cleaner and unplug it to avoid any accidents.

Remove debris from the brush roll 

Use scissors or a small brush to remove any tangled hair, strings, or debris from the brush roll. This helps prevent the brush roll from becoming damaged and improve the vacuum cleaner's suction power.

Clean the brush roll

Remove the brush roll from the vacuum cleaner and use a soft-bristled brush to clean it. This removes any dirt or debris accumulated on the brush.

Reassemble the vacuum

Reassemble the vacuum cleaner, ensuring the brush roll is securely in place. Test the vacuum cleaner to make sure it's working correctly.

Clean your vacuum like a pro

Take the time to clean and maintain your vacuum if you want it to operate efficiently and last longer. Depending on your type of vacuum cleaner – with a bag or bagless, has a HEPA filter or not – the cleaning techniques will vary. 

The steps in this article suffice for all types of brands of vacuum cleaners. So simply pick the type you have and get cleaning. 

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