Is your Dyson cordless starting to get clogged and dirty? Keep reading to find out how to deep clean your Dyson cordless vacuum.
Dyson cordless vacuums provide great performance that can rival many corded vacs. They are also low maintenance devices, but they still need cleaning to maintain their cleaning power.
In this article, we’ll show you how to do a deep clean of your Dyson cordless vac. This includes washing the filter, clearing the brush bar, wiping down the bin, and checking for any blockages.
Step 1: Clean Your Dyson Filters
The most important step when cleaning your Dyson vacuum is clearing the filters. All air going through a vacuum cleaner must pass through the filter, so a layer of dust and dirt can reduce suction power.
Fortunately, it’s easy to clean a Dyson cordless vacuum filter. The exact method for removing the filter depends on your model – V6, V7 and V8 cordless vacuums have a different design to V10, V11 and V15 – but the process is always similar.
We’ve written a full guide to cleaning Dyson cordless filters with tips for each model, so it’s a good idea to read that article for more detailed instructions. But here’s a quick summary:
- Remove the washable filters from the vacuum cleaner. Many Dyson cordless vacuums have a single washable filter, such as the V7 (the post-motor filter is not washable) and the V10 and above (which only have one filter.) The V8 series has both washable pre-motor and post-motor filters though, so check your manual.
- Gently tap off excess dust. This makes the filter easier to wash. You can also tap off dust from non-washable filters.
- Rinse the filter with cold water. The goal is to keep rinsing until the water runs clear. Some Dyson filters are tube shaped, so you can just run them under the tap. Others have a cup shape, so you’ll need to fill the filter with cold water, give it a small shake, tip out the dirty water, then repeat
- Remove excess water. Some Dyson filters can be gently wrung out to remove excess water, while others should just be tapped off into a sink. Check the manual before wringing out a filter, as using this method can damage certain types of filter.
- Allow the filter 24 hours to dry. Never replace a wet filter into the vacuum cleaner.
It’s vital to not use hot water or soap when cleaning filters, as this can damage the filter. You should also read the instruction manual, as Dyson often provides tips for cleaning specific filters more effectively.
Tip: Check your manual if you’re not sure how to remove your Dyson vacuum’s filters. Dyson manuals usually have clear pictures for showing you how to perform common tasks.
Step 2: Clean the Dust Canister
The dust canister on a Dyson cordless vacuum fills up fast. While the emptying process gets rid of the majority of dust and dirt, it’s inevitable that the bin interior will get dirty over time.
For this reason, a deep clean of a Dyson vacuum cleaner should always include the canister.
- Empty the bin as normal. Make sure to shake out as much dirt, dust, and other debris as possible before moving to the next step.
- Detach the bin from the vacuum’s main body. It’s vital to remove the bin, as you’ll be using water which should never go near the motor.
- Use a damp cloth to clean the bin interior. Don’t use any cleaning product, as this can be sucked into the vacuum and cause damage.
- Allow the bin to fully dry before reattaching.
Dyson cordless vacuum bins are not safe for the dishwasher. You should avoid using cleaning detergents, air fresheners, or polishers, as these can all cause damage to the vacuum.
Step 3: Clean the Floorhead and Brush Roll
The next part of your vacuum to clean is the floorhead.
Start by detaching the floorhead then removing the brush bar. Some Dyson cordless vacuums have a red latch for this, while others require you to use a coin to unlock the fastener. Check the manual if you’re not sure.
You can use scissors to cut hair that’s become wrapped around the brush roll. This is an important step when deep cleaning a Dyson cordless, as the vacuums don’t have anti-hair wrap technology.
Next, use cold water to rinse the brush roll and a soft cloth to gently remove dirt. Stand up the brush bar and allow it time to completely dry before refitting it.
Tip: Don’t use water to wash the end cap or the floorhead. These are not designed to be washable. Never place the brush bar (or any other component) in the dishwasher.
Step 3.5: Check for Blockages in the Floorhead
We’ve found that the entrance to the main wand from the floorhead is one of the most common locations for a Dyson cordless vacuum to get blocked. So, before you reattach the brush bar, it’s a good idea to have check both the entrance and exit of the floorhead for signs of a blockage.
You can also check the wand and entrance to the dust canister for blockages. Remove any debris that you find from these locations, as they’ll cause clumps to develop and eventually block the vacuum.
Step 4: Clean Non-Motorised Dyson Attachments
Dyson cordless vacuums usually come with a crevice tool and soft dusting brush, along with other accessories depending on which model you buy. Some of these can be cleaned, while others should not be washed.
The mini-motorised tool that’s often included with Animal or Absolute models is not washable. You can wipe it down with a cloth, but you shouldn’t rinse it.
Non-motorised tools, such as Dyson’s crevice tool or combination tool, can be washed with cold water. Never put them in the dishwasher and always allow the tools to fully dry before using them.
Step 5: Reassemble Your Dyson Cordless
Once you’ve cleaned the filters, dust canister, brush bar, and checked for blockages, the last step is to reassemble your Dyson cordless.
Dyson does a great job at making sure components fit together with a satisfying click, so this should be a simple process. Just make sure everything has been given plenty of time to dry before you reassemble it.
Other Tips for Maintaining Your Dyson Cordless
Dyson cordless vacuums require very little maintenance, but you still need to make sure you take care of them.
- Don’t overfill the vacuum cleaner. Keep a close watch of the “MAX” line and empty your Dyson before it reaches it.
- Clean the filters monthly. Clogged filters are the most common cause of performance loss. Clean them once per month (or more frequently for heavy use.)
- Never vacuum liquids or wet material. Dyson cordless vacuums are all dry models. Vacuuming up water (or just damp mud or food) can lead to mould, blockages, motor damage, and even the risk of electrocution.
- Dyson vacuum batteries don’t last forever. If your vacuum’s run-time seems to be getting shorter then you may need a new battery. Check out our guide to why Dyson vacuums stop charging to learn more.
Summary
It’s important to do an occasional deep clean of your Dyson cordless vacuum to maintain its performance. A deep clean should include:
- All washable filters
- Dust canister
- Brush roll
- Non-motorised tools and accessories
- Any blockages
Do you have any questions about cleaning your Dyson cordless vacuum? Please let us know in the comments section below. You may also want to read our guide to how to clean a vacuum cleaner.