Is your Shark vacuum’s hose clogged or dirty? Here’s a simple method for unclogging and washing a Shark hose without damaging your vacuum cleaner.
A clogged or dirty hose can have a big impact on your Shark vacuum’s performance.
Reduced airflow means lower suction power, so you’ll notice your Shark has more difficulty picking up debris. Sadly, it’s common for people to blame reduced suction on a faulty vacuum, but maintenance is often the solution!
Many Shark vacuums also automatically detect a clog, which can cause the brush roll to stop spinning. You may even notice a strange noise or smell coming from the hose.
The good news is that it’s easy to clean your Shark’s hose. Let’s take a closer look at how to clean it in a safe and effective way.
Note: Shark manufactures hundreds of vacuum cleaners, so we can’t cover them all in this post. This article will focus on how to clear clogs from a Shark Rotator Lift-Away, but the steps should be similar for most Shark upright vacuums.
How to Clean a Shark Vacuum Hose
The method below is a general guide to cleaning a Shark hose. Make sure you check your vacuum’s manual for instructions that are specific to your model though.
Step 1: Unplug the Vacuum Cleaner
Before you clean or unclog a vacuum cleaner, it’s vital to unplug it from the electrical socket. You don’t want to risk a dangerous electric shock!
It’s also best to take your vacuum outside when cleaning it. Lots of dust and dirt can be released during the process, so put a sheet underneath the vacuum for easier clean-up at the end.
Step 2: Remove The Hose
Detach any tools from the hose, then remove it from the vacuum cleaner using the “Hose Release” button. Check the manual if you’re not sure how to do this.
It’s important to fully remove the hose before you clean it. It’s not possible to give the hose a deep clean when it’s still attached to the vacuum, as water should never be near the vacuum body.
Shark Vacuums Are (Usually) Easy to Take Apart
One of the things we love about Shark vacuum cleaners is how easy they are to disassemble.
In general, everything has a clear and obvious button to detach it. All the components also snap back into place with a satisfying click. We wish all vacuum cleaner brands were like this!
Shark vacuums also usually come with clear manuals that are easy to understand. If you’re not sure how to remove a part or use a certain feature, the manual will almost certainly help.
Step 3: Check for Visible Clogs or Dirt
Use a torch to take a look through the hose. Can you see any noticeable clogs or dirt build-up that could be affecting the vacuum’s performance?
If a large object is blocking the hose (such as a sock), then you may be able to use a broomstick handle to dislodge it. Don’t use anything sharp for this though, as you could cause a hole in the hose exterior.
For clogs caused by a dirt or grime build-up, you’ll need to use the next step to clean the hose more thoroughly.
Step 4: Wash the Hose (Optional)
A broomstick can get rid of larger clogs, but it can’t remove dirt that’s built up in the hose folds. These folds are also very difficult to clean with a regular cloth.
If your hose needs a deep clean, here’s a simple method:
- Fill up your sink with warm water (not boiling).
- Add a small amount of washing-up liquid and mix it into the water.
- Submerge the hose in the sink, allowing the water to seep into every internal crack and fold.
- Move the hose around to agitate dirt and grime. Allow time for the water to loosen the dirt.
- If there is stubborn dirt inside the hose, then you may need to use a bottle cleaning brush to remove it.
- Empty the sink and give the hose a thorough rinse with fresh water. It’s important to get rid of any remaining washing-up liquid.
- Allow the hose time to fully dry before re-attaching it to the vacuum (this is vital!)
Never use harsh cleaning chemicals when cleaning a vacuum’s hose. These chemicals can cause damage to the material and may invalidate your warranty.
Step 5: Re-attach The Hose
The final step is to re-attach the hose. This should be a simple process on most Shark vacuums, but check the manual if you’re not sure how to do it.
How Often Should You Clean a Shark Vacuum Hose?
You can probably get away with cleaning your Shark’s hose once every few months. This isn’t a job you’ll need to do regularly, unlike cleaning the filters or emptying the dust canister.
The exception is if there’s a clog in the vacuum’s hose. You should clean the hose as soon as you notice a clog developing, as this prevents it worsening or causing strain on the vacuum’s motor.
Summary
A clogged vacuum hose can make your Shark much less effective. It may also cause the brushroll to stop spinning, the motor to strain, and lead to an unpleasant smell.
The method above is a quick way to clean your Shark vacuum’s hose. While this method is usually safe, it’s important to be careful with your hose and avoid using abrasive cleaners.
And, as we mentioned earlier, always allow the hose enough time to fully dry before reattaching it!
Do you have any questions about how to clean a Shark vacuum hose? Or do you need help with another aspect of maintaining your Shark vacuum? Please let us know in the comments section below.